Community Conference - This conference continued with more stimulating presenters. The exhibit hall was fantastic. The prayer room beautiful. Hallelujah
The Social Justice Parade was amazing with an estimated 3,000 descending upon Federation Square. There was an ocean of Salvos at the square for the Social Justice Rally.
The Kids Connection Programme was sensational and we were leaving just after the Youth Concert got under way. They'll still be out there for another hour and fifteen minutes.
We're looking forward to great meetings tomorrow. Bring it on, Lord.
Philippians 4:4 (NIV)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
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9 comments:
this has been an awesome time, I was so impressed today, thankyou for getting this together it has increased our capacity to even dare to believe in ourselves, we are a great movement, we stood proud today, of who we are and more importantly who we stand for.
thanks so much for dreaming big and allowing us to be part of the dream
GG
It has been a big effort, with some frustrations along the way, thank you for all who contributed. We are one but we are many, and with the flame of God's gift fanned by these activities, we will continue to take ground from him who leads people into addictions and hopelessness. May God bless the Army.
BCA
I am the person who raised the topic of hell and the lake of fire with James Knaggs on Sunday 25 November.
A question: does God still love those who end up in hell/lake of fire for eternity?
I can imagine JK waving to me in hell from his lofty position in heaven telling me God still loves me. I can hear the hearty, but cruel laughter which follows.
I don't really think you take offense at this illustration, James, you seem much too big for that.
"reeejoice in the lord always, and again I say rejoice!!" *clap clap* (You know I have had that song stuck in my head for quite a while, pops in and out every so often, Love it!)
Woo! Connections was Awesome!! So very excited and pumped to "win the world for Jesus"
Thanks Commissioner for a wonderful weekend, and thanks to all those who put so much effort into it! Was excellent to see so many people fired up for God, all in the one place!
God bless you both Commissioners, you are doing great things in our territory. Looking forward to being apart of, and seeing whats to come!
Amy
Fabulous weekend! Thanks for the kick start to the Youth Rally we startd at 6 and went through till 11pm and had a blast:)
Thank you for all you have done and given to Connections 07!
Please, sir, there is only one thing that lies on my heart to ask. What does connecting to the community mean to a small country corps?
I once knew of a small country corps that was very connected to its community.
The corps I refer to never grew much in number simply because of its strange mix of people: The down and out, intellectually impaired, phychologically scared, physically unwell, marginalised, even the distressed. All the kinds of people we were encouraged to reach out to at Connections 07 - this corps lived to the goal even before Connections 07 was inspired.
Even though this small country corps never had many people attend on Sundays, the whole town knew where they could go if they needed some extra care. The community also knew they could send someone else to the Army if they had a family member or friend in need, this often happened. I was one of them.
As far as I could see this small place was an example of everything Connections 07 was all about. Caring for the marginalised. I experienced all this as I spent time in what most people would describe as a little tin pot town. I need to say, to the person on the outside this place did not look very attractive. Not many people would want to mix with those kind of people, but they were wonderful, and real, and honest.
Most of all it did not look good according to statistics.
This kind of living to the mission is not what we are used to. These people were living to the goal - but it was not a grand picture, nor to the scale of Connections 07.
This description is how the corps did work, until recently, when the corps officer was no longer found to the living in that particular local community, but instead commuting. Now that old corps is called a "new outreach" - which to the local town's people translates "we are not good enough". Indeed, on more than several occassions the local people have been told that they did not do enough to get the corps growing. Oh, the stories I could tell you of the wonderful things those poor, simple, and broken people did do. Amazing stories. Stories that have not been listened to.
Now the local community in that place does not know where they will send the down and outs. Now there is no local officer living locally, the town's people look to the elderly members of the church to help out when the officer can't be found. Unfortunately these members are simply too tired and can't cope themselves (through no fault of their own). Most of the people who used to be involved don't attend worship anymore, they just don't feel loved there anymore.
Sometimes the members that are still connected are stopped in the main street to be asked by family and friends why they are still allowing themselves to be treated in such a way by the Salvation Army.
Now the community does not know what to do, and are feeling lost. Lost and hurt. This is not what small country towns need at the moment, especially in light of the drought.
The only thing I have to say is - we might not necessarily like the look of the corps which is really connected to the community. Especially in a small country town might we? But does this mean that this small corps is any less valuable or worthwhile than a larger corps in the city (or anywhere for that matter).
I will make no apologies for thinking that even small corps have a place within God's Army. I feel it is time someone spoke out for these places.
My apologies for the lengt of this message, but I would like your thoughts on this matter.
TC, I appreciated your calls to the government at the rally and hope that the Army can continue in an attempt to influence the government to look out for all its people, particularly the marginalised.
Anon - My first thoughts go to you. The scenario you describe is difficult to fully understand apart from actual facts. May i suggest a personal conference with someone who might be helpful? I will forward your point to the Mission Development office for post connections follow up.
David - Your concerns need personal conversation. You're welcome to contact me or leave an email address so I can help make a connection for you.
Thank you for your kind offer, Jim.
Connections have already been made, which I am in the process of pursuing. If you don't mind, I'd rather keep the details confidential at the moment. I do look forward to a future conversation with you when our paths cross again (I'm not that easily scared).
Also, let me say that no offence has been taken or is intended - please take previous comments in the style of polemical argument.
Finally, I didn't have the opportunity to convey to you at our initial meeting, my recent positive experiences at Salvation Army church services.
It seems to me that the Salvos, with their already well established "connections" (government, community, charitable) and community goodwill built up over generations, is in a good position to keep on making real inroads into social disadvantage and poverty in Australia.
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