The point of joining The Salvation Army is joining with Jesus. It's not about membership. It's about relationship. Into the loving relationship with God through Christ, we belong...to Him. Then, and only then do we have the opportunity to become a Soldier in TSA. This is all good.
Our joy in reaching others for Christ and bringing them into the fellowship of TSA is that it increases our capacity to reach even more for Christ. This is our prime objective.
Join us, by joining Jesus.
Acts 2:38
Peter said, "Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away—whomever, in fact, our Master God invites."
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15 comments:
Commissioner,
Yes it is good to want others to join the Army. However, one wonders what kind of Army we want them to join. Is it the same Army that is suggested by the Armybarmy blog of Saturday January 19 2008? Do we really endores such arrogance?
Graham
Graham - ArmyBarmy intends to push us to the extreme in our faith and practise and makes no apology for it.
well, that all seems good, but it doesnt make any sense at all that one part of Gods church should even whisper at an attempt at slander of another part of Gods church even if we dont agree with the way other do things n the kingdom.
Yes, Armybarmy does push extremism, but one wonders how appropriate such an approach to the gospel and our living and proclaiming it is. Muslims are suffering such an approach to Islam, and we know the outworkings. Extremism is not a credible demonstration of the gospel of the redemptive reign of God. The church needs to present a united face to a fragmented world, the derogatory attitude toward fellow Christians by Armybarmy is most offensive to us all. Graham
I'm a little unsure what was wrong with armybarmy's blog on the 19th? Anyway, Jesus is alive and I believe he's empowering us to reclaim our identity and be who we were called to be, i.e. The Salvation Army.
I agree with Graham, Any extremism should not extend to stupidism. John.
Seeing as Armybarmy doesn't facilitate a right of reply. The Salvation Army in Australia, traces is origins to Great Britain in general and William and Catherine Booth in particular. Thus much that passes for ‘salvationism’ was imported. However, while this is the case these expressions of imported ‘salvationism’ has been constructed and reproduced in a distinctively Australian way that is more in tune with the distinctive qualities of religion and spirituality. What has emerged is an Australian pattern of being The Salvation Army that ought not be judged by any other than Australian standards. Why should Australian patterns of what it means to be a Salvationist be judged by the standards of British, Victorian or American institutions? It would seem that those who consider themselves Primitive Salvationists regard themselves as having the right to do so and to impose their view of what it means to be The Salvation Army as the only view worth considering. It may be helpful for Army barmy to actually get to know the country and its people before jumping to the wrong conclusions. GB
good call, I agree.
GJ
I'm intrigued at the strong comments. Care to expound further without specific or personal reference to a particular blog?
it concerns me greatly that in an attempt to encourage a stronger Army commitment to who we are, that we have, in the past taken "pot shots" at other churches, and there is a hint of it at times within the Army ...I am tired of hearing people criticise hillsong for instance and have also heard criticism flow in Army gatherings towards the large churches like Willowcreek and Saddleback, and for me that is an insult to them as they are just doing what God has laid on their hearts to do and be, as indeed He has on us.
the blog that is copping it here a bit, seems to have a one eyed view and whilst that is fine, and I think its ok to be one eyed Army...not at the expense of any other...it has been said, that the Army in Australia has a theology of smallness and its that I would contend that we need to attack... we are called to increase and extend the kingdom of God through the way we do things, which to me infers that we need to be the largest movement/church in the country.
if we use all our energy or even part of our energy even comparing, or looking for fault in the tall poppy, which is indeed the ozzie way, then we are epending energy that should be and could be used to grow our part of the christian church.
and whilst there may have been a misread or miscommunication, the underlying attitude still exists, that we in our attempts to be army, may potentially distance ourselves from the body of Christ..we are no more special than any other church, we are collectively the bride of Christ.. every little bit or big bit of us.
Hillsong, WillowCreek, Saddleback, & any other church/pastor or Army gathering in Gods Holy Name.
GJ
Joining Jesus and abiding in Him in relationship up (towards God) and out (to others) - its exactly what the entire gospel of John highlighted. Establishing relationship, defending and nuturing relationship, confronting relationship.
You have a specific post today, very good words. Your comment box seems to accentuate more than what you have published or posted - quite unfortunate.
Your posts are always succinct and inspirational. We pray for you and your family within your ministry.
Thanks, jsi. Your thoughts are welcomed.
GJ - Your thoughts are welcomed too. This fuller explanation of your thinking is most helpful. You're right. Our place in the Kingdom is not advanced by negative criticism of other churches. Contrast is inevitable and can even be helpful when given in a constructive manner. I appreciate your position.
When winning people for Jesus, when they come to that great realtionship of knowing Jesus as their personal saviour, does it matter if they are "Salvationists" or "Baptists" or "Anglicans". No, it shouldn't matter as long as they are part of the family of God. I am a salvationist and want to see people saved for the sake of their soul. To me it doesn't matter if afterward they attend a corp or not just as long as they are in a fellowshipping family of God, whatever form that takes. Christ has done mighty works through the Salvation Army in the past and I pray he does so in the future but he also works through all the expression that the body of Christ has found itself and will continue to do so.
I am convinced that TSA is the best place for people to find God, grow in His grace and serve Him by serving others.
Anon - If you come back to find an answer to your post, you'll note that I pulled it. This isn't the place for specific complaints. I maintain my convictions on TSA and would suggest that you speak to someone in TSA that you trust (in person) and share your concerns.
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