TC's Mailbag: August 2010
3rd August 2010 by Linda Bond
The journey to TC
Being the Territorial Commander is the highest position in the territory. How did you get to where you are today?
Thank you for your interest in this personal journey of my officership. It really started with being raised in an Army family and being thoroughly engaged in the corps life. When the Lord called me to officership, I said “yes” and that yes determined my acceptance of every appointment the Army gave me.
The years as corps officer were the best in developing my relational and speaking skills. The years on training college staff were opportunities for studying and teaching the Word, and for working in a team. The Candidates’ Secretary Appointment used those gifts to the max. The divisional headquarters’ appointments used all the previous, and developed my administrative skills.
I was encouraged to study even during my officership, and religious education and theology shaped my thinking and ministry. International appointments developed a global perspective and gave me a clear understanding of what it means to be “The Salvation Army”.
But underneath it all was the desire to do the Lord’s will, to be available for whatever, whenever, wherever and to do the very best in every appointment. I received the appointment from my leaders as the appointment from the Lord.
The question of communion
My school has communion once a month and my friend does it regularly at her church. It’s a biblical practice, so how come we never do it at Salvation Army churches?
This is a good question and one that has been hotly debated. I have to admit that it is hard to be out of step with other denominations on this matter. Mind you, there is strong disagreement within the Christian Church on communion, such as what it means, who can administer it and who can receive it.
Most churches recognise that external observances like baptism and communion are not essential to salvation and Christlikeness. Salvationists are living proof of this. Maybe rather than seeing ourselves as abstainers, we need to see ourselves as witnesses.
When you mention that communion is a biblical practice, you need to realise that the few occasions where it is mentioned in Scripture were connected with either the Passover meal or regular fellowship meals with Jesus’ followers. There is no reference to a specific ceremony in a church setting.
While we do not practice communion as other churches do, we are very sacramental as Salvationists. We believe Jesus is the one true sacrament who can nourish our souls and quench our deepest thirst. Then we, in our Christlike service, can become his broken bread and outpoured wine so that, as Albert Orsborn wrote in his song, “other souls refreshed and fed, may share his life through mine”.
Officer or envoy?
Given that in today’s society people regularly change careers and don't like to do the same job forever, does the position of an envoy (a short-term commitment) have as much importance to The Salvation Army’s ministry today as the position of an officer (long-term commitment)?
The envoy ministry role is very important in our territory. It does offer short-term service and especially opens a door for ministry to those who do not feel called to officership. Envoys play a vital role, but the commitment is not for life-long service, whereas officership is (barring unforseen circumstances).
Officers are different in terms of availability and mobility. They accept the appointment system and are prepared to serve in different places and in various appointments throughout their officership (see the first question).
You mention that “in today’s society people regularly change careers and don't like to do the same job forever”, but did you know that the vocation of officership has many avenues that one could serve a variety of appointments in, e.g. corps, social (a diverse field in itself), chaplaincy, teaching, administration, overseas mission?
Officers are not better than anyone else is. They are not superior to envoys, employees or other soldiers. But for its long-term planning, our Army needs people who even in the 21st century are prepared to sign a covenant to go the distance and come under the authority of those who appoint and seek to meet the Army’s territorial and international needs.
Got a question you want the TC to answer? Write to us today!
Commissioner Linda Bond oversees all of The Salvation Army's work throughout NSW, Qld and ACT as Territorial Commander for the Australia Eastern Territory.
Originally from Canada, she has been a Salvation Army officer for over 35 years and has served in Canada, the UK, the USA and at The Salvation Army's International Headquarters in London prior to being appointed to Australia in May 2008.
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Comments
however there is still nothing wrong with communion and i love what it stands for and partaking in it and i personally have been baptised! it was a significant moment in my walk with Christ
Jake. I'm pretty sure the commissioner isn't saying communion is wrong.. the commissioner is just explaining why it isn't done with in the Salvation Army.
That's awesome that you have been baptised - i love that!
I reckon it's more important to Love God & Love Others - build one another up and speak out words of life than be caught up in rights and wrongs of practices with in the church.
If Baptism is what you do.. fantastic! if going dry (salvo style) is what you do - fantastic! either way it's about relationship with Jesus :)
ETERNAL LIFE BABY - yeew! i'm absolutely pumped!
PARTY!!!! :)
In regards to 'Officer vs Envoy'.... it seems that Officership is encouraged and advertised a lot in the Salvation Army, but I am wondering how someone becomes an Envoy if they feel led to commit to a specific short-term service, and do not feel called to officership? There is not much information out about this (that I am aware of). Is it encouraged also? Are Envoy positions advertised, or are they also appointed like Officers? Thanks!
Considerably well written read!!!
Please don't get wrong I Love the Salvation Army however I struggle with your stand regarding Communion Jesus said; John 6:55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.
John 6:56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.
John 6:57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.
John 6:58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever."
He then went on to say John 17:20 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,
John 17:21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
He also at what is called the last supper went on to share with them the bread which he said was his body and then after the supper went on to give the wine telling them that this was their blood, we are told that 1 Cor 11:23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread,
1 Cor 11:24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me."
1 Cor 11:25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."
1 Cor 11:26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
1 Cor 11:27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.
I have trouble understanding how we can come and meet together in the name of Jesus Christ if we are not in communion with him.
Please help me understand