TC Mailbag: November 2010
29th November 2010 by Linda Bond
A good tradition?
Officers' appointment changes are obviously a key part of Salvation Army tradition, but like any system there would be strengths and weaknesses attached. What do you think are the strengths and weaknesses of doing it this way? Have there ever been discussions about trying different approaches?
Yes, the appointment system is part of our tradition. In line with the Army's quasi military structure, the deployment is done on the basis of getting the right people for the right place at the right time. Other systems have been talked about over the years, but all have strengths and weaknesses.
The main negative of the appointment system, as some may perceive it, is relinquishing the right to self determination. In other words, someone else chooses where you will serve and for how long. But this is not a weakness but a strength – a challenge. It is intrinsic in discipleship.
The other difficulty is how it affects the family. Yet, in truth, as we consider appointments these days, the children are carefully and prayerfully considered. Officers are invited to share in writing family needs and anything else that needed to be considered, i.e. health, education, ageing parents.
The third of course, is how an appointment change affects the corps or centre. The divisional commanders are very much involved with our territorial Appointments Board in the process to make sure the officers, the Army corps and centres are best served by the move. Prayer is a major factor when appointments are being considered.
Positives from the Army's perspective:
- Being able to identify the best person for a specific situation or place.
- Being able to address an unexpected development or emergency without undue delay.
- Recognising that the strength of a corps or centre is not dependent on the officer. Its strength is in its local people. Wise officer leaders develop and recognise the strength of the corps leaders.
Positives from the officers' perspective:
- Gaining a breadth of experience, because every corps/centre is different, people and personalities are also different, as are the circumstances and challenges faced.
- Discovering new aspects of the Army's diverse ministries (i.e. field, social, headquarters) and being part of a larger Army.
- Discovering and developing unknown gifts and abilities when given an appointment outside your "comfort zone".
- Meeting faithful Salvationists and employees in every appointment who help you learn and grow in Christ. We gather a family as we go as Jesus promised (Mark 10:29-31).
- Getting experience and seeing the Lord work in different cultural settings.
- Being assured of a placement, which might not be the case if appointments depended on personal applications, trial sermons or "job interviews".
- Learning that moving out of our comfort zone provides a God-ordained adventure.
The challenges
What do you feel are the main challenges that The Salvation Army in Australia faces in the next 5-10 years?
The challenges, I believe, are those articulated by our people which resulted in our 7 Mission Priorities. The Priorities present the challenge in a positive way but they respond to very real concerns from Salvationists and employees. The Army's lifeblood is in its connection to God and in the mission He gave it.
The public loves us and the people we serve are most grateful, but the challenge that faces us is to live up to our name. Though the term of endearment from outsiders is Salvos, we must be The Salvation Army. Anything short of holy living, dependence on the Lord and a fervency to connect people to Jesus will spell disaster for us as a vibrant, effective, progressive force.
And if we do not see our corps come alive, train up our people and engage the youth in frontline mission, we will wilt from the inside out. If we close our eyes to bringing children to Jesus (and not just those who attend but those in the dark places of our communities), it will not only indicate we are self-obsessed, but it will show that we do not have a vision for the future or a commitment to changing society.
And if soldiership, officership are insignificant extras, then we will lose the edge that a disciplined, focussed, mobilised Army must have in the 21st century.
We are at war friends and its time that the Army of God experiences a revival of soul-saving passion and uncompromising holy living.
Debating doctrine?
Does Salvation Army doctrine ever get debated or re-assessed at senior levels? Or is it kind of an untouchable topic?
No, the Army doctrines are not an untouchable topic. We have an International Doctrine Council and theological symposia that are held on a regular basis both internationally and regionally.
In 1998, I was a member of the International Spiritual Life Commission that met over a period of months to discuss some major doctrinal issues. The report on this Commission is in a book by Commissioner Robert Street, Called to Be God's People.
Can the Doctrines be revisited and expanded? Yes, they can.
I believe we started with 7 and some feel we need to add at least two more to the 11 Articles of Faith – one on the Resurrection of Jesus and the other on the doctrine of the Church. I heard the General state that if the subject is in our Doctrine Book though not in the 11 articles, they are still our doctrines.
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.
save. grow. serve.
save - noah rzeminski
Noah Rzeminski from Wollongong tells how his father was not happy with his decision to b... Read more
serve - nadine sorensen
Nadine Sorensen shares how God altered her persepctive while on mission in Kenya... Read more
Got your own story to share? Write to us today!
Comments
"We are at war friends and its time that the Army of God experiences a revival of soul-saving passion and uncompromising holy living."
Amen to that! Inspiring words from the TC, but I have to say, its easy to speak inspiring words when you serve such an amazing and awe-inspiring God!
I hope and pray that spreading the message of Jesus Christ will forever be our top priority as a movement, and living a Holy Spirit empowered life of Holiness forever be our top priority as individuals.
May God continue to bless His Army.