Progress (Spring 2015)

IHQ-ProgRes@salvationarmy.org

SPRING 2015 // ISSUE 13

A NEWS UPDATE FROM THE PROGRAMME RESOURCES DEPARTMENT AT IHQ

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Programme Resources

Programme Resources

Walk a mile in my shoes

Commissioner Charles Swansbury International Secretary for Programme Resources

2 Communications A thousand words

Walk a mile in my shoes

5 International Emergency Services

Ready for anything

6 International Projects and

Development Services

Linking Projects with Trade for Hope

8 Communications

Good News about

the Good Book

10 Programme Resources

Passion and purpose 12 Communications

From heart to pen

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aving spent the past five years serving in West Africa my wife and I will, during these months, be happily experiencing again an English spring. We have been looking forward to the colour of flowers emerging from the cold of winter, the lengthening of days, the gradual warmth of the increasing sun. However, our international service has brought to our awareness that the pattern of climate in various parts of the world differs considerably to that

experienced in the northern hemisphere; the months of our winter are summer in the southern hemisphere, those near the equator experience near-constant temperatures the whole year round. I well recall a CPMS training session in Liberia where the trainers, who originated from northern Europe, attempted to explain a summer to winter temperature differential of up to 60 degrees Celsius to CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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3 3CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 officers whose own climate between the wet and dry seasons varied by no more than six degrees. The only example able to inadequately convey the level of extreme cold in parts of Europe was to suggest to the workshop delegates that they sit in a chest freezer for a few moments!

All this goes to show that our place of birth and upbringing greatly influence our expectations of what is normal, what is right, what is acceptable. As such, it is very easy for us to evaluate another’s motives, values and actions through our own understanding – a recipe for disagreement if ever there was one!

The chorus of a ballad written by the late singer-songwriter Joe South makes the following statement: Walk a mile in my shoes, walk a mile in my shoes.

Hey, before you abuse, criticize and accuse Walk a mile in my shoes Progress seeks to help us walk in the footsteps of our colleagues in different

parts of the world, so that we can better understand their circumstances, their issues and challenges, and to rejoice with them that despite difficulty there is hope, there is purpose, there shines the love of God in action.

May the words and pictures of this issue broaden our vision, expand our expectation and increase our prayer as we walk not only a mile, but an extra mile in the shoes of those who serve in places and cultures far from our own.

‘Our place of birth and upbringing greatly influence our expectations of what is normal’

Communications Section

Berni Georges GRAPHIC DESIGNER

A thousand words Using visual communication to spread the word

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picture paints a thousand words’ so the saying goes. As a graphic designer working at The Salvation Army International Headquarters, making visual impact is of prime importance. We read in the Book of Genesis that one of the first things that God created was light – from which comes day and night, form, texture, colour and life itself. As people

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we are highly effected by what we see.

In the modern world we live in, we are constantly bombarded with information in the form of visual images – whether on a printed page or on our screens, big and small. All these images clamour for our attention, for all sorts of purposes, whether commercial or otherwise. So it’s a privilege for us to work on matters that we feel are important for people to see.

I work with my fellow designer, Jooles Tostevin, as part of a creative team within the Communications Section at IHQ, and we’re both kept very busy with the extensive number of publications, books, magazines, posters, brochures, logos, graphics for the web, exhibitions and displays. Our role involves using many different disciplines and skills, not only technical and visual ones but personal

ones as we relate to editors, writers, photographers, web managers and various people within IHQ who need graphic design to fulfil their own ministries.

Our primary responsibities are producing three main periodicals: The Officer, All the World and Revive (plus of course, this wonderful publication...)

– which involves working closely with the editors, laying out text, photos, illustrations and producing the final files to send to the printers. The Officer magazine is a bimonthly publication that is available to every Salvation Army officer around the world. It takes the form of an intellectual journal and aims to inspire, inform and reflect on ministerial issues. It also seeks to stimulate debate and opinion, and encourage continued spiritual growth of an officer, in their day to day work. All the World is a quarterly magazine that has articles about Army work around the world – from corps projects and individual efforts through to large-scale emergency responses and development projects. Many people know what’s

Communication through visual arts is a vital part of The Salvation Army’s ministry’ happening with their local Salvation Army, but if they want to know what’s going on internationally, All the World is the place to start. Revive is a magazine aimed at women – firstly those involved in ministry and mission, but open to anyone.

The ethos of the publication is that it should truly look and feel like a woman’s magazine, with a lighter visual touch, and yet deal with serious topics that affect women all over the world. This includes articles that touch on broad issues of faith, prayer, relationship and leadership – through to specific, tough issues such as human trafficking.

We also produce the graphics for The Salvation Army Year Book, which is an extensive and intricate reference book detailing facts and figures of Army work,

corps, institutions and personnel – a great resource of information. Words of Life is another of our publications – a daily devotional book that encourages people to take time to meditate on God’s Word. Besides these we design covers for a whole range of general books such as biographies, historical studies, reflective and inspirational writings. We are currently designing covers for books written by three retired Generals: Paul Rader, Shaw Clifton and John Larsson, each expressing some of the writers’ individual personality, experience and passion.

Another aspect of our work is designing eye-catching public displays, using huge ‘lightboxes’, or large-scale sculptural graphics. These are mainly for

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Top left: Jooles Tostevin fitting the light box graphics; bottom left: Berni Georges checking the installation of the Olympic bike sculpture; above: a sample of the many books produced at international Headquarters

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designed to be ‘transparent’ and allow the public to interact and see the Army at work. This area of London attracts thousands of tourists who pass the entrance and display area every day, so we try to make the most of the wonderful location in the heart of the capital.

The images on display illustrate major Christian themes of Easter, Christmas, and other humanitarian issues that the Army is conected with – hoping to make passers-by think about the significance of the Christian message.

IHQ is also responsible for many external events, for which we have to conceptualise logos and branding, for brochures, posters and all the related material. This year we are hard at work providing designs for The Salvation Army’s 150th anniversary. Of course this also centres around the Boundless Congress, and it’s been a real challenge designing the huge posters and banners at the O2 arena – some spanning up to 11 metres in length!

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Naturally a big part of our job involves working with pictures and how they enhance and draw out the meaning of text – it’s crucial that words and images relate well together, and do not confuse or conflict. It’s important then that we work closely with the editors to achieve the best creative ideas. This does involve a sense of visual playfulness, humour and colour. This idea sometimes gives the impression that we designers do nothing but play all day, harking back to our play school days of ‘colouring in’ and messing around with paint! Certainly there is a great deal of fun connected with what we do, and childlike wonder, enjoyment of playing with form and colour That’s related to the disciplines of our profession – and this is how it should be!

A lot of creative thinking is to do with solving design problems in a lateral way – finding visual connections with things which are apparently disconnected.

In turn, a creative idea on a page may become a spark for someone viewing it – a ‘glimpse of eternity’. For example

a reader flicking through a magazine may be drawn to an image that brings feelings of surprise, delight, fascination, nostalgia – or just raises a smile. This is an individual response, personal and emotional and therefore may encourage the person to read the article.

The reader in turn is enriched by the writing, spiritual insight or personal story – and has gained from both words and picture. This creative sense of ‘childlike wonder and play’ then, is what helps to open up the channels of communication, to show our shared humanity.

As passionate graphic artists, we really value the opportunities here at IHQ to be a part of the ministry of The Salvation Army. Communication through visual arts is a vital part of our ministry and we always work hard to bring the highest level of creative thought and professionalism into our job – so that the work we create will ultimately reflect the light, love and joy that the Army endeavours to bring to the world.

International Emergency Services Major Alison Thompson at a community centre in Mafraq, Jordan, where Syrian refugees were supported with clothing and household items

Ready for anything Major Alison Thompson

International Emergency Services Coordinator

An officer of the UK Territory currently based at International Headquarters in London, UK, Alison serves within the International Emergency Services section which supports territories affected by disasters, coordinating financial and technical support to assist The Salvation Army’s response to humanitarian relief situations.

What would be your typical day?

I arrive at the office around 7.45am, grab a coffee and check any incoming email, also monitoring news of any unfolding disasters such as cyclone or earthquake activity which may require a response. If we have received any applications for assistance, we will hold a Crisis Action Group meeting to discuss the situation, agreeing a response and then process all necessary documentation to enable resources to get to where they are needed as soon as possible. Sometimes there will also be visits to various disaster situations for assessment and monitoring visits or training courses to deliver in order to build local capacity and resilience. Receiving reports from territories who have experienced challenges enables us to pass on information of how God’s people are helping others who are affected by calamity and offers opportunity to share the news around the world, gaining practical and prayerful support for those who need it. There really isn’t a typical day

in Emergency Services as we need to be prepared for anything.

How did you meet The Salvation Army?

I was invited to attend a Salvation Army Sunday School by my mum’s insurance agent, who was a young people’s worker at my local corps. I went along, soon felt at home there and eventually gave my life to the Lord, became a junior soldier and joined in with all the activities. As a teenager, I became aware of God’s call upon my life, offered and was accepted for training as a Salvation Army officer.

Then I embarked upon an amazing journey serving in social services and divisional ministry in the UK and now with people from around the Army world.

Do you have a ‘hero of faith’?

I like the story of Dorcas, found in Acts 9:36–42. She was a woman of faith who served her community in very practical ways, doing good and helping the poor,

‘There really isn’t a typical day in Emergency Services as we need to be prepared for anything’

making clothes for widows and orphans.

Her practical ministry was influential among those she cared for. When she died and was raised again through Peter’s ministry, many came to faith.

What is your favourite Bible verse?

I love the verse from John’s Gospel, chapter 10, verse 10: ‘I have come that they might have life – life in all its fullness.’ I have previously served many years with The Salvation Army’s Social and Community Services where many have the opportunity to be transformed by the power of the love of God. To serve others on both practical and pastoral levels has been challenging as well as a joyous privilege.

What skills do you use most in your work?

There will be a mixture of skills to employ in dealing with emergency situations – including administration, assessment and planning, giving encouragement and support to those in the midst of a disaster.

There needs to be an ability to be flexible to deal with what may arrive in the inbox each day. We are a small team so the ability to work together is also important to our section.

How would you like to be remembered?

As someone who was faithful in loving and serving God. I hope I have been a support and encouragement to others and would like to be remembered as one who tried to make a difference.

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International Projects and Development Services (IPDS)

Bo Christoffer Brekke ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER OF OTHERS – TRADE FOR HOPE

Linking Projects with Trade for Hope Impact. Sustainability. Partnership.

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f one were to analyse project descriptions throughout the Salvation Army world, surely these three – impact, sustainability, partnership – would rank highly on a list of the most frequently used words. Behind each term is a goal that’s easy to agree on but not always easy to achieve.

We implement projects to achieve longterm, positive changes in the situation of the target group. We want results to last beyond the project period and, if possible, to find ways in which efforts can continue as external support is phased out. We want this achieved through an equitable partnership between the supporting and implementing partner.

In reality, this is not always easy. At times we diligently conduct activities, with insufficient knowledge of how beneficiaries

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actually benefit in the long term. The nature of our work means that much of it will continue to rely on donor funding for many years. It’s also a reality that many partnerships at the end of the day are skewed towards the donor, not least due to the conditions that often accompany changing political agendas.

Others – The Salvation Army’s concept of Trade for Hope – is no simple or instant guarantor of success, but can at its best be effectively linked up with Salvation Army development projects to help achieve greater impact, more sustainability, and genuine partnership.

Old Dhaka – partnership in practice The Salvation Army’s Counselling and Development Centre in Old Dhaka,

Bangladesh, works with commercial sex workers, victims of trafficking and vulnerable youth. Self-help groups, vocational training, adult literacy, psychosocial support – all are familiar components. You don’t need to stay long in Old Dhaka to become convinced of the impact. But for many programme participants, stigma, discrimination and self-confidence remain barriers for a transition to regular employment. The opportunity to make products for Others provides an income, but is also for some the necessary bridge to a livelihood independent of The Salvation Army, and outside of the sex industry. In short: impact.

Others, as a commercial enterprise, is not yet big enough or profitable enough

to be a major source of income for the project, or for The Salvation Army as a whole. Nonetheless, in addition to providing fair wages for the producers, profits from sales and exports contribute towards the Old Dhaka project and provide support for the local Army in the form of rent, salaries and more. In both cases they help sustainability.

Many projects certainly represent genuine partnerships, but a buyer/seller relationship is different to a donor/implementing partner relationship. The dignity that comes from producing something that’s valued and sold even in other countries is important on the producer level. Furthermore, in the buyer/seller relationship, demands go both ways – demands for quality and timely delivery are met with demands for fair terms and fair pay. Both producer and buyer meet a need – the former meeting the buyer’s demand for a particular product, the latter providing opportunities for work and self-support on the producer side. In short: genuine partnership.

Others works with many production groups, some linked directly to projects like in Old Dhaka, some linked to women’s groups in a corps or community, and some permanent employees in a production centre. In all areas we will continue to strive to complement The Salvation Army’s other efforts towards having a sustainable positive impact on vulnerable individuals and communities – in the context of a genuine partnership. www.tradeforhope.com

‘The dignity that comes from producing something that’s valued and sold even in other countries is important on the producer level’ Photos by Jan Aasmann Størksen

Clockwise from opposite page: modelling Others bags produced at the Old Dhaka centre; delegate bags being produced for the Boundless Congress; making greeting cards for a Norwegian supermarket chain.

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Communications Section David Giles Web Manager

Boundless – The Whole World Reading is a year-long Bible reading initiative that seeks to unite Salvationists and friends in studying the New Testament together. It builds on a similar programme run in 2013 by the United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland, devised and written

by Major Phil Layton.

To mark The Salvation Army’s 150th year, the IHQ Communications team 8

Good News about the Good Book was tasked with making the challenge accessible to a worldwide readership.

Initially, the text was re-edited with this international audience in mind and a fresh new look for the material was created by in-house designer Jooles Tostevin. A print run of 90,000 booklets was despatched to territories for onward distribution in November 2014.

Meanwhile, a new blog-style website was constructed in conjunction with the

IHQ IT department, built specifically to be mobile-friendly. A bespoke Android app – available via Google Play – augmented the digital provision, with an optional weekly ‘encouragement email’ distribution list also available.

The website and app include speciallyselected supporting material from the devotional series Words of Life, selected by writer Major Beverly Ivany and IHQ Chaplain Major Rosslyn Casey. Specially-

BOUNDLESSWORLD BOUNDLESS

THE WHOLE THE WHOLE WORLD

READING

the International Bible ReadingREADING Challenge

produced audio and video content has been originated, to enrich selected readings, by the newest member of the Communications team, Gary Rose.

Since the launch of the initiative on 5 January, more than 18,000 people have accessed the Boundless – The Whole World Reading website and more than 2,000 have downloaded and used the app. At least 124 countries are represented in these figures, including a number in which there is no established Salvation Army presence (eg Thailand, Egypt, Israel, Malta, Iran and Saudi Arabia).

Discussion about the daily readings has been healthy, with several corps using the content in small group settings or

in Sunday morning meetings. Online participants have been encouraged to share their thoughts, questions and comments about the Scriptures via the interactive web pages or social media.

More than 500 unique contributions have been received so far, including colourful photos of the weekly children’s challenge activities via Instagram.

To celebrate the one-month mark of the challenge, a special live web chat took place on 5 February. This enabled

participants to communicate directly with The Whole World Reading team and to share their own experiences openly and enthusiastically.

It has been encouraging, too, to see spin-off initiatives develop, with bloggers drawing on the daily material to produce their own reflections on the New Testament passages covered, and for several video study groups to spring up on the SAVN.tv live chat facility.

Take part in Boundless – The Whole World Reading at http://sar.my/boundlessbible

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Programme Resources

Commissioners Charles and Denise Swansbury, Commissioners Hans and Marja van Vliet – territorial leaders of The Netherlands and Czech Republic Territory – IHQ Programme Resources Department members and delegates to the 2014 Programme Resources Consultancy Group

Major John P. Murray IHQ Communications Secretary

Passion and purpose

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hirty-three international delegates to the Programme Resources Consultancy Group met at The Salvation Army’s 50|50 Hotel Belmont in The Netherlands from 17-20 November 2014 to discuss accountability, transparency, impact measurement and global development opportunities.

The photo-essay tells the story of relationship building, networking, sharing of information, engagement, passion and purpose. It also helps to illustrate the important social service ministry of The Salvation Army in The Netherlands.

An afternoon was spent touring Salvation Army facilities in Amsterdam, culminating with a tour of the new Bosshardt centre, which is situated in the heart of the city’s Red Light District, and today is a tribute to the well-known Salvation Army officer who was a friend to royalty and street workers and who was the ‘face’ of The Salvation Army in The Netherlands for decades. Many of the photos tell the story of the imporant 10

work in the Red Light District – which continues to this day.

The Programme Resources Consultancy Group, under the leadership of Commissioner Charles Swansbury, International Secretary for Programme Resources, IHQ, is a vitally important aggregation wholly committed to supporting and enhancing the international development work of The Salvation Army around the world.

Delegates listen intently and engage in important discussions throughout the day

The Salvation Army in The Netherlands has a significant community presence and a rich heritage of serving ‘others’.

The PCGC meetings are designed to enhance global partnerships and ministry to ‘others’.

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Communications Section Paul Mortlock EDITORIAL PRODUCTION MANAGER

From heart to pen Salvation Books, the publishing imprint of IHQ, brings retired international leaders to the fore at Boundless 2015 with books from the pen of three retired Generals.

In order of retirement …

Through their travels around the world, General Paul A. Rader and Commissioner Kay F. Rader inspired commitment to the Army’s mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human need in his name. The intriguingly-titled To Seize this Day of Salvation, contains a variety of their presentations prepared to inform and inspire to action. The value of these chapters lies both in their diversity and consistency, for they explore themes that lie at the heart of the Army’s vision and

mission. The issues addressed are both perennial and urgently relevant to this ‘day of salvation’.

In retirement General John Larsson has been a prolific writer and his latest title – Those Incredible Booths – tells the remarkable story of William and Catherine as parents who brought into the world a boisterous crew of eight originals who were as gifted and headstrong as their parents. But not all was sunshine.

When three of them rebelled and left the Army, a shudder went through its ranks. In individual biographies, woven together to form one fascinating narrative, the author charts the amazing lives of the children. (Illustrated with 16 pages of photographs.)

General Shaw Clifton has compiled and written two books since his retirement in 2011, including his 2014 collection of autobiographical essays, Something Better…, which is now followed by the publication Crown of Glory, Crown of Thorns. Originally written as a doctoral thesis accepted in 1988, the text is a detailed account of Salvation Army work and attitudes in times of war and covers the conflicts (Boer, and First and Second World Wars) which took place between 1899 and 1945. Illustrated with 16 pages of photographs, General Clifton’s research and systematic analysis of the political and moral issues arising from war reveal three main principles governing Salvationist reaction during the period: 1) the spiritual priority of Christian evangelism and soul-saving; 2) the practical priority of compassionate good works; 3) the upholding of Christian internationalism.

It is planned that each title will have a dedicated ‘launch’ at Boundless 2015, with each author speaking about his or her book and being available for signings at point of purchase! Look out for these and other Salvation Books’ titles at congress…!

Correction Progress strives for complete accuracy but mistakes sometimes slip in. We apologize for an inaccurate photo caption in Issue 12. The photo is from an ‘Elderly Persons Programme’ in Mongolia, and shows us a time of entertainment.

Editor Colonel Lisbeth Welander EditorIAL ASSISTANCE Kevin Sims, Paul Mortlock design and Artwork Berni Georges PROGRAMME RESOURCES The Salvation Army International Headquarters 101 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4V 4EH, United Kingdom Tel: [44] (0)20 7332 0101; email: IHQ-ProgRes@salvationarmy.org Founder William Booth

To subscribe to an electronic copy of Progress please email: IHQ-ProgRes@salvationarmy.org

GENERAL André Cox

Published by THE General of The Salvation Army

COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY Major John P. Murray

© The General of The Salvation Army 2015