The fullness of life

In my experience, The Salvation Army is not a Sunday-only church. Our corps (churches) are regularly open during the week for community groups, Bible studies, music practices and youth gatherings. Many corps offer all of this, but also apply innovative and interesting ways to engage and minister in their local communities, as you can read in every edition of SALT.

In this edition, on page 16, I invite you to read about Lieutenant Semi Ratu, who integrates his two roles as corps officer at Ashburton Corps and as sport chaplain to two rugby teams in his local community. His passion for people is obviously contagious, as his congregation welcome the opportunity to be included in his dual ministry.

On page 18, I encourage you to read an insightful testimony by Lieutenant Andy Connor on his journey to his adult diagnosis of neurodiversity and the impact this has had on his life and ministry.

Also in this edition, on page 8, a challenge is given by Dr Coralie Bridle, who recently completed her PhD thesis, titled ‘An Army that Brings Life? Complex Disability, The Salvation Army, and Fullness of Life’. Her challenge to the Army is to practise authentic inclusion of people who have disabilities. Coralie uses the metaphor of coming together around a shared table; not a table designed and built for the disabled community but including them in the design and construction of the table, being seated at the table and leading from the table— as Coralie says ‘nothing about us without us’.

Jesus’ ministry is the exemplar for inclusive and wide-ranging ministry. While he attended synagogue and observed the law throughout his life, Jesus’ ministry was not limited to his place of worship. He ministered in the marketplace, at weddings and funerals, on roadsides, in boats, over food and in people’s houses. Nobody was excluded and he did not wait for opportunities to open to him; he observed the need and responded with love and compassion.

It is time to extend the ‘fullness of life’ as God intended to all who would call The Salvation Army their spiritual home. The question for each of us is how will we respond to Coralie’s challenge? Maybe it’s how we have always responded: with ‘our sleeves rolled up’.

Vivienne HillEditor