2 minute read
Find your place in this Army
The Salvation Army in New Zealand is adapting to the changing landscape of the 21st century (see page 16) and responding with a new model of service called ‘Local Mission Delivery’ that is supported by a ‘Connected Support Network’ (see page 14).
The thinking behind this sea change in the way we operate is to ensure our frontline can increasingly respond to their unique community needs, with all our faith and service expressions working collaboratively to ensure we deliver a holistic and connected mission.
The new model supports our strategic framework He Waka Eke Noa—all of us together in one canoe. This seafaring metaphor denotes everyone working together and heading in the same direction. Every single person in this Army—congregations, officers, staff, volunteers—is part of a movement founded 160 years ago that responded to the initial call of William and Catherine Booth to reach the lost and disenfranchised in their East End London community. They sparked a movement that is now global, because they first responded to the needs they saw in their local patch. We all have our patch, our neighbourhood, our community.
Our movement's foundation is Jesus Christ. Our effectiveness rests on this fundamental understanding. We may be moving away from what is perceived as The Salvation Army’s ‘glory days’, but our best years as a movement can be before us if we continue to build on the foundations already laid by those who have preceded us in this Army.
If we as a movement keep Jesus at the centre in this time of change, and also invite him into our ministry and missional areas, then as we adapt to the new environment, we can be empowered by the Holy Spirit to find innovative and creative ways to fulfil our mission of caring for people, transforming lives and reforming society by God’s power.
More than ever, our nations deserve a unified and strong Army that works together to alleviate human suffering and introduce people to a community who loves and supports one another. This sounds aspirational, but it is what we are called to as part of the Christian Church. After all, we have communities to help, a generation to serve and people to save.
