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A SALVATION SMOOTHIE
Lieut-Colonel David Kelly explores the relationship between spiritual and social ministry
IWONDER if those who observed Jesus most closely would say he was more engaged in doing church or charity. Did he spend more of his three years of ministry teaching people about the Kingdom of God or healing the sick? Did he give himself more fully to discipling people or feeding them? Did he consider one to be ‘real ministry’ and the other not?
I only ask these questions because every so often I hear someone say that they are afraid we are losing our church identity and becoming just a charity, as though somehow we are keeping score between two aspects of our identity that should be totally inseparable.
I think Jesus enjoyed surprising people – perhaps even confounding them. When they came for healing, he gave them stories about the nature of God, and when they came for a sermon and they were hungry, he gave them lunch. In fact, almost everyone who came to Jesus received what they needed and something more.
It’s important to note, however, that Jesus’ teaching about spiritual things was always integrated with the compassionate and practical – and the compassionate and practical was always sprinkled with the truths of the gospel and the grace of genuine forgiveness. Jesus did not have a divided ministry where on some occasions he met strictly spiritual needs and on other occasions he met strictly practical ones; Jesus’ ministry was a fully integrated one.
’’ Far too often we imagine our congregational identity and our social services identity as things we need to keep in balance. We work hard to maintain a careful equilibrium between our emphases on social and spiritual: on service delivery and congregations, and on charity and church. ‘Balance is key,’ we tell ourselves, as though our calling to save souls is somehow distinct from our calling to serve suffering humanity. But there is no model in the Gospels for that kind of segregation within ministry.
Our spiritual ministry and social ministries are not two distinct roles within The Salvation Army; each is integral to the health of the whole. My friend Helen Cameron once explained this unique relationship to me this way: the Army is not made up of a piece of fruit and a scoop of ice cream in a bowl; we are a smoothie, where the spiritual and the social are so blended together that you should never be able to taste one without the other.
Certainly some of us might feel more comfortable as the fruit, and some might be more comfortable as the ice cream, but what the world really needs is a Salvation Smoothie. Those who come to us for practical assistance should receive what they need but that service should always be flavoured by grace and unmistakably motivated by God’s love. And those who come to worship should be so filled by the truth of the gospel that they experience a holy craving to serve others.
The Salvation Army in the UK and the Republic of Ireland is recognised as a church and registered as a charity but, in our hearts and in our methods, the church and charity should be utterly indivisible. If we are who we are called to be, the world should never taste in us only the church or the charity; we are the best version of ourselves when the whole, delightful flavour of grace permeates everything we do. Join the conversation!
O This article also appears on facebook.com/SalvationistOnline where you can respond and ‘join the conversation’
LIEUT-COLONEL KELLY IS
SECRETARY FOR COMMUNICATIONS, THQ
BUILD WITH CARE! Major Elwyn Harries encourages us to seek the best for God’s Kingdom
STUDY PASSAGE: 1 CORINTHIANS 3:9–15
IS there anything in your world that exists because you made it? There is in mine, and I am not talking here about my children! Before I entered the International Training College – now known as William Booth College – nearly forty years ago, I trained as a potter. A few of my pieces have survived our various house moves and
decorate our home to this
day. They exist because I made them. If I hadn’t made them they would never have existed. However, I did not create them alone. A whole host of others prepared the way. Those who dug and prepared the clay and other raw materials; those who inspired and encouraged me; those who taught me the skills they themselves had learnt from others; those who perfected the tools I used; those who built the wheel and the kiln – and countless others – all played an important part. However, it remains true that the pots would not be here today had I not built on the foundations they laid.
When Paul writes to the young, immature church in Corinth, he reminds them of the same principle – that they each had a vital part to play in building the building that is the Kingdom of God. The noun Paul uses in verse 9 and the verb he uses throughout the rest of this passage, which the NIV translates as ‘building’, stem from the same Greek
Through the week with Salvationist – a devotional thought for each day by Major Philippa Smale SUNDAY By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
(1 Corinthians 3:10 and 11)
MONDAY Christ is made the sure foundation,/ Christ the head and cornerstone;/ Chosen of the Lord and precious,/ Binding all the Church in one;/ Holy Zion’s help for ever,/ And her confidence alone.
(SASB 246) TUESDAY If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. (1 Corinthians 3:12 and 13)
root, oikos. It is translated as ‘house’, ‘home’, ‘family’ and ‘household’. We are God’s household and are responsible for building that household using the gifts and skills that he has assigned to us. If God’s household – his family here on Earth – was to grow as God intended, then the Corinthians had a responsibility to build upon the foundation of Jesus and the levels laid by those who had gone before. These early Christians were tasked with building on the work of Paul and Apollos. They don’t appear to have made the best of starts, with their bickering and infighting. No wonder Paul urges them to build carefully – the salvation of future generations would depend on them doing so!
‘You are also God’s building. Using the gift that God gave me, I did the work of an expert builder and laid the foundation, and someone else is building on it. But each of you must be careful how you build’ (vv9 and 10 Good News Translation).
QUESTION O What does it mean to build carefully?
We often use ‘carefully’ to mean safe and cautious and guarded. If the Corinthians, and generations of Christians ever since, had understood Paul to mean that, then the Church would have struggled to survive as a local sect, let alone thrive as the worldwide force for good that it has become.
The word used here for ‘careful’ is blepo and is most often translated in Scripture as ‘see’. Paul’s instruction to build carefully has within it the notion of growing the household of God by looking to see what God himself is doing in our communities and affiliating ourselves to that purpose.
Building carefully means intentionally realigning our perspective to God’s perspective and building according to his plans, just as our forefathers did before us. We won’t necessarily use the same tools but we must follow the same principles. The building will begin to look different from the one our ancestors started but if it is carefully built upon God’s foundational principles – the gold, silver and costly stones in verse 12 – it will be the temple in which the Holy Spirit delights to dwell. But if we insist on building with our own resources alone, the building will not stand the test of fire. So, having reminded the Corinthian church: ‘We are... God’s building’ (v9), Paul encourages them to take responsibility and play their part in building the Kingdom of God. They are expected to dedicate their God-given gifts and skills for that purpose.
QUESTIONS O What do you think ‘wood, hay and straw’ refers to? O Can you identify qualities represented by ‘gold, silver and precious stones’ in your corps fellowship?
Are you looking to see what God is doing, and using his eternal principles, or are you blindly relying on your own temporal resources? It is vitally important that we get this right. A few years ago I became aware of an advertising campaign that has in fact been running for more than 20 years. The advertisement for Patek Philippe watches, which is considered one of the best advertising campaigns of all time, simply states: ‘You never actually own a Patek Philippe. You merely look after it for the next generation.’
QUESTION O What will you seek to look after for the next generation?
For the sake of the generations to come, and those who are looking up to you right now, be careful how you build so that you might leave a strong and stable legacy upon which they can build for their children.
MAJOR HARRIES IS ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR MISSION, THQ
WEDNESDAY Saviour, if my feet have faltered/ On the pathway of the cross,/ If my purposes have altered/ Or my gold be mixed with dross,/ O forbid me not thy service,/ Keep me yet in thy employ,/ Pass me through a sterner cleansing/ If I may but give thee joy! (SASB 672)
Salvationist 12 January 2019 17 THURSDAY If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved – even though only as one escaping through the flames.
(1 Corinthians 3:14 and 15) FRIDAY When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,/ My grace all-sufficient shall be thy supply;/ The flames shall not hurt thee; I only design/ Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine. (SASB 804) SATURDAY You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
(Ephesians 2:19 and 20) Prayer Lord, help us to build carefully on the firm foundation which is Christ Jesus. Thank you that you have given us the privilege of sharing in this work. May we serve you with all our heart, soul and strength.
Readers sending letters by email should include their name, full rank if applicable and full postal address. Please note, letters ideally should be no more than 300 words. Write to Salvationist (Letters), 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN or email salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk THE TYRANNY OF OUGHTS AND IF ONLYS IN the early days and weeks of a new year many of us can experience regrets, recriminations and ‘if onlys’. There have been the missed opportunities and occasions when we could have done better. Someone has described this condition as ‘the tyranny of oughts’. These three phrases really push the guilt buttons: I could have; I should have; I would have. This can manifest itself with such feelings as I’m not good enough, I could do better, I don’t measure up – all amounting to approval deficiency.
A chaplain at a London hospital was being interviewed on the radio. He was asked: ‘What’s your greatest problem?’ Without a moment’s hesitation, he replied: ‘Irrational guilt. There is always one more patient to see, another sick person to attend to.’
We too may suffer from irrational guilt – and also real guilt. At such times it’s as well to remember that God is on our side. God is our greatest advocate, not our greatest accuser. He is our best friend not our worst enemy. He is smiling at us not frowning. He offers wings to lift us up, not weights to drag us down. With this in mind we can lay to rest any regrets or ghosts of the past – real or imagined. It means we can be more compassionate to ourselves because that is the way God deals with us. He is slow to chide and swift to bless.
Cliff Kent, Major, Beckenham MY LOCKERBIE MEMORIES SALVATIONISTS might be interested to be reminded about the aftermath of the ‘Lockerbie bombing’. The device had been intended to detonate over the Atlantic, thus destroying any evidence of its origin. Headwinds caused the plane to reach only southern Scotland.
Salvation Army officers and other clergy counselled townsfolk affected by the incident. RAF personnel combed the moors around the town collecting bodies and debris. The firm of Arnold Clark lent two minibuses, which the ladies of Lockerbie filled with tea, coffee and sandwiches.
Four Clydebank bandsmen – Stan Telfer, Robert Eaglesham, Gordon Jorgensen and myself – took the ‘mobiles’ round the area to groups of British soldiers and RAF lads. Our minibus ran out of tea even before reaching its destination of Langholm. I rang the nearest six doorbells, asking for a kettle of boiling water. As an ex-RAF serviceman I’d had many a cup of tea from a red shield canteen. Now the positions were reversed and I was happy to serve. We also attended the field where a big Chinook helicopter was loading aircraft parts onto a low-loader.
A visiting family of American relatives were glad of a hot drink. We dispensed the last of our tea in Sherwood Crescent, where a blazing jet engine had fallen among the bungalows.
At last we made our way back into town to learn how Stan and Robert had fared.
A cup of tea and a roll or two, and we were back up the road home, tired but happy, a job done, people helped. That’s what Salvationists are for! Saved to serve!
Kenneth Kilgour, Greenock MISTLETOE AND MERCY IN answer to Major Martin Whybrow’s inquiry (Salvationist 15 December), ‘The Mistletoe Bough’ appeared in the book Music For Special Occasions published in 1921. The Army title is ‘Oh, The Mercy Of God’. I cannot find a song of this name in the index of Army vocal music. The folk song most frequently titled ‘The Mistletoe Bough’ does not have this melody. Colin Bright, Swanage PLAN NOW FOR NEXT CHRISTMAS THE plea from Jane Chapman of Sacriston (Salvationist 22 December) to ‘put Christ back in Christmas’ certainly rang a few bells with me! How difficult can it be for Salvation Army charity shops to put a nativity scene in the centre of their Christmas display? It seems such an obvious thing to do, yet I can’t remember ever seeing one.
If the largest independent UK toy retailer (The Entertainer) makes a point of doing it in all its shops, surely we, as an evangelical church, could follow this example! How else will people be reminded of the real reason for the season?
I realise, of course, that not all our charity shop managers are Christians or Salvationists, but this kind of directive has to come from management.
With regard to cards, I agree it is not always easy to find ones with nativity scenes – particularly if you wish to support a particular charity. I received one the other day on behalf of the Army, portraying a cartoon of all-singing and dancing bandsmen! It made me smile, but had no spiritual message whatsoever.
Is it time for a rethink before next Christmas?
Rosemary Dawson, Major, Norwich
Brian Colley (Clowne) looks back at his childhood with the knowledge that he is a ‘child of the King’
IN Ephesians 1:4–8 Paul speaks about being chosen, adopted and redeemed. We were chosen by God in Christ before creation to be holy. Jesus not only told how holiness could be achieved, he was a living example of perfection, being himself blameless.
God, because of his love for us, also planned in advance that he would adopt us through Christ. This is made possible because of his grace provided through the sacrifice of his only Son. The blood that was shed on Calvary by Jesus means we have redemption available. When truly penitent, our sins will be forgiven – a continuing sign of God’s intentional, boundless grace.
It is amazing that all this was planned for every individual life before the world was created, proven by those like me who have experienced these things not only spiritually but also physically.
In June 1940 a young, single girl, pregnant and in desperate need, went to Brighton town hall seeking help. The Salvation Army was contacted and she was immediately admitted to their mother-and-baby home, Hope Lodge, on Clapton Common. That girl was my mother and I was born one month later in July at the Army’s Mothers’ Hospital on Lower Clapton Road. In October, because of the Blitz, we were evacuated north to Leeds, again to a Salvation Army home.
It seems my father was a soldier who went away to war and left my mother, never returning to her. Being a single mum she must have felt it was beneficial for both of us that I was put up for adoption.
I was told that, in the home where I was left, there were three babies in need of adoption – two girls and myself. Boys were not a popular choice Brian Colley
because there was a war on, and I would probably have to be put into an orphanage if not taken. It seems the Salvationist couple who adopted me were moved by that thought, and I was chosen.
It would appear from how orphanages of that time have been described that I was redeemed (saved) from a possibly unhappy childhood. Because of God’s plans for me, I was showered with caring, Christian love that helped shape my future.
I never found or met my birth parents but with the help of a Salvation Army officer friend I have found out the details of my birth. It was a bit of a shock when I eventually discovered my birth was registered in Hackney and therefore I was not a Yorkshireman as I thought but a Cockney!
So, I was indeed physically chosen, adopted and redeemed – abandoned by my earthly father but never by my heavenly Father.
Christmas 1932 The Mothers’ Hospital Easter 1936
Because of the lack of information I am not really sure about my original parentage, but one thing I do know for certain, I’m the child of a King. I am chosen, adopted and redeemed spiritually.
God’s chosen me to be like Jesus, To live my life and holy be. God’s chosen me to be like Jesus That others may see him in me.
God willed that I should be adopted, Through Jesus Christ I am his own. God willed that I should be adopted To be his child and his alone.
I am redeemed because of Jesus, Nailed to a cross his arms spread wide. I am redeemed because of Jesus, It was for me he bled and died.
’Tis by God’s grace I am forgiven, Before my birth he planned for me. ’Tis by God’s grace I am forgiven, Now from my sins I’ve been set free.
(Sing To The Lord, Vol 17, Part 1)
TIVERTON: The corps rejoiced as corps officer Major Heather Godwin enrolled Hollie Maidment as a junior soldier. Hollie attends the Links children’s group and enjoys worshipping on Sunday. Her desire to follow Jesus was evident as she spoke confidently of her love for God and desire to serve him. Junior soldier Jay Lenton, holding the flag, shared words of wisdom and sound advice from Proverbs 3:5 and 6. Also pictured is YP worker Sylvia Ridgeway. – H. G.
BELFAST CITADEL: Corps officer Major Mark Waghorn welcomed Olivia Donald as an adherent member. Olivia was a singing company member at the corps in her youth and has joined other family members in regularly attending the corps again for the past year. – N. M.
MIDDLESBROUGH CITADEL: Corps officer Lieutenant Chris Kelly welcomed Sue Ferguson as an adherent member. Sue testified to how a simple invitation to the carol service in 2017 changed her life. – C. K.
BLACKPOOL CITADEL: Team leader Major Sandra Fisher (Blackpool Team Ministry) welcomed Gareth Xavier-Hughes as an adherent member and enrolled his wife Masline as a soldier. In her testimony Masline shared how God had influenced her life as a child through the witness of her grandparents, who were Salvation Army officers in Zimbabwe. As a child she attended a Catholic church but is so pleased that she is now able to be a member of the Army and help in its mission to reach suffering humanity. – S. F.
BERWICK: Dawn Paris was welcomed as an adherent member by corps officer Lieutenant Andrew Manley. – A. M.
BIRMINGHAM CITADEL: Molly Lamplough was enrolled as a junior soldier by corps officer Captain Clare Allman. Family and friends supported Molly as she made her public commitment; she testified that she had told her school friends and teachers about her upcoming enrolment. – R. O.
ENGAGEMENTS GENERAL BRIAN PEDDLE AND COMMISSIONER ROSALIE PEDDLE: O ICO,Th 7 Feb THE CHIEF OF THE STAFF (COMMISSIONER LYNDON BUCKINGHAM) AND COMMISSIONER BRONWYN BUCKINGHAM: O ICO (lecture), Tu 15 Jan THE TERRITORIAL COMMANDER (COMMISSIONER ANTHONY COTTERILL) AND COMMISSIONER GILLIAN COTTERILL: O East Scotland (new year gathering), Sat Sun 13 Jan O THQ (meeting with Baroness Stedman Scott), Wed 16 O Croydon Citadel (150th corps anniversary), Sat Sun 20 O William Booth College (lecture), Tu 22* O William Booth College (TE annual seminar), Fri 25 O Swanwick (prayer gathering weekend), Sat Sun 27 THE CHIEF SECRETARY (COLONEL LEE GRAVES) AND COLONEL DEBORAH GRAVES: O Scotland council, Th 7 Feb** *Territorial Leader for Leader Development only **Chief Secretary only ARMY PEOPLE APPOINTED Effective 15 November 2018 O Lieutenants Jessica and Kelsey Pearce, additional appointment, Chaplains, Eden Villa Lifehouse Effective 13 December 2018 O Lieutenant Katy Shubotham, Welling O Lieutenant Yvonne West, additional appointment, Area Safeguarding Officer, Yorkshire North with Tees Effective 10 January O Major Beverly Baker, Stapleford O Major David Chadwick, Chaplain, Founder’s House O Major Carol Chadwick, Area Retired Officers Visitor Effective 24 January O Captains Nick and Shelley Ward, Middlesbrough Acklam Effective 7 February O Major Graham Mizon, Anti-trafficking Volunteer Development Officer O Major Dawn Mizon, Chaplain, William Booth Centre Lifehouse, Birmingham Effective 28 March O Territorial Envoy Norma Phillips, associate officer Stockton (with responsibility for Thornaby) Effective 9 May O Major Sue Pegram, Spiritual Programme Director, William Booth College WEDDING ANNIVERSARY Golden O Lieut-Colonels Michael and Ruth Williams (27 January) RETIRED OFFICERS Birthday congratulations O Major William Myers (90 on 21 January) BEREAVED O Major Denise Brine of her husband Mike French, Rebecca Mills, of her father, Kay Thompson, Claire Brine and Marc Brine of their stepfather, Peter French of his brother O Major Janice Main of her brother Peter O Lieutenant Wan Gi Lee, Il Ho Lee, Il Soon Lee, Il Yeong Lee, Il Sook Lee, Min Ho Lee and Dong Ho Lee of their mother Choon Soo Kim O Pam Bouchier, Louth, of her husband Malcolm O Alma Nicks, Swindon Citadel, of her husband David O Major Shirley Knight of her husband Major Gaveston (Jonh) Knight O Rtd Divisional Envoy Doreen Heap, Clowne, of her brother Charles Tong PROMOTED TO GLORY O Brian Atkinson, Doncaster O Bandsman/Songster John Stevens, Stapleford O John Ashworth, Burton-on-Trent O Major Gaveston (John) Knight from Netherton Green Nursing Home on 29 December O Helen Carter, Louth WHAT’S ON BBC SOUNDS OF BRASS The programme for 27 January features a tribute to Derick Kane (euphonium) on his retirement from the International Staff Band. Pieces include ‘Exeter Temple’, ‘We’ll All Shout Hallelujah’, ‘Margaret’, ‘Star Lake Variations’, ‘Scottish Folk Variants’, ‘Divine Right’, ‘The Song Of The Brother’, ‘Flow Gently, Sweet Afton’ and ‘Psalm Of Thanks’.
The broadcast can be heard live on BBC Radio Cornwall, Devon, Guernsey and Jersey at 8 pm and on Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset Sound and Wiltshire on Sunday at 1 am.
Programmes are available for 30 days after broadcasting on BBC Radio iPlayer at bbc.co.uk/sounds/stations Did you know…? Salvationist is on Facebook We update our Facebook page throughout the week, giving you an opportunity to O Catch sneak peeks at upcoming features O See the new cover early O Comment on articles O Ask us questions O Get advance notice on important news stories O Link to the Editor’s comment and our article of the week Like our page at facebook.com/salvationistonline to keep up to date!
Find Salvationist on Twitter twitter.com/@SalvationistUK
Employees, friends, members, officers, volunteers – we have them all in The Salvation Army! We’ve asked some of them to tell us about themselves. This week…
ELIZABETH MOORE Derby Central
When did you first come into contact with the Army? From birth – my parents were Salvationists.
What made you want to volunteer for the Army? I wanted to do something useful. I work in the café as a key volunteer three days a week. Through volunteering I started to attend the corps for the first time in 45 years and was recently welcomed as an adherent member.
What is the most interesting thing about your role? I am able to make a difference.
… and the most frustrating? There are not enough hours in a day!
If you were to create a slogan for your life, what would it be? Try to do your best at all times.
If you could have an unlimited supply of one thing, what would it be? Time.
’’
What was the first record, tape or CD that you ever owned? ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ by the Beatles.
What is your favourite Bible verse? Psalm 23:1: ‘The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.’
Which Bible character would you like to meet and what would you ask them? Mary. I’d ask her how she felt when she was chosen to be Jesus’ mother.
What is your favourite hymn or worship song? I shall not fear though darkened clouds may gather round me; The God I serve is one who cares and understands. Although the storms I face would threaten to confound me, Of this I am assured: I’m in his hands.
I’m in his hands, I’m in his hands; Whate’er the future holds I’m in his hands, The days I cannot see Have all been planned for me; His way is best, you see; I’m in his hands. (SASB 848)
What is your favourite kind of holiday? A caravan holiday in Mablethorpe on the Lincolnshire coast. I have the opportunity to relax and it is a place of many happy family holiday memories. If you could rid the world of one thing what would it be? Hate.
Did you have a nickname growing up? When I was a little girl my older sister, who is like a second mum to me, used to call me Lizzy Drip and Buss Buss. My mum wouldn’t allow my name to be shortened but I couldn’t pronounce it – so, Buss Buss just stuck.
If you could invent a gadget what would it be? Something to do the ironing for me.
What book would you want on a desert island? Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian. I like the film as well as the book, particularly John Thaw’s portrayal of Tom. His character echoes that of my husband and me as we have taken in children and adopted them.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Never say you can’t.
What do you consider to be the most valuable thing you possess? My faith.
Something interesting you might want to know about me is… My two youngest children are adopted as a result of fifteen years of fostering. We are privileged to have them.
If you could bring back any fashion trend what would it be? Longer skirts.
What is your favourite food? Prawns.
