Salvationist 15 February 2020 by The Salvation Army UK and Ireland

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QUOTES FROM THE MEDIA

CHURCH OF ENGLAND’S FIRST EVER GREEN LENT CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES

CAMPAIGN TO URGE CHRISTIANS TO MEET MPs Church communities are being encouraged to get to know their MP, many of whom were elected for the first time in December. The Joint Public Issues Team (JPIT) – representing the Methodist Church, the Baptist Union, the Church of Scotland and the United Reformed Church – has initiated a campaign urging churches and Christians to … build a relationship rather than immediately lobbying him or her on specific issues. ‘Through meeting your MP you have the opportunity to get to know the person behind the title, communicate your concerns and priorities and find out how you can support one another in seeking to love your shared neighbour,’ says JPIT… Team Leader of JPIT Rachel Lampard said … ‘Churches … can take the pulse of a community and so communicating this to the local MP and hearing in return how parliament can respond is a vital part of the mission of the Church.’

HOW CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION OVERSEAS IS SET TO BECOME UK PRIORITY

The Church of England’s first ever green Lent campaign was launched by the Archbishop of Canterbury… The #LiveLent 2020 campaign gives Christians the chance to follow 40 daily reflections, actions and prayers all geared towards greener living. A companion book has been written by Tearfund’s Dr Ruth Valerio. Called Saying Yes To Life, it encourages people to think beyond the traditional sacrifices of chocolate or alcohol and use Lent as an opportunity to think more deeply about their relationship with the planet… Launching the resources, Archbishop Justin Welby said: ‘We urgently need to rebuild our relationship with our planet. To do this, we need to change our habits – in how we pray and how we act. ‘Lent is not just about discipline. It’s about allowing Christ to show us what’s keeping us from loving and serving him – and joyfully letting it go. ‘Whatever age you are, this Lent I hope you’ll engage with God’s plea for us to care for his creation, and that these campaign resources will help you on that journey.’ Dr Ruth Valerio … said: ‘Responding to the poverty and environmental crises of our times goes right to the heart of what it means to be a Christian in today’s world.’

A new report has been released calling for better regulations on religious representation within the media industry to reduce negative press which it says leads to hate crime incidents. The study, by the Faith and Belief Forum and the Department of Psychosocial Studies at Birkbeck calls on media organisations to provide more opportunities for religious groups to represent themselves and more accurate representation by members of the press. Media, Faith And Belonging found that inaccurate, sensationalised and simplistic media coverage reinforces negative stereotypes of religious groups and increases the potential for suspicion, fear and communal violence.

Christian Today

Premier

SALVATIONIST (tel) 020 7367 4890 (email) salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk (web) salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist EDITOR Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts – (tel) 020 7367 4901 MANAGING EDITOR Ivan Radford – (tel) 020 7367 4891 EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Shanelle Manderson – (tel) 020 7367 4894 Simon Hope – (tel) 020 7367 4892 Melita Day-Lewis – (tel) 020 7367 4887 Major Margaret Bovey ART DIRECTOR Hannah Holden – (tel) 020 7367 4883 GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Mark Knight – (tel) 020 7367 4895 Louise Phillips – (tel) 020 7367 4896 PROOFREADER Chris Horne

Salvationist 15 February 2020

Methodist Recorder

A religious literacy programme will be rolled out to ensure that civil servants and diplomats are no longer ignorant of the dire threats facing Christians around the world. The issue has risen up the government’s agenda and will be debated by MPs… Sir Desmond Swayne, a leading Conservative campaigner for religious liberty, said: ‘This is all part of global Britain ... This is us now reaching out with our soft power, using our diplomacy to defend religious freedom.’ The new training package will also give government staff a crash course in the importance of religion to billions of people… Research by the campaigning charity Open Doors suggests the persecution of Christians is getting worse, with ‘an average of eight Christians’ killed for their faith every day last year. The Sunday Express

REPORT CALLS FOR FAIRER MEDIA REPRESENTATION OF FAITH GROUPS

ADVERTISING (tel) 020 7367 4883 (email) advertising@salvationarmy.org.uk DISTRIBUTION Salvationist Publishing and Supplies (Periodicals), 66-78 Denington Road, Denington Industrial Estate, Wellingborough NN8 2QH (tel) 01933 445445 (option 1, option 1) (email) subscriptions@satcol.org TERRITORIAL HEADQUARTERS 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN (tel) 020 7367 4500 (tel) 0845 634 0101 Published weekly by The Salvation Army and printed on paper from sustainable sources by Walstead Roche Ltd, St Austell. © The Salvation Army United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland. The Salvation Army is a Christian church and a registered charity. The charity number in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399. ISSN 2516-5909

THE SALVATION ARMY FOUNDER William Booth GENERAL Brian Peddle TERRITORIAL COMMANDER Commissioner Anthony Cotterill EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND PUBLISHING SECRETARY Major Mal Davies

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CONTENTS

LIFTING THE LID IN a memorable line from the film Forrest Gump, the main character says, ‘Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.’ That’s also true of this week’s Salvationist, which includes articles of various flavours. The ‘We are The Salvation Army’ series has given us insights into a wide range of Army expressions. The latest article in the series is from Majors Jane and Marcus Mylechreest and focuses on Nottingham Arnold Corps. One of the fascinating things is what they describe as ‘the cell church model for faith development, prayer ministry and pastoral care’. It seems to be a key part of corps life and one that has contributed to the corps’ effectiveness for a number of years. In January we featured the first of two articles from 1997 that imagined what the Army would be like in 2020. This week we reprint the second of them, in which Andrew Bale vividly described two types of Army that he thought might exist by now. He wrote, ‘The first Army is smart, organised, polished and respectable; its troops unquestionably sincere and committed. The second Army merely confirms the principle that God’s glory is better served when the material he works with is (in worldly terms) inferior.’ Judge for yourself whether he was right or not but, reflecting now on what he wrote then, Major Andrew claims that the Army is still in transition and needs to remain flexible. One statement in the article stood out for me: ‘Today’s priorities are the buildingblocks of tomorrow.’ That is still true, which means the questions we need to ask could be: ‘What are we trying to build for tomorrow?’ and ‘What should today’s priorities be if we’re going to build it?’ One group in the territory that’s considering those kinds of questions is the Territorial Advisory Council. It may be one of the Army’s best kept secrets but the feature lifts the lid off TAC, revealing what this group of representatives from around the territory discusses when it meets twice a year. The chair, Stuart Bate, sees it as ‘part of the conversation about how the territory progresses’ and would like more people to engage with TAC members. Ron Thomlinson’s reflection lifts the lid off something quite different, as his disturbing opening sentence indicates: ‘My grandad was a victim of domestic violence.’ When Ron emailed me he described it as ‘a rather dark article’. It is a challenging read but it highlights an important issue. Women are much more likely to be victims of domestic violence but it’s also important to realise that men can be at the receiving end too. Ron says that denying this prevents ‘relief and healing’, which is true for all kinds of domestic abuse. In marked contrast, Lee Highton-Nicholls writes on a much lighter theme. He introduces a new-style Army holiday week called Refired for the Retired that’s due to be launched by Older People’s Ministries in October. It sounds like a lot of fun, and will include opportunities for worship and fellowship. Not every article in this week’s Salvationist might be to your taste but there is certainly plenty to chew over.

Quotes from the media News

4 to 7

Feature Voices from around the territory

by Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts

Feature 9 Igniting a bright idea for a holiday by Lee Highton-Nicholls

We are The Salvation Army 10 and 11 We are looking to the future say Majors Jane and Marcus Mylechreest

20/20 Vision revisited Dreams and visions

12 to 14

by Major Andrew Bale

Reflection Understanding silence

by Ron Thomlinson

Bible study Free on the inside

16 and 17

by Major Steven Turner

Through the week with Salvationist

16 and 17

by Major Howard Webber

New commitments

Letters

Announcements Adverts

From the Editor Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts

20 and 21 21 to 24

SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS Scripture quotations in Salvationist are from the New International Version (2011), unless otherwise stated

Salvationist 15 February 2020

NEWS

Guidance released for asylum claims THQ THE Community Services and Legal Services Units have produced a guide for Salvation Army personnel on how to support people who ask for help with their asylum claims. The report explains what legally can and cannot be done, and provides some helpful links to best practice when giving evidence for ‘Christian conversion’ and ‘right to family life’ claims. Also included is guidance on signposting to legal advice and other ways to find help. Territorial Refugee Response Co-ordinator Major Nick Coke said: ‘The asylum process is complex and navigating it can be very challenging. This resource is designed to support necessary research before taking action.’ – AR O For more information contact Major Nick Coke by emailing nick.coke@salvationarmy. org.uk or, if you have access to OurHub, download the guidelines from ourhub. salvationarmy.org.uk/refugees

LURGAN: The 140th corps anniversary year began with a concert featuring Salvation Army male vocal group FourHymn in their first visit to Northern Ireland. The group also led the Sunday meetings, where they spoke of remembering the past and being thankful for the present and challenged for the future. Their music and testimonies brought many blessings to a wonderful weekend. – GW

Divisional Commander Major George Baker recognises Pam Parnell for 36 years’ service as a guider at Risca

STAPLEFORD: Thirty-three volunteers received certificates of appreciation for their work in the Nicely Saved charity shop and Sanctuary coffee shop. Manager Pam Banton presented the certificates to the volunteers, thanking them for making it possible for the corps to help the community. During the same meeting, the managers of the Army’s Nottingham safe houses accepted a cheque for £1,109. – FT

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Salvationist 15 February 2020

Gillingham corps officer Major Haris Giannaros presents Bandmaster Derek Harpum with a certificate of recognition for 36 years’ service

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Gerald Newton (Tunstall) presents a £660 donation from the outgoing mayor of Biddulph, Councillor Oliver McGuinness, to Vale Street Lifehouse Service Manager Dave Maxfield

First Steps to Work graduates honoured STRAWBERRY FIELD AFTER 15 months on the Steps to Work programme, the first cohort of young adults have successfully graduated, with one trainee having already secured a job. The graduation ceremony was led by the Steps to Work team alongside Strawberry Field Mission Director Major Kathy Versfeld. The celebration saw each trainee receive a certificate of graduation from Strawberry Field Honorary President Julia Baird, and there was also an opportunity for work coaches to share with guests how each trainee has been transformed by the programme so far. Last year Strawberry Field opened its iconic red gates to the public for the first time. At its heart is the Steps to Work programme, which reaches out to young adults with learning difficulties or barriers to employment in the community through a training hub. Nationally, between 6 and 7 per cent of working-age adults with learning

Warm welcome for new Principal WILLIAM BOOTH COLLEGE A NEW chapter in the life of William Booth College (WBC) began with the welcome and installation of Lieut-Colonel Judith Payne as Principal. The meeting in the Assembly Hall, led by territorial leaders Commissioners Anthony and Gill Cotterill, was attended by cadets, WBC staff and visitors and characterised by thanksgiving, encouragement and prayer. Training Co-ordinator (Regional Learning and Development) Lieut-Colonel Mary Capsey brought words of welcome on behalf

disabilities are in paid employment. Thanks to a partnership with the City of Liverpool College, and the investment of organisations in the area, the programme combines education and work placements to help every young person reach their full potential. Chris Higginson (front centre), who has worked in three theatres through the

programme, has been offered a job as an usher and general theatre assistant. He said: ‘The Steps to Work programme is brilliant. I love it and I really enjoy taking part; it has helped me 100 per cent. I’m a lot happier and more confident in myself now and that is all thanks to the programme and the support that the work coaches have given me.’ – AR

of the staff. She recalled how Lieut-Colonel Judith had introduced her to the Army many years before, outlined the responsibilities of the Principal and spoke about the qualities that make Judith suited to the role. ‘Judith has always been passionate about helping people reach and enjoy their potential through personal growth, learning and wellbeing,’ she said. Cadet Susan Shorland-Compton spoke on behalf of the two sessions – the Messengers of the Kingdom and the Messengers of Grace. She described the cadets as a ‘diverse bunch’, expressing the hope that they would not present the Principal with too many challenges. ‘We pray God’s blessing on your ministry

here,’ she said, before inviting the cadets to stand and welcome their new Principal. Bromley Temple Songsters and Chatham Band brought music items that enhanced the occasion, representing two corps with which Lieut-Colonel Judith and her husband, Major Ian Payne (Chatham), have strong links. The Territorial Commander conducted the installation ceremony before praying that the new Principal would experience God’s blessing, joy, peace and strength. In her response Lieut-Colonel Judith acknowledged the leadership of the previous Principal and Assistant Principal, LieutColonels Mike and Wendy Caffull, and gave special thanks to her husband, who was her ‘number one supporter’. Focusing her thoughts on Ephesians 3:20 and Romans 11:33 to 12:2, the new Principal stressed that God, who is greater than we can ever imagine, wants to give us more than we can ever hope for. His plan is to work in and through us to share his love in the world. ‘God is never limited by what we think our limitations are,’ she said. In moments of reflection and prayer a number of people knelt at the mercy seat. After the final congregational song and a benediction from the songsters, LieutColonel Judith met and thanked people as they left the hall and received numerous promises of prayerful support. – JR Salvationist 15 February 2020

NEWS

Army ministry takes to the airwaves New corps home opens CLITHEROE THE corps officially moved into its new home after a full refurbishment of the premises. The former courthouse, which operated as a Jobcentre until 2016, has been vacant since. A dedication service saw the oldest member of the corps, May Wright, support in the ribbon-cutting alongside territorial leaders Commissioners Anthony and Gill Cotterill. The two-storey building is the first property the Army has owned in Clitheroe. It will now see the corps and

community centre serve the town in modern premises with a kitchen, community room, café, charity shop, meeting rooms and worship hall. Corps officer Aux-Captain Elizabeth Smith said: ‘The Ribble Valley is perceived as being an affluent area but the stark reality is that there are people in need within our community.’ The Army has been part of the traditional market town for more than 130 years, opening in 1889 and operating from its previous site for more than 50 years. The borough council presented William Booth with a welcome certificate when he visited in 1906. – AR Ballymena corps officer Major Susan McFerran presents a certificate of recognition to Campbell Barclay as he transfers to the band reserve after 68 years’ service

BASILDON: South Asia zonal leaders Commissioners Alistair and Marieke Venter launched the Self-Denial Appeal at the corps. Commissioner Alistair challenged the congregation by asking: ‘What could you do for Jesus?’ After lunch the commissioners shared experiences of serving throughout the world. Corps folk were inspired and encouraged by the visit. – PW

UK THE latest form of Salvation Army ministry is about to go live across the UK. Inspired by a visit to housebound Salvationists who longed to hear the ministry of the band, Fortress Radio is a new internet radio station broadcasting Salvation Army music 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Organised by Citadel Promotions, the radio station will feature a weekly Sunday schedule that harks back to traditional Army days, promising a reminder of times ‘when each Sunday was filled with lots of activity’ for Salvationists. These days will include sections themed around the holiness meeting, open-air meeting, wind-up and more. Outside planned schedules, the station will draw from a vast database of Army recordings played at random. The station goes live on 15 February at 8pm with Marc Harry’s Going To The Army! before nine hours of relaxing Christian music until the first Sunday programme of activities starts at 7am with Soldiers Arise. The station has a licence to broadcast in the UK, but has scope to grow. It is looking into the possibility of supporting Alexa smart speakers as well as the opportunity to broadcast outside the UK. – SH O For more information, including the full schedule and how to support the project, visit fortressradio.online Churches Together in Shoeburyness and Thorpe Bay met at the corps for lunch and prayer

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Salvationist 15 February 2020

Emergency response team ready to support quarantined families WIRRAL THE Salvation Army’s emergency response team is on site at Solar Campus in Wallasey ready to provide food, refreshments and support to the families and friends of people in isolation at the nearby coronavirus quarantine centre. Meals and hot drinks have been served to staff from the emergency services and other charities helping those affected. Territorial Emergency Response Officer Adrian Clee said: ‘Our emergency response teams are well known for supporting individuals and communities at times of crisis and we are here to play our part in the current response.’ – AR GLOUCESTER: Majors Agnes and Keith Wallis gave a presentation entitled The Potter’s Hand. Keith, a former pottery teacher, showed everyone how to make a pot, starting with raw clay sourced from nearby. As he moulded it, Agnes shared Bible readings that related to the display. – AB

Staple Hill soldier Irene Ackerman celebrates her 100th birthday with family, friends and residents at Manor Cottage care home

Phyllis Worthington celebrates her 100th birthday with a tea party attended by more than 50 members of Kettering Citadel home league

BRIXHAM: Parent-and-toddler group leaders Christine Guest and Thelma Evans gave more than £180 to the Torbay Hospital Special Care Baby Unit on behalf of Leah Perkes, whose daughter, Serena, spent time there while poorly. Leah and her mother, Ellie, who attend the parentand-toddler group each week, wanted to thank the hospital. The money was raised through a Nativity service and presented to the staff. – MB A representation of beavers, cubs and scouts enjoy a party to mark the centenary of the formation of the Batley Lifesaving Scouts in 1920

Salvationist 15 February 2020

FEATURE I Territorial Advisory Council

Voices from around the territory T

Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts highlights the work of the Territorial Advisory Council

HE Territorial Advisory Council (TAC) has existed for a number of years but its work remains a mystery to many Salvationists. Stuart Bate, who has been the chair for eight years, explains TAC’s purpose: ‘It exists to be part of the conversation about how the territory progresses and it’s a useful sounding board for territorial leadership to get a lay perspective on any initiative or any issue. Not everything the council says is taken on board. Leaders get a lot of advice, so it’s just part of that mix.’ The members of TAC are all Salvationists. Only the liaison officer and secretary are officers, both retired. Each division has a representative who remains a member for four years. They are nominated by their divisional commander and selected by a steering group to maintain a balance of age, gender, ethnicity and experience. The Territorial Commander decided that TAC should be more visible, so I was invited to observe one of its biannual meetings at William Booth College. The TAC members arrived on Friday evening for the opening session led by Chief Secretary Colonel Lee Graves and Territorial Secretary for Leader Development Colonel Debbie Graves. The CS gave the territorial Cabinet’s response to the recommendations that TAC had put forward six months earlier, when they had discussed support for refugees and asylum seekers, and the Army’s approach to community engagement. After thanking TAC members for their work the CS said Cabinet endorsed the recommendations and would seek to implement them, then invited comments and questions. On Saturday Assistant Principal (Development) Lieut-Colonel Karen Shakespeare (WBC) presented a report 8

Salvationist 15 February 2020

from the Commission on Officership and Lay Leadership, outlining recommendations for the way ahead. Later, Secretary for Personnel LieutColonel Beverley McCombe (THQ) presented the territory’s proposed People Strategy, which aims to enable everyone linked to The Salvation Army to contribute to its mission, whether as officers, employees or volunteers. TAC members discussed both these issues in small groups before feeding back their comments in plenary sessions. The different backgrounds and experiences of the members meant that valuable insights were presented. Topics come to TAC from various sources, reveals Stuart: ‘The TC can ask us to look at a particular topic or occasionally a service head comes with whatever their hot topics are, which is why Beverley came today. They get direct feedback from us. ‘We also encourage members to present a five-minute topic. There’s no discussion on it – they just present an idea or a concept that’s on their heart. I then present it to Cabinet and we may be asked to take it on as a future topic discussion. All sorts of things get presented. It’s a way of feeding up ideas.’ Saturday ended with a five-minute topic presented by Martin Stevenson, who raised the issue of the environment. He was concerned that the Army’s position is not widely known. Throughout the weekend, members were also able to look at proposals for new approaches to territorial congresses, then wrote their responses on Post-it Notes and placed them on a wall. After Sunday morning worship the members were asked for their thoughts on divisional advisory councils. There are only three in the territory, so there was smallgroup discussion about the need for more

of them, their purpose and membership, and how they might relate to TAC. Stuart believes TAC is effective, but would like to see more input from people involved in corps life. ‘Territorial leadership values the input they get from TAC, so it’s often asked to discuss the topics of the day,’ he says. ‘Where we need to be better is the upward communication. I don’t think many people in the territory know what TAC is. If we’re going to have an upward flow then we need to increase engagement and understanding.’ TAC MEMBERS Stuart Bate Chair Martin Stevenson Steering group Torill Heavens Steering group Wendy Willis Steering group Lieut-Colonel Bill Heeley Liaison officer Lieut-Colonel Gill Heeley Secretary Anneliese Maerz Anglia Carol Stokes Central East Raelton Knott Central North Ian Jones Central South Andrea Walton Devon and Cornwall Ashley Simons East Midlands Keith Johnston East Scotland Wayne Johnson Herts and Essex Sonya Pascoe Ireland Anne Hall North East England Natasha Gray North London Lynne Gauton North Scotland Chris Longmore North West England and North Wales Andrew Avison Severn and Somerset David Lloyd-Jones South and Mid Wales Deniece Brooks South East Sam Grinsted Southern Gill Bonner South London Gemma Potter West Midlands Seb Duffy West Scotland Aidan Gills Yorkshire North with Tees TBA Yorkshire South with Humber Edward Dixon Social services

PREVIEW

Igniting a bright idea for a holiday Lee Highton-Nicholls looks ahead to a new venture from Older People’s Ministries

HIS year sees the launch of Refired for the Retired – a fellowship holiday at the TLH Toorak Hotel in Torquay where rest, relaxation and re-energising will be on offer. Whether you want to recline by the pool, play bowls, work out in the gym, read the newspaper with a coffee, sing in a choir or even try out line dancing, there will be an activity for you. In addition the holiday will include two afternoon trips and daily worship, Bible teaching and prayers. There will also be entertainment every evening in the hotel ballroom. Gail Millar and I will lead the Refired team. Gail works from West Malling Service Centre, supporting older people’s ministries across three divisions: North London, South London and South East. She brings 19 years of experience in running a variety of Christian holidays prior to working for The Salvation Army, and understands the benefits that a fellowship holiday

Refired for the Retired is... Relational An opportunity to meet new people and build friendships Exciting An action-packed week of being fulfilled in doing things you enjoy Formational A time to explore faith and grow spiritually through worship and Bible teaching Inspiring An opportunity to learn new skills and experience new activities Restful A space to be refreshed and renewed physically and spiritually Enjoyable An opportunity to share many moments of fun and laughter Dignified A time that is accessible and inclusive and free from stereotyping

Torquay harbour can bring to the lives of older people. I am based at Birmingham Service Centre and support older people’s ministries in the East Midlands, West Midlands and Central South Divisions. I am passionate about older people having fun, connecting with each other and living life to the full. I have been involved in many events across the territory and know the life-changing impact that residential events can have. Majors Cliff and Jean Bradbury are joining us as spiritual directors. Worship each day and musical entertainment will be led by Charlie Green. We also have a wonderful team of people from across The Salvation Army chosen for their individual passions and skills. Members of the Refired team will be available throughout each day to offer a listening ear and to support holiday guests. The hotel is part of a seven-acre resort offering a wide choice of accommodation and stunning leisure facilities, making it the ideal location for a break. The hotel enables access to all areas via lifts or ramps and has a range of adapted rooms, including single, twin, double and triple rooms. Accommodation is on a half-board basis but there are numerous outlets for lunch and snacks within the hotel. The Salvation Army is working in partnership with Greenline Coaches to provide a holiday with a difference. There will be three pick-up points: Doncaster,

Birmingham and Southampton. Guests will need to arrange their own transport to their desired pick-up location where a Greenline coach driver, along with members of the Salvation Army team, will greet them. An important part of Refired, and the initial drive for taking on this venture, is to provide a holiday where Christian fellowship is at the forefront. We recognise that, for many, taking a holiday in later years can be difficult for all manner of reasons. One of these is that people who live alone may not wish to holiday alone. Fellowship holidays therefore provide an opportunity for them to have a great holiday, make new friends and move forward in their Christian journey. If you like the sound of Refired, we look forward to welcoming you in Torquay! Refired for the Retired runs from Monday 12 to Friday 16 October and costs from £375 O For more information email refired@salvationarmy.org.uk or call Lee on 07391 407436 or Gail on 07342 999156 O

LEE IS REGIONAL SPECIALIST FOR OLDER PEOPLE’S MINISTRIES, BIRMINGHAM SERVICE CENTRE Salvationist 15 February 2020

There are hundreds of corps and centres up and down the United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland, but what makes them The Salvation Army? In this series, Salvationist discovers just that.

We are looking to the future

say Nottingham Arnold corps officers Majors Jane and Marcus Mylechreest

HE Salvation Army in Nottingham Arnold, or ‘Arnoldarmy’ as it is known locally, is a thriving and exciting expression of church located on the outskirts of northern Nottingham. The building itself is nestled nicely between the busy town centre and a large residential area. The modern design means that various spaces can be used for the multiple areas of ministry that are offered each week. Sunday morning worship typically sees about 120 people attending, with ages ranging from young to old. If you were a visitor at a meeting, the welcome team would greet you and offer refreshments 10

Salvationist 15 February 2020

served from our purpose-built One Café, which has transformed the foyer and given a sense of community and friendliness from the first step into the building. After a welcome and call to worship from the corps officer, one of the worship teams leads an extended time of sung worship at the start of the service using a mix of contemporary and classic songs and hymns. Music plays a considerable part in our worship, with our brass band and choir offering ministry each week. These music groups are formed of regular attendees from our congregation. The children and youth also take an active role through the YP band, singing company and youth worship team. Sunday school takes place midway through the service with age-appropriate ministry for preschool, primary school and secondary school students.

The preaching of God’s word is a significant part of Sunday worship, with openness to deeper learning and application to life – it always does a preacher’s heart good to see so many people taking notes and actively listening to the sermon! The message concludes with an opportunity to respond in prayer and every week people will come forward to be prayed for or to simply kneel before Jesus. A dedicated and trained prayer ministry team is ready to welcome them to our place of prayer. After the meeting, the majority of the congregation will stay and enhance our value of togetherness by enjoying tea and coffee again. Even better is when we all stay for a church family meal. Our corps always enjoys a social gathering, whether that’s a quiz evening, barn dance, curry night, picnic or breakfast. The hottest day last summer was the perfect date for our ice cream

Majors Jane and Marcus Mylechreest and family

carousel. All these events are great opportunities to invite friends who are on the fringes of our ministry influence. One of our most distinctive features is our use of the cell church model for faith development, prayer ministry and pastoral care. For almost 20 years our church has used these cell groups, which meet during the week, as a place for encouraging and supporting each other, reflecting on Sunday’s message and praying for the needs of the group, church, community and those who don’t yet know Jesus. Each group has a number of ‘adopted streets’ that they also pray for and visit. The corps has been blessed to have people attend the church and come to faith through this model. There are currently ten cell groups and more are planned. With much of the congregation connected in this way it also provides a helpful system for pastoral care from

within the church body. Our assistant, Alison Taylor, is responsible for ensuring that this effective area continues to flourish. During the week the building is busy with corps ministries and community activities. Along with such groups as toddlers, home league and lunch club, there are also opportunities to connect with the community through crafts, community cinema and our youth café. One of our most exciting initiatives in recent years has been the opening of our One Café. This redesign to the front of the building means that we have a community café open every weekday morning. It’s more than just a place that serves a cappuccino and a snack; it is primarily a place for locals to connect with people of faith. A team of enthusiastic volunteers runs the café, providing a listening ear, giving support and offering lots of prayer. This open

and available presence means that we are able to assist those who may be struggling with practical aspects of daily life. This is the 25th year of Arnoldarmy’s ministry in its current location. The commitment of soldiers and friends laid the groundwork for this corps, with many years spent setting up a worship space in rented halls before finally gaining ground for a permanent, ongoing mission and ministry in Arnold. God’s faithfulness has been proved to those who stepped out in faith. We now look to the future, anticipating what God will do among our young people, knowing his Spirit inspires the adults to encourage them and seeing the beautiful example of how our older generation worships the Lord so freely. The repeated prayer remains: Come, Lord Jesus, pour out your Spirit! Salvationist 15 February 2020

FEATURE 20/20 Vision revisited

Dreams and visions In 1997 Salvationist featured essays by a number of people who visualised what the Army would be like if the 20/20 Vision were accomplished.* Last month we published the first – this month the article by Andrew Bale

‘T

HE optimist is right. The pessimist is right... Each is right from his own particular view, and this point of view is the determining factor in the life of each. It determines whether it is a life of power or of impotence, of peace or of pain, of success or of failure,’ said RW Trine. He was stating the eternal truth that what we believe today has a significant bearing on tomorrow. Spiritual health has always been associated with ‘dreams and visions’. At Pentecost Peter quoted Joel, who clearly predicted that the hallmark of God’s ultimate blessing would be young visionaries and old dreamers. Spiritual death, on the other hand, has always been associated with a lack of vision. The Book of Proverbs declares that ‘where there is no vision, the people perish’ (29:18 King James Version). What The Salvation Army will be like in 2020 is dependent on where we see ourselves now. Today’s priorities are the building-blocks of tomorrow. The fruit harvested in 2020 will be the result of seeds sown in 1997. As General George Carpenter said, we will always be what all our yesterdays have made us. Accepting the foregoing as fact, we are faced with thousands of possible permutations. The Salvation Army is made up of territories made up of divisions made up of corps made up of soldiers. Every cog within the machine is unique and therefore the collective elements (or corps) within that machine will also be unique. 12

Salvationist 15 February 2020

For the sake of brevity I am going to focus on only two of many potential scenarios. My comments are generic and not targeted at specific corps or individuals. These visions are not portraits lovingly painted but ugly caricatures, harshly drawn in the hope that they will provoke debate. Individuals who see themselves or their corps portrayed in this essay have no need to defend themselves to anyone other than God. If the cap doesn’t fit then please don’t try to wear it! As a Salvationist I see the development of two separate movements within our organisation. The first was accurately predicted by Samuel Logan Brengle and is primarily secular. Its priorities are intellectual achievement, social acceptance, attention to detail and musical expertise – all of which are commendable in their own right. This Army, as Brengle says, will never fail for want of resources. It will feed from within, nurturing recruits in its own nurseries and rescuing the wounded from other corps. The high feasts of this Army will be large musical celebrations, justified on the grounds of building bridges into the community. The music presented will be, on the whole, exclusive and require the possession of certain qualifications if it is to be fully appreciated. The unsaved targeted by such an Army will develop positive relationships with the Movement but will remain

onlookers. Admiring and respecting the old lady from a safe distance, they may even lend financial support but they will never become converts or disciples. Recognising its inability to integrate fully with its audience, this Army will experiment with compromise. Total abstinence will be up for discussion on the basis that man-made morality should always come second to what on closer inspection might prove to be biblical pragmatism. Uniforms, titles, flags will be fanatically protected yet this Army will be neither evangelistic nor militant. It will be insular and incestuous – its parochial attitude marked by pride and blind loyalty. It will be an Army that meets once on a Sunday with no literature evangelism and no open-air work, the majority of soldiers funding a minority of workers who continue to maintain in-house community service programmes. There will be no Bible study or prayer other than the liturgical remnant still recited on a Sunday. The social services of this Army will be isolated from the corps programme and rely heavily on funding from outside agencies. The restrictions placed on them by funding will sound the death knell of any remaining evangelistic enterprise. It will be a justifiably proud institution, self-sufficient, respected and accepted at the highest level of society but, as Brengle warns, it ‘will no longer be shepherds of the lost sheep’ and ‘God will no longer be with it’. The second vision I would like to

present will be born in the unsuspecting manger of poor corps. Such corps, as a result of economic reality, will lose their additional financial subsidies and find themselves threatened with closure. Like the prodigal, they will discover that lack of funds and impending death has a wonderful way of bringing you to your senses. Even so, some will curl up and die. Others will rediscover the truth their forebears prospered on and this truth, when applied to their circumstances, will set them free. The truth is that ‘God’s work done God’s way will never lack God’s provision’. Such corps have never been hampered by the chains of musical expertise, the bondage of ceremonial uniforms or the doubting which so often accompanies educated liberalism. Over the years they have become the homes of the disenfranchised within our Movement – misfits who tried every corps within the division until they settled here. They felt at home here and they stayed. Here it doesn’t matter whether you sing in or out of tune. As far as the band is concerned the only qualification is to ‘make a joyful noise’ (it doesn’t even have to be ‘unto the Lord’). Here you can wear brown shoes with uniform. Here you feel not only accepted but used. The decision to stay is not spiritual but practical. Physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual poverty combined with a naive hunger for something better has often

proved to be the breeding ground for revival. At first this Salvation Army will take God at his word because it doesn’t possess the capacity to entertain any other possibility. God will bless its inherent humility and soon its members will believe not by default but through experience. This Army will grow for two reasons. One, The Salvation Army was raised up to reach such people. Two, because they share a culture with those around them. Ultimately this Salvation Army will speak to all sections of society just as it did once before. It will be both militant and evangelistic. It will learn (painfully at first) from the pitfalls of previous revivals and insist on making disciples as well as converts. In moral terms there is little to choose between these two Armies. The first Army is smart, organised, polished and respectable; its troops unquestionably sincere and committed. The second Army merely confirms the principle that God’s glory is better served when the material he works with is (in worldly terms) inferior. One man’s dream is another man’s nightmare and you may choose to dismiss both of the above scenarios as unlikely. But if we want a Salvation Army in 2020 then we must ‘make the future in the present’. Already corps once threatened with closure are seeing spiritual rebirth and growth. This is the Lord’s doing and only he can take the credit. However, corps which dispensed with the praise meeting because the band played to the songsters and the

songsters sang to the band are now looking to do away with the salvation meeting on the same grounds. Literature evangelism is disappearing and open-air evangelism is on the decline. In contrast our music festivals become grander and greater by the minute. Look and you can see two brothers struggling like Jacob and Esau for their father’s blessing. One bullish and blind, the other weak and wily. One sees that blessing as his by right. He is strong and disciplined and has earned it. The other has always looked to his mother (in this case the bottomless purse of THQ) to protect and further his ambitions. Who will win this struggle? I believe it will be the weaker. Why? Because if you reminded him that Christ came to call the unrighteous he would find comfort in the thought. If you said the same to his brother he would take offence. The first Army is the Army of the optimist. He thinks his position is unassailable and he’s right. The second Army is the Army of the pessimist. He thinks he will fail and he has. Ultimately the Army of 2020 will be the Army that God calls. God is not bound by tradition but the Bible does prove him to be consistent. When it comes to armies he prefers to start with the bare minimum. The soldiers he calls are amateurish, unskilled and usually led by a coward. If you don’t believe me, ask Gideon. *The essays were submitted as part of a competition held by the Church Growth and Planned Giving Department titled ‘Do you see what I see?’ Andrew was a joint runner-up. Salvationist 15 February 2020

FEATURE 20/20 Vision revisited

What I see today Major Andrew Bale (Southend Citadel) comments on his thoughts from 1997

CONCLUDED my original article with the phrase ‘ultimately the Army of 2020 will be the Army that God calls’. Many of the things predicted in that article have come true but not as a result of vocation or spiritual enlightenment; they are simply a consequence of down-to-earth pragmatism. The truth is that the Army of 2020 has turned out to be an Army desperately trying to remain relevant and fighting to survive. Compromise and change have occurred. Many corps have members of the band in brown shoes today simply because the alternative is no band. Open sectional policies have become popular, even in corps that back in 1997 would have never contemplated such a move. Many small corps have either relocated or closed because it turns out that the ‘bottomless purse of THQ’ does actually have a bottom. We are a smaller, slimmer Army but not necessarily a fitter Army. We are an Army in transition, certainly more diverse but in terms of evolution we still have a long way to go. Let’s not forget that The Salvation Army was born because the traditional church 150 years ago refused to change. Unless we embrace change, and thereby remain relevant, the current rate of decline suggests we will die. Pragmatism, however, is an effective taskmaster, and if we continue to remain flexible then who knows – perhaps God hasn’t finished with us yet!

‘

Let’s not forget that The Salvation Army was born because the traditional church refused to change

’

20/20 Vision The 20/20 Vision was set out in January 1996, stating: Our vision is that, by the year 2020, we shall see a network of healthy, reproducing and mission-orientated corps, strategically placed within every viable community in the territory, each sharing with others, in a culturally relevant way, the eternal and abundant life Christ died to provide and commissioned his Church to proclaim … together with a similar network of social services delivery units, each meeting physical, emotional and spiritual needs in a holistic manner.

Salvationist 15 February 2020

REFL RE FLEC FL ECTI EC TION TI ON REFLECTION

Understanding silence Ron Thomlinson uncovers a troubling family secret

Y grandad was a victim of domestic violence. The implications of that fact are only just beginning to dawn on me. Put into the social and Salvation Army context of the late 1940s and 1950s, it is unimaginable. A lifelong Salvationist and a faithful local officer, his abuse was always the skeleton in our family cupboard. Everyone involved, of course, has been dead for a long time. Born in 1880, he became a coal face worker in a Whitehaven pit. Like other Cumbrian miners who, in the 1930s, lived in dire poverty, he went looking for work in the coal fields of Nottinghamshire. For a number of years the family soldiered at Hucknall Corps before returning to Workington. Grandad was the bandmaster and worked as a road sweeper at the top end of the town. He had a short fuse, but people accepted him for who he was: a respected figure in the community. Others wondered what he might have become in another age, with an education. Some of his views were seen as ‘unusual’. I never knew Grandma Thomlinson. She was promoted to Glory in 1941. Three years later, Grandad, aged 64, married a uniformed Salvationist. In his second marriage, he was head over heels in love. However, according to my source, he and his wife ‘were bad for each other’, and so within this toxic marriage the domestic violence began. No one chooses tragedy. He was physically and psychologically terrorised. Although my dad never talked about his family, my brother and I knew that there was something wrong. Only once do I remember going to stay with my grandad on holiday. I was about 15 at the time. There was no talk or sign of his wife. His house was desolate, threadbare and comfortless. All his cupboards were bare. A solitary black iron frying pan, with frequently used lard

‘

My brother and I knew that there was something wrong

’

in it, stood on the gas stove, symbolising his loneliness. As a teenager, I didn’t understand why he told me that he had tried to learn ju-jitsu to defend himself, but the words were burnt into my memory. Those who have been marching along in The Salvation Army for any length of time know that there is no human trait from which Salvationists are exempt. To quote Shylock in Shakespeare’s The Merchant Of Venice, ‘If you prick us, do we not bleed?’ The Roman slave Terence, who became a famous playwright about two centuries before Christ, wrote: ‘I am a man, I consider nothing that is human alien to me.’ It still applies today. Individually, and as the body of Christ, we experience a gamut of emotions. But

not shock, surely? Things do happen, but nothing is alien to us. All of human life is also in the Army, so why be shocked? It happens in the best of families. Until a year ago, I knew virtually nothing about my dad’s family. What I discovered has come from family members I did not know I had or non-relatives who were then young eyewitnesses. I needed to find out what was in my lineage because it is my story too. I needed to discover my roots. I needed to close the circle for myself. What lay in that circle would explain why things were the way they were: forming my grandad, forming my dad and hence forming me. Grandad’s story travels with me. It also raises many questions. What did this experience do to his faith? If, when or how did he call on God for help? Did he feel guilty about being a victim? Was he afraid to talk about it because he thought no one would believe him? What did it do to his faith in the Army? Was his silence to protect the Army’s image? I cannot believe that he was the first male victim of domestic violence in a corps, nor that he was the last. Of course, it would be lunacy to suggest that when visiting Salvationists in their homes a corps officer asks every wife, ‘When did you stop beating your husband?’ However, denial that such abuse could be happening may condemn some of our comrades in all kinds of situations, classes and cultures to isolation. Denial, whether corporate or individual, has never brought anyone relief and healing. Fighting for right and opposing the wrong, especially in our own corps – that is the reason why we keep on marching along, isn’t it? O Men

or women affected by domestic abuse can receive confidential help from Victim Support by calling 0333 2704125

RON LIVES IN THE NETHERLANDS Salvationist 15 February 2020

BIBLE STUDY

Free on the inside Major Steven Turner challenges us to praise God in all circumstances STUDY PASSAGE: ACTS 16:25 – 40

OME years ago, while working in a money advice centre, I noticed that a high street bank was foreclosing on mortgages it had sold only a few years earlier. The manager explained that during the recent housing boom he had been set high sales targets. When South American governments defaulted on massive loans, his bank sought to recover losses from homeowners who were in default. Having no qualifications, the middle-aged manager feared he might never work again if he was sacked for failing to hit his repossession target. An apparently successful and prosperous man was trapped by the system in which he had made his money.

QUESTIONS Have you ever found yourself trapped in a situation with no obvious way out? O How did you respond? O

Through the week with Salvationist – a devotional thought for each day by Major Howard Webber

Salvationist 15 February 2020

In our study passage, Paul and Silas are locked in the stocks in a Philippian jail. However, despite their hopeless situation, around midnight, Paul and Silas begin ‘praying and singing hymns to God’ (v25). Paul was following his own advice to the believers in Thessalonica: ‘Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances’ (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18). Major Jo Norton was a great prayer warrior and teacher. Some years ago, at Roots, she admitted she sometimes found it hard to praise God. On these occasions, she would begin stamping around the room in anger muttering ‘praise the Lord’ under her breath. After a few circuits, however, she found that her words became stronger and her stamping weaker. Soon she would lift her head and cry at the top of her voice: ‘Praise the Lord!’ QUESTIONS O How do you respond to hardship or pain?

Do you find it easy to praise God in those situations? O Have you tried the ‘Jo Norton technique’? O

In response to the prisoners’ praise party, God sends an earthquake that shakes the cell doors open and breaks the prisoners’ chains. Fearing a mass jailbreak, the jailer draws his sword to end his own life. But Paul amazes the jailer by declaring: ‘Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!’ (v28). In contrast to the crowds’ response to the freeing of the slave girl in our last Bible study, inside the jail all is peace. The jailer’s fearful response is enlightening. He was a free man, a Roman citizen by virtue of the city’s colony status, in a responsible position in society. He had authority over the prisoners, both to provide for their needs and to mete out punishment if he desired. The jailer also had to obey the

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

When you feel weakest, dangers surround,/ Subtle temptations, troubles abound,/ Nothing seems hopeful, nothing seems glad,/ All is despairing, everything sad:/ Keep on believing, Jesus is near;/ Keep on believing, there’s nothing to fear;/ Keep on believing, this is the way;/ Faith in the night as well as the day. (SASB 691)

After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. (Acts 16:23–25)

Jesus the prisoner’s fetters breaks,/ And bruises Satan’s head;/ Power into strengthless souls he speaks/ And life into the dead. (SASB 84)

Prayer Father God, thank you for Jesus. Thank you for saving me. Thank you that even in my darkest times, when all seems lost, you give me cause to hope, to trust you and to ever sing your praises.

orders of the judges, however: he had to lock up or release whomever he was told to. His personal opinions or even his knowledge of the prisoners would have held no sway. The Pax Romana was a fragile peace, maintained across the empire by the rule of law and the swords of soldiers. If the prisoners escaped, the jailer would be held personally responsible. In some ways he was no freer than the slave girl whose salvation landed Paul and Silas in jail. Like the banker mentioned earlier, he could lose his job, or perhaps even his head. QUESTIONS O Why do you think Paul and Silas didn’t seek to escape? O What would you do in the same situation? Recognising that Paul and Silas had access to a supernatural power, the jailer asks: ‘Sirs, what must I do to be

saved?’ (v30). They reply: ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household’ (v31). The power that saves the jailer is the same power that saved the slave girl – the name of Jesus. The jailer immediately bathes the prisoners’ wounds and his household is baptised, before they all share a meal to celebrate their newfound joy in Christ. The next morning, when orders come to release Paul and Silas, Paul announces their Roman citizenship and highlights their illegal treatment. Why announce it now, when they are free to go? Paul recognises the authority of the state, rightly exercised, as coming from God (see Romans 13:1). He also understands the call for justice for the oppressed (see Isaiah 1:17). Although God has given Paul his freedom, Paul seems to believe it is his duty to remind the magistrates of the responsibilities of their position.

QUESTIONS How far should we go in holding governing authorities to account? O Where is the dividing line between suffering for our faith and unjust treatment? O

Following a personal apology from the magistrates, Paul and Silas are released. They briefly meet with the believers in Lydia’s house before heading out of the city for Thessalonica. Whether through mishap, misbehaviour or mistreatment, we can end up feeling trapped by our circumstances, as were Paul and Silas – and, in some senses, the jailer. We have a choice in how to respond: give in to despair or seek strength and inner freedom through praising God and trusting in the word of life. MAJOR TURNER IS CORPS OFFICER, PRESTONPANS

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

‘And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’ … ‘Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.’ (Acts 2:21 and 4:12)

Jesus, the name high over all,/ In Hell or Earth or sky;/ Angels and men before him fall/ And devils fear and fly./ Jesus, the name to sinners dear,/ The name to sinners given;/ He scatters all their guilty fear;/ He turns their Hell to Heaven. (SASB 84)

[The jailer] then brought them out and asked, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household.’ (Acts 16:30 and 31)

Jesus, what a beautiful name,/ Son of God, Son of Man,/ Lamb that was slain./ Joy and peace, strength and hope,/ Grace that blows all fear away./ Jesus, what a beautiful name. (SASB 87)

Salvationist 15 February 2020

NEW COMMITMENTS

DUNDEE: Mairi and Michael Simms were welcomed as adherent members by corps officer Major Carole Tucker. Holding the flag is CT Roger Bromage. – GB STOTFOLD: Corps officer Captain Nicola Brooksbank enrolled Caren Street as a soldier. Caren accepted Jesus as her Saviour as a teenager in South Africa. Relocating to the UK brought many challenges but Caren testified to knowing God’s hand on her life, believing that it was the right time to make her covenant with God. They are pictured with Recruiting Sergeant Roy Scott and CSM Hugh Brown. – HT

MAESTEG: Francesca Rees was welcomed as an adherent member at the carol service. She is pictured with corps ofﬁcer Major Jill Bartlett. – KB

IPSWICH CITADEL: Corps ofﬁcer Major Loes Palmer welcomed Steven Gray and Michael Keats as adherent members and enrolled Brian Green as a soldier. Brian joined the Cameo club four years ago and began attending Sunday worship as he felt welcomed into the fellowship. – DC

BRIXHAM: Corps leader Territorial Envoy Matthew Brake enrolled Vicki Bryan as a soldier. Also pictured is CSM Thelma Evans. – MB 18

Salvationist 15 February2020

COWDENBEATH: Margaret Bauld, who began to worship at the corps a year ago, was welcomed as an adherent member by corps ofﬁcer Lieutenant Karen Thomas. – KT

ARMÁDA SPÁSY DOVER: Fresh Expression Pioneer Leader David Frater welcomed Gabriel Balog, Maria Horvathova, Sarka Mirgova and Ema Tancosova as adherent members. They testiﬁed to the transforming power of Jesus in their lives. – KB

LETTERS

HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD?

TEN QUESTIONS FOR VEGANS VEGANISM has become very fashionable, as noted recently in Salvationist (11 January). Its supporters often give the impression that it is of unquestionable benefit to the person and the planet. If we are to abandon all animal products, can anyone provide any answers to these questions? 1. If we were not intended to eat meat, why do humans (unlike horses and other herbivores) have canine teeth? 2. Can all essential vitamins and minerals come from plants? 3. In many parts of the country, what would we do with millions of acres (61 per cent of all farmland)? Animals can eat grass, we cannot. 4. Soya is a major vegetable source of protein. Should we fell more rainforest in Brazil to grow more? 5. Animals die of old age and are killed in road accidents. Sheep freeze and die on mountains in winter. If it is only the deliberate killing of animals that is objected to, is eating meat ‘killed by acts of nature’ not OK? 6. In the context of ‘deliberate killing of animals’, does a vet putting down a seriously ill or injured animal go against the vegan philosophy? Can vets be vegans and vice versa? 7. If ‘all animal products’ are proscribed, how do nursing vegan mothers cope with human breast milk, which is also an animal product? 8. Is fish, long called a ‘brain food’, the only source of the various omega oils? Can our brains manage without them? 9. What would we do with the millions of agricultural animals no longer wanted for their milk or meat? 10. Where does one stop? Even horse manure is an ‘animal product’. I am the only person in my street who shovels it up for the compost bin. If I don’t, motorists drive over it and spread it, and its bacteria, around. Is this a good idea? Wesley Paxton Annan

‘THE greatest threat of all today for Salvationism is a perceptible neglect of holiness teaching. Left unchecked, this has the potential to undermine Salvationism right at its very heart.’ So said Lieut-Colonel Philip Cairns, a former member of the International Doctrine Council, in his writings on practical holiness, which he presented to the third International Theology and Ethics Symposium in 2010. A lady once wrote to Bramwell Booth that she objected to the excitement of the holiness meeting. Not something we’d need to complain about these days, perhaps? The founder of the modern holiness movement, John Wesley, had taught that every Christian needed to be saved and then sanctified. For generations the Army also sought to preach, teach and experience that great distinctive, which is sadly now in decline. Like many others, I still believe that until we once again focus on being a holy people – both in word and experience – then all the modern ‘expressions’ in the world will achieve little in the grand scheme of things. Until Salvationist and other Christian people regain first principles we shall have to continue to manage decline instead of coping with growth. As Scripture exhorts us: ‘If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land’ (2 Chronicles 7:14). Paul Jarrett Bedford

LETTERS Many years ago General Frederick Coutts said letters in the Army’s press should be ‘carefully thought out and charitably expressed’. Letters may be edited and should ideally be no more than 300 words.

Salvationist 15 February 2020

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ARMY PEOPLE APPOINTED Effective 23 January O Major Jane Alton, additional appointment, Practitioner Tutor SISTAD, WBC O Captain Callum McKenna, additional appointment, Practitioner Tutor SISTAD, WBC Effective 26 March O Majors Gary and Rosemary Chatburn, Hednesford O Captains Kathryn and Richard Reynolds, Divisional Support Officers, West Midlands Effective 23 April O Major Dawn Evans, Redditch O Territorial Envoys Linda and Michael Sayner, Kidderminster O Majors Carolyn and Paul Wilson, Divisional Mission Enablers, Yorkshire South with Humber WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES Blue Sapphire (65th) O Don and Margaret Jackson, Cheltenham Citadel (26 February) Diamond O John and Doreen Tissiman, Dudley (6 February) Golden O David and Stephanie Gauntlett, Sale (28 February)

DEDICATED TO GOD Finley, son of Callum and Erin West, at Gloucester by Lieutenant Yvonne West O Arthur Joseph, son of Charlie Cox and Stephanie Rockall, at Clowne by Majors Elaine and Mark Holder O

RETIRED OFFICER Birthday congratulation O Mrs Lieut-Colonel Rhoda Searle (90 on 24 February) BEREAVED O Captain Leanne Wallis, Leek, of her mother Marilyn Martin O Junji and Sherry Pablo, Gillingham, of their daughter Gabriella PROMOTED TO GLORY O Margaret Hatton, Staple Hill OFFICIAL GAZETTE UKI Territory LONG SERVICE 30 years O Major Gregory Morgan, DC, Southern O Major Priya Morgan, DLLD, Southern ANTHONY COTTERILL Commissioner Territorial Commander

ENGAGEMENTS GENERAL BRIAN PEDDLE AND COMMISSIONER ROSALIE PEDDLE O Zimbabwe and Botswana Territory, Mon 17 Feb â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Tu 25 O Aberdeen Citadel (140th corps anniversary), Fri 28 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Tu 3 Mar O Fairfield Halls, Croydon (ISS 40th anniversary), Sat 7 THE CHIEF OF THE STAFF (COMMISSIONER LYNDON BUCKINGHAM) AND COMMISSIONER BRONWYN BUCKINGHAM O Brazil Territory (welcome to cadets), Th 13 Feb â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mon 17 O ICO (farewell to session), Fri 21 O Fairfield Halls, Croydon (ISS 40th anniversary), Sat 7 Mar THE TERRITORIAL COMMANDER (COMMISSIONER ANTHONY COTTERILL) AND COMMISSIONER GILLIAN COTTERILL O Poole (Youth Makes Music festival), Fri 21 Feb O Poole, Sat Sun 23 O Warwick (youth and childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s workers conference), Sat Sun 1 Mar O Northampton (divisional leaders training and consultation), Sun 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Th 5 O Fairfield Halls, Croydon (ISS 40th anniversary), Sat 7 O Hendon, Sun 8 O North London (divisional event), Sun 8 O Ilford (Malachi Place opening), Sat 14 THE CHIEF SECRETARY (COLONEL LEE GRAVES) AND COLONEL DEBORAH GRAVES O Poole (Youth Makes Music festival), Fri 21 Feb O Herts and Essex, Th Fri 28 O Northampton (divisional leaders training and consultation), Sun 1 Mar â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Th 5 O Fairfield Halls, Croydon (ISS 40th anniversary), Sat 7 O William Booth College (spiritual day with cadets), Wed 11 INTERNATIONAL STAFF BAND O Poole, Sat Sun 23 Feb INTERNATIONAL STAFF SONGSTERS O Fairfield Halls, Croydon (ISS 40th anniversary), Sat 7 Mar O Croydon Citadel, Sun 8

Salvationist 15 February 2020

TRIBUTES MAJOR CAMERON BAVIS CAMERON, referred to as a Christian gentleman, was born in Stirling in 1942. He entered the International Training College in 1963 as a member of the Proclaimers of the Faith Session and was commissioned in 1965. He met Joan Miles from Somercotes at the college, and they married in 1966. They served as corps officers in Scotland, Northern Ireland and England for 37 years, punctuated by a seven-year spell with the military at Catterick and Melton Mowbray â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a total of 44 years with 16 appointments. A good pastor and a capable preacher, he was appreciated for his caring, consistent ministry. During the last four years of his life he was struck with a rare complaint. Joan cared for him but had to allow a nursing home to do so for his last seven months. The illness robbed Cameron of his abilities, but he never complained or questioned. He showed great courage and fortitude and passed gently into his heavenly Fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s loving arms. He is at peace and his loved ones are happy for him. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; JB

MERVYN SOAL, GILLINGHAM MERVYN was born in 1937 to Salvationist parents in Lewisham. He was a junior and senior bandsman at the corps. In 1964 Mervyn married Dorothy, and they had two daughters and one son. In 2010, due to poor health, he and Dorothy moved to Kent to be near family. They attended Gillingham Corps. Mervyn spent his last three years in a nursing home where, despite suffering from dementia, he witnessed by singing songs and choruses learnt in his youth. He is greatly missed by his wife, children and grandchildren. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; JM

SHEILA HARRIES, SWINDON CITADEL THE youngest of four, Sheila was born in Reading in 1931. She grew up in south London and was introduced to the Army through a friend’s invitation to the Life Saving Guards. As a young woman she was an office girl for General George Carpenter at International Headquarters and spoke often about the autographs she collected there. She joined the Women’s Royal Air Force and, while stationed in Plymouth, met and fell in love with Cliff. They married in 1953 and had four children. Sheila and the children began attending Swindon Citadel shortly after moving from London, and Cliff joined them in due course. She remained faithful to the Lord through a series of trials and had a ministry of her own, including leading the Brownies at the corps for several years and later running the Cameo club with Cliff. Sheila was a much-loved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She is greatly missed. – EH

JOHN OTTAWAY, LEEDS CENTRAL BORN in 1933, John first attended Macclesfield with his siblings, Alan and Lillian. After leaving school he began his 45-year career in banking, interrupted only by his national service with the RAF. John married Muriel in 1960 and they had four children, Robert, Jill, Richard and Deborah. In 1969 John took up a bank post in Leeds and transferred to Leeds Central Corps. John was always willing to use his excellent musical talent in whatever way he could. He taught many youngsters to play instruments, and served as deputy bandmaster for 20 years, also acting as songster leader when needed. Being with family was the highlight of John’s life. In more recent years he loved to spend time with his nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. John leaves a legacy of devotion, loyalty and commitment to his family, his corps and his Lord. – MB

MAC MACGOWAN, EXETER TEMPLE BORN in Lewisham in 1928, Mac completed his national service and enjoyed various jobs before retiring as regional manager for caretaking and cleaning schools in Exeter. After marrying Sandra in 1996, his knowledge of The Salvation Army grew. While visiting Blackpool they saw the International Staff Band play and followed them back to the hall. There Mac first felt the Holy Spirit but was unable to move from his balcony seat to the mercy seat. A few weeks later, at Exeter Temple, he had the same experience and began his journey to soldiership. Mac had a simple, strong faith. Despite prolonged ill health and a diagnosis of terminal illness he was at peace with the Lord, planning his funeral, which included a message for others regarding God’s love. – JW Please note that soldiers’ and adherent members’ tributes submitted for publication should be no longer than 150 words. Good quality pictures will be included with tributes.

Salvationist 15 February 2020