Doing what we're here for

IN his letter to the Philippians, Paul writes about Epaphroditus, who ‘risked his life’ and ‘almost died for the work of Christ’ (2:30). The word translated as ‘risked’ comes from a root that means ‘to throw down a stake’. It is the language of gambling. This idea was taken up in the fourth century to refer to a group of Christians who risked their lives nursing the sick and burying the dead during dangerous epidemics. They were called ‘gamblers’.

A few weeks ago, before the lockdown, author and theologian NT Wright gave a talk in London. In the question time that followed he was asked how lessons from the past could help Christians respond to the coronavirus crisis. He referred to the early centuries and said: ‘When a plague struck a city and a lot of people were dying, all those who could afford to, including the doctors, would flee to the hills. The Christians would stay and nurse people. Later, when asked why they did that, they would say, “We follow Jesus and this is what we’re here for.”’

Clearly we are in a different situation today. Some people are involved in hazardous work – medical staff are an obvious example – but most of us are advised not to put ourselves at risk. To do so would also put others at risk and prolong the pandemic. The message for the majority is ‘stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives’.

But there is another lesson we can learn from the actions of Christians in the past – a lesson that comes from Jesus himself. It is that we are called to loving service.

Salvationists and other people linked to the Army are answering that call right now across the world. Recent issues of Salvationist have highlighted the Army’s response to the coronavirus outbreak in many of the 131 countries in which it works. On pages 8 and 9 this week the focus is on Asia and Australasia, where the responses include delivering essential items to people in Australia, providing food and support for vulnerable sex workers in Bangladesh, distributing hand gel, disinfectant, toilet paper and rice in Hong Kong and children writing notes of encouragement to hospital workers in Singapore.

Our news pages show how corps and centres in this territory are responding, and on pages 10 and 11 Major Eleanor Haddick gives insights into how Lifehouses in the south of England are managing. She outlines the measures that have been put in place to keep service users and staff safe, and highlights the vital role that chaplains play.

Of course, the Army is involved in loving service at all times, not just in crisis situations. In the third of our ‘In the zone’ features on pages 12 and 13 we learn how the Army in the Sweden and Latvia Territory operates during more normal times, enabling lives to be transformed in partnership with God.

Like Christians in the early centuries who risked their lives for others, those who engage in loving service today may well be praised for their actions. But rather than bask in the glory, we need to point people to what motivates us. We, too, follow Jesus and this is what we’re here for.

From the Editor

Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts