Praying for a new Division

Lieut-Colonel Dean Pallant presents the March update from the Structure Co-ordination and Design Group

AS this issue of Salvationist goes to press, final preparations are being made for the transition of the Devon and Cornwall and Severn and Somerset Divisions to become the new South West Division. Salisbury Corps already joined the Central, Southern and Channel Islands Division in January, and this latest boundary update brings us to 16 divisions. We’re grateful to everyone who has been hard at work in the background and for the spirit of grace with which you’ve approached this transition.

We want to take this opportunity to surround the new division’s leaders –Majors Paul and Gillian Billard – with our prayers and support. We ask God to guide them as they encourage and enhance the interactions between local government/authority and ecumenical partners and the various expressions of Salvation Army mission in the division. Please bear with Majors Paul and Gillian as they begin implementation of changes, and continue to encourage them and uphold them in prayer moving forwards.

As we prepare for the final phases of boundary updates in July, the territory continues to move away from the service centre model introduced during Fit for Mission, placing a firm focus on closer working relationships between headquarters – territorial and divisional – and local mission expressions. Four of the original service centre buildings have closed, but DHQ teams continue to welcome and collaborate with locally based territorial oversight and support personnel within the division.

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

Last month, we shared an overview of the work that’s taking place ‘behind the scenes’ across our territorial services. Our Service Design Groups in Personnel, Communications, Mission, Business Administration and the Chief Secretary’s office continue to improve the support and oversight they offer to corps and other local mission expressions and are determined that a more integrated and streamlined structure will follow.

We will continue to update you on their progress and that of our other Service Design Groups as we work to continuously improve all we do to support local mission flourishing.

WHAT ABOUT MISSION?

The Structure Co-ordination and Design Group (SCDG) want to thank you for your ongoing interest in our work and for your passion to see the Army’s mission flourish across the territory. We all want a flourishing Army and want to work hard to make it happen.

The SCDG’s focus has been primarily on ‘support and oversight’ and tasked with getting headquarters working so that local units (corps, centres, etc) can get on with mission. In the background, a number of initiatives are under way – outside the SCDG remit – to focus on ‘local mission delivery’ rather than ‘support and oversight’.

We are seeing evidence of Kingdom growth across the territory – it is good in parts but there is more to do. As Commissioner Harry Read said years ago: ‘If it’s not happening where you are, it’s not happening.’

Local mission delivery is absolutely essential and our colleagues will update you on their progress.

Meanwhile, please be reassured we share your longing for a flourishing Army – we all need to play our part in this.

Please do continue to share your feedback with us in the usual way, via transformation@salvationarmy.org.uk, so that we can continue to learn, improve and adapt all we are doing.

THE DESIRED OUTCOMES OF THE STRUCTURE CO-ORDINATION AND DESIGN GROUP

Transformation Increase capacity of locally based Salvation Army work to contribute to the territory’s five mission priorities: share the good news; nurture disciples of Jesus; care for creation; serve others without discrimination; seek justice and reconciliation.

Integration Build strong and effective collaboration between all aspects of Army work in a geographical area.

Streamlining Design appropriate, effective, efficient and sustainable structures and processes that enable local mission to flourish.

DIVISIONS AS OF 1 JULY 2023