Lent reflection

Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.’ ‘Then, Lord,’ Simon Peter replied, ‘not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!’ ( John 13:8 and 9)

Head, hands and feet A request

by Commissioner Robert Street

DID Peter have any idea of the implications of asking Jesus to wash his head and hands as well as his feet? Was his spontaneous outburst of total identification with Jesus matched by an equally strong understanding of what his request implied? It seems unlikely.

Peter had always had trouble in accepting uncomfortable truths about Jesus. He followed him and believed in him. He knew authenticity when he saw it and realised Jesus was no fake messiah. Whatever the Kingdom was that Jesus had come to announce, Peter could tell it was no figment of Jesus’ imagination. The values Jesus taught, the way he lived and his unequalled understanding of human nature, indicated that he was utterly genuine and worthy of Peter’s devotion. Whatever Jesus was trying to achieve, Peter wanted to be part of it.

He had witnessed the beginning of Jesus’ healing ministry, watching as Jesus restored his sick mother-in-law to robust health (see Mark 1:29–31). When Jesus began to gain in popularity Peter could hardly contain his excitement, so much so that he interrupted Jesus’ early-morning prayer time to tell him that ‘everyone is looking for you!’ (Mark 1:37). Not only did he believe in Jesus; he wanted everyone else to believe in him as well.

But when, at Caesarea Philippi, Jesus confirmed the concept of a sacrificial pathway for himself, Peter wasn’t so sure this fitted in with his own ideas of who Jesus was and what he should

become. Jesus was so good, so worthy of adulation, so outstanding, that any move to undermine, deride or hurt him was unthinkable. Peter protested – forcibly. Mark’s Gospel tells us that ‘Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him’ (8:32). When Jesus responded with even greater firmness, his words spoke directly to the heart of Peter’s problem: ‘You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns’ (v33). Peter was excited by the glamour of being in the inner circle of Christ and all that might mean, but he wasn’t so keen on being identified with a loser, someone who had given in to the idea of being killed by corrupt authority figures.

So it isn’t surprising that at the Last Supper on the evening prior to the Crucifixion, when Jesus knelt to wash Peter’s dusty feet, Peter protested again (see John 13:1–9). For him, everything about the action was wrong – Jesus kneeling, Peter sitting, the Lord serving, the disciple being served. Peter’s view of the Kingdom of God didn’t stretch to the King doing the work.

Peter’s reaction may not have been spontaneous this time. He had been given time to think about it while he observed the other disciples having their feet washed. He wanted to talk about it: ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ (v6). Jesus understood his confusion and took time to reassure him: ‘You do not realise now what I am doing, but later you will understand’ (v7). Tellingly, this wasn’t enough to quell Peter’s concerns and out came embarrassing

More than all else I would become The servant of my servant-Lord; My highest glory his reproach, To do his will my best reward. (SASB 617)

defiance: ‘No, you shall never wash my feet’ (v8). Peter had taken his stand.

Jesus’ reply effectively gave Peter an ultimatum, because it meant he could no longer avoid uncomfortable truths about the nature of Jesus and his Kingdom. It was a case of all or nothing. If Peter wanted to belong to Jesus, to be part of him and all he stood for, he would need to become like him. He would have to surrender his thoughts and dreams of glory, and embrace the loving, serving nature of his Master.

Peter asked for an even fuller washing – head, hands and feet – but had he understood the lesson?

FOR DISCUSSION O Discuss the implications of total

identification with someone else. What does it involve? What are the implications of promising total identification with Jesus? O How difficult is it to come to terms with the fact that following Jesus doesn’t guarantee special favours or an easy path through life? O Why might such expectations be inappropriate or misguided? O Could there be some aspects of

discipleship about which you are in denial? O How well do you manage to identify and separate the ‘concerns of God’ and ‘merely human concerns’? O Try to imagine Peter’s thought

patterns and inner battles alongside his hopes for Jesus and himself O What can we learn from Jesus about the way he dealt with Peter?

O This reflection appears in Head, Hands And Feet, a new book by Robert Street, available from SP&S priced £3 (plus postage and packing)

Lessons learnt and faith restored

Charis Tomlinson recalls a life-changing few months as a corps intern

FOR nine months of last year I worked as an intern at Stepney Corps in east London. It all started the year before when I decided to go travelling for a few months. This idea came as a result of me battling the hurt of a relationship breakdown, along with having an almost non-existent faith. So, catching a plane to Australia seemed like the best plan! But, a few conversations and ‘God-incidences’ later, I decided to pack in the travelling and become a Salvation Army intern. My non-Christian friends could not understand this decision – at a point when my faith was still fragile, neither could I – but I just knew this internship was for me. Looking back, I now understand that this was part of God’s plan to save me, direct me, teach me and reveal his calling for me.

Being an intern meant every day was different and I had to expect the unexpected. A ‘regular’ week included visits to prisons, night shelters and hostels, as well as getting involved in Babysong, youth work, a theology college, a home group, visiting the elderly and going to church. I was also able to attend the divisional youth camp and family camp.

All the experiences I had during those months allowed me to learn so much and restored my faith in God. Here are the top four lessons I learnt:

Money doesn’t matter – God’s calling does Money was important to me. Previously I wanted to lead a life that needed a high disposable income, with enough to save. Then along came the internship. Not stressing over money, savings, incomings and outgoings has been liberating. It has changed my focus from one centred on my bank account to one of living for God’s mission.

If I hadn’t taken the 100 per cent pay cut this internship offered me, I wouldn’t have been able to do the work I have done and subsequently discover God’s calling on my life. Some days were a struggle but they taught me not to let money stop me from fulfilling God’s plan – for when I am doing his work, I am rich enough.

Life was chaotic – God turns chaos into calm Before this internship, I was unable to sit still for any amount of time and just be. I was unable to be in my own company. I was constantly on the go and was a party animal, regularly drinking to excess. This was a way of dealing with the emotions I felt at the time, but I was missing the one thing I needed: God. Doing an internship where you live and breathe God, where prayer and worship become your daily routine, you become more open to the Holy Spirit. The chaotic spirit that I had before has gone, and I now enjoy my own company and God’s presence. This internship gave me the space and time to receive spiritual healing and growth, and I have the sense of peace that comes with having a real relationship with God. ‘‘ Not stressing over money, savings, incomings and outgoings has been liberating

’’

There’s no hurry – God’s in charge of time I had timings for every point of my life: a relationship by this point, marriage here, kids here, house here and so on. I was comparing myself to my friends all the time. Looking back it was a ‘me’ approach, not a God approach. I focused on my timings and myself and it wasn’t going to plan. But without me realising it, the timings were perfect and God was in charge of it all.

Meeting so many different people and

hearing their stories was special. Their lives were at completely different stages but they had made peace with that, and it taught me not to get caught up in my own milestones but instead to trust in God’s.

He knows when we are ready for what he wants for us; he plans to prosper us but in his time. Without this immersive, God-focused internship, I would still be obsessing over materialistic milestones, but now I can say I have learnt how not to hurry and to be happy with where I am in my life. As long as I’m where God wants me to be, it’s all good.

Church isn’t just Sunday – it’s every day Church is every day and can be anywhere. Jesus came for those on the edge, for prisoners, for people who are broken , for those experiencing addiction or homelessness , for the lost or poor. He came to save those who are searching, those who want to know him.

Charis and Stepney Salvationists at the Queen Mary University Festival of Communities

Working as part of a corps that truly believes this has been inspiring and faith grounding. It’s taught me that being a Christian isn’t just about attending church on Sunday and a connect group midweek – it’s about showing love, kindness, friendship and hospitality to the people in your community every day of the week. God doesn’t put barriers up. He’s everywhere and has open arms for everyone, anytime, and so should I. I would like to thank The Salvation Army for giving me this opportunity. It has changed my outlook and my hopes and aspirations for the future. It has grounded my faith and allowed me to grow spiritually in ways I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise. It’s given me a church family I didn’t have. It’s humbled me, matured me, developed me, saved me and shown me God in all his glory. If I could do it all over again tomorrow, I would! O Stepney Corps is looking for a new intern to join them in September. For details email wendy.watkins@ salvationarmy.org.uk CHARIS WORSHIPS AT A CHURCH IN WITNEY ‘‘ Without this immersive, God-focused internship, I would still be obsessing over materialistic milestones, but now I can say I have learnt how not to hurry and be happy with where I am in my life

’’

Trading for hope

During Fairtrade Fortnight (24 February – 8 March) Bo Christoffer Brekke shows how lives have been changed by Others, The Salvation Army’s Fairtrade organisation based in Norway

THE remote village of Shankarpur in Bangladesh has little in common with the city of Oslo in Norway, where I live. Nevertheless, there is at least one direct connection between the two.

Every autumn a few thousand hand-embroidered Christmas hearts travel by way of a small motorboat from Shankarpur to a road on the opposite riverbank. From there they are transported to the Others production centre in Jessore, and then to The Salvation Army’s headquarters in the capital, Dhaka.

After quality control and packing, the hearts journey by sea or air all the way to a large warehouse near Oslo. There they are packed into small retail displays and distributed to the central warehouses of several leading Norwegian retail chains. They subsequently make their way to shops around the country – a total of more than 600 locations in 2019. And so the hearts from Shankarpur finally end up in thousands of homes, including many here in Norway’s capital.

CONNECTIONS AND CHOICES Almost every day you are likely to buy something – food, household items, clothes, gifts or sometimes larger investments. Every one of the things you buy is made by someone somewhere, and many of these products have had a journey similar to that of the Christmas decorations from Shankarpur, although perhaps not starting in such a rural or remote location.

Each step of the way someone makes a living by refining, packing, transporting or selling that item. Through this web we are all connected to a vast number of other people around the world, and the choices we make as consumers can directly impact others, for better or worse.

LIBERATION OR EXPLOITATION There can be a fine line between necessary consumption and unhealthy consumerism, and The Salvation Army would rightfully advocate against the latter. But trade is also a key driver of global development and has been a crucial factor contributing to the extraordinary reduction in extreme poverty that the world has witnessed over the past decades, not least in a country such as Bangladesh.

In his seminal 1890 book In Darkest England And The Way Out, William Booth recognised the foundational importance of having a decent job, both in terms of dignity and securing a livelihood. This same focus can be found today in the UN Sustainable Development Goals. World leaders have committed to

promoting ‘full and productive employment and decent work for all’ (Goal 8) and ensuring ‘sustainable consumption and production patterns’ (Goal 12).

While work can be liberating in the best cases, it can also be exploitative in the worst. That’s why the Fairtrade movement is important – as a concrete action to support the workers who benefit directly from the policies of specific certifications and brands, and also more generally as a statement. Whatever its shortcomings, the Fairtrade movement sends a clear message that the world needs to hear: ensuring fair treatment of the people at the start of the production line is more important than maximising profit at the retail end.

TRANSFORMED LIVES AND IMPACTED COMMUNITIES Others can testify to how consumer choices in Europe and North America can translate into transformed lives on other continents. Thirteen years ago Kabita, from a village in Bangladesh, had to send her son to a neighbour to ask for a small fish for their dinner. Today she’s the owner of her own fishpond and life is very different for her family. Income from Others has been a key step on that journey.

Similar stories – of journeys from tin sheds to brick houses, daily struggles to hope for the future and trafficking and exploitation to independence and dignity – can be heard from many of the more than 1,200 producers currently involved in production in Bangladesh and Kenya. Back in Shankarpur, Chumki, 24, who produces embroidered hearts, says her income from Others trading has made it possible for her to pursue university studies. Her story is also a testimony to how Others has played an important role in bringing people together in this small community. Where five years ago people of different religions hardly spoke to each other, Christians and Muslims like Chumki now regularly gather and work side by side as part of Others production groups, often meeting in the Army’s small brick hall.

SUCCESS AND GROWTH Succeeding with an enterprise like Others is not easy. It requires professionalism, dedication and, not least, high quality and attractive products. Building on years of intentional groundwork, the initiative slowly continues to expand.

In Norway the partnerships with chains and independent stores handle tens of thousands of products, which are the result of thousands of hours of work by Others producers. In North America the Army’s own network has been the entry point, with products now widely available through events, home parties and online sales.

In the UK, as a sign of greater things to come, a small sales display was launched just before Christmas at IHQ’s Café 101. More is in the pipeline. You can listen to Develop, THQ’s International Projects Office podcast (see page 7), to discover more. Then stay tuned to find out how you may be able to purchase hearts from Shankarpur in the UK this Christmas.

In the meantime, remember that your choices as a consumer matter. Choose Fairtrade, choose organic and environmentally friendly brands, choose brands that are open about the way they work. In the words of sustainable foods advocate Anna Lappé: ‘Every time you buy something, you’re casting a vote for the kind of world you want.’ Wherever possible, let your vote be for a fairer and more sustainable world.

O To learn more about Others visit tradeforhope.com O The Develop podcast is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or visit castbox.fm and search for ‘develop’

Engaging in mission

Secretary for Mission Lieut-Colonel Drew McCombe tells Salvationist about mission in the territory

HOW DO YOU DEFINE MISSION? The definition we use in our mission development process is adapted from the Anglican five marks of mission. It means sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, making, teaching and nurturing disciples, responding to human need through loving action and inclusive community, seeking to change unjust structures of society and safeguarding the integrity of creation. I would see confidence in the gospel as a priority, and we need to be more intentional in making disciples. Everything else flows from these two things.

ARE THERE GOOD EXAMPLES OF MISSION IN THE TERRITORY? We’ve just done research with six corps that we felt are effective in mission and key themes were identified. The main one is about being relational. Corps that create space to build relationships tend to be more successful. That usually means becoming less formal and being ready to adapt. Another significant factor is the length of stay for leaders. Our findings will help us develop metrics to measure effective mission.

THE MISSION SERVICE USED TO BE CALLED THE PROGRAMME SERVICE. WHY DID THAT CHANGE? The Programme Service included evangelism and social services in two departments. The Mission Service brings these together under the theme and understanding of mission. We’re seeing evidence of a lot more collaboration where mission and issues are addressed more holistically.

Mission focus groups, where people in one location seek to work together and integrate, can work really well. As a DC I saw good collaboration between Employment Plus, the Homelessness Services Unit and corps in a number of places. In one city, for example, people experiencing mental health issues were coming into corps community centres and corps were saying they could do with some expertise, so some Lifehouse staff training was offered to corps folk.

We’re better together, so we need to try to work collaboratively.

HOW DOES THE MISSION SERVICE SUPPORT THE FRONT LINE? The Mission Service aims to enable, equip and empower frontline mission. There are all sorts of resources, for example, to support discipleship, youth and children’s ministries, Steps to Work programmes for Employment Plus, dementia care and programmes that help people recover from addiction.

We also do a lot of training for local officers and other people in corps settings, including courses such as Preparing to Preach, Frontline, Whole Life Discipleship and Natural Church Development. We’re now starting training on APEST, the five-fold ministry of apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers mentioned in Ephesians 4:11.

CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT FRESH EXPRESSIONS? These are new forms of church emerging within contemporary culture that are engaging primarily with people who have never gone to church. The Army became partners with the Fresh Expression movement back in 2012. Majors Andrea and Andrew Vertigan are our fresh expressions enablers and they’re supporting pioneering, new plants and corps that are exploring fresh expressions throughout the territory. Fresh expressions, or FXs, vary across the territory. There are 28 of them at various stages. They include Messy Church, which is based around children and families, and other ministries run from corps buildings. But there are also FXs in public spaces such as coffee shops. In Deptford our FX is delivering mission in and from a pub. They run a community gospel choir from there, and out of the choir they’ve developed gatherings for people to talk about hope, which leads to talking about the gospel. In Clapton the corps was rebirthed and then pioneered Stoke Newington coffee shop and Dalston community hub.

The FX movement is in transition. It has been going for the past 15 years, and now that the principles have been embedded the feeling is that it should take a more organic approach. There will be less centralised control. The people on the FX board will be there because of their gifting, rather than being denominational representatives. The movement now has sufficient momentum so we’re setting it free and providing support and resources. The idea is that the movement will evolve with practitioners at the helm. I am seeing a maturing of the FX movement as it recognises that it is part of the missional landscape alongside church planting and other evangelistic movements. We all need each other and FX is a key player in the mission of God in this nation.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE AS THEY ENGAGE IN MISSION? At the end of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus commissions the disciples and says: ‘I am with you always’ (28:20). That statement is not just a source of encouragement; it is also the best way to do mission – not for people or to people, but with people. As you journey with people in mission may you be transformed and see others’ lives transformed as well.

‘‘ We all need each other and the Fresh Expression movement is key in the mission of God

’’

Be like Jesus!

Major Martin Wheeler encourages us to imitate Christ’s humility, love and respect

PHILIPPIANS 2:1–11

WHEN I turn to Paul’s letters, I often wonder what prompted him to write. In the case of his letter to the Philippians, it is immediately obvious that Paul wants to affirm and encourage. Imagine the scene as the contents of the letter are shared. I see people sitting in a meeting room eagerly waiting to hear from Paul. I suspect there would be some pride, as well as relief, among those listening as they realise that Paul is filled with joy because of their ‘partnership in the gospel’ (1:5).

QUESTION O What words of affirmation and encouragement would Paul use if he were writing to your corps or centre?

I wonder how long it took you to answer that question. Perhaps it was a struggle as concerns and anxieties about your Christian community took centre stage. Were you blinkered from appreciating some of the good news stories that may be present?

And yet in this letter to the Philippians we see Paul looking beyond the constraints of the prison bars and chains that shackled him to the wall. Instead, Paul celebrates the gospel of Jesus Christ being lived out in the first church that Paul had established on European soil.

QUESTIONS O What do you see as you look out across the landscape of our communities? O What does the gospel of Jesus look like in our corps and centres? O What part do we play in painting a picture of Jesus to those around us?

These are important questions to ask as we reflect on our study passage. For Paul, it is Jesus who sets the agenda. For example, he urges the church in Philippi to be ‘like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind’ (v2).

In a world of multiple preferences where one’s individuality can be crafted from a myriad of lifestyle options, the call to a unity of love and spirit seems unfashionably limiting.

QUESTIONS O To what extent do some people see Jesus as just another lifestyle choice? O How do other lifestyle choices distract people from the good news of Jesus Christ?

While these questions appear to relate to more recent cultural shifts in society, Paul’s letter to the Philippians demonstrates that the gospel has always had to break into lives caught up in a search for meaning. I imagine that was why Paul was so overjoyed with this particular church, because in the midst of both his own and the Church’s persecution the good news of Jesus prevailed!

Through the week with Salvationist – a devotional thought for each day by Major Howard Webber SUNDAY O to be like thee! blessèd Redeemer,/ This is my constant longing and prayer;/ Gladly I’ll forfeit all of Earth’s treasures,/ Jesus, thy perfect likeness to wear.

(SASB 618) MONDAY In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

(Philippians 2:5–7) TUESDAY To be like Jesus!/ This hope possesses me,/ In every thought and deed,/ This is my aim, my creed;/ To be like Jesus!/ This hope possesses me,/ His Spirit helping me,/ Like him I’ll be.

(SASB 328)

Paul succinctly sums this up: ‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others’ (vv3 and 4). These words describe a love and respect that is at the heart of Jesus’ command: ‘A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another’ (John 13:34 and 35).

QUESTIONS O What would your corps look like if love and respect for each other were lived out? O How would that love and respect be demonstrated?

The culmination of the first five verses of this chapter is a succinct but profound summary of the whole essence of being a follower of Christ. It is a statement that transcends the notion of a lifestyle choice. It becomes something far more significant – it is life itself.

Paul captures this profound truth in 13 words: ‘In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus’ (v5). He simply asks us to be like Jesus.

QUESTIONS O What does being like Jesus look like for you? O What would your corps look like if being like Jesus was at the heart of its mission?

The closing verses of our study passage conclude with a hymn that may have been written by Paul. Just as we might conclude our testimony with a significant song, so Paul inserts poetry that sums up the essence of Christ’s relationship with humanity. QUESTION O Which song lyrics would you choose?

I would choose a song by Frances Ridley Havergal:

Take my life and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to thee; Take my moments and my days, Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my love; my Lord, I pour At thy feet its treasure-store; Take myself and I will be Ever, only, all for thee.

(SASB 623)

MAJOR WHEELER IS DIVISIONAL MISSION ENABLER, ANGLIA

WEDNESDAY To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

(1 Peter 2:21) THURSDAY I am praying, blessèd Saviour,/ To be more and more like thee;/ I am praying that thy Spirit/ Like a dove may rest on me.

(SASB 760)

Prayer Father God, I long to be like Jesus. You were well pleased with him, for he obeyed your will perfectly. Father, empty me of me; crucify that old self and fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I might bear the fruit of a Christlike life. FRIDAY Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

(1 John 3:2) SATURDAY I am praying, blessèd Saviour,/ And my constant prayer shall be/ For a perfect consecration/ That shall make me more like thee. (SASB 760)