SALVATIONIST For everyone linked to The Salvation Army
No.1703 Price 60p
www.salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist 4 May 2019
MISSION ENABLERS
MEET COLONELS LEE AND DEBBIE GRAVES
T CONTENTS
Quotes from the media
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News
4 to 8
Frontline challenges I What relevance does Christianity have in modern Western culture? 8 Rear-mirror views ‘Sail South America Tuesday’
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by General John Larsson (Retired)
Feature I Being obedient Reaching new heights
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by Major Jane Cowell
Feature I Dissertation 11 Examining the Facebook effect by Major Keira Wood
Interview 12 and 13 Being all we are called to be with Colonels Lee and Debbie Graves
Column from the college Easter campaign
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by Cadet Ali Brooks
Meditation I Aspects of love Love’s prize
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by Major Jim Bryden
Bible study Look! See! Touch!
16 and 17
by Captain Stephen Oliver
Through the week with Salvationist 16 and 17 by Major Freda Benneyworth
New commitments
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Letters
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Announcements
20 and 21
Adverts
22 and 23
The Salvation Army and me
CONFIDENT AND MORE DARING INNOVATIVE, daring, obedient and confident are four words that shine through in this issue of Salvationist. Colonels Lee and Debbie Graves arrived in the UK from Canada in November 2018 to take up their appointments as Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Leader Development. Their interview with LieutColonel Jonathan Roberts, on pages 12 and 13, is refreshing and encouraging. The Chief Secretary says the Army is ‘continuing to look at ways to be innovative and creative around mission accomplishment’ adding that Salvationists should be ‘willing to take risks’. This has echoes of Commissioner Harry Read’s ‘permission to fail’, when he encouraged the Army to be daring and to try new ways of spreading the good news without fear of failure. Colonel Debbie is excited about the tremendous opportunities in this territory of seeing ‘people’s lives being transformed’. She enthuses: ‘The more we share these the more people get excited and the more the work blossoms.’ But she adds: ‘We would also hope for an increase in our cadet enrolment. I think there are people out there who are being called but perhaps there are too many things getting in the way of answering that call.’ Major Jane Cowell did answer the call, and you can read her testimony on page 10 in the second part of our series entitled Be Obedient. Jane admits to initially setting limits on what God might do in her life. However, she goes on to declare that ‘continued obedient faith was simply doing the next thing and daring to see God in it’. In his Bible study on pages 16 and 17 Captain Stephen Oliver gives reason for us to be confident when he says that because of the Resurrection and the power of the Holy Spirit released into the world, Christians can see the ‘new possibilities of life [God] offers and take hold of the privilege of participating in his mission to redeem the world’. Innovation also features strongly in Major Keira Wood’s article on page 11, where we begin a new series in which students from the School for In-Service Training and Development tell us about their degree dissertations. Keira’s dissertation for her BA (Honours) in Pastoral Care with Psychology was called, ‘How do aspects of the Facebook effect impact on pastoral care practice?’ Data that Keira collected highlights that Salvationists value being part of an online spiritual community – whether in the wider corps fellowship or in a smaller group, such as a band fellowship – and feel cared for as part of that community. New technology, she explains, has created many new ways of experiencing community, connection and communication. We may sing; ‘Tell me the old, old story/ Of unseen things above,/ Of Jesus and his glory,/ Of Jesus and his love’ (SASB 150), but innovation, daring, obedience and confidence demand that the old, old story is communicated in new and fresh ways.
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Featuring Captain Matthew Moore
SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS Scripture quotations in Salvationist are from the New International Version (2011), unless otherwise stated
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Salvationist 4 May 2019
From the Managing Editor, Stephen Pearson
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QUOTES FROM THE MEDIA
CHURCHES DEMAND HELP FOR CHRISTIANS UNDER ATTACK Britain must act urgently to save Christians around the world from persecution that is ‘unprecedented in many centuries’, the Church of England and Roman Catholic Church have said. In a rare joint statement, the churches demanded extra training for diplomats and asylum for Christian refugees. Britain had provided only ‘piecemeal’ support to those facing discrimination, and even ‘mass killings’ on account of their faith, the churches warned in their submission to a Foreign Office review. They called for mandatory ‘religious literacy’ training for diplomats to ensure that they understood the role religion played in the oppression and violence faced by Christians in parts of the world where they were in a minority. Officials should ensure that refugees from Christian and other minority communities in conflict zones, such as Syria and Iraq, were not ‘inadvertently excluded’ from asylum schemes, they said. Very few Christian refugees have been brought to the UK under resettlement programmes. The Times
CHRISTIANS AGAINST POVERTY TEACHES BUDGETING TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES People living on low incomes are being offered free life-skills courses from the charity Christians Against Poverty (Cap) at their parish church. St Saviour’s, Iford, in Bournemouth, was one of the first churches to receive training from Cap to pilot the eight-week course, which promises to give people ‘confidence and decision-making skills’ to ‘live well’ and ‘feel positive’ on a low income... A spokesperson for Cap explained: ‘Cap Life Skills is a friendly group that gives people the confidence and decision-making skills they need to survive life on a low income. We teach people practical money-saving techniques, such as cooking on a budget, living healthily on less, and making your money go further.’
HEALTHCARE STAFF AND BANK WORKERS ENLISTED TO HELP TACKLE HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN YORKSHIRE Healthcare staff, finance workers and employment officers are the target of a new campaign to tackle modern slavery across Yorkshire. The new government campaign – which has been launched in Leeds – will help frontline workers in healthcare, financial services and employment officers to spot the signs of human trafficking. Common signs could include people being forced to pay cash wages into someone else’s bank account, multiple medical prescriptions from the same address or someone being accompanied to and from an appointment by someone who is obviously not a relative. Based on intelligence from the police and the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (Glaa), the government has chosen to run the campaign in areas where it is likely to have an impact. There were 121 cases of modern slavery reported to police in West Yorkshire in the last year, new figures show. The Yorkshire Post
Church Times
CHURCHES INVITED TO REGISTER INTEREST IN SECURITY PAYMENTS Churches and other places of worship in the UK are being invited to register their interest in the latest tranche of government funding to help protect religious buildings.
Home Secretary Sajid Javid said: ‘In the coming days and weeks, millions of people from different faiths will be marking religious festivals up and down the UK.
Bids for a share of the £1.6 million Places of Worship scheme – funding extra protection and security measures – will be accepted from July this year, the Home Office added…
‘At this time of reflection, devotion and celebration, it’s vital everyone feels safe and protected in the places of worship they attend.’
SALVATIONIST (tel) 020 7367 4890 (email) salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk (web) www.salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist EDITOR Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts – (tel) 020 7367 4901 MANAGING EDITOR Stephen Pearson – (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 DTP DESIGNER Hannah Holden – (tel) 020 7367 4883 GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Mark Knight – (tel) 020 7367 4895 Louise Phillips – (tel) 020 7367 4896 PROOFREADER Chris Horne
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ISSN 2516-5909
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THE SALVATION ARMY FOUNDER William Booth GENERAL Brian Peddle TERRITORIAL COMMANDER Commissioner Anthony Cotterill SECRETARY FOR COMMUNICATIONS Lieut-Colonel Dean Pallant
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NEWS
story about the man who made the nails that were used in the crucifixion of Christ. On Easter Day the risen Christ was emphasised, and Major Peter Kendall led a meeting of praise and thanksgiving, which was followed by Easter brunch as part of the Worship With Us And Stay For Lunch series of Sunday meetings. – L. M.
Celebrating Holy Week from palm branches to brunch LEEDS WEST HUNSLET HOLY Week began with Palm Sunday celebrations as corps members joined people from other churches in a march of witness. Two donkeys took part in the march and people waved palm branches in celebration of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. A Prayers for Easter event took place on Monday, and Wednesday’s Music for Easter
featured the band, songsters and soloists. A dramatic presentation on Good Friday was the climax of the week. Produced by
Yeovil corps officer Major Neil Davies presents corps pianist Derek Lush with a long-service award and a certificate of appreciation recognising 70 years’ faithful service
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Major Carol Kendall, The Nail featured five members of the corps in a moving and thoughtprovoking telling of a fictional
Newcastle City Temple plays a leading role in the traditional Good Friday procession of witness through the heart of the city before an open-air service at Grey’s Monument, which included members of other churches and attracted passers-by
Joan Hubber (second from left) wins Birkenhead’s over-60 Easter Bonnet Parade during an Easter crafts afternoon 4
During the Good Friday meditation at Branksome, based on the song ‘Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?’, corps folk were asked to imagine themselves in the places mentioned in the song
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More than 100 previous members of Darlington YP Band and Singing Company meet for a reunion; Majors David and Elizabeth McCaw-Aldworth (Cardiff Canton) led the weekend
Anniversaries celebrated with Norwich Citadel Songsters SUNDERLAND MILLFIELD
Chief wants to ‘cheer at the cross’ CROYDON CITADEL CHIEF of the Staff Commissioner Lyndon Buckingham and World Secretary for Women’s Ministries Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham led Easter celebrations, which began on Maundy Thursday with a meditation by the music sections. Good Friday included the songsters singing ‘Thank You For The Cross’, and the Chief began by declaring his struggles with the day. He explained how he wanted to fast-forward to the joys of Easter Day, but recognised that Good Friday was a day of victory in itself and needed to be fully appreciated. ‘I want to cheer at the cross as well as at the empty tomb,’ he declared. Messy Church and a coffee morning took place on Saturday while the hall was transformed with hundreds of flowers, ready for Easter Day, which began with a corps breakfast. The meeting began with ‘Superman, Superstar’, played by the YP band, which was augmented by the four newest learners, who made their first public performance. The singing company, songsters and band presented contributions before Commissioner Bronwyn brought an inspirational Bible address. After heart-warming moments of reflection and commitment the meeting ended with the triumphant singing of ‘In Christ Alone’. Divisional Commander Major Val Mylechreest and corps officers Majors Lisa and Mike Lloyd-Jones supported the international leaders throughout the weekend. – C. K.
Divisional leaders Majors Brian Slinn and Liv Raegevik-Slinn recognise Val Straw, Val McCall, Ann Shipp and Carol Cartwright for their 12 years of service to Clowne’s luncheon club
THE visit of Norwich Citadel Songsters marked the 129th corps anniversary weekend, which was particularly fitting as the host songsters were celebrating their centenary. Taking the theme The King And I, Major Mark Sawyer (Norwich Citadel) explored aspects of people’s relationships with Jesus. The band supported by accompanying the timbrel group with ‘Shine Down’. On Sunday the band joined
forces with Norwich Citadel Songsters at Sunderland Royal Hospital to witness to those in the area, before an extended march back to the hall through the community. The weekend’s theme was further explored in the morning meeting. Members of the congregation were invited to explain, against a one-minute countdown, what Jesus means to them. The songsters blessed the congregation on Sunday afternoon with songs such as ‘Everywhere’ and ‘I Have Seen The Glory Of The Lord’, before ‘Crown Him With Many Crowns’ encapsulated and rejuvenated everyone’s relationship with God. – R. B.
Cowdenbeath’s new Friendship Group receives a donation of £500 from Coalfields Regeneration Trust
Reading Central Band takes part in the Churches Together Easter morning open-air service at Forbury Gardens bandstand, which was led by Major Alec Still (DHQ)
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NEWS
Gateshead Junior Choir presents an excellent programme at Wallsend’s 140th corps anniversary celebrations; the relaxed evening included vocal solos, piano items and a ukulele band
NEWCASTLE CITY TEMPLE: The corps joined with Newcastle Central and the East Circuit Methodists to begin Holy Week with a united service. Alongside music, readings and prayer, the meeting included an imagined conversation between Susanna Wesley and Catherine Booth had they met. A massed choir brought items, including ‘I’ll Make My Promises’ and ‘Somebody Prayed For Me’. – B. I.
CWMBRAN: The South and Mid Wales Youth Chorus and Youth Brass led Sunday worship, bringing energy and enthusiasm. The young people’s sensitivity to their faith and experiences of God came through in testimony and music. After morning worship they conducted an open-air meeting and people from the corps were engaged in faith conversations. The afternoon meeting took the form of café church. – S. A.
Penzance corps officer Major Vincent Wall, supported by the band, delivers the Churches Together Easter message in the Greenmarket
HAROLD HILL: More than 110 people requested prayers by drawing themselves on boards outside the hall when the corps hosted a 24-hour prayer room throughout Easter. – P. G. 6
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Ripon’s Messy Church creates an Easter garden depicting Jesus’ journey during Holy Week
Triumph and hope at Easter
The International Staff Songsters lead worship at Aberdeen Citadel as a prelude to the 140th corps anniversary celebrations next year
SLEAFORD
Women who attend the multi-denominational knitting group at Dereham Corps did a ‘blooming good’ job at creating enough flowers to decorate a cross
CANTERBURY: Coventry City Songsters visited to present a programme leading up to Easter. A Saturday evening festival featured soloists and group items, and the songsters led the Sunday meetings, which included moving testimonies and preaching on the theme Trusting God. They also joined with the band for an open-air meeting, where many people stopped to listen and join in. – K. C.
EASTER celebrations began when Major David Radford illustrated the context and significance of Palm Sunday. During the week the songsters led a meditation with music, readings and prayers. Corps members took part in an ecumenical walk of witness and open-air meeting on Good Friday, and David returned to lead a powerful scriptural meditation. Easter Day was a time of blessing and encouragement. Divisional Commander Major Brian Slinn transferred Margaret and Roger Barnett to the songster reserve and Divisional Leader for Leader Development Major Liv Raegevik-Slinn challenged everyone to prepare a tribute to Christ and express it in their living. The DC emphasised the continuing reality of triumph and hope in the midst of evil. – N. M.
Yeovil Salvationists lead an open-air meeting in the town centre on Good Friday; many people learnt about The Salvation Army’s role in the community
More than 80 people in Skewen witnessed the re-enactment of the Good Friday story in the grounds of St Mary’s Church community centre, during a united churches service led by corps officer Captain Jo Walters O
Birkenhead corps officer Major Jonathan Hamilton led an open-air meeting on Easter Day supported by Rock Ferry Band O
Divisional leaders Majors Ian and Jean Harris recognise Watchet’s Corps Treasurer Alistair Austin as he retires after many years of service, which included overseeing the corps while it was unofficered; he is pictured with Kath Austin, Ian and Jean and CSM Sam Searle Salvationist 4 May 2019
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NEWS
Kenny Forsyth, from Kilmarnock Corps, leads a Good Friday march of witness organised by the Fellowship of Kilmarnock Churches
FRONTLINE CHALLENGES
WHAT RELEVANCE DOES CHRISTIANITY HAVE IN MODERN WESTERN CULTURE? In our frontline service – among friends, colleagues or neighbours – we’re often asked about faith and ethics; David Newstead offers some responses
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OHN Lennon declared in 1966 that the Beatles were ‘more popular than Jesus’. They, along with others in the Swinging Sixties, established what became known as ‘pop culture’. Over the years this has morphed into ‘celebrity culture’, and now seems to be one of the pillars of our secular and materialist society. Culture has been defined as a way of life that is passed down from the previous generation and used to be reflected in music, writing, art and 8
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Isle of Wight celebrates the risen Lord with a cross of yellow flowers and puppets to tell the Easter story
religion. Sadly, however, the religious element has diminished, and with it the personal and moral values of lovingkindness, reverence, forgiveness and compassion. Positive personal values are common to all the great religions but if they fail to heal a sick and fragmented world, and do not contribute to a better life for others, they have no value at all. Too many of these moral values have been replaced in our society and culture by hatred, irreverence, indifference and apathy. It would appear that some mischievous person has changed all the price labels. Things that were once of great value have now become devalued and replaced by what was once considered worthless. In her book, The World Turned Upside Down, Melanie Phillips writes: ‘Society is in the grip of a mass derangement. Truth is trashed and lies lauded, the honourable despised and the depraved empowered. Morality has been flipped on its head.’ We have made God in our image. Modern culture appears to focus around ‘me and my needs’ or worse still ‘my country first’; whereas it was Jesus who said that the test of worthiness for the Kingdom of God is feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and sheltering the homeless (see Matthew 25:34–40). As Christians we believe in the sacredness of the human personality; therefore all human beings should
behave in a responsible manner and treat each other with respect. But we also acknowledge that we are accountable to a higher authority, so our beliefs must underpin our values. Montagu Jeffreys, in Personal Values In The Modern World, writes: ‘Christianity is a faith that gives meaning and purpose to life in this world and beyond it. Quite simply, the Kingdom of God is love in action. The essence of the Christian revelation is that it is not just a statement but an act.’ This could be summed up in the words of John Wesley: ‘Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.’ The challenge for Christians in modern western society is to be authentic and credible witnesses of the Kingdom of God by showing and sharing the word of Jesus to a broken and hurting world. TO PONDER In a world of shifting values, There are standards that remain, I believe that holy living By God’s grace we may attain. (SASB 34) DAVID NEWSTEAD IS A SOLDIER AT BIRMINGHAM CITADEL
REAR-M MIR RROR
‘SAIL SOUTH AMERICA TUESDAY’ General John Larsson (Retired) continues to share glimpses from 13 astonishing years that shaped The Salvation Army – 1878-1890
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T was a spring Saturday afternoon in 1890 and 17-year-old Alfred Benwell, who worked in the architects department at International Headquarters, was on a weekend visit to Manchester with the Junior Staff Band. When a telegram was handed to him, he read with surprise: ‘Be ready sail South America Tuesday’. That was three days away. A long time before, Alfred had been asked if he would be willing to go as a secretary to assist the officers who were pioneering the Army’s work in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He had said yes, but as he had heard nothing more he assumed plans had changed. His fellow junior bandsmen gave him a cheerful send-off as he set out for his home in Shoeburyness to gather his belongings. He boarded his ship that Tuesday – and was not to return for another 15 years. Had he not sailed, I would not be telling this story. On the voyage Alfred began to learn Spanish. He knew that the Army’s work in Argentina had been grounded on a mistake. William Booth had received an appeal to start the Army there to cater for the spiritual needs of the British community, numbering 15,000 people. The General had appointed a small group of pioneer officers, and they armed themselves with thousands of tracts and penny songbooks in English. But on arrival they found that those who had appealed to the General had omitted to mention an important fact. The 15,000 were mainly cattle ranchers and were scattered over an area ten times the size of Great Britain! There was no way that regular corps work among them could be started.
The pioneers were undismayed. If they could not start the Army’s work in English, they would do it in Spanish. And so they armed themselves with dictionaries and began to learn the language. In true early Army style they began holding public meetings long before they had an adequate command of the language. The audience of mainly slaughterhouse men were not slow to holler their disapproval of the officers’ stumbling efforts. It seemed impossible to get through to them.
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If they could not start the Army’s work in English, they would do it in Spanish
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When Alfred attended his first meeting he sensed the hostility of the audience. In the prayer meeting following the message, pioneer Captain William Bonnett asked him to sing an appeal song in Spanish. As he sang he watched with admiration as the captain enacted a simple visual aid he had sometimes used to try and get the message across. Captain Bonnett went and sat in the congregation. After a moment he said in his best Spanish: ‘I, a sinner; I, a great sinner.’ This was greeted with loud guffaws from the audience. Then as he went to kneel at the penitent form he declared: ‘I seek the Saviour!’ The audience cheered. Rising to his feet after a moment, he added: ‘Thank you, Jesus, for forgiving my sins.’ Thunderous mock applause erupted.
But as Alfred still sang, a big burly Argentinian with a skinning knife in his belt, rose to his feet and exclaimed: ‘I know that I am a sinner and I am going to seek the Saviour!’ To shouts of derision from his mates he went forward and knelt at the mercy seat. The officers gathered around him, and he was wonderfully saved. The next night he was on the platform. He didn’t yet know much about what it meant to be saved, but what he did know he could express in eloquent Spanish. His conversion was the long awaited breakthrough and he became a stalwart Salvationist. From that unspectacular beginning in 1890, The Salvation Army has steadily spread throughout the continent, and is now at work in all the 13 South American countries. Soon after his arrival in Buenos Aires, Alfred was given officer rank, and in 1897 he married Swedish Captain Mathilda Byden. When he returned to Britain for the first time after 15 years it was as Major and Mrs Alfred Benwell – with a family of three. After serving in Britain, Denmark and France, the last two appointments held by Commissioner Alfred Benwell were Territorial Commander for North China and for The Netherlands. One of the Benwell daughters, born in Buenos Aires, they named Flora. Flora Benwell became an officer, and when she married Captain Sture Larsson a son was born to them – whom they named John. That is why I will always be glad that Grandpa Benwell sailed for South America on that Tuesday and met Grandma out there. Or I would not exist! Salvationist 4 May 2019
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FEATURE Being obedient
Reaching new heights The theme for Candidates Sunday on 12 May is Be Obedient. As we approach that date, three people – a retired officer, an active officer and a cadet – explain what being obedient to God has meant for them; this week, Major Jane Cowell
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OR someone who is only four feet ten and a half, the plea, ‘Lord, make me taller’, is an everyday reality when even the middle shelf in the supermarket is beyond reach. And, like many of you reading this, the truth is I have often set limits on what God might do in my life. I want to determine the parameters; how far I am prepared to go – and I am not talking about geography – and what I feel confident to do. I try to second-guess God, just so that I have a suitable excuse up my sleeve in case he asks me to do something that I feel I can’t do. All I ever wanted to be when I was growing up was a police officer. I would hang by my arms from the banister rails every day in a misguided attempt to stretch myself so I could achieve the necessary height requirement. Of course, it didn’t ever happen but, looking back, I wonder whether in fact it was my expectations that were stunted, not my vertically challenged stature! You see, it turns out that my childhood prayer that God would help me to grow did not fall on deaf ears after all. In the 30 years since saying ‘yes’ to God and inviting him into my life, I have been stretched beyond measure. Like the time when I found myself backstage at the Royal Albert Hall one commissioning day, having responded to what I believed to be a call to officership. The newly commissioned lieutenant who had come to offer me some counsel, said: ‘Jane, is your salvation dependent on it?’ I thought it was a strange question at the time, but some days later I read again the words of our ninth 10
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doctrine: ‘We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ.’ I realised then that when God called me to follow him, he was not going to leave me where I was when he found me. He called me to keep following him and, whereas my salvation required faith, this faith was strengthened each time I responded in obedience. However, it was never straightforward. I thought I would be a corps officer but instead my ministry was defined in a hostel for women experiencing homelessness. The last thing I wanted was to work with children, yet my first appointment was in a children’s home. In time I had to find love for heroinaddicted parents compromising the health of their newborn babies. I sat in a police cell with a young woman accused of murder. I listened to stories of abuse
going back years. I held the hand of a man whose wife of 70 years had just passed away. I worked in covert operations with men and women who had been freed from slavery. I stood alongside police officers after terrorist attacks. I briefed a European ambassador in Lithuania and politicians in Downing Street. I travelled to Hong Kong, Brazil and most of Europe,
working with Salvation Army colleagues, and I was a non-executive director of the Salvation Army Housing Association. Only then did God consider me tall enough for corps officership! It took me almost 30 years to realise the truth. Continued obedient faith was simply doing the next thing and daring to see God in it. It was learning to listen to his heartbeat and to take risks when I felt him prompting me. If I could see someone through his eyes, then it changed the way I related to them. If I could believe that God could do the impossible, then, with his help, so could I. Recently, after challenging my congregation to make a bold prayer, I did the same. Referencing the story of Peter stepping out onto the water to Jesus (see Matthew 14:22–33), I said to God, ‘Lord, call me to something bigger than myself!’ It was the most frightening but also the most liberating prayer that I have ever prayed. This was a prayer that would take me out of my depth, spiritually, and stretch me beyond my own limitations. This was no longer me being dragged, kicking and screaming, into the next experience, whatever that was, but willingly seeking vulnerability. I still don’t know what that means for me. But, whatever it is, for the first time it will not be my experience that qualifies me but my obedience!
MAJOR COWELL IS CORPS OFFICER, DONCASTER
FEATURE Dissertation
Examining the Facebook effect In a new monthly series we ask SISTAD* students to tell us about their degree dissertations. Major Keira Wood’s dissertation for her BA (Honours) in Pastoral Care with Psychology was called: ‘How do aspects of the Facebook effect impact on pastoral care practice?’
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HE opening lines of Charles Dickens’ A Tale Of Two Cities are: ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness.’ This statement, describing 18th-century France, could be applied to our 21stcentury online, virtual world. The rapid developments in social media are profoundly changing the way we communicate, interact and live. When choosing a research subject for my dissertation it was with conversations with officer colleagues ringing in my ears about the complexities and challenges of social media for spiritual leaders. How do we navigate the sometimes murky waters of Facebook? My research explored how Facebook is impacting pastoral care practice. David Kirkpatrick, author of The Facebook Effect, says the effect is ‘when the service puts people in touch with each other… about a common experience, interest, problem or cause… on a small or large scale – from a group of two or three friends or a family, to millions’. The definition of pastoral care I used combined the four basic pastoral activities of healing, sustaining, reconciling and guiding within what Kate Litchfield calls the ‘messy reality of people’s lives’, while pastoring in a faith community to facilitate spiritual growth and development. I am not the only officer who has had to deal with issues relating to social media, personally or within corps life, so I was keen to discover whether there are benefits for pastoral care as well as how to negotiate the pitfalls. The research included a psychological approach, linking it with human behaviour and practice in the light of our virtual, digital society – the developing field of cyberpsychology – and also social psychology and behavioural psychology,
particularly recognising that personality and motivation are significant factors. Wide reading highlighted three common themes – community, connection and communication – so I decided to base my research on these areas and explore whether connecting and communicating with people in an online community impacts pastoral care practice in a corps. These key areas informed the questions for a questionnaire that was used to collect simple, generalised data. Other methods, such as interviews, were then employed, and themes from the experiences of corps members were identified. COMMUNITY The data highlighted that Salvationists valued being part of an online spiritual community – whether it was the wider corps fellowship or a smaller group, such as a band fellowship – and felt cared for as part of that community. This aspect of the Facebook effect impacts pastoral care within corps life because the spiritual community continues beyond Sunday and enables support to take place. However, the pitfalls of this online community were also evident, with broken relationships, negative and critical comments causing hurt within the church community and the lack of face-to-face contact. CONNECTION Being connected to that community was highly significant. In particular, the connection to an immediate, prayerful and empathetic community in the form of a support system was valued. The Facebook effect identified by Kirkpatrick specifically refers to putting people in touch with each other about a common experience or problem. This is what seems to happen in the context of a corps. COMMUNICATION The communication thread was also important – and significantly more so
between peers than between pastors and congregations. The role of the officer on Facebook appears to be secondary to the support system provided by the individual’s online peer community. The Army’s emphasis on the priesthood of all believers fits with the widely accepted theology and practice of pastoral care, and this research emphasised the role of everyone in the pastoral care of a corps. In addition, the biblical descriptions of good communication apply online: ‘Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger’ (James 1:19 New American Standard Bible) and ‘rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep’ (Romans 12:15 NASB). These principles sum up good pastoral care communication at all times, and also support the empathy and support system of the Facebook effect highlighted by this research. The limited study concluded that connecting and communicating with people in an online community such as Facebook is helpful for corps officers and members to an extent but, rather obviously, only as a complement to an already established pastoral relationship and practice in the real world. It recognised too that there are many more areas to research in depth. In this digital age of wisdom, foolishness, belief and incredulity there remains the great and growing challenge of integrating social media, pastoral care practice and Salvation Army corps life. *SISTAD is the territory’s School for In-Service Training and Development, which presents courses for officers and employees; visit salvationarmy.org.uk/ SISTAD for details
MAJOR WOOD IS CORPS OFFICER, BELFAST TEMPLE Salvationist 4 May 2019
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INTERVIEW Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Leader Development
Being all we are called to be
Colonels Lee and Debbie Graves talk to Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts about themselves and their roles, and share their thoughts about the territory CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND FAMILY? Lee: I grew up in a Christian home. My father was from the United Church of Canada and my mother was a Baptist, and we would, as a young family, move between both of those denominational traditions. However, we also had a singing group as a family and we would travel from church to church in the evenings and at weekends. When I was nine or ten we were invited to The Salvation Army. We sang frequently at many corps and social service centres, and eventually the Army became our home church. Debbie: I am a fourth-generation Salvationist: my great-grandparents were in Scotland around the time of Booth. My grandmother was from Edinburgh, my grandfather from Glasgow and my other grandparents were from England. They were also Salvationists and emigrated to Canada in the early 1900s. We have four children – three of whom are married – and we have ten grandchildren. Our oldest, our son, lives in Alberta, but our daughters are all in or around the Toronto area. WHAT APPOINTMENTS HAVE YOU HELD PREVIOUSLY? Lee: Before coming to the UK last year I was the Chief Secretary in the Canada and Bermuda Territory for almost two years and Debbie was the Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries. We began our officership in corps 12
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appointments, then in divisional youth work, then back into corps, then back on to DHQ in programme roles and eventually as divisional leaders. Later I became the Secretary for Business Administration at THQ in Canada before becoming the Chief Secretary. Debbie: I did most of what Lee did, although I was an executive director of a parent-and-child resource centre while he was at DHQ, before our divisional leadership roles. Then, when he was the Secretary for Business Administration, I was the Integrated Mission Secretary and took on the women’s ministries role as well when he came into the Chief Secretary’s office. HOW DID YOU FEEL WHEN YOU HEARD YOU WERE COMING TO THE UK? Lee: The phone call came out of the blue and there was a sense of shock initially! But we were very pleased to think that we would come to the UKI Territory and we’re really quite honoured – privileged – to be here. Debbie: I used the word surreal. I had never used the word before but it seemed to fit! Although it was exciting, my initial thought was, ‘O my goodness, can I actually do that?’ But the Lord has a way of working things out. Lee: It was a strange feeling when we came here, leaving an environment where we knew everybody and arriving in a territory where we didn’t know anybody. But in a short period of time
we started to build some relationships and we look forward to connecting on a more personal level with people and enjoying that. HOW WOULD YOU SAY THE UKI TERRITORY DIFFERS FROM CANADA AND BERMUDA? Lee: Here in the UK we have centralised activity administered from THQ that is new to us; for example, the Homelessness Services and Older People’s Services. We come from a reality that did not operate programme or service delivery directly from THQ; it would all be field related. And the Canada and Bermuda structure means responsibilities and allocated resources would be as close to the ground as possible, with all the appropriate accountabilities. In Canada, before 1992, everything was centralised, then it was released. The question is always: How do we maximise the opportunity of release for the front line so they can be about the main thing, which is mission? That’s always the challenge. WHAT ARE YOUR IMPRESSIONS OF THE UKI TERRITORY? Debbie: We’ve been to a few places: Edinburgh, for the territorial congress; divisional leaders retreats in the East Midlands, Yorkshire South with Humber and Devon and Cornwall; Poole for the Youth Makes Music concert and Boscombe for the installation of the
Southern divisional leaders. There are a lot of really exciting things that we keep hearing about – outward-focused things, such as new expressions – but I don’t know that we share them enough for the wider territory to know what’s happening. Lee: On the most hopeful side of things there seems to be a shared spirit of optimism, with the thought of possibility and opportunity for Kingdom expansion and sharing the faith. I would suggest that the Army world still looks to the UKI Territory, the homeland of The Salvation Army, as an indicator of how things are for the Army world. From that perspective I would say that we do have much to celebrate and to share. When we hear about The Salvation Army still engaging in pub ministry and open-air meetings, as well as fresh expressions, quality corps ministry and transformational social work, this is to be celebrated. We’re looking at ways to move into the gaps, which is really what the Army ought to be doing in communities. Finding the way to do this in the territory is so exciting. We’re continuing to look at ways to be innovative and creative around mission accomplishment, and be willing to take risks. I’m really quite impressed by that. I would say to the Army world that this territory is doing really well because The Salvation Army continues to be The Salvation Army God has called it to be. It is a great territory – I hope people know that.
WHAT DO YOUR RESPECTIVE ROLES INVOLVE? Lee: As Chief Secretary I have the privilege of working closely with the Territorial Commander, to journey alongside in a way that serves well and faithfully, and to support him in fulfilling the mandate, which has as its priority the expansion of the Kingdom. That’s first and foremost. It’s also about making sure that all the elements of the accountability movement around governance, finance, child protection and impact measurement are lived out at every level of the organisation. The Chief Secretary must model that and be the very careful observer and holder of organisational policy. I would say also that the Chief Secretary must constantly remind the territory of the TIDE strategy: transformation, integration, discipleship and effectiveness. I would emphasise the need to allow each other a place in partnership and to see each other as enablers of the mission. There’s this beautiful opportunity to recognise that together we’re stronger and better, and can move this organisation forward. Debbie: I’m working with Commissioner Gill Cotterill, the Territorial Leader for Leader Development, to understand all the leader development that’s happening across the territory. People are doing lots of good things but often on their own, so the question is: How do we bring these together to be more effective and to offer more opportunities for more people?
THIS YEAR THE TERRITORY IS FOCUSING ON EFFECTIVENESS. WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY THAT? Lee: I would describe it in terms of being released for mission – and then understanding that, in that release, it’s how we live like Jesus every day in community. I think it ought to be viewed in terms of people coming to faith, in our soldier making, our disciple making, our officer making and how lives are being transformed through every avenue of Salvation Army service. I would also want to remind colleagues at THQ that we are about our service to the wider territory. We need to make sure that we understand that the main reason we come to this building is to support the people who are out there doing the ministry. Debbie: We would hope for stories of people’s lives being transformed. The more we share these the more people get excited and the more the work blossoms. We would also hope for an increase in our cadet enrolment. I think there are people out there who are being called but perhaps there are too many things getting in the way of answering that call. Lee: We should see our Army growing. It’s not just about numbers, that’s one measurement, but we should see it growing in its desire to become all that Jesus has called and raised us up to be. Salvationist 4 May 2019
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Easter campaign COLUMN FROM THE COLLEGE
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OLY Week was a time of reflection at William Booth College as each morning we joined together in worship and considered Jesus through the overarching theme of The Servant King. Each day we looked at different aspects: Jesus ‘served by friends’, ‘sought by strangers’, ‘sold to enemies’ and ‘shown to everyone’. Tutors Captains Lynley and Stephen Oliver guided us through the week using the Servant Songs of Isaiah, John’s Gospel and Colossians 1, to help us enter into the drama of those events for ourselves. What stood out for me was the realisation, once again, that Jesus invites us to come to the table, no matter who we are. Then we need to walk out of the darkness into the light to share his love and join him in spreading his message of salvation. From Maundy Thursday the cadets of both sessions split into groups and went to spend Easter with a number of corps: Clapton, Stoke Newington and Dalston Plants, Jersey, Louth, Lowestoft Citadel, Lowestoft South, Penge, Port Glasgow, Maplethorpe, Market Rasen and Teddington. We all felt privileged to be able to join these corps and to participate in their ongoing ministries and programmes in a fulfilling way. The various teams shared in ministry ranging from Maundy Thursday reflections, Good Friday walks of witness, Messy Church, beach outreach 14
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Cadet Ali Brooks reflects on the wonder of Easter
activities, feeding homeless people with a full roast dinner and supplying clothing. Of course, this all culminated in Easter Day celebrations. The message of Easter was highlighted in many different themes. Ours was See: See The Cross, See The Man, See The Tomb, See Jesus. The most memorable part of the weekend for me was joining the sunrise service at Lowestoft on Easter morning at 5.30. More than 100 Christians from different denominations met at Ness Point (the most easterly point in England). We watched as the sun rose from a small sliver of light on the horizon to its full glow. It was amazing as the sky turned from pink to gold and the sea from grey to silver. This was the same sun that rose on the Saviour that first Easter Day and I was standing under its light. At that point nothing else mattered – I felt his presence completely. At the same time the temperature increased and the chill of the night disappeared. I came to understand in a new way that just as the sun had risen, so had the Son of God and the cold of death holds no fear for me and anyone else who accepts him as Saviour and Lord. Because Jesus rose from the dead he is alive now and I have been set free. Jesus is my redeemer and I love him with all my heart. One day I will meet him face to face but until that time I will serve as he asks me to, with joy in
my heart through the good and the bad. I know there were many high points for all the cadets; we all felt welcomed and loved as we joined with different corps across the territory in prayer, reflection and worship. Although each corps is different and uses gifts in many different ways we all give thanks to our wonderful God, who brought Heaven to Earth through his death and resurrection. He opens the gate of love and salvation to us if we accept this truth, repent, acknowledge he is our redeemer, and welcome him into our lives. My prayer for us all is that we open our hearts and lives to live for him and serve him as our Lord and King until he calls us Home.
MEDITATION Aspects of love
LOVE’S PRIZE Major Jim Bryden concludes his series by looking at the race to the finish
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OULD seven-year-old Rudolph Ingram, nicknamed Blaze, who ran 100 metres in just 13.48 seconds in February, one day break Usain Bolt’s world record of 9.58 seconds? Few people are in Bolt’s league, but Rudolph might be in a few years. By contrast, Mike Bushell, a sports presenter for the BBC, does not claim to be an athlete. He does, though, take on challenging and fun activities in his reporting. Recently he put on his running shoes and officially ran with champions from other nations. At the blast of the starting pistol, Mike bolted forward. In a second he trailed well behind but kept on to the finish as fast as he could. Interviewed afterwards he said, smilingly: ‘We can all get involved in this race, even if you come in last!’ We can all be involved in the race of faith, which Paul said was ‘to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 3:14). But there’s a prize to be won on Earth too. John speaks of the prized trophy of God’s amazing love and grace: ‘See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!’ (1 John 3:1). These ‘children of God’ have been born again! How can this be? God made it happen. His abundant love has been lavished on them. They didn’t bring it about – they couldn’t. As children of God we have received his life. We’re not the people we were. We now have a new identity. It is this ‘new you’ that puzzles the world. We
really have been transformed. We may look the same but we think and act differently. Our choice of lifestyle, our standards and our perspective on life and on other people are directed by God’s Holy Spirit. He’s the one who brings about the change, not us. We’re no longer free to ‘do our own thing’. If this sounds like spoilsport stuff it’s anything but. As God’s children, we prize knowing and doing his will above all. It is a ‘knowing’ that can’t be learnt; it’s not naturally acquired. This truth is elucidated in the modern version of John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress, which says, ‘There is knowledge and there is knowledge: knowledge that knows about things and knowledge that is accompanied with the grace of faith and love, which causes a man to do the will of God from the heart.’ How well I remember as a young teenager coming to faith in Christ. The change God made in my life was utterly
amazing and my eyes searched for the path God had set out for me. One Christian gentleman told me: ‘Follow God’s will.’ It was a cold winter’s day. There was no central heating in our home. In the lounge, the coal fire blazed with a red, flickering glow. In the kitchen, the potatoes and vegetables were on the boil and steam spread like thick mist into the stairwell. I stood on the landing and, with my index finger, wrote on the misty glass window: ‘To know and to do the will of God’. This inspired desire has remained with me all my life. Some verses in Hebrews sum up the race of life: ‘Do you see what this means – all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running – and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed – that exhilarating finish in and with God – he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honour, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he ploughed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!’ (Hebrews 12:1–3 The Message.) Let us follow Christ wherever he leads, not counting the cost, secure in the knowledge that we who were lost are now found; we who shrunk from daring have been made courageous; we who were orphans have been chosen and adopted into God’s family. By the power of his Spirit we are being made like our Lord Jesus Christ here and now, and are guaranteed one day to see him as he really is!
MAJOR BRYDEN LIVES IN RETIREMENT IN BELLSHILL Salvationist 4 May 2019
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BIBLE STUDY
Captain Stephen Oliver considers the life-changing potential of the Resurrection STUDY PASSAGE: LUKE 24:36–49
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HE New International Version translators have seen fit to subtitle Luke 24:36–49: ‘Jesus Appears to the Disciples’. Luke never bothered with subtitles, and neither was this the first time Jesus had appeared to the disciples following the events of that first resurrection Sunday. At this point in Luke’s narrative, a number of people have encountered the risen Christ. One can imagine the irritation on the faces of Cleopas and his companion, who, having walked the seven miles back from Emmaus to Jerusalem with the news that Jesus was alive, were told, in effect: ‘Yes. We know!’ (see Luke 24:34). This is an important detail, for it was ‘while they were still talking about this’ (v36), that Jesus appeared and proclaimed his peace upon them. Luke’s language is rather understated here. The gathered community was talking about Jesus and the Resurrection, but surely they would have been doing so in animated terms. Perhaps, their
Through the week with Salvationist – a devotional thought for each day by Major Freda Benneyworth
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conversation was a mixture of celebration, confusion and doubt all at the same time. QUESTIONS How often do we have conversations of wonder and amazement at the presence and work of the risen Lord Jesus in our gathered communities of faith? O How easy would it be to make the Resurrection the focus of conversation over coffee after your next worship service? O How might intentional conversations about the presence of the risen Lord Jesus affect the community of faith to which you belong? O
Fear and peace Jesus brought peace. The disciples responded with fear (v37). There is more than a simple greeting in Jesus’ words. He knows the disciples will be bewildered at the turn of events. He knows that the Emmaus road story, which is so familiar to us, is being told for the first time. For the trembling,
gathered community of disciples, the reality of the Resurrection is about to change everything. Jesus’ greeting ‘Peace be with you’ (v36) is the same as the greeting he taught the disciples to proclaim to the households they visited (see Luke 10:5 and 6). He is doing what he previously taught the 72 disciples to do. Yet he is doing so much more. As he graciously issues the invitation to look, see and touch, his presence transforms the conversation and his peace covers the fear of the disciples. Jesus’ invitation to the disciples is to examine him physically and to weigh the evidence in front of their eyes that he really is alive. As Jesus eats with them, they encounter his risen humanity and become witnesses to the Resurrection. In these encounters apostles were made. The eating of the broiled fish (v42) will surely have reminded them of another miracle involving fish (see Luke 9:16). Jesus carefully connects the disciples to events they had already witnessed.
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
Those first disciples of the Lord/ Received the promise of his word/ And in their lives such power did dwell/ To speed the message they should tell/ To all mankind, that Jesus lives,/ And grace to each believer gives;/ May that same grace inspire today/ To live for Christ, the life and way. (SASB 680)
‘I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me any more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realise that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. ( John 14:18–20)
O Christ, who rose victorious over death/ To loose thy living presence on our earth,/ Teach us to feel thy greatness till we know,/ In life and death, the soul’s enduring worth. (SASB 187)
Look! See! Touch! QUESTION O The Salvation Army Handbook Of Doctrine reminds us that we have the ‘freedom to celebrate Christ’s real presence at all meals and in all meetings’. How do we ensure that the fellowship gatherings and meals we participate in are intentional celebrations of the risen Lord Jesus present among us? Death and life Jesus goes on to explain to the disciples that everything that had happened to him was in accordance with the Scriptures (v44). The invitation to look, see and touch is more than an invitation to understand that Jesus now stands before them alive. It is an invitation to participate in the fulfilment of God’s purposes in the world that he loves so much. His death accomplishes newness of life for us. As John writes: ‘Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed’ (John 20:29). That’s us. We might not be able physically to look, see and touch the risen Lord Jesus, but the Holy Spirit enables us
– through the Scriptures – to look at and see Jesus. We can see the new possibilities of life he offers and take hold of the privilege of participating in his mission to redeem the world. QUESTIONS How can today’s believers in Jesus witness to the Resurrection? O How do we bring the promised presence of Jesus into everyday encounters? O
Send and stay Jesus promises to send the believers out as witnesses of the Resurrection, but not until they have stayed in the city to wait for the empowering of the Holy Spirit. The Greek word apostellǀ that Luke uses to describe Jesus sending the promise of the Father (v49) is the same as that used in Luke 4:18 when Jesus describes himself as sent by the Father, and again in Luke 9:2 when Jesus sends the disciples out to announce the Kingdom. It is from this word that we get ‘apostle’.
The language of ‘sending’ indicates that we are invited to participate in God’s mission to the world. However, first we have to spend time in his presence, allowing him to interpret the Scriptures to us (see v45) and ensure that we are empowered by his Spirit. Jesus invited the gathered disciples to look, see and touch. Today, he still sends disciples out to invite other people to look at Jesus, encounter him and take hold of life with him. QUESTION O Where, and to whom, is Jesus asking you to take the message of look, see and touch?
CAPTAIN OLIVER IS A TUTOR AT WILLIAM BOOTH COLLEGE
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’ ( John 20:21 and 22)
Christ is alive! No longer bound/ To distant years in Palestine,/ But saving, healing, here and now,/ And touching every place and time. (SASB 217)
Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’ (Mark 16:14 and 15)
Go forth and tell! O Church of God, awake!/ God’s saving news to all the nations take:/ Proclaim Christ Jesus, Saviour, Lord and King,/ That all the world his worthy praise may sing. (SASB 922)
Prayer Risen Lord, be present in my every day; speak words of comfort and reassurance; issue a word of challenge and assign me a task. Abide in me, lead me, inspire me and, in all things, let me see your will and purpose for my life.
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NEW COMMITMENTS
CARSHALTON: Having previously been a Salvationist, Bernie Rogers renewed his commitment and was enrolled as a soldier by corps officer Captain Tim Swansbury. Bernie’s family and friends supported him and he used the song, ‘Why Me?’, by Kris Kristofferson as part of his testimony. – T. S.
PETERBOROUGH CITADEL: Kelvin Mucheke was supported in song by friends when he was enrolled as a soldier by General Brian Peddle. – D. C.
WREXHAM: Joshua Tafasi was enrolled as a junior soldier by corps officer Captain Sandy Davis. The captain and Joshua are pictured with his prayer partner, Cerian Jones, and Lilian Williams, who took him through preparation classes. Joshua thanked all the people who have supported him. – S. T.
Some photos removed
LIVERPOOL WALTON: When Mark and Sarah Baker, Diane Lenehan, Danni Laverty and Lami and Nicholas Bature were welcomed as adherent members by corps officers Majors Jim and Sharon Duff, each shared the story of their spiritual journey. Pictured with the new adherent members are Major Jim, Retired CSM Ray Collings, Recruiting Sergeant Jeanette Griffiths and Major Sharon. – J. D.
STAPLEFORD: Charlie Pugh was enrolled as a junior soldier by corps officer Major Beverly Baker. Pictured with Charlie and Major Beverly is Christine Dunmore, who guided Charlie through recruits classes. – F. T. 18
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CHELTENHAM CITADEL: After attending an Alpha course, Chris Williams wanted to serve and grow with people who are accompanying him on his faith journey. He was welcomed as an adherent member by corps officer Major Steven Smith. – S. S.
BRIGHTON CONGRESS HALL: Wally Wille was welcomed as an adherent member by corps officer Major Elizabeth Lloyd. Wally has worked in the parks and gardens in Brighton and made friends with Salvationist George Jacob. When they met at the corps café Wally accepted an invitation to attend meetings, where he found his spiritual home. – B. W.
LETTERS
VISION AND VALUES ARE ADDRESSED BY MISSIONAL JOURNAL QUESTIONS
I WAS encouraged by Ian Scott’s letter (Salvationist 23 March) and his question ‘journey to where?’ in relation to the Missional Journal. Ian asked this question in relation to vision and values. When a corps engages with the Missional Journal they will discover that these are some of the first questions asked in Step One. Discovering how your vision and values, in your context, reflect and build on the territorial vision and values; understanding mission; understanding the health of your corps; taking responsibility for vision setting;
giving time and priority to the missional conversation; engaging widely and grounding the whole process in prayer are all vital first steps for any corps reviewing its mission using this approach. I would also offer encouragement to Ian in that the Missional Journal is also rooted in the accountability framework and territorial TIDE strategy, and seeks to provide a clear framework for regular reflection and review. Ian Mountford, Major, Central East DHQ
THE MOST REWARDING MINISTRY I HOPE and trust that I am not unique in the very positive ministry I have as a herald. Every week I stand on the street and share this ministry with others, and rarely a week goes by without a request for prayer, or someone needing a few minutes of my time to help with a problem or a bereavement. While selling my copies of the War Cry and Kids Alive! I’ve found that the giving shows no sign of decreasing; in fact the opposite is true, which, in turn, enables us to assist the increasing
OUR LOGO SHOULD REFLECT OUR MAIN FUNCTION
I FULLY agree with John Stimpson (Letters, Salvationist 6 April). I have recently purchased shirts and blouses with the red shield logo – not my choice I have to say, but as it will be the uniform worn by the songsters, I will conform to the standard required. However, this logo does not show in any way that we are a church. With the previous logo ‘The Salvation Army’ was shown in red with the letter T in yellow representing the cross. Throughout the week many people who enter my corps building say they hadn’t realised we were a church. Fortunately we have people at hand who can tell them about the Army and explain our beliefs. It seems to me the shield logo is selling us as a business (dealing with social work) and a charity. Yes, we do these things, but they are not our main function. The Salvation Army tells the gospel message in various ways, and our Christian teaching means we believe in ‘heart to God and hand to man’. Let us continue to be proudly known as The Salvation Army that serves God in this way. Vivien Wallington, Bristol
number of people in our town needing community relief in different ways. Over the years I have conducted many funerals through contacts on the street, seen new members and worshippers at our corps and have been the recipient of many donations of clothes and bric-a-brac for the charity shop. Being a herald is, for me, one of the most rewarding ministries I have experienced in my busy retirement. Alan Hart, Lieut-Colonel, Bishop’s Stortford Salvationist 4 May 2019
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
ARMY PEOPLE
O Mrs Major Nadine Cleaves APPOINTED Effective 8 July (85 on 17 May) O Lieut-Colonel João Paulo Ramos, O Major Joyce Dixon (80 on 17 May) The following appointments decided upon by the General, have been Divisional Commander, West Midlands O Lieut-Colonel Karin Ramos, Divisional BEREAVED announced by the Chief of the Staff O Margaret Gomersall, Swindon Effective 1 October Leader for Leader Development, West O Commissioners Floyd and Tracey Midlands Citadel, of her brother Alfred Ives O Sharon Swinfen, Albany, New Tidd, officers of the Canada and LOCAL OFFICER APPOINTED Bermuda Territory currently serving Zealand, Philip Kirby and Andrew O BM Matthew Miles, Bromley Temple as the territorial leaders of the Kirby of their mother Mrs Major Australia Territory, are appointed as Phyllis Kirby O Carol Davey, St Albans, of her mother the territorial leaders of the Canada WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES and Bermuda Territory with Win Bradley Diamond O Bandsman Geoff and Pam Jordan, O Bill Hamilton, St Albans, of his wife Commissioner Floyd Tidd as the Territorial Commander and Chelmsford (16 May) Veronica O OSCS David and Pamela Snowling, O Sandra Spivey and Stella Ellis, Commissioner Tracey Tidd as the Territorial President of Women’s Ipswich Citadel (16 May) Heckmondwike, of their sister Vera Ministries. Spivey O Commissioner Susan McMillan. O Major Grayson Williams of his wife DEDICATED TO GOD O Olivia Anesu and Grace Chiedza, We are grateful for the excellent Major Janice Williams O Rtd S/Ldr Michael Babb, Brighton service Commissioner Susan has daughters of Samuel and Esther given as Territorial Commander and Kamuzonde, at Leeds Central by Major Congress Hall, of his wife Songster Territorial President of Women’s Cliff Allchin Rita, Rosalyn Northmore, Nicola Ministries in the Canada and Babb, Penny Babb and Timothy Bermuda Territory. Although Babb of their mother RETIRED OFFICERS concluding her service in these roles, Birthday congratulations O Mrs Major Mary Hartley Commissioner Susan will take up PROMOTED TO GLORY O Margaret Batten, Leighton Buzzard new appointment responsibilities with (90 on 13 May) O Major Margaret Tucker (80 on 15 May) O Mrs Major Phyllis Kirby, from the business section of International O Commissioner Harry Read Headquarters. The commissioner Auckland, New Zealand, on 13 April O Jean Ozols, Newcastle City Temple will be based in Canada. (95 on 17 May) O Major Margaret Hall from Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, on 19 April O Major Maurice Porter from GENERAL BRIAN PEDDLE AND COMMISSIONER ROSALIE PEDDLE Cheltenham General Hospital O Sunbury Court (ICO session 241), Th 9 and Sun 12 May O Buckingham Palace on 20 April (garden party), Wed 15 O Renaissance Hotel, Heathrow (International Appointments Board), O Major Janice Williams from Eastfield Fri 17 – Sun 19 O Renaissance Hotel, Heathrow (General’s Consultative Council), Mon 20 – Wed 22 O Birmingham (Symphony Sounds), Sat 1 Jun O Birmingham Citadel, Sun 2 Nursing Home, Liss, on 21 April THE CHIEF OF THE STAFF (COMMISSIONER LYNDON BUCKINGHAM)
ENGAGEMENTS
AND COMMISSIONER BRONWYN BUCKINGHAM O ICO (farewell to session), Fri 17 May O Renaissance Hotel, Heathrow (General’s Consultative Council), Mon 20 – Wed 22 THE TERRITORIAL COMMANDER (COMMISSIONER ANTHONY COTTERILL) AND COMMISSIONER GILLIAN COTTERILL O Pentre (140th anniversary), Sat Sun 12 May O Sheraton Skyline Hotel, Heathrow (SATCoL conference), Tu 14 O Swanwick (chaplains conference), Fri 17* O Leek (YP anniversary), Sat Sun 19* O Renaissance Hotel, Heathrow (General’s Consultative Council), Mon 20 – Wed 22* O Myanmar (divisional leaders development), Mon 20 – Fri 31** O Prestonpans (centenary weekend), Sat Sun 26* O Birmingham (Symphony Sounds), Sat 1 Jun O Birmingham (Music and Creative Arts Leaders councils), Sun 2 THE CHIEF SECRETARY (COLONEL LEE GRAVES) AND COLONEL DEBORAH GRAVES O Regent Hall (Musical Theatre Day), Sat 4 May O Penge, Sun 5 O Birmingham (Symphony Sounds), Sat 1 Jun O Birmingham (Music and Creative Arts Leaders councils), Sun 2 INTERNATIONAL STAFF BAND O Norway, Fri 10 May – Sun 12 O Birmingham (Symphony Sounds), Sat 1 Jun O Birmingham (Music and Creative Arts Leaders councils), Sun 2 INTERNATIONAL STAFF SONGSTERS O Castleford, Sat Sun 19 May O Birmingham (Symphony Sounds), Sat 1 Jun O Birmingham (Music and Creative Arts Leaders councils), Sun 2 *Territorial Commander only **Territorial Leader for Leader Development only
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TRIBUTES VERA SPIVEY, HECKMONDWIKE VERA was brought up in the Army at Kirkburton, where she was a member of the singing company. After her enrolment as a senior soldier, she held various local officer positions and was a member of the band and songsters. Vera loved door-to-door collecting and running the coffee morning and charity shop. When the corps closed she transferred to Heckmondwike. Sadly Vera’s health deteriorated but she remained faithful to God until her promotion to Glory. – S. S.
HARRY PEMBERTON, SUNDERLAND MILLFIELD HARRY joined the Army at the age of ten through the youth groups, which led him to attend Sunday school. He became a junior soldier and joined the YP music sections. He was enrolled as a senior soldier aged 15 and joined the senior band and songsters. National Service brought challenges to his Christian upbringing, but he maintained his faith and witness and returned to the corps after his military discharge. Harry met his future wife, Shirley, at youth councils and benefited from Shirley’s and her family’s Christian example. He became a policeman and remained so until retirement. Harry, who had been for a time the band secretary, was promoted to Glory after 67 years as a soldier. He is sadly missed by his family, friends and the many people on whom he had a Christian influence. – E. F.
REX BOUGHTON, CHATHAM REX was born in Canterbury in 1938, and attended the corps as a child. A soldier all his life, he held many local officer commissions, including quartermaster and corps sergeant-major. He served as a bandsman for 64 years and loved playing the euphonium. Rex married Dorothy and they had three children, who, along with their families, thank God for Rex’s faithful service. His motto was ‘get involved’ and he used his many gifts at Canterbury and latterly at Chatham. Although being deeply saddened, his family praise God for a great man who lived the Christian life in every respect, and feel it is a privilege to be a part of his legacy. – K. B.
IRIE SYMONDS, WILLIAMSTOWN IRIE was converted and baptised in the Elim Pentecostal Church, Pontypridd. She met her future husband, Ken, at The Salvation Army in Treharris, and they eventually transferred to Williamstown. Irie joined the music sections and loved working with young people. She worked with the guide group for 27 years, becoming their captain. Irie visited a nearby school, helping children with their reading, and she and Ken looked after children with disabilities and fostered for 30 years. Irie was a wonderful Christian woman whose faith remained strong and she is missed at the corps and by her whole family. – K. S.
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. Please do not send your copy to any individual’s email address as this could delay publication. Copy should be sent to salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk
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Salvationist 4 May 2019
21
ADVERTISEMENTS
Salvationist 4 May 2019
22-23
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Employees, friends, members, officers, volunteers – we have them all in The Salvation Army! We’ve asked various people to tell us about themselves. This week…
Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds; Help us grasp the heights of your plans for us – Truths unchanged from the dawn of time, That will echo down through eternity
’
(Keith Getty and Stuart Townend integritymusic.com)
Which film character would you want to play? Indiana Jones, because he embraces the idea of curiosity and he’s not a super buffed-up hero but more like an everyday man.
CAPTAIN MATTHEW MOORE Corps officer, Southwark What made you want to become a Salvationist? Growing up in The Salvation Army I learnt about a relationship with Jesus and what it means to be an active disciple. In my late teenage years I began asking questions about my faith and decided to do soldiership classes. Around this time I learnt more about the Army’s origins and the amazing things that happened in its history. I also met people involved in frontline activities and became excited about the fact that I was part of an international movement. So, when I finished my classes, it was an easy decision to become a soldier.
If you could meet any historical figure, who would you choose? I would love to talk to Leonardo da Vinci about his creative process and have a look at the inventions, ideas and art pieces that didn’t work out so well. If you were to create a slogan for your life, what would it be? Curiosity leads to adventure. If you could have an unlimited supply of one thing, what would it be? Clean energy.
Which Bible figure would you like to meet and what would you ask them? Probably Thomas. People have labelled him ‘doubting Thomas’ but I think he was just curious. I’d ask him what it was like to be around Jesus because I think he would have noticed things others wouldn’t have. What is your favourite hymn or worship song? ‘Speak, O Lord’ by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend. If you could rid the world of one thing what would it be? Bedbugs. I once got attacked by bedbugs every night for nine days while on a cultural exchange trip to Fiji. Did you have a nickname growing up? Fuzza, because my hair went curly and fuzzy when I was about 12. What do you do in your spare time? Play with my children; draw, fix or build something; watch movies or play video games.
What is the most interesting thing about your work – and the most frustrating? As I recently moved from Australia to the UK, I find everything interesting because it is new and different. This, of course, can also be frustrating at times. Most of all I love meeting people and discovering their stories.
What is your favourite food? It can change, but at the moment it’s bibimbap – a Korean rice bowl filled with veggies and topped with an egg.
What one thing would you change about the Army? I would ensure that every Army building operates on clean, renewable energy.
What was the first record, tape or CD that you ever owned? It was a cassette tape – the soundtrack to Disney’s Aladdin.
What is your favourite kind of holiday? Going somewhere I’ve never been before, eating something I’ve never tried before and exploring something I’ve never seen before.
If you had to be handcuffed to one person for a day, who would it be? New Zealand film-maker, actor and comedian Taika Waititi. I’d want to share stories all day and I love his sense of humour.
Do you have any hidden talents? I can recite the entire script of Disney’s Aladdin, including all the songs. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? When I was six years old my mum told me, ‘Don’t put your finger in the hot toffee.’ Since then I’ve never ever stuck my finger in hot toffee again! What do you consider to be the most valuable things in your life? My wife and kids. What is your favourite Bible verse? ‘But the noble make noble plans, and by noble deeds they stand’ (Isaiah 32:8). I aspire to be a person like this.
