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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