‘God is definitely still ca

Lyn Woods talks with Territorial Candidates Director Major Mark Sawyer about spiritual leadership in the UKI Territory today

What methods are most effective in enabling people to respond to a call to spiritual leadership?

I think the most effective way is for people who are in spiritual leadership to role model the joy of ministry and be intentional about investing in others. As an officer, I want to be mentoring, encouraging, discipling and supporting people on their faith journeys. Sometimes gently encouraging them to think about leadership or challenging them strongly about a calling. The one-to-one conversations are so important. Probably more so than events or specific programmes!

Exploring Leadership Day is very popular. We held one recently at the William Booth College and we had a ‘calling conversation café’, where people could talk about vocation and what God is calling them to do and to be. We had a prayer room for people to explore different ways of praying, coming before the Lord and seeking his will. We shared in all-age worship, which was a new experience at this event. I believe passionately that children are called, and we wanted to let the children know how loved, valued and cherished they are by the God who put the stars in space and to remember always that he has a plan for their lives.

Some divisions are running the Growing Leaders course, which has proved very helpful. This involves teaching, Bible study and hands-on experience of leadership, with great fellowship giving opportunities to share stories and ideas.

The Terrain Youth programme, run by the Children and Youth Department, is a really good tool for young people to experience all kinds of teaching and learning from the Bible, bringing out faith and life lessons for today. These opportunities help ground our young people in a journey of faith that naturally causes them to think about leadership and life choices.

Addlestone Corps offers gap year opportunities and St Ives Corps is now rolling that out too. You can access more information from their corps websites.