16 minute read
Grace Notes
Christian Celebrity
Is there really room for all in the kingdom of God?
It was August of last year when John Cooper, leader of the Christian rock band Skillet, wrote, “We must STOP making worship leaders and thought leaders or influencers or cool people or ‘relevant’ people the most influential people in Christendom.” He was writing in response to two popular Christian leaders who had publicly renounced their faith within a few days of each other: mega-church pastor and author Joshua Harris (I Kissed Dating Goodbye) and Hillsong’s singer-songwriter Marty Sampson. His words quickly went viral. In the days that followed, there was widespread concern over a generation losing their faith in Jesus.
It was only a few weeks later that Justin Bieber led worship in a Los Angeles church after opening up on social media about how the love of Jesus helped him through a season of drug abuse and anxiety.
Not long after, Demi Lovato shared on social media about a recent trip to Israel where her Christian faith was renewed. A photo posted to Instagram of her baptism in the Jordan River garnered 3.5 million likes.
Then Kanye West’s album, Jesus Is King, was released in October, igniting
BY CAPTAIN LAURA VAN SCHAICK
interest in his gospel transformation and eliciting responses that are as emotionally charged as they are polarized.
It would appear that just as some celebrity Christians are publicly walking away from the faith, others are discovering Jesus and doing so just as publicly. Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with the ways in which these celebrities are expressing their new or renewed faith, what cannot be denied is that their public presence is sparking interest in Christianity across mainstream culture. While this is to be celebrated (what could be bad about having the words “Jesus Is King” on a billboard in Times Square?), there is a risk of falling right back into the habit of making “cool people … the most influential people in Christendom.”
Because the most influential people in Christendom should not be mainstream celebrities, just as they should not be Christian authors, mega-church pastors or denominational leaders. The most influential person in Christendom should be—and is—Jesus.
Writing on his website in March 2008, Billy Graham indicated that faith always implies an object. It answers the question, “What do you believe in?” For Christians, that object is Jesus. If you are a Christian, your personal faith is in the gospel of Jesus as defined in the Bible which saves you from sin. This faith is the catalyst to a personal relationship with Jesus himself. However, when Jesus is not the most influential person in Christendom, the object of our faith is replaced with celebrity, which is idolatry. If we are putting our faith in someone like Marty Sampson or Kanye West or even a pastor/officer or denominational leader instead of Jesus, we find ourselves in a very perilous situation.
Let’s not be confused about what the truth is. Let’s not value fanatics over facts. If “faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1), then our certainty is that “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
I’m not sure why or how someone like Marty Sampson would choose not to identify as Christian anymore. Perhaps doubt starts to creep into their thoughts. If we are honest with ourselves, I think we all question the facts at some time or another. Providing space to express and explore these thoughts can actually correlate with an increased maturity of faith. The questioning itself isn’t toxic. But in the exploration, Jesus and the gospel facts must remain central. We cannot give these or other celebrities positions of influence in our lives and in our church communities that are greater than that of Jesus.
GAMBO, N.L.—Mjr Curtis Butler, CO, Gambo Corps, and volunteer April Broomfield were on hand at Smallwood Academy to receive a cheque for $117.45 that was collected during the school’s Toonies for Turkeys fundraising effort in support of The Salvation Army.
COBOURG, ONT.—Three children are dedicated back to God at Cobourg CC. From left, CT Eric Hobe, holding the flag; Luke Lees; Emily Lees; Landon Best; Paisley Best; Riley Best; and Mjrs Carolyn and Michael Simpson, COs.
SUTTON, ONT.—A new veteran’s memorial mural covering an outside wall of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 346 building in Sutton was unveiled during Remembrance Day observances this past November. In honour of the contributions made to Branch 346 by the late Mjr Max Bulmer during his tenure as their padre for more than a decade, his wife, Mjr Helen Bulmer, was invited to offer a prayer of dedication for the mural. When the mural was uncovered, she was surprised and thrilled to see a section honouring The Salvation Army, including a tribute to her husband and the Army’s services to military personnel during times of war. Photos: Katherine Southern
PENTICTON, B.C.—Standing under the flag held by Ron Oates, two senior soldiers are enrolled at Penticton CC. Front, from left, Mjr Les Marshall, AC, B.C. Div; Mjr Paul Trickett, CO; Alan and Nancy Madsen, senior soldiers; Mjr Lisa Trickett, CO; and Mjr Tiffany Marshall, AC, B.C. Div.
Accepted as Auxiliary-Captain
Linda Kean Heritage Park Temple, Winnipeg, Prairie Division I believe God has always been whispering to me that he had plans for my life. The problem was that I was carrying so much hurt and anger, but when I finally let go of all those negative feelings, I truly felt God’s call. I am currently living in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, N.L., where I am serving as a corps officer beside my husband, Major Byron Kean. The auxiliary-captaincy program is allowing me to serve God while doing on-the-job training. I am very passionate about people who live on the margins of society and want to show them God’s love.
KING’S POINT, N.L.—Ernest Hollett receives a certificate of appreciation, presented on behalf of the N.L. Div, as he retires following 33 years of faithful service as the corps treasurer at King’s Point Corps. From left, Mjr Brian Thomas, CO; Darren Green, holding the flag; Mjr Betty Thomas, CO; Ernest Hollett; and Mjrs Michelle and Scott Rideout, ACs, N.L. Div.
PENTICTON, B.C.—Sixty prayer shawls have been made by the prayer shawl knitting group at Penticton CC and presented to the community care ministries group for distribution to four seniors’ homes where services are regularly conducted. From left, Jean Mackie; Mjr Paul Trickett, CO; Lisha Anderson; and Helen Driscoll.
GAZETTE INTERNATIONAL Appointments: Mar 1—Mjrs Grant/Lauren Effer, CS/TSWM, France and Belgium Tty, with rank of lt-col; Mjrs Jan/Kjersti Risan, CS/TSWM, Denmark and Greenland Tty TERRITORIAL Appointments: Mjr Barbara Carey, divisional integrated mission secretary, Que. Div; Mjr Robert Sessford, Gitsegukla—Upper Skeena Circuit with Hazelton and Sik-E-Dakh (Glen Vowell), B.C. Div; Mjrs Willis/Priscilla Drover, Yarmouth CC, N.S., Maritime Div Promoted to major: Cpt Royal Senter Promoted to captain: Lts Lance/Monika Gillard, Lt Peter Mitchell, Lt Aida Munoz-Perez Retirements: Dec 1—Mjr Robert Sessford; Feb 1—Mjr Betty-Lou Topping Promoted to glory: Lt-Col Cecil Cooper, Nov 29
CALENDAR Commissioners Floyd and Tracey Tidd: Feb 1-7 Safe Water and Livelihoods Development Project celebration, Sri Lanka Tty; Feb 7-11 Bangladesh Cmd; Feb 18-21 divisional retreat, Ont. CE Div Colonels Edward and Shelley Hill: Feb 8-9 Ottawa Citadel; Feb 10-17 divisional retreat and specialling, Bermuda Div Canadian Staff Band: Feb 1-2 South Windsor, Ont. Canadian Staff Songsters: Feb 1-2 Agincourt Temple CC, Toronto; Feb 29–Mar 1 Orillia, Ont.
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Servant of God, Well Done!
TORONTO—Commissioner Donald Kerr, former territorial commander for Canada and Bermuda, was the fourth of five sons born to Major and Mrs. William (Elizabeth) Kerr. Born in Vancouver in 1933, Don grew up at Vancouver Temple and entered the College for Officer Training in Toronto in 1954 as a cadet in the Soul Winners Session. Serving as a cadet-sergeant for one year following training, he was appointed to the B.C. North District during which time he was engaged in full-time teacher training at the University of British Columbia.
As a cadet, Don met and trained with Joyce Knaap. They married in 1957 and together were appointed as corps officers and, for Don, teacher in the Salvation Army elementary schools at Sik-E-Dakh (Glen Vowell) and Gitwinksihlkw (Canyon City) in B.C. North District. Further appointments included corps in Leamington and Woodstock, Ont., Winnipeg and Vancouver, followed by divisional leadership appointments in the then British Columbia South and British Columbia North and Yukon divisions.
In 1983, the Kerrs were appointed to the College for Officer Training in Toronto where Don served two years as the assistant training principal and four years as the training principal. In 1989, they were appointed to territorial headquarters where Don served as the field secretary for personnel. International leadership followed in 1993 when they relocated to the United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland, where Don served as chief secretary. Don and Joyce returned to Canada in 1994 and assumed responsibility as territorial leaders for the Canada and Bermuda Territory. In all their appointments, Don loved and appreciated those he served, and served with, in ministry.
Following 43 years of officership, the Kerrs retired to Jackson’s Point, Ont., and attended Georgina Community Church. During this time, Don served 14 years as a chaplain at the courthouse in Newmarket, Ont. In 2014, they relocated to Toronto, where they attended North Toronto Community Church. Don and Joyce have four children: Beverly (Ken Myrtle) with grandson Spencer; William; Marjory; and Donna (Rodney Hiscock) with grandsons Aidan and James.
Commissioner Don Kerr was promoted to glory from Toronto on November 16, 2019, following a lifetime of faithful service to his Lord and 62 years of marriage with Joyce.
BURLINGTON, ONT.—Frank William Roden, a dedicated soldier of The Salvation Army, was promoted to glory in his 85th year from the Chartwell Brant Centre in Burlington, surrounded by his loving family. Frank came to know the Lord through the Boy Scouts at Southall Citadel, West London, and was enrolled as a junior soldier in 1948. His passion was serving God in music and song and he was commissioned as a bandsman and songster in 1950. Frank was a lifelong volunteer with The Salvation Army, serving in many roles, including with the Boy Scouts, the men’s fellowship and Heritage Brass. A veteran who served in the British army, Frank retired from the Toronto Sun as a compositor. Predeceased by Heather, his beloved wife of 37 years, and son-in-law Keith Pond, Frank is lovingly remembered by daughters Cherry Pond and Caroline Parker (Reg); stepsons David Cochrane (Brada) and Stephen Cochrane (Krissy); grandchildren Melanie (Stephen), Nathan, Andrew, Bradley (Jenna), Michelle, Sarah and Christopher; great-grandchildren Benjamin and Sophia.
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LONDON, ONT.—Mrs. Brigadier Doris (Titcombe) Marsland was born in Galt, Ont., in 1919, to Salvation Army officers Kate and Rufus Raymer as the youngest of two daughters. Doris and her sister, Ruth, were involved in corps activities wherever their parents were appointed. Just 16 when their mother was promoted to glory, Doris resolved to follow in her mother’s footsteps and entered the College for Officer Training as a cadet in the Enthusiast Session in 1937. It was there that she met her future husband, Leslie Titcombe, and they married in 1941. Welcoming three sons to their family, Doris and Les served as corps officers across Canada and in divisional appointments in Quebec, Ontario and Saskatchewan. Following Leslie’s promotion to glory in 1970, Doris was appointed chaplain at Windsor Grace Hospital, Ont., from where she retired in 1979. Returning to London, Doris worked for five years in correctional services. In 1984, she married Brigadier Vern Marsland and they attended North Toronto Corps before moving to London. Vern was promoted to glory in 1993. Missing Doris are her sons, Gary (Arlene), David (Trish) and Richard (Jane); eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; the Marsland family; and nieces and nephews.
BRANDON, MAN.—Jean Walwyn was born in Brandon in 1938 to Charlie and Margaret Willey, and promoted to glory at the age of 81. Jean was a longtime member of Brandon Corps and an active participant in home league and the 55-plus group. She accepted the Lord at an early age, attended Sunday school and became a Sunday school teacher. Musically gifted, Jean played the piano and tenor horn, and was a member of the brass band. Married to Roy in 1955, she had one son, David. Roy and Jean loved to sing together and for many years sang with the group Musical Expression, winning many awards at the Country Gospel Music Association. In 1991, Jean attended Norvel Hayes Bible College in Tennessee where she earned a diploma in pastoral and religious studies. She visited local nursing homes where she shared her love for Jesus, and, with her husband, conducted services at the Dinsdale Personal Care Home. She was also a cherished member of the choir and participated in many fun events. Jean is missed by her loving husband of 63 years, Roy; son, David (Joan); and the community.
GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR, N.L.—Major Garland Skeard was born in Port-Aux-Basques, N.L., and grew up attending the Anglican Church with his parents. As a young man, Garland began worshipping at The Salvation Army, where he accepted Christ and was enrolled as a senior soldier. He was an active member of the corps and served as the young people’s sergeant-major. Garland heard and accepted God’s call to officership and entered the College for Officer Training in St. John’s, N.L., in 1957, in the Courageous Session. Shortly after his commissioning, he met and married Captain Daisy Thompson. Together they served in several corps and social services appointments in Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nova Scotia. Garland was a man of many skills and enjoyed helping others. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Margaret Skeard; infant daughter, Victoria; brother, Clifford (Irene); and nephew, John Skeard. Remembering Garland with fond and loving memories are his wife, Daisy; son, George (Verena); grandson, David (Charlene); nieces and nephews; and a large circle of relatives and friends.
Guidelines for Tributes Salvationist will print tributes (maximum 200 words), at no cost, as space permits. We reserve the right to edit all submissions. Tributes should be received within three months of the promotion to glory and include: community where the person resided, corps involvement, Christian ministry, conversion to Christ, survivors. A high-resolution digital photo or high-resolution scan of an original photo (TIFF, EPS or JPG; 300 ppi) should be emailed to salvationist@ can.salvationarmy.org; a clear, original photograph mailed to 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto ON M4H 1P4 will be returned.
Who Is My Neighbour?
Finding God in the alleys of downtown Winnipeg.
BY KAITLIN vanDEURSEN
The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood.—John 1:14 (The Message)
Over the past few months, this verse has become so much more real for me. I’m studying social work at The Salvation Army’s Booth University College in Winnipeg, and have been doing a practicum at Main Street Project, a non-profit community health agency, located behind the Army’s Centre of Hope. I’m there 40 hours a week and on the ground running for most of those hours. The neighbourhood around the project is a stark contrast from the safe, supportive and loving community I grew up in. As I walk through the garbage-littered streets, I often look over my shoulder to be aware of my surroundings. When meeting with clients, I wonder, “God, how can this be happening to your people?” Sometimes I go home at the end of the day and realize I haven’t spoken with God at all, because he feels so distant.
It is hard to see people suffering from the effects of intergenerational trauma, abuse, addiction and poverty. Our city is hurting. In the last months, there have been robberies, violence and senseless murders, including two stabbings right outside my practicum. I’ve seen a group of teenagers with a gun just down the road from me. But John 1:14 reminds me that while the Word was in my comfortable neighbourhood growing up, the Word is also in Winnipeg’s downtown. When the Word became flesh and blood in the form of Jesus, our Saviour, he did not just move into affluent neighbourhoods or church communities. He moved under the Osborne Street Bridge, he moved into the tent city, he moved into the crack houses and cockroach-filled hotels, he moved into the dark back alleys and into the dumpsters. While it may not be glamourous to think about our Saviour in this way, we have to remember that in his time on earth Jesus associated with many people who
Kaitlin vanDeursen, a Salvationist and social work student at Booth University College in Winnipeg, in front of a mural by artist Mike Valcourt. The mural is dedicated to missing and murdered Indigenous women
would be the impoverished, addicted and homeless of today. He socialized with lepers and those with physical disabilities. He spoke with people tormented by demons and various mental illnesses. He walked through areas of conflict. He went to Jerusalem, knowing there were people who were going to be violent toward him. In a way, Jesus is one of the people sleeping on mats in a room of 75 other people. You can see him in the person in psychosis and talking to the voices in their head. You can see him in the faces of the cold and shivering. You can see him in the physically ill. Jesus became a neighbour to the addicts, the chronically homeless, the mentally ill and the heavy-burdened. I encourage you to take a little extra time this week to reflect on John 1:14. Do we fully believe that the Word became flesh and moved into the neighbourhood? Do we believe that the Word only moved into “nice” communities or do we believe that he is also present in the “not so nice” neighbourhoods?
Let’s keep this verse in mind as we minister to those who are from neighbourhoods different from our own. Let’s also remember that even though society characterizes some people as unlovable (and some days we might be unlovable ourselves), Christ loved each and every one of us so much that he came to be our neighbour, and he is still with us. Photo: Justin Russell
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