...An Army that looks for opportunities to befriend the friendless, clothe the naked, feed the hungry'
Over ther last couple of weeks it has been great to share at various Corps through Sunday ministry, PCC meetings and appointments consultations. Almost without exception these have been inspirational times with moments of deep spirituality as well as times when our humanity is also laid bare: the image of a retired affluent company director sharing harvest lunch with a family from the local social housing estate is one that is absolutely representative of the Corps fellowship at it's best. To know that both have come as a result of community ministry and are now established as part of the Corps worshipping community is indicative of where we are getting it right - linking people in an intentional way into exploring their relationship with Jesus.
General John Gowans had it absolutely right when he described the mission of the Salvation Army as 'Growing Saint, Saving Sinners and Serving Suffering Humanity'. In his own way, and style, he was prompting us to fulfil Isaiah's prophecy (Isaiah 61), quoted by Jesus :
'The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God...'
This passage, more than any in my opinion, makes our mandate clear: the poor have an inescapable role in the Salvation story - we are to serve them.
Poverty takes many forms, not all material. Poverty of education, poverty of relationship, and poverty of work all debilitate individuals who already attend our Corps - how much more then does the family who live near you, or the businessman in his car, or the mum pushing her baby buggy need good contact with God's people - our relationship with others starts where they are not where we are. The Gospel is about going and finding the friendless, clothing the naked and feeding the hungry. We need to look for the opportunities constantly, for in serving them we are serving Christ. Go.
Friday 23 September 2011
Thursday 15 September 2011
What sort of an Army? (3)
… an Army that values every person regardless of age or gender.
As the new season of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ hits our screens one of the facts that is being used in the publicity is that ‘this is the oldest line up yet!’ It’s great to see that individuals who may be eligible for their bus pass are still prepared to and get the opportunity to ‘quick step’ and ‘paso doble’. The fact that there are as many women as men is also notable…because, as is well known, opportunities for ladies in showbusiness tend to dry up once they reach early middle age. Here is an opportunity for all of these celebs to stay in the public eye.
Within our Army we could well use a view that acknowledges that both youth and experience are necessary for the fellowship to be balanced. It is not unusual to hear that a Corps is ‘focussing on the young’. Perhaps if we focussed on helping all ages to be disciples we wouldn’t have to restrict our thinking to one age group. Make salvation your aim and age and gender become meaningless. Now that doesn’t mean that we should not make specific provision for different interests and gifts, but it does mean that we should recognise that every generation that still lives in this life needs a relationship with Jesus to experience eternal life in the next. Alongside this every individual has something to offer the fellowship, however simple or complex they may be as individuals every person that surrenders their life to Jesus has a gift to honour God in the church; a gift of simple faith, a gift of believing prayer, a gift of unstinting service.
We need to value every individual – it is not only life affirming but more importantly it is God honouring.
As the new season of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ hits our screens one of the facts that is being used in the publicity is that ‘this is the oldest line up yet!’ It’s great to see that individuals who may be eligible for their bus pass are still prepared to and get the opportunity to ‘quick step’ and ‘paso doble’. The fact that there are as many women as men is also notable…because, as is well known, opportunities for ladies in showbusiness tend to dry up once they reach early middle age. Here is an opportunity for all of these celebs to stay in the public eye.
Within our Army we could well use a view that acknowledges that both youth and experience are necessary for the fellowship to be balanced. It is not unusual to hear that a Corps is ‘focussing on the young’. Perhaps if we focussed on helping all ages to be disciples we wouldn’t have to restrict our thinking to one age group. Make salvation your aim and age and gender become meaningless. Now that doesn’t mean that we should not make specific provision for different interests and gifts, but it does mean that we should recognise that every generation that still lives in this life needs a relationship with Jesus to experience eternal life in the next. Alongside this every individual has something to offer the fellowship, however simple or complex they may be as individuals every person that surrenders their life to Jesus has a gift to honour God in the church; a gift of simple faith, a gift of believing prayer, a gift of unstinting service.
We need to value every individual – it is not only life affirming but more importantly it is God honouring.
Friday 9 September 2011
What sort of an Army? (2)
What sort of an Army?
‘… an Army that is unafraid to share the gospel, not only together but when we are as, individuals in the workplace, the school, or college.’
Occasionally we get the impression that those around us are ashamed of the Gospel. The reality must surely be different. We certainly have no shame when we meet together in worship , last weekend saw Salvationists assembled in the New Town Hall in Cumbernauld from numerous Corps celebrating 40years of the Corps in that town. No shame – boldness and confidence were the standard of the weekend – even on the Saturday when fun was the order of the day. The local press understood the message of the Salvation Army by quoting that the Salvation Army is ‘Christianity with it’s sleeves rolled up’. Salvationists and fellow Christians confident in their Saviour and confident in each other. This is not unique of course when we join for worship and the word we derive strength for the days ahead and know we have met with the body of Christ.
Fast forward to the schoolroom of Monday afternoon, or the office of Wednesday morning, or even the family home at meal times. Where is the confidence when we stand alone, facing ignorance or ridicule? Let’s also acknowledge that this is unlikely to improve culturally as we move forward in a pluralist, secularist society.
The confidence to share the Gospel comes from the depth of relationship we have with Jesus. Nothing else. Our Sunday teaching and worship, linked with good strong pastoral care gives God’s people the grounding in scripture they need, our own spiritual walk enables us to stand tall and strong in the confidence of a gospel that has changed our lives from selfishness to selflessness.
Paul, in Romans 1:16, states ‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.’ Why was he unashamed? Because he had experienced the transforming power of Jesus – and wanted others to experience it as well. We should have the confidence of Paul because we have an unfailing God, a constant companion. We should be both unashamed of the Gospel and shameless in its proclamation.
‘… an Army that is unafraid to share the gospel, not only together but when we are as, individuals in the workplace, the school, or college.’
Occasionally we get the impression that those around us are ashamed of the Gospel. The reality must surely be different. We certainly have no shame when we meet together in worship , last weekend saw Salvationists assembled in the New Town Hall in Cumbernauld from numerous Corps celebrating 40years of the Corps in that town. No shame – boldness and confidence were the standard of the weekend – even on the Saturday when fun was the order of the day. The local press understood the message of the Salvation Army by quoting that the Salvation Army is ‘Christianity with it’s sleeves rolled up’. Salvationists and fellow Christians confident in their Saviour and confident in each other. This is not unique of course when we join for worship and the word we derive strength for the days ahead and know we have met with the body of Christ.
Fast forward to the schoolroom of Monday afternoon, or the office of Wednesday morning, or even the family home at meal times. Where is the confidence when we stand alone, facing ignorance or ridicule? Let’s also acknowledge that this is unlikely to improve culturally as we move forward in a pluralist, secularist society.
The confidence to share the Gospel comes from the depth of relationship we have with Jesus. Nothing else. Our Sunday teaching and worship, linked with good strong pastoral care gives God’s people the grounding in scripture they need, our own spiritual walk enables us to stand tall and strong in the confidence of a gospel that has changed our lives from selfishness to selflessness.
Paul, in Romans 1:16, states ‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.’ Why was he unashamed? Because he had experienced the transforming power of Jesus – and wanted others to experience it as well. We should have the confidence of Paul because we have an unfailing God, a constant companion. We should be both unashamed of the Gospel and shameless in its proclamation.
Thursday 1 September 2011
What sort of an Army...?
What sort of an Army do I want to belong to…?
… an Army that is unafraid to share the gospel, not only together but when we are as, individuals in the workplace, the school, or college.
… an Army that values every person regardless of age or gender.
… an Army that looks for opportunities to befriend the friendless, clothe the naked, feed the hungry.
… an Army that not only provides a social service but involves itself in integrated social ministry.
… an Army that places personal discipleship at the heart of all we are.
… an Army that sees personal repentance as more important than public relations.
… an Army that recognises variety in worship.
… an Army that recognises that worship is not a Sunday experience but a way of life.
… an Army that is unafraid to be seen in it’s uniform.
… an Army that believes that God’s best work in us is in the future not the past.
… an Army that has it’s eyes fixed on Jesus as both it’s inspiration and reward.
… an Army that is unafraid to share the gospel, not only together but when we are as, individuals in the workplace, the school, or college.
… an Army that values every person regardless of age or gender.
… an Army that looks for opportunities to befriend the friendless, clothe the naked, feed the hungry.
… an Army that not only provides a social service but involves itself in integrated social ministry.
… an Army that places personal discipleship at the heart of all we are.
… an Army that sees personal repentance as more important than public relations.
… an Army that recognises variety in worship.
… an Army that recognises that worship is not a Sunday experience but a way of life.
… an Army that is unafraid to be seen in it’s uniform.
… an Army that believes that God’s best work in us is in the future not the past.
… an Army that has it’s eyes fixed on Jesus as both it’s inspiration and reward.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)