UK Territory

[mac8]

I understand from Salvationist magazine that soldiers in the UK were supposed to be invited to give feedback on what in the way the army works was helping them and not helping them to engage in mission.

I've so far not been able to find a single soldier anywhere who was invited to take part, and there seems to be a lot of confusion over whether we were all to be allowed to give feedback, or only some of us. It was then announced in Salvationists that UK soldiers had had an opportunity to participate and the review was now concluded.

If anyone was invited to give feedback I'd love to know, including how they heard about it, and whether it generated any useful discussion in their corps. Sadly none of us at our corps that I know of were included, unless it was lay leaders and not discussed with anyone else.

I was particularly disappointed as in the five years or so I've been back in the army I've never been asked for any feedback by a CO or anyone else on how the army is helping me engage in mission, other than once, at a DfL weekend. I gather we only get asked for feedback like this about once a decade?

Many thanks
E.

 

[tadpole29]

I can understand frustration in not being asked for your input. If you have feelings that you really want to share, maybe go and talk with your CO and express your concerns.

 

[mac8]

I'm not worried about my feedback - I'm concerned that the TC said all soldiers would be given an opportunity to participate and it was killed off by the officers, so none of the soldiers knew about it. What matters here is that each soldier is involved and approached, and given an opportunity to enter the missional discussion, not just one person's response.

In fact , after some correspondence, THQ have agreed our corps can reconsider and participate even though they have said the review is over, so I hope others have similarly been given a chance. What matters is that everyone is involved.

Warmest blessings
Eleanor
Sister under private vows

 

[Kizza]

Here's my feedback: The Salvation Army has lost its way. So much so that I can picture William Booth as a member of today's Salvation Army leaving to begin a new movement. That and our forefathers turning in their graves.

 

[GodsoldierClintus]

Why so negative Kizza...there is hope. There is still a fight. And there are those that are still willing to fight it.

 

[Kizza]

And I see that you are amongst those willing to fight for the cause of Christ. Sorry for being such a pessimist. Day to day I see so many Christians - including Salvationists - fight amongst each other. Worse yet, I end up letting it affect me and I end up being guilty of the same thing. I'm seeing division everywhere right now and some days it really gets me down. I really felt like giving up the other day. I appreciate your prayers and anybody else's... Thank you...

 

[mac8]

The impression I get is that in the army as in other traditional churches it is sometimes possible for ordained leaders to work for change within the system, but absolutely impossible for lay people to have any effect. This is simply the way the church is structured.

So the advice that I've had and am passing on to others is that if you are recognised clergy in a traditional church, ie programmed activities, come to us approach, etc, then there are a whole raft of resources available to help you to turn a congregation around and help it back to an outward looking and missional stance. It is difficult, but there are things that can help - resources on sites like Allelon, and things like Appreciative Inquiry dialogues, NCD, etc etc.

If you are a lay person and your church is not actively missional and empowering and developing lay people, the best thing you can do is leave, because you won't be able to change or even influence it. So move out to wherever you can find a place of service or plant, either with others or alone.

That's my freebie bit of wisdom for today! lol Obviously if you are a soldier in the Salvation Army it gets a wee bit complicated because we are covenanted as soldiers. I don't have a solution for that particular loyalty versus faithfulness dilemma, but my personal decision was to try to remain on the roll, while walking away in practice to develop a work elsewhere, that way I'm faithful to God and the promises I made in the army, even if I can't work them out within the army. It is the best of a bunch of bad options from what I can see. I meet so many people in that situation. It is reassuring to remind ourselves there are others who do find ways to serve through the army, and some corps and corps leaders who have grasped the fact that it is soldiers who are on the front line.

Blessings