Open Groups

Over the last few weeks we have heard rumblings around the traps about who participates in our musical sections and other groups.

Corps in the past have been very strict on who could participate in worship groups. It was the case for many years that you could only be a bandsman, for example, if you were a soldier, paid your cartridge and wore the (correct) uniform. Invariably this led to four problems:

* Young teenagers would sign up to soldiership just to participate with their friends, not because they believed what the were signing or thought they could live up to the standards of soldiership
* A culture of hypocrisy developed among some who would sign up and then do what they wanted Monday - Saturday. Many a time a hungover person would still don the uniform on Sunday
* People would leave the Corps when they felt they couldn't deal with their own hypocrisy, or they would leave when they were caught out, and
* People who knew Salvationists in these situations wouldn't want to join the Corps

On the other hand, open groups, that allow anyone to participate can be great tools for evangelism. Our bands and sporting teams are groups that reflect broadly-held interests in the community. They are great opportunities for us to bring people along to be a part of our worship and community life.

These days were playing it smarter. We know that people need to feel that they belong somewhere. Using a basketball team or a brass band or a singing group can make people feel at home. If they hang around long enough they might even come to share our beliefs, and then their lives and behaviours may be transformed.

At Marion we will continue to use an open group policy understanding the potential that these groups hold. If you needed further evidence of the benefit of this approach, you should have seen Ingle Farm band on Friday afternoon at the Divisional Good Friday meeting. Over 40 in the band - mostly Salvationists, but some not even yet Christians. All of them hearing the gospel, though.