The Growing Healthy Corps Network is growing. Some of you would recall the consultation that was held at Marion back in August 2007, when Rev Dr Paul Borden and a team came to our Corps to help us identify some prescriptions designed to help us to fulfil the great commission as we moved forward.
There has been mixed success, I should say, in how we have gone. To this end, I've resolved to review the prescriptions and see where we can pick up the ball again.
In the meantime, I've now had the opportunity to sit on the other side of the fence, as a consultant team member. With three others I've spent the last four days at Parafield Gardens Salvation Army Corps in Adelaide helping to identify strength, concerns and prescriptions to help them move forward. It feels like a very scriptural thing to do, to help other parts of the body to reach their potential. We need Corps in Parafield Gardens to help fulfil the commission of the church to make disciples in the same way that we need to be doing our thing at Marion.
It reminds me of why our church even exists. We are there to shine God's light in Adelaide's south so that others will join us as disciples of Jesus Christ. We intend to do this so that we become the multi-congregational, multi-campus, multicultural Corps that we believe we have been called to be. In doing so we pray that we will see 1% of our local city join us as worshipping disciples. We'll ensure we are on track to help people KNOW God (transform lives), GROW in God (make disciples), SHOW God's love (care for people) and GO in God's service (reform society).
Monday 26 August 2013
Thursday 22 August 2013
Election 2013
I'm not going to give up any of my specific opinions on the policies of the parties, or where people should vote in the coming election. That's not my place. Each of us needs to consider the policies and practices of the parties for ourselves and then decide on who would be a) the best representative for our electorate, and b) who will best lead the country if they form government.
To assist people in this decision, two helpful tools/ resources have been released that I commend to your consideration.
Firstly, The Salvation Army have made a series of statements available, on a range of issues. Check them out at:
http://www.salvationarmy.org.au/en/Who-We-Are/Publications-reports-submissions/Reports--Submissions/Statements-for-the-Federal-Election-2013/
Also, the ABC have compiled a "Vote Compass" which allows you to compare your personal views with the views of the major parties. You can undertake a survey that will show you which of the three major parties are closest (on the whole, as a generalisation) to your personal views. It also gathers reliable data (the current survey sample is over 850,000 people - much bigger than the landline polls that are published in the press) that shows the views of the general population. Check it out at:
http://www.abc.net.au/votecompass/
For the record, the vote compass also told me that I was a social liberal and from the economic left... but that wouldn't surprise any of you!
To assist people in this decision, two helpful tools/ resources have been released that I commend to your consideration.
Firstly, The Salvation Army have made a series of statements available, on a range of issues. Check them out at:
http://www.salvationarmy.org.au/en/Who-We-Are/Publications-reports-submissions/Reports--Submissions/Statements-for-the-Federal-Election-2013/
Also, the ABC have compiled a "Vote Compass" which allows you to compare your personal views with the views of the major parties. You can undertake a survey that will show you which of the three major parties are closest (on the whole, as a generalisation) to your personal views. It also gathers reliable data (the current survey sample is over 850,000 people - much bigger than the landline polls that are published in the press) that shows the views of the general population. Check it out at:
http://www.abc.net.au/votecompass/
For the record, the vote compass also told me that I was a social liberal and from the economic left... but that wouldn't surprise any of you!
Monday 19 August 2013
Brengle Summary
So Brengle is over for this year. It was a great experience, with a great 'session' of officers and a challenging time for all involved.
The program kept us going - up to 6 sessions a day for the ten days, with a few good breaks in between, including a Sabbath Saturday and a Silent Retreat Sunday to make for a different, but refreshing, weekend.
The programme, in summary, looked at Holiness in the Everyday, The Holy Spirit and Leadership, Prayer and Biblical Foundations for Holiness. The speakers were of international calibre and top quality.
So... now back to applying it at home... In the meantime, I was blessed today to receive a note from a fellow attendee that highlighted the effect that Brengle can have in your life. He finishes (he's a poet) by saying: And every day from then to now, and 'til we see the One Who draws us in, past masks and pride: the Father's only Son. His truth has truly set me free, his grace has touched my soul. His service is as life to me, for he has made me whole. (R Spiller, 2013).
The program kept us going - up to 6 sessions a day for the ten days, with a few good breaks in between, including a Sabbath Saturday and a Silent Retreat Sunday to make for a different, but refreshing, weekend.
The programme, in summary, looked at Holiness in the Everyday, The Holy Spirit and Leadership, Prayer and Biblical Foundations for Holiness. The speakers were of international calibre and top quality.
So... now back to applying it at home... In the meantime, I was blessed today to receive a note from a fellow attendee that highlighted the effect that Brengle can have in your life. He finishes (he's a poet) by saying: And every day from then to now, and 'til we see the One Who draws us in, past masks and pride: the Father's only Son. His truth has truly set me free, his grace has touched my soul. His service is as life to me, for he has made me whole. (R Spiller, 2013).
Tuesday 13 August 2013
Brengle Day 8
Over the past eight days we've continued to look into the subjects of prayer, holiness and faithful living.
Today's sessions started with a prayer concert. This is like an old time Salvation Army prayer meeting except that it goes for a lot longer and has a range of stations where you can join in. These included a space for praying Scripture out loud, a space for intercession, a space for confession, areas where people focussed on thanksgiving, an area where music played and activities around topics such as grief and healing.
Another highlight has been the downtime. This afternoon, with a few hours up our sleeve, some of the delegates enjoyed time together on the Great Ocean Road, one of my favourite parts of Australia.
Today's sessions started with a prayer concert. This is like an old time Salvation Army prayer meeting except that it goes for a lot longer and has a range of stations where you can join in. These included a space for praying Scripture out loud, a space for intercession, a space for confession, areas where people focussed on thanksgiving, an area where music played and activities around topics such as grief and healing.
Another highlight has been the downtime. This afternoon, with a few hours up our sleeve, some of the delegates enjoyed time together on the Great Ocean Road, one of my favourite parts of Australia.
Thursday 8 August 2013
Brengle day 3
This day has been full already with four speakers presenting on different topics. Perhaps the standout experience so far has been a session called "Moments of Grace".
In this session, each delegate to the Brengle Institute has 10 minutes to share their story. Highs, lows, everything in between, with an aim to seek the moments of transformational grace that have impacted them - or the ones that they are still looking for. After dinner tonight we are heading back into the room for another 7 such stories.
In the meantime we've been hearing about holiness in the Bible, spiritual disciplines and care for the soul and the purpose of intercession.
This last topic leads me to the one thought I'll leave on here today:
In Rev 5:8 we are reminded that the prayers of people are incense before God - they please him, they 'smell' good, they are part of worship. In Rev 8:3-5 we are told of how John saw an angel take two powerful ingredients - the fire of God and the prayers of the saints - to do some pretty dramatic and powerful things on earth. Worth noting.
In this session, each delegate to the Brengle Institute has 10 minutes to share their story. Highs, lows, everything in between, with an aim to seek the moments of transformational grace that have impacted them - or the ones that they are still looking for. After dinner tonight we are heading back into the room for another 7 such stories.
In the meantime we've been hearing about holiness in the Bible, spiritual disciplines and care for the soul and the purpose of intercession.
This last topic leads me to the one thought I'll leave on here today:
In Rev 5:8 we are reminded that the prayers of people are incense before God - they please him, they 'smell' good, they are part of worship. In Rev 8:3-5 we are told of how John saw an angel take two powerful ingredients - the fire of God and the prayers of the saints - to do some pretty dramatic and powerful things on earth. Worth noting.
Wednesday 7 August 2013
Brengle day 2
Today we have been blessed by a range of speakers who have stretched our minds in different ways.
Colonel Janet Munn spoke to us about the partnership that we have with God that is prayer. Majors Geoff and Kalie Webb spoke about the foundations and myths that underpin so much of what people speak into the subject of holiness. There was a time with Majors Donna and Stuart Evans about the impact that holiness, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, will have on our leadership.
Finally, and perhaps best of all, after lunch we met in small groups to unpack a lot of what we had heard and read. A big topic of conversation was the ongoinig difficulty that some Christians have in living in grace themselves, and then protraying grace to others.
The journey continues...
Colonel Janet Munn spoke to us about the partnership that we have with God that is prayer. Majors Geoff and Kalie Webb spoke about the foundations and myths that underpin so much of what people speak into the subject of holiness. There was a time with Majors Donna and Stuart Evans about the impact that holiness, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, will have on our leadership.
Finally, and perhaps best of all, after lunch we met in small groups to unpack a lot of what we had heard and read. A big topic of conversation was the ongoinig difficulty that some Christians have in living in grace themselves, and then protraying grace to others.
The journey continues...
Tuesday 6 August 2013
Brengle Day 1
Today the 2013 Brengle Institute began in Geelong. This is an annual seminar named after Samuel Logan Brengle that is held in many countries around the world. It is attended by Salvation Army officers by invitation, usually just once during their officership and this year it is my privilege to be a part of the experience.
The opening address was given by Colonel Peter Walker who chose to talk through sections in the Bible where God asks people to remove their shoes. A strange topic, perhaps.
But think about it:
Moses is asked to remove his shoes so that God can be physically close to him, as he was on 'holy ground'.
Joshua was ordered to remove his battle shoes as he approached Jericho - it wasn't his battle to fight.
The Kingsman-Redeemer in the book of Ruth removed his shoes to sacrifice his rights before another that was more worthy.
And so on...
Culturally we are different to the Hebrews; we use other means to show intimacy, trust and sacrifice. But they are worthy themes and a good way for us to start our thinking at this year's institute.
The opening address was given by Colonel Peter Walker who chose to talk through sections in the Bible where God asks people to remove their shoes. A strange topic, perhaps.
But think about it:
Moses is asked to remove his shoes so that God can be physically close to him, as he was on 'holy ground'.
Joshua was ordered to remove his battle shoes as he approached Jericho - it wasn't his battle to fight.
The Kingsman-Redeemer in the book of Ruth removed his shoes to sacrifice his rights before another that was more worthy.
And so on...
Culturally we are different to the Hebrews; we use other means to show intimacy, trust and sacrifice. But they are worthy themes and a good way for us to start our thinking at this year's institute.
Friday 2 August 2013
The High Council
Posts at the moment are a little sparse due to events like Officers' Fellowship, Furlough and the upcoming Brengle Institute. It would be amiss, however, if we didn't note the 18th High Council of The Salvation Army underway at the moment in the United Kingdom.
This council has been convened with the sole purpose of electing the 20th international leader of The Salvation Army. It's gathering was necessitated by the sudden retirement of General Linda Bond a few months back.
The High Council must meet in the UK and is comprised by constitution and law of all active Salvation Army Commissioners from around the world and all Territorial Commanders and Territorial Presidents of Women's Ministries regardless of rank. There are over 110 members of whom around 60% are women. About 1/5 are from Africa and 1/5 from southern Asia. The rest are a spread of nationalities with heavy American and British representation.
Australia is represented by Commissioners Jan and James Condon, currently Territorial Leaders in the Australia Eastern Territory, Commissioner Aylene Finger, and Colonels Robyn and Wayne Maxwell, currently Territorial Leaders in the Philippines Territory. Our Territorial leaders, Commissioners Floyd and Tracey Tidd are also present.
The candidates for General have been nominated this week by the Council. They can technically nominate any active officer, meaning that there are around 17,000 potential candidates for the office! However, tradition dictates that they will nominate from among their own membership, and this is reasonable as these are the people with the experience in leadership necessary for the role.
The Council has nominated:
Commissioner Dick Krommenhoek (The Netherlands - currently TC in Norway)
Commissioner James Knaggs (USA - currently TC in USA Western)
Commissioner Andre Cox (Swiss - currently Chief of the Staff, International Headquarters)
Commissioner Barry Swanson (USA - currently TC in USA Eastern)
Commissioner Kenneth Hodder (USA - currently TC in Kenya West)
For profiles on each of the candidates visit: http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/highcouncil2013
Today (Friday), UK time, the Candidates will each be required to address the Council and answer a series of questions predetermined by a select committee. Following this time (which may stretch into tomorrow or later) voting will commence. To be elected, one of the candidates must receive 2/3 of the vote on any of the first three ballots. After each ballot, the person with the least votes will be removed from the ballot paper. If the election makes it to a fourth ballot only a simple majority will be required for election.
This council has been convened with the sole purpose of electing the 20th international leader of The Salvation Army. It's gathering was necessitated by the sudden retirement of General Linda Bond a few months back.
The High Council must meet in the UK and is comprised by constitution and law of all active Salvation Army Commissioners from around the world and all Territorial Commanders and Territorial Presidents of Women's Ministries regardless of rank. There are over 110 members of whom around 60% are women. About 1/5 are from Africa and 1/5 from southern Asia. The rest are a spread of nationalities with heavy American and British representation.
Australia is represented by Commissioners Jan and James Condon, currently Territorial Leaders in the Australia Eastern Territory, Commissioner Aylene Finger, and Colonels Robyn and Wayne Maxwell, currently Territorial Leaders in the Philippines Territory. Our Territorial leaders, Commissioners Floyd and Tracey Tidd are also present.
The candidates for General have been nominated this week by the Council. They can technically nominate any active officer, meaning that there are around 17,000 potential candidates for the office! However, tradition dictates that they will nominate from among their own membership, and this is reasonable as these are the people with the experience in leadership necessary for the role.
The Council has nominated:
Commissioner Dick Krommenhoek (The Netherlands - currently TC in Norway)
Commissioner James Knaggs (USA - currently TC in USA Western)
Commissioner Andre Cox (Swiss - currently Chief of the Staff, International Headquarters)
Commissioner Barry Swanson (USA - currently TC in USA Eastern)
Commissioner Kenneth Hodder (USA - currently TC in Kenya West)
For profiles on each of the candidates visit: http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/highcouncil2013
Today (Friday), UK time, the Candidates will each be required to address the Council and answer a series of questions predetermined by a select committee. Following this time (which may stretch into tomorrow or later) voting will commence. To be elected, one of the candidates must receive 2/3 of the vote on any of the first three ballots. After each ballot, the person with the least votes will be removed from the ballot paper. If the election makes it to a fourth ballot only a simple majority will be required for election.
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