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.
Thursday, 8 August 2013
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.
Tuesday, 16 July 2013
Diversity of ministry
I was musing, as you know, last week, about the diversity of ministries that our church is offering to the community. It somewhat flies in the face of being a 'simple church' but it demonstrates our capacity, with God's help, to reach people that he brings across our paths.
To emphasise that we have just today over 100 seniors raising money for water wells in Tanzania while listenting to Scottish music in our hall.
At the same time we have well over 200 people shopping up big at the weekly garage sale.
And... we have over 500 families this week connecting with our Glenelg centre through the Great Jetty Road Treasure Hunt. For more information on that event go to http://www.holdfast.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=1383&c=17390. This is proving to be a great way to showcase our services and open the doors to our local community.
Also - a heads up that on August 4 we will be hosting Rahab ministries at our 10am, Seacombe Gardens congregation. For more information on Rahab, go to: www.rahab.com.au
We are blessed to be able to continue our focus on shining God's light into southern Adelaide so that others join us disciples, so that they can know God, grow in God and then go in God to show God's love themselves.
To emphasise that we have just today over 100 seniors raising money for water wells in Tanzania while listenting to Scottish music in our hall.
At the same time we have well over 200 people shopping up big at the weekly garage sale.
And... we have over 500 families this week connecting with our Glenelg centre through the Great Jetty Road Treasure Hunt. For more information on that event go to http://www.holdfast.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=1383&c=17390. This is proving to be a great way to showcase our services and open the doors to our local community.
Also - a heads up that on August 4 we will be hosting Rahab ministries at our 10am, Seacombe Gardens congregation. For more information on Rahab, go to: www.rahab.com.au
We are blessed to be able to continue our focus on shining God's light into southern Adelaide so that others join us disciples, so that they can know God, grow in God and then go in God to show God's love themselves.
Friday, 12 July 2013
A day in the life...
I am fully aware that so often the great ministries of our Corps are performed in unspoken ways, and quite often people simply aren't aware of the scope or the depth of what God continues to do through Marion Corps.
Today was a day when I had cause to sit back and think for a moment about just how much God continues to use the people connected with this place.
Throughout the day there have been such a variety of interactions. We've had people complaining to us about the brothels in our neighbourhood, and we've been able to make fresh links with Rahab, a ministry to sex workers, to seek assistance. There are women being trafficked and abused in our area and we can do something. We've had further interaction with our court chaplains who are using our doorways workers to support their clients. We've had people planning away, getting ready for the launch of our Celebrate Recovery program in a few weeks time - a programme that specialises in brining recovery to people in addiction.
We've had a man from our Munchiez van in today because of the relationships he has built; he has just lost his wife and it was through our doorways team, with the help of a shop volunteer, that we've been able to set him up today with emails and other aids that will help him during his time of grief. We've had the opportunity to minister through a funeral service for a man in his sixties who lost his life in a car accident, and whose wife is still under hospital care since the tragedy occured.
We've had people seeking emergency assistance and others coming in to volunteer. We've had people in today preparing the prayer newsletters and others that are helping organise kids to go to a youth camp, starting on Monday.
We have a great church that continues to shine God's light in Adelaide's south through numerous means - every day!
Today was a day when I had cause to sit back and think for a moment about just how much God continues to use the people connected with this place.
Throughout the day there have been such a variety of interactions. We've had people complaining to us about the brothels in our neighbourhood, and we've been able to make fresh links with Rahab, a ministry to sex workers, to seek assistance. There are women being trafficked and abused in our area and we can do something. We've had further interaction with our court chaplains who are using our doorways workers to support their clients. We've had people planning away, getting ready for the launch of our Celebrate Recovery program in a few weeks time - a programme that specialises in brining recovery to people in addiction.
We've had a man from our Munchiez van in today because of the relationships he has built; he has just lost his wife and it was through our doorways team, with the help of a shop volunteer, that we've been able to set him up today with emails and other aids that will help him during his time of grief. We've had the opportunity to minister through a funeral service for a man in his sixties who lost his life in a car accident, and whose wife is still under hospital care since the tragedy occured.
We've had people seeking emergency assistance and others coming in to volunteer. We've had people in today preparing the prayer newsletters and others that are helping organise kids to go to a youth camp, starting on Monday.
We have a great church that continues to shine God's light in Adelaide's south through numerous means - every day!
Tuesday, 9 July 2013
Coming home
It's fitting that this is post 601 - starting a 'new hundred' now that I start another period back at Marion Corps.
Many people have been asking me about coming home. How am I travelling? Has it taken much adjustment? In some ways it has been quite a shock - not least of which has been experiencing the Adelaide cold after a few months of African heat.
In other ways, nothing has changed. The mission we undertook in Mali is the same that we undertake here in Australia. The call that is on our lives to save souls, grow saints and serve humanity is the same here as it is in Africa. The need to know God, grow in God, show God's love and go in God to change the world is ever present.
Perhaps the symptoms of the needs of people are different. Perhaps the scale or the severity is different. The resources for the mission are certainly different. But the mission itself is the same. We are always in the business of shining God's light so that others may see what we do and give him glory - and, we pray, join us as disciples.
Many people have been asking me about coming home. How am I travelling? Has it taken much adjustment? In some ways it has been quite a shock - not least of which has been experiencing the Adelaide cold after a few months of African heat.
In other ways, nothing has changed. The mission we undertook in Mali is the same that we undertake here in Australia. The call that is on our lives to save souls, grow saints and serve humanity is the same here as it is in Africa. The need to know God, grow in God, show God's love and go in God to change the world is ever present.
Perhaps the symptoms of the needs of people are different. Perhaps the scale or the severity is different. The resources for the mission are certainly different. But the mission itself is the same. We are always in the business of shining God's light so that others may see what we do and give him glory - and, we pray, join us as disciples.
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