FAD | Raise the glorious standard
Raising the standard for officers | part I
of⋅fi⋅cer [aw-fuh-ser]
-noun
1. A Christian minister of The Salvation Army, having been trained and commissioned to service and leadership and given a quasi-military rank.
It was surreal. I was walking around with a small group of friends. We were part of a larger Salvation Army group that was spending the day at the local amusement park during a week long Bible camp. It was the height of summer.
A teenage girl tapped me on the shoulder while I walked. “Hi Eric,” she grinned. I did not know her but I could tell she was a part of the group that came from camp (she had on a plastic bracelet). I said “Hello” and smiled back at her on my way to buy junk food. “I’m going to Training,” she concluded. Perhaps I was dehydrated or was disoriented by all my favorite Looney Toon characters, which were surrounding me in the park. I started to stutter: “Oh, uh, really? Huh? Well, how, how, how-how-old-are-you?” She beamed, “Seventeen!”
I stopped walking and turned around to address my new minor friend. “Oh, well, have you ever considered going to college first?” I asked. She bragged, “I’ve been going to college all year and am going to Training in the fall.” “Wow,” I said, “is it a really accelerated program? I’ve never heard of getting a degree in only one year.” Maybe she was running late for the Stunt Show or maybe she saw Daffy Duck in the distance and wanted to get his autograph, she started walking away while answering my crazy question, “Who needs college when you have God?!”
I think about that bizarre conversation often and feel winded each time I recall it, as if I were exhausted by its weight. There is too much in that muddled encounter to unpack in only one sitting, so I’ve tried to pull it apart, piece by piece, over the last few months. It’s a great collection of baggage.
I can personally testify that the Lord did two things when He got a hold of my heart: He showed me my potential and He told me that I could not get there if I decided to cut corners. And I’ve seen the Lord do this same work in the lives of many of my peers and am greatly encouraged to see that He has raised up a generation of incredible, socially-conscious and mission-minded leaders who aren’t afraid to sacrifice to get a higher education and who patiently walk the paths of life experience. But what confuses me about this great multitude is that in discussing their future as leaders in the Army few of them are (yet) interested in leading as officers. So what can we do to interest these qualified leaders in officership?
I don’t think the answer is exploiting vulnerable youth with emotional “Calls to officership.” I don’t think that standing on a stage at Youth Councils is a binding agreement for life service. I don’t think we need to be more aggressive with our recruitment techniques and promotional materials for Training. I don’t think God needs our help to sell His call. And His call is a high calling and I don’t think we should cheapen it by continuing to embrace a low standard for officership.
I took that conversation with that seventeen-year-old personally. I work for The Salvation Army as an active youth minister. And when I answered the calling to be in this ministry it was expected that I come to work with a college education and collection of life experience. These requirements were non-negotiable. When my boss interviewed me for the position he asked some very good questions concerning my education. How do you think he would have reacted if I responded to him like this: “Well, I was thinking about going to school but then I realized I didn’t need school because I have God. When do I start work?” I would have been laughed out of the room and rightfully so. I think we believe a counter-cultural fallacy when we think that officers have the right (and are even encouraged) to be less qualified and less educated than their employees.
Perhaps Timothy Dwight can best explain this conflict of interest:
“While they demand a seven-year apprenticeship, for the purpose of learning to make a shoe, or an axe; they suppose the system of Providence, together with the numerous, and frequently abstruse, doctrines and precepts, contained in the Scriptures, may be all comprehended without learning labour, or time. While they insist, equally with others, that their property shall be managed by skillful agents, their judicial causes directed by learned advocates, and their children, when sick, attended by able physicians; they were satisfied to place Religion, their soul, and their salvation, under the guidance of quackery.”
Please don’t confuse my frustration with despair. I believe that the brightest days of The Salvation Army are ahead of us. I know that the Lord will have an overwhelming victory in this world and that He is going to use the Army as a part of His work. I also know that having a college degree isn’t a guarantee that you will be an effective officer. But I believe wholeheartedly that if you raise the standards for officership, you will attract better officers.
Writer: FAD - Future Army Dictionary is written by Eric Himes, the USA Central Territory’s Director of Young Adult Ministries who is passionate about encouraging leaders to use their unique gifts in God’s Kingdom. He is a member of a worship band called The Singing Company and is enthusiastic about providing resources and training for corps worship bands. He spends his time obsessing about the Chicago Cubs, Lost, Dodgeball, Baggo, Praise and Worship, creative writing, youth ministry and the future of The Salvation Army. Eric and his wife Cathleen live in Oak Park, Illinois with their cat Salinger (pictured). They attend the Oakbrook Terrace Corps, where he leads a Dodgeball youth outreach and community garden.
86 Comments to FAD | Raise the glorious standard
Leave a comment
Categories
- 1000 Post Celebration
- Areopagus
- Belief
- Blogroll
- COMING SOON
- Concise Oxford
- Creation
- Creative Arts
- Double~take
- Easter
- Ecclesia
- Education
- Ephemera
- FAD
- Featured
- From Russia with Blogs
- Gen whY?
- History
- JustThinking
- Lives lived
- Match factory
- Match Factory Events
- Ordination
- Personae
- Politics
- Power
- Ragamuffin
- Ramblings
- Redux - The Best of
- Resources
- Resurrected writers
- Reviews
- Rubicon Books
- Rubiconography
- Shades of grey
- Shades of grey
- Supper Club
- theRubi-Blog
- Think
- Thinkaloud
- Thought
- Uncategorized
- Urbanities
- Vox populi
Sound and Fury
- Does Power Corrupt? 19 Charlee, Errin Hogan, Errin Hogan
- With God on our side 19 Hank Harwell, Robert Deidrick, John Stephenson
- What The Hell? (Part One: Bell's Hell) 13 Phil, Jim, Jim
- Officers - "The shrinking pool" 41 Thimon, David Hutchinson, Rob
- Resurrected writers: Catherine Booth 1 Michelle Townsend
Nice Eric!
Confession time…I have not taken a college or university class in my life.
Confession time…I am not that interested in going to the training college.
Thanks for giving me another reason to back off the over zealous Candidates Secretary.
Humor aside, another great post my friend.
Good thoughts Eric.
“I don’t think God needs our help to sell His call. … and I don’t think we should cheapen it by continuing to embrace a low standard for officership.”
But lowering standards helps in the numbers game…
Eric,
Thank you for a thought provoking posting. I strongly agree we need to have a high standard for officership. I also agree that education does not guarentee effectiveness. I think you know where my heart is on this matter: we need people who are soundly saved, seeking God daily, called, and who are serious about developing the gifts God has granted them throughout their lifetime to serve as officers.
I do want to clarify one point: training is just one part of the officer development process. The Army requires all newly commissioned officers to participate in the five year SACEP program. Hopefully, all officers (and soldiers) will understand that continued effetiveness depends on continued development.
In Christ,
Paul
Eric,
A very interesting yet thoughtful article. I agree wholehartedly that officership is something people should not rush into doing. God uses our experiences either through college, military, or a trade to teach us how to be more effective in His kingdom. I do believe though that college is not for everyone, but neither is officership.
I spent about two and a half years in college before God called me into the training college (which my family was not happy about, they all wanted me to finish my degree.) I know that God has a plan and when he calls us we have to listen. I also agree with you that sometimes we jump the gun because of emotions and the “squishy-feeling” at a youth councils or congress. Being an officer or even going to training takes a lot of prayer and dedication. My training experience was one of the hardest and best times of my life (and for that story you will have to ask me it would take a long time.) God knows what we need and we should rely on him. I was given complete peace over my decision to go to training at 21, i knew that it was the only decision.
I saw this on my FB so I decided to read it and I’m pretty glad I did.
When people say things like, “Who needs college when you have God?!” I feel like they just pulled out a trump card that I can’t argue without anything I say sounding questionable or faithless (if that makes sense). A lot of us young people think that relying on God implies that we don’t have to do anything, that one day we’ll wake up and be totally prepared for life. It’s cool that they have this great amount of faith, but they get this picture of how perfectly their life will work out and refuse to take any initiative. I feel that young people today are almost lazy about having to work to better themselves because they think God will automatically change them and prepare them for life. They don’t understand that God can and does use things like college to better prepare us for lives of ministry (be it officership or whatever) by giving us knowledge and life experience. I don’t want to sound like I totally know how God works, but I’m pretty sure He’d make a better teacher through a college situation than just sitting at home assuming you’ll be prepared for life.
Eric,
I loved your article!
I beleive you have a lot of valid points and I agree on many of them.
As a candidate’s secretary, we have several great young adults who would make wonderful officers, yet they won’t even begin to consider that God may be calling them to officership for some of the very reasons you have raised. We cannot necessarily change who are already officers to raise the standard, and we know there are not enough qualified candidates applying to cover the demand, so how can we help these young adults open their thinking to see that God may want to use them to change the standard?
Hi Eric,
I like your article and I think that this can and should be carried also to soldiership. If soldiership means just a membership to a club, then having some kind of standard is really arbitrary. However if becoming a soldier means to have a lifestyle of devotion to Christ and a commitment to service, then a level of maturity and understanding of the comitment would have greater potential for leadership.
Setting the standard high for soldiership and officership alike, I think would result in more dedicated servants in soldiers and greater spiritually maturity in officers.
I’ve looked at a lot of ‘Gap Year’ programs. I know many people that have been involved in year-long discipleship programs. I strongly believe that, while they are not the means to spiritual maturity, they provide a great environment in which we allow God to move through us and change us.
I am called to Officership, I have gone through college, worked in the secular and ministry world. I’ve never gone through a year-long descipleship program, but to better focus my life on God and to become a disciple of Christ, I started a formal mentorship with my Corps Officer. This was not to fulfill a personal goal before I went to training, nor was it an un-official requirement from my CO. I did this to better my relationship with my savior. I think this mentorship spiritually did more for preparing me for officership than college or carreer. That being said, I still think God tought me a great deal while in college and working in a secular marketing department. This was only because that’s where God wanted me to be.
So, when interpreting these emotional calls to officership, test it against the word of God. If we want to know Gods will for our lives then we sould see what Gods word says and we should ask what God thinks… continously. Psalm 119.9,11,105
1 Thesalonians 5.16-22
To anyone called to officership or not, I think a spiritual mentorship with someone you spiritually look up to and trust is a great way to allow Christ to move in you. Look at the relationship between Elisha and Elijah. Elisha followed Elijah everywhere and finally when Elijah was leaving, Elisha asked for a double portion of his spirit. (2 kings 2.9)
I think if a young person knows they are called to live the rest of their life as a Salvation Army Officer, they sould definately have a mentor, and they should strongly consider a discipleship program prior to training.
Psalm 1.1,2
I agree with you Eric. Except that you weren’t on your way to get junk food. It was to ride the roller coaster.
As a cadet who just this past weekend was able to assist in the putting on of a successful Candidates Weekend here in Winnipeg, I was very impressed by the people who were considering the call to officership. What struck me was the preparation and planning that many people were putting into their future role as an officer. Many candidates were in post-secondary instiutions obtaining related degrees. Some even were working towards their masters level degrees. And many older candidates had spent years working or volunteering for the Army in some capacity. Fortunately, I did not encounter the attitude that Eric encountered in the young girl who said, “Who needs college when you have God?”
Most of the people who were seriously considering officership knew that it was an extreme privilege to lead a community of believers along in their faith journey, and that one must be gladly willing to invest their own resources (be it time, money spent in education and related training, etc) in preparing to take on that role. I also agree that ministry units need to help soldiers in equipping them with the resources they need to lead within the local body. I think of my Dad who many years ago, took a number of professional development courses so that he could have the privilege of being a Corps Sergeant Major at his local corps. We sometimes today beg people into taking on positions within the church to the point that we almost fail to assess whether they’re inherently worthy to take on the leadership of their fellow soldiers and adherents. If someone is unwilling to develop skills in one area, or thinks that the Army is privileged to have them, then we need to reconsider whether that person is suitable to lead and mentor others. Good piece!
Eric,
Your young friend sounds enthusiast - and thats a great thing. Serving without passion is dry stuff indeed.
As you are aware, ministry - whether lay or ordained - requires various compentencies . The more you have at your disposal, hopefully the more affective and effective you will be.
Academic studies are but one of those competencies. I’m sure the areas of skill and spiritual maturity were also address during your interview for your present position. To look at one area of competency in isolation would be a disservice to the communties we serve.
Candidates for ministry rarely have the ideal profile in all areas which then means the selection process must exercise discernment to determine if the overall profile demonstrates potential. Selection for minisrty is a complex and at times difficult process which must always be guided by prayer. There ae times when His still small voice confirms even when our better judgement questions.
Hi Eric,
I am so happy you wrote this. It resonates with my heart.
There seems to be a feeling that when someone receives the calling to officership it should mean “right now” or “right after high school.” That time after high school, however, is an amazing opportunity for them to figure out who they are as an individuals and where they stand in their Christian beliefs. This is a process that should not be rushed.
Hopefully the saying, “The right thing at the wrong time is still the wrong thing,” can be remembered when it comes to officership. Take it from one who knows, life has the potential of becoming a nightmare when you rush God’s calling.
If your calling is officership please pray, pray, pray, pray, pray. Find internships or positions as corps helper AWAY from your current corps and the familiar situations that you are used to. Gain experience. Mature. Grow. This can only help you in your endeavor to become an officer.
Grace and peace.
i agree.
you should check out what dave withoff has written concerning this topic and the meaning of the word ‘calling’ (in a spiritual sense) in his blog:
http://resdev.blogspot.com/2008/03/on-calling.html
I would hate to see a college degree or a level of work experience required for entry into Salvation Army Officership. Why, when that’s a requirement for many jobs and professions? It’s because when we set these kinds of rules we limit God. (In fact a lot of professions just use these types of qualifications to limit the people that apply).
One of the things I have struggled with in my life is relying on my own knowledge and wisdom instead of God’s. I still do, but I’m learning.
The first lesson I learned was that God doesn’t require me to have a college degree to be useful to him. In fact it was through this lesson that God led me to my calling of Officership.
God didn’t want me to go to university but I did it because ‘it was a good thing to do.’ By my third year of living outside of God’s will He showed me just how much my own intelligence was worth and I failed all my subjects and was excluded from university. I took a year off, traveled the world then when I got home went through the shame and rigmarole of being re-enrolled following exclusion because I kept pursuing this fake belief that having a degree mattered. I was already called to Officership but I had been advised by my nearest and dearest that this was the smart thing to do.
When I finally gave in to God and His wisdom and dropped out of university I disappointed everyone. However God had a purpose for me and it didn’t require a paper that said I was qualified to do His work, because He told me I was indeed horribly qualified but He would do everything through me.
So for me a college degree stood for standing on my own strength and knowledge rather than God’s.
Now as I get ready to attend training school I still get the subtle hint from those around me that I am too young and inexperienced. GREAT! Then anything that I do can’t possibly be me but God working through me and I’ll have nothing to take pride in or boast about!
I’m sure that some people do need to work in certain fields or go through college, but if they are living in God’s will that is where he will guide them. Far be it from me to tell someone what it is that God requires from us.
God is truly all we need and I wouldn’t look down on such a statement.
I was actually planning on becoming an officer until I went to college.
I’m still going into ministry of some sort (still waiting to figure that out) but I am glad I waited and saved myself and TSA time and money, not rushing into something I was not called to.
Does God require a bachelor’s or master’s level degree for service? Certainly not. I think Eric is just reinforcing the value we all gain through education and life experiences.
Think about it this way - if what he is saying has no merit, why aren’t 18 and 19 year-old young adults joining the ranks like they used to? Times have changed; maturity has changed - it is unwise for TSA to recommend a 18-year-old to immediately become an officer. I was advised to go to college first and I am glad I did.
Nayomia,
Setting a standard like college would not limit God. This a fallacious idea. Is it limiting God that a 16 year old can’t go? that a 60 year old cannot go? While God is perfectly capable of miraculously working through our deficiencies, it’s not like a person is going to miraculously know Greek in order to exegete properly. At least, I’ve never heard of this miracle happening. It also seems a bit presumptuous to just have God pick up our slack.
I also agree with you that God is all we need. However, having just preached a sermon on Nehemiah 4-6, I find that our work with God is necessary. If the people had said “God is all we need” and then not picked up shovels to build the wall, or swords to defend themselves, it would not have gotten built. He gave us minds to use to fix many of our problems.
Eric,
Way to go eric. This is truly a step in the right direction. History shows us that revivalism, anti-intellectualism, and anti-traditionalism lead culture to the lowest common denominator in regards to faith. This sets the ground for an incredibly weak foundation for church and Christian Theology. Keep up the good work, and keep thinking about these things. It’s worth it.
David
Eric,
Excellent post and great discussion. And while I agree with you that education is essential to the quality of officership, I would argue that it should not be the sole standard in which a person is determined as prepared or qualified.
A four year degree (and beyond) no more prepares a person for life than a birthing class prepares a woman for labor and delivery. Though she may hold all of the information needed, nothing can prepare her for the joy and pain of the actual experience. A while an person may be well educated, they can be completely blind to the joys and pains that life can offer.
The Salvation Army is very blessed to take such care of our officers. They have basic needs provided for in order for them to be able to focus on their ministry. However I find it difficult to work with someone who is “serving suffering humanity” with no understanding of how difficult it can be for the suffering families in our country.
I would argue that in addition to education, and maybe even more than just a mere education, it is imperative to have some life experiences. To experience budgeting and paying bills, to experience the loneliness that can sometimes accompany growing up, to experience the ups and downs of adulthood. In the same way that an employer looks at the education of an applicant, they also take a good look at the applicant’s experience.
Nicely Put. I just had this conversation with one of my peers. Both of us feel we have a calling to officership. However, despite other officers pushing us to go in sooner than later to “give the Army more of our time”, we both agreed that as long as we ourselves don’t hear that coming from God himself we are going to continue our education in college. We both agree that we’ll have much more to offer as officers and that God can use the knowledge we have gained throughout those years. However, we are still in deep communion with God about our futures. We are done being naive and planning, and this belief of ours has actually helped us to rely on Him more. Only he knows what is in store for us.
As an educator, I think higher education is important. Higher education is a two fold process: First, it obviously allows us develop skills for life, and secondly it trains us to think, process, and study.
To be a teacher, one needs to know how to study and teach. I want a corps officer who has been through the battle field of study, and has been challenged in life experience in addition to our CFOT. I want a corps officer who is well rounded, and has a perspective on Christ outside of the army experience.
I think the only way we could (and should) actually raise the standard for officership is by finding more highly qualified, energetic, and passionate young people who willingly and sacrificially enter training and accept a genuine call to officership. Right now too many of our young potential leaders want to fulfill God’s call to ministry in their lives outside of officership. Until these young people take up the mantle of leadership within their Army, we have little choice but to take the energetic 18 year olds and educate them Salvation Army style. The Army shouldn’t reduce itself to begging unwilling, educated people to be their leaders. We ought to raise the standard by being the example. In that position we can encourage young candidates along a good path of preparation for training and officership.
That being said, I think that there are a multitude of things other than education that should be taken into consideration before a candidate is accepted. Highest on this list would be spiritual maturity and holiness. If they are truly walking in this path, hopefully the Lord himself would reveal how best to prepare their own hearts for his ministry. Considering for Jesus that was 30 years of life experience and for Paul, years of intense study under Christian teachers, many would choose higher education and practical experience in intentional ministry preparation. But there certainly is no cookie-cutter path to training and we ought not to make it so.
When I was a teen, there was a definite progression of holiness in youth. First, junior soldier, then corps cadet and senior soldier (complete with full uniform, Bible, song book and oozing with sincerity) THEN Future Candidates’ Fellowship (along with attendance at Knee Drill) with the eagerness to go into training as soon as possible. Fortunately the Lord intervened in many cases - made us wait, got us distracted elsewhere and others did get their education. I am just wondering if things haven’t changed all that much in the intervening years.
I happen to fit in this category. I turned 20 in September and I am a second year cadet. I do agree that the standards for officership should be high. It is a large responsibility to usher in the called to training - when it is the right time.
I don’t agree that everyone should go in immediately following high school. I don’t agree that someone with less than 1-2 years of soldiership should enter training.
However, I don’t agree that a college degree should be the standard. I do not believe that college is for everyone. I thought it was for me.
I spent my four years of high school getting as high of grades as I could, filling out college applications and scholarship applications in the hopes of entering college and earning a criminal justice degree.
God called me out of that. I DON’T BELIEVE HE CALLS EVERYONE OUT OF THAT.
Perhaps God doesn’t give a specific timing for training for everyone. He did for me. As I was already accepted to college had over $16,000 in scholarships for my first year, and was preparing for orientation, I was “God-smacked.”
My life of pursuing college was disobedient to God. He made it clear that I need to begin pursuing officership immediately. I interned for one year and was a youth director in Clinton, IA. I also took that year and went to college full time to get some gen ed’s done.
I did forfeit a lot coming to training. I lost $7200 in scholarships because CFOT is not accredited in the Central Territory. Perhaps some day it will be.
I believe the standards should be high, but I don’t believe a degree is necessarily THE standard to set.
One more thing, thought SACEP is post-training, it is a 5 year practical ministries program through Olivet Nazarene University. I will have a practical ministries degree, I will simply earn it in a way I did not expect.
I notice that I have spoken a lot of “I’s” in this post, but I can only speak from my experience. I believe we have all seen people that we wonder how they got through training (unfortunately). However, some of these very people have degrees, and I simply don’t believe just having a degree will make it better.
Thanks for your post Eric, this is definitely a topic that needs to be raised.
If those of us who are young are to come to training, we must be fulfilling the very verse of Timothy that is so often quoted.
“Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” (1 Timothy 4:12, NASB).
Life as a single, under 21 cadet is definitely not easy. It requires a lot of me that I didn’t know I had to give, but I believe that God called me here for this time specifically. I will be faithful to follow His calling, no matter how difficult it may be.
I happen to fit in this category. I turned 20 in September and I am a second year cadet. I do agree that the standards for officership should be high. It is a large responsibility to usher in the called to training - when it is the right time.
I don’t agree that everyone should go in immediately following high school. I don’t agree that someone with less than 1-2 years of soldiership should enter training.
However, I don’t agree that a college degree should be the standard. I do not believe that college is for everyone. I thought it was for me.
I spent my four years of high school getting as high of grades as I could, filling out college applications and scholarship applications in the hopes of entering college and earning a criminal justice degree.
God called me out of that. I DON’T BELIEVE HE CALLS EVERYONE OUT OF THAT.
Perhaps God doesn’t give a specific timing for training for everyone. He did for me. As I was already accepted to college had over $16,000 in scholarships for my first year, and was preparing for orientation, I was “God-smacked.”
My life of pursuing college was disobedient to God. He made it clear that I need to begin pursuing officership immediately. I interned for one year and was a youth director in Clinton, IA. I also took that year and went to college full time to get some gen ed’s done.
I did forfeit a lot coming to training. I lost $7200 in scholarships because CFOT is not accredited in the Central Territory. Perhaps some day it will be.
I believe the standards should be high, but I don’t believe a degree is necessarily THE standard to set.
One more thing, thought SACEP is post-training, it is a 5 year practical ministries program through Olivet Nazarene University. I will have a practical ministries degree, I will simply earn it in a way I did not expect.
I notice that I have spoken a lot of “I’s” in this post, but I can only speak from my experience. I believe we have all seen people that we wonder how they got through training (unfortunately). However, some of these very people have degrees, and I simply don’t believe just having a degree will make it better.
Thanks for your post Eric, this is definitely a topic that needs to be raised.
If those of us who are young are to come to training, we must be fulfilling the very verse of Timothy that is so often quoted.
“Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” (1 Timothy 4:12, NASB).
Life as a single, under 21 cadet is definitely not easy. It requires a lot of me that I didn’t know I had to give, but I believe that God called me here for this time specifically. I will be faithful to follow His calling, no matter how difficult it may be.
I’d like to offer a thought from another angle here, and that is that it isn’t enough to wrangle about this or that standard of admission to training. Degrees aside, there are a lot of officers out there who despite all their sincerity, hard work and commitment, are unable to help their congregations out of impasse or decline.
It would help if we could create and encourage use of resources that will help everyone in a congregation understand and work on what contributes to moving a congregation toward renewal. It’s my observation that exasperated congregants will tend to be more tolerant of a less than inspiring leader if they see that leader is genuinely taking positive steps to develop and grow in their ministry. Work on church health might seem to be a side-track or even a cul-de-sac from the main route of focus on mission - but it isn’t. It offers a powerful opportunity for a group of people together with their leader to look at the nuts and bolts of holiness as it’s worked out in the daily life of the congregation. Improving communication and listening skills rests on the foundation of humility, kindness and reverence for the other as made in the image of God and precious to him. Spending time increasing people’s self awareness of how we operate, together and individually, in teams and groups is fundamental to being missionally effective. Looking together at things like how to handle disagreements in life-giving ways, and how to make decisions in healthy ways, can breathe new life into a tired situation and help people to shine with holiness in situations that would otherwise bring out the worst in everyone.
We have the option as soldiers to help our leaders develop by being a community where everyone is involved in seeking out learnings, development and healthy practice together. This church cultural shift could help to heal the gulf that presently exists between officers and soldiers. I think of it as a way to open the door to allowing the grace of God to work in a congregation in a new way, and that small step can be both the beginning of renewal in a community and an opportunity for the leader to significantly grow and develop.
If you are interested in developing resources like this, then do network with others to explore ways of doing so, there’s good material out there already waiting to be developed and put to use in your local congregations.
I’d like to offer a thought from another angle here, and that is that it isn’t enough to wrangle about this or that standard of admission to training. Degrees aside, there are a lot of officers out there who despite all their sincerity, hard work and commitment, are unable to help their congregations out of impasse or decline.
It would help if we could create and encourage use of resources that will help everyone in a congregation understand and work on what contributes to moving a congregation toward renewal. It’s my observation that exasperated congregants will tend to be more tolerant of a less than inspiring leader if they see that leader is genuinely taking positive steps to develop and grow in their ministry. Work on church health might seem to be a side-track or even a cul-de-sac from the main route of focus on mission - but it isn’t. It offers a powerful opportunity for a group of people together with their leader to look at the nuts and bolts of holiness as it’s worked out in the daily life of the congregation. Improving communication and listening skills rests on the foundation of humility, kindness and reverence for the other as made in the image of God and precious to him. Spending time increasing people’s self awareness of how we operate, together and individually, in teams and groups is fundamental to being missionally effective. Looking together at things like how to handle disagreements in life-giving ways, and how to make decisions in healthy ways, can breathe new life into a tired situation and help people to shine with holiness in situations that would otherwise bring out the worst in everyone.
We have the option as soldiers to help our leaders develop by being a community where everyone is involved in seeking out learnings, development and healthy practice together. This church cultural shift could help to heal the gulf that presently exists between officers and soldiers. I think of it as a way to open the door to allowing the grace of God to work in a congregation in a new way, and that small step can be both the beginning of renewal in a community and an opportunity for the leader to significantly grow and develop.
If you are interested in developing resources like this, then do network with others to explore ways of doing so, there’s good material out there already waiting to be developed and put to use in your local congregations.
The funny thing about the argument I’m about to make is that it’s being made by an individual with academic capacities. And it comes out of more than a decade’s research on workforce development. Here goes:
Anyone who wants to take on personnel needs to have a good idea of the tasks that are to be undertaken, the core competencies personnel are going to need, how to attract personnel with these skills and how to assess whether prospective personnel had these core competencies.
The core competency that is essential to officership is the willingness to undertake servant leadership in obedience to the spirit. But this is hard to conceptualize and measure. So we look to observables and measurables.
The problem is that post-secondary diplomas are used as proxies (perhaps even guarantees) for attributes that need to be part of the servant leadership toolkit such as maturity, literacy, discipline, discernment, the ability to learn new skills as required etc. And the reality is they do not offer certainty on any of these dimensions (but they do offer fairly robust correlations though one cannot be sure they are not merely a by-product of age).
What all this means is that there is almost no certainty gained by building on levels of credentialism in the recruitment process.
Again, I’d be the last person to argue against the value of an education, but I can’t see how making it mandatory for officership will move us forward.
Andrea
The funny thing about the argument I’m about to make is that it’s being made by an individual with academic capacities. And it comes out of more than a decade’s research on workforce development. Here goes:
Anyone who wants to take on personnel needs to have a good idea of the tasks that are to be undertaken, the core competencies personnel are going to need, how to attract personnel with these skills and how to assess whether prospective personnel had these core competencies.
The core competency that is essential to officership is the willingness to undertake servant leadership in obedience to the spirit. But this is hard to conceptualize and measure. So we look to observables and measurables.
The problem is that post-secondary diplomas are used as proxies (perhaps even guarantees) for attributes that need to be part of the servant leadership toolkit such as maturity, literacy, discipline, discernment, the ability to learn new skills as required etc. And the reality is they do not offer certainty on any of these dimensions (but they do offer fairly robust correlations though one cannot be sure they are not merely a by-product of age).
What all this means is that there is almost no certainty gained by building on levels of credentialism in the recruitment process.
Again, I’d be the last person to argue against the value of an education, but I can’t see how making it mandatory for officership will move us forward.
Andrea
So, umm what you presented here makes lots of sense. I actually agree with you, but how can you begin to raise the standard. Would it be through unspoken assumptions or a set of requirements. I mean, I have a few friends who may fall into the group of individuals who are kind hearted and sincere, but they lack life experience and higher education. Personally, i think that a “higher stanadard” would better the Army and the world we live in today. I once felt that emotional calling, and with the ebb of that emotion i let it go. Rightnow, i find myself trading it to serve God daliy without contempt for that calling. I really want to learn and be able to serve lovingly beyond what my agenda and emotions have to offer.
So, umm what you presented here makes lots of sense. I actually agree with you, but how can you begin to raise the standard. Would it be through unspoken assumptions or a set of requirements. I mean, I have a few friends who may fall into the group of individuals who are kind hearted and sincere, but they lack life experience and higher education. Personally, i think that a “higher stanadard” would better the Army and the world we live in today. I once felt that emotional calling, and with the ebb of that emotion i let it go. Rightnow, i find myself trading it to serve God daliy without contempt for that calling. I really want to learn and be able to serve lovingly beyond what my agenda and emotions have to offer.
I hesitate to comment as an Army defecter, but here it is. It appears that my good friend has touched a nerve here with those possessing college degrees in favor of his thesis and those without opposed to it (generally speaking, of course).
That said, there seems to be a fairly large segment of readers misunderstanding Eric’s main point. That being the inconsistency that exists in the Army requiring a paid employee to possess a degree without requiring the same of those they’re willing to commission and ordain. It’s kinda like requiring doctors to have formal medical training, but not the chief of medicine. Seems a little backwoods when stated that way, no? It is true that college is not for everyone. Take for example a vending machine repairman (or repairperson), a waste management specialist (formerly know as ‘garbage man’ [or woman]) or Bill Gates. But none of them are charged with tending the souls of believers (Heb 13.17). I would think the strong conclusion in that verse (one who will have to give an account) would motivate anyone considering ministry to be as prepared as humanly possible. [Admittedly, I know a lot of morons with degrees, but see Dave Witthoff's post above regarding preparation.]
To the issue being bandied about, I don’t believe Eric ever states that a degree should be THE requirement for officership or even the most important one, but that it should be A requirement and I wholeheartedly agree (for what that’s worth). The advantage to concentrated, formalized training in Bible and theology specifically (which I would recommend as the standard for anyone and everyone heading into pastoral ministry) is that it is, in fact, concentrated. It’s akin to heavy doses of chemo-therapy (concentrated, frequent) v. an IV drip (gradual, over time) to treat cancer. Those who believe they can give themselves to biblical/theological study in the SAME WAY while ministering full-time are delusional – something will suffer (probably your family since there’s less direct external accountability than education or ministry). [Spoken as someone ministering full-time with a BA in Bible (Greek) and considering further formalized training in a non-traditional format.]
I have friends who are officers, some with degrees, others without. As for the SACEP argument, their common assessment is that it’s a joke. Most don’t even take it seriously. In SACEP’s defense, it has to be severely watered down because it’s a required mass-educational delivery system which by necessity must aim for the LCD.
Anyway, glad to know this topic is not dead. Now, if you could get the baptism and Lord’s Supper thing figured out . . .
(fyi, for those whose lives haven’t been richly blessed by an acquaintance with yours truly, the last sentence and the beginning of this FYI were made in jest . . . sort of).
I hesitate to comment as an Army defecter, but here it is. It appears that my good friend has touched a nerve here with those possessing college degrees in favor of his thesis and those without opposed to it (generally speaking, of course).
That said, there seems to be a fairly large segment of readers misunderstanding Eric’s main point. That being the inconsistency that exists in the Army requiring a paid employee to possess a degree without requiring the same of those they’re willing to commission and ordain. It’s kinda like requiring doctors to have formal medical training, but not the chief of medicine. Seems a little backwoods when stated that way, no? It is true that college is not for everyone. Take for example a vending machine repairman (or repairperson), a waste management specialist (formerly know as ‘garbage man’ [or woman]) or Bill Gates. But none of them are charged with tending the souls of believers (Heb 13.17). I would think the strong conclusion in that verse (one who will have to give an account) would motivate anyone considering ministry to be as prepared as humanly possible. [Admittedly, I know a lot of morons with degrees, but see Dave Witthoff's post above regarding preparation.]
To the issue being bandied about, I don’t believe Eric ever states that a degree should be THE requirement for officership or even the most important one, but that it should be A requirement and I wholeheartedly agree (for what that’s worth). The advantage to concentrated, formalized training in Bible and theology specifically (which I would recommend as the standard for anyone and everyone heading into pastoral ministry) is that it is, in fact, concentrated. It’s akin to heavy doses of chemo-therapy (concentrated, frequent) v. an IV drip (gradual, over time) to treat cancer. Those who believe they can give themselves to biblical/theological study in the SAME WAY while ministering full-time are delusional – something will suffer (probably your family since there’s less direct external accountability than education or ministry). [Spoken as someone ministering full-time with a BA in Bible (Greek) and considering further formalized training in a non-traditional format.]
I have friends who are officers, some with degrees, others without. As for the SACEP argument, their common assessment is that it’s a joke. Most don’t even take it seriously. In SACEP’s defense, it has to be severely watered down because it’s a required mass-educational delivery system which by necessity must aim for the LCD.
Anyway, glad to know this topic is not dead. Now, if you could get the baptism and Lord’s Supper thing figured out . . .
(fyi, for those whose lives haven’t been richly blessed by an acquaintance with yours truly, the last sentence and the beginning of this FYI were made in jest . . . sort of).
Dear Rubicon Friends:
I’m glad that many of you are joining in the discussion. Critical thinking and self-assessment are very clear indicators of a healthy mission. We should not be afraid of this kind of wrestling, thinking and discussion.
I think a few of us have missed the specific point I was trying to make in this article. My issue isn’t with the concept of “calling” for young, future officers; my issue is with accepting a system of inequality in Army mission as a vocation. What I struggle with is the fact that the Army requires me to have a college degree while at the same time telling a whole other group of my missional peers that they don’t need the same requirements for the same mission (or that they should get an education, at the expense of the mission, only AFTER they are commissioned as officers). Doesn’t that seem a bit inconsistent?
I just think that we should always stand on the side of equality in the Church and this seems to be a glaring inequality in the part of the Church known as The Salvation Army. And like I said in my closing paragraph, having an education doesn’t guarantee a better officer, but it does bring equality to the mission.
I also want to say that this article is (at least) a two part dialogue. I’m working on pulling other thoughts together and hope to have it in by my deadline which is November 22nd. In the meantime, it would be helpful for me to know your input on reasons why it would be a GOOD IDEA to raise the standards of officership. So, why would making this shift help make The Salvation Army more effective in its mission?
Dear Rubicon Friends:
I’m glad that many of you are joining in the discussion. Critical thinking and self-assessment are very clear indicators of a healthy mission. We should not be afraid of this kind of wrestling, thinking and discussion.
I think a few of us have missed the specific point I was trying to make in this article. My issue isn’t with the concept of “calling” for young, future officers; my issue is with accepting a system of inequality in Army mission as a vocation. What I struggle with is the fact that the Army requires me to have a college degree while at the same time telling a whole other group of my missional peers that they don’t need the same requirements for the same mission (or that they should get an education, at the expense of the mission, only AFTER they are commissioned as officers). Doesn’t that seem a bit inconsistent?
I just think that we should always stand on the side of equality in the Church and this seems to be a glaring inequality in the part of the Church known as The Salvation Army. And like I said in my closing paragraph, having an education doesn’t guarantee a better officer, but it does bring equality to the mission.
I also want to say that this article is (at least) a two part dialogue. I’m working on pulling other thoughts together and hope to have it in by my deadline which is November 22nd. In the meantime, it would be helpful for me to know your input on reasons why it would be a GOOD IDEA to raise the standards of officership. So, why would making this shift help make The Salvation Army more effective in its mission?
Just a couple of thoughts to add to your already too-long comments.
1. The Salvation Army was never so alive as when it ministered to the utterly poor, using (sometimes) uneducated yet dedicated officers and local officers.
2. A denomination I am aware of, with the very best educated clergy, is the most spiritually dead one I know.
3. How about: “I have a college education—who needs God?”
Just a couple of thoughts to add to your already too-long comments.
1. The Salvation Army was never so alive as when it ministered to the utterly poor, using (sometimes) uneducated yet dedicated officers and local officers.
2. A denomination I am aware of, with the very best educated clergy, is the most spiritually dead one I know.
3. How about: “I have a college education—who needs God?”
Well done. I totally agree (as you know). I’m glad you’re writing here.
Well done. I totally agree (as you know). I’m glad you’re writing here.
If the professional development courses are not found to be convincing those who take them there’s something very wrong that needs addressing urgently. There’s no shortage of great training courses out there - I know because I’ve accessed quite a few non-TSA ones as a soldier - so it’s difficult to see why they are not hitting the spot.
Ministers in any denomination who don’t keep their training up to date are going to be a liability to the church within a fairly short time of beginning ministry due to the constantly changing context we are in; the usual processes of our finding it harder as we get older to understand and relate to much younger people; and the fact our lives become increasingly permeated by Christian culture which removes us from the non-Christian culture around us.
My point is that it can’t be a bad thing to raise standards for officers, but it will have little or no impact unless it is done alonside and integrated with developing and raising standards for soldiers. This is because the trickle down of updated training (or any training at all) from officers to soldiers is likely to be minimal, (and research to cite here is that which is surely already included in SACEP course unit on organisational behaviour). This isn’t just for church/organisational cultural reasons but because, as one commentator has previously pointed out, of limited time available to officers. They barely manage to do a Masters after commissioning, never mind train up soldiers. This is one of the main things I see holding up discipleship happening effectively again in a TSA corps setting.
Blessings.
If the professional development courses are not found to be convincing those who take them there’s something very wrong that needs addressing urgently. There’s no shortage of great training courses out there - I know because I’ve accessed quite a few non-TSA ones as a soldier - so it’s difficult to see why they are not hitting the spot.
Ministers in any denomination who don’t keep their training up to date are going to be a liability to the church within a fairly short time of beginning ministry due to the constantly changing context we are in; the usual processes of our finding it harder as we get older to understand and relate to much younger people; and the fact our lives become increasingly permeated by Christian culture which removes us from the non-Christian culture around us.
My point is that it can’t be a bad thing to raise standards for officers, but it will have little or no impact unless it is done alonside and integrated with developing and raising standards for soldiers. This is because the trickle down of updated training (or any training at all) from officers to soldiers is likely to be minimal, (and research to cite here is that which is surely already included in SACEP course unit on organisational behaviour). This isn’t just for church/organisational cultural reasons but because, as one commentator has previously pointed out, of limited time available to officers. They barely manage to do a Masters after commissioning, never mind train up soldiers. This is one of the main things I see holding up discipleship happening effectively again in a TSA corps setting.
Blessings.
Marguerite,
On your points I feel I must respond:
1. The Salvation Army was so alive back then because of revivalistic culture. In addition, once the revivals were over, everyone was raked over the coals by secular philosophers because they didn’t have a clue concerning the depths of their faith.
2. Educational institutions do what they can do help students deal with dry times in their spiritual lives. It does not necessarily correlate that higher education equals dry lifeless ministry.
3. I studied at one of the best Bible colleges in the USA. I’m currently in one of the best OT programs at seminary. If anyone who went through higher education thought for a moment “I have college and now I don’t need God.” then they are sorely mistaken and learned very little. One of the greatest things that college and master’s work has shown me is how little I know and how important the work is. This scares me the most. I think that statement about not needing God because of education would be rare among seminarians.
Eric,
Raising the standard is good because:
1. Culture has changed so that higher standards are more appropriate.
2. It would help bring equality to the organization as you say.
3. It would develop a culture of discipline wherein a greater number of qualified people would want to work with us (or as one of us).
4. It would enable us to be a greater influence interdenominationally.
5. If college were required as part of raising the standard, it would raise the average amount of life experience for every officer before entering service.
6. It would create a better perception of officership.
7. It would encourage the soldiery that their officer’s are stepping up.
8. It would diversify the abilities and general pool of knowledge that the officer community would posses.
There are probably a host of other things that would be improved with raising the standard, but these 8 seem to be for sure. Can’t wait to read the second part. I look forward to it.
Marguerite,
On your points I feel I must respond:
1. The Salvation Army was so alive back then because of revivalistic culture. In addition, once the revivals were over, everyone was raked over the coals by secular philosophers because they didn’t have a clue concerning the depths of their faith.
2. Educational institutions do what they can do help students deal with dry times in their spiritual lives. It does not necessarily correlate that higher education equals dry lifeless ministry.
3. I studied at one of the best Bible colleges in the USA. I’m currently in one of the best OT programs at seminary. If anyone who went through higher education thought for a moment “I have college and now I don’t need God.” then they are sorely mistaken and learned very little. One of the greatest things that college and master’s work has shown me is how little I know and how important the work is. This scares me the most. I think that statement about not needing God because of education would be rare among seminarians.
Eric,
Raising the standard is good because:
1. Culture has changed so that higher standards are more appropriate.
2. It would help bring equality to the organization as you say.
3. It would develop a culture of discipline wherein a greater number of qualified people would want to work with us (or as one of us).
4. It would enable us to be a greater influence interdenominationally.
5. If college were required as part of raising the standard, it would raise the average amount of life experience for every officer before entering service.
6. It would create a better perception of officership.
7. It would encourage the soldiery that their officer’s are stepping up.
8. It would diversify the abilities and general pool of knowledge that the officer community would posses.
There are probably a host of other things that would be improved with raising the standard, but these 8 seem to be for sure. Can’t wait to read the second part. I look forward to it.
Dear Brother in Christ Eric:
First of all, thanks for making all of us think. I very much appreciate your passion for the betterment of our Army. I share that passion and want to see the best qualified people join the ranks as officers in God’s Army.
What we need the most in officers are individuals who hunger and thirst for life and ministry in the fullness of the Spirit.
Steve Seamands in his book “A Conversation with Jesus” expressed what all officers, and anyone who feels called to their position, have felt when he said
I had come to the realization that it was utterly impossible in my own strength to do the things God had called me to do. It also dawned on me that God knew this all along! Yet, wouldn’t it be cruel and unfair of Him to call me to ministry, knowing I couldn’t fulfill my calling? He would be setting me up for failure. Well, I knew God wasn’t cruel and unfair. He wouldn’t do that to me or to anybody, so there had to be another way. There must be a divine enabling for ministry I wasn’t availing myself of. It was then I became hungry and thirsty for life and ministry in the fullness of the Spirit.
And ever since I understood, or at times, re-understood that, my ministry has been different. It has power and productivity.
Also, Eric, I know what it is like to be misunderstood. I know your intent was not to try to set a college requirement for officership, though that is how it came out. There are also some assumptions people are making that I do not believe you meant, but are the thoughts of some as I read some of the responses.
Assumption #1; The 17 year old girl in your illustration is going to be commissioned and made your boss right away. Not true, your own officer leader, Major Robert Webster, has a degree and nearly 20 years of on the job service. If that 17 year old were to be accepted at 18 she would have a long way to go to be in an administrative position over many degreed personnel.
Assumption #2; That any one who applies gets in. There is a process that is in a continual state of refinement. In addition, and here is a little known fact, the average is around 50% of the individuals who start the process at the beginning of what I call the Candidate year ever make it to Training.
I see so many other assumptions that keep people from following the call, however God put it on their lives, to serve as officers but that could be a rather long article in itself.
I go back to my original premise; what we need the most in officers are individuals who hunger and thirst for life and ministry in the fullness of the Spirit.
If a person is truly hungering and thirsting for life and ministry in the Spirit they will continually be improving themselves to be the best officer they can, and a real credit to the Army we both love so dearly.
Thanks again Eric.
In HIS Service
Major Andy Miller
Dear Brother in Christ Eric:
First of all, thanks for making all of us think. I very much appreciate your passion for the betterment of our Army. I share that passion and want to see the best qualified people join the ranks as officers in God’s Army.
What we need the most in officers are individuals who hunger and thirst for life and ministry in the fullness of the Spirit.
Steve Seamands in his book “A Conversation with Jesus” expressed what all officers, and anyone who feels called to their position, have felt when he said
I had come to the realization that it was utterly impossible in my own strength to do the things God had called me to do. It also dawned on me that God knew this all along! Yet, wouldn’t it be cruel and unfair of Him to call me to ministry, knowing I couldn’t fulfill my calling? He would be setting me up for failure. Well, I knew God wasn’t cruel and unfair. He wouldn’t do that to me or to anybody, so there had to be another way. There must be a divine enabling for ministry I wasn’t availing myself of. It was then I became hungry and thirsty for life and ministry in the fullness of the Spirit.
And ever since I understood, or at times, re-understood that, my ministry has been different. It has power and productivity.
Also, Eric, I know what it is like to be misunderstood. I know your intent was not to try to set a college requirement for officership, though that is how it came out. There are also some assumptions people are making that I do not believe you meant, but are the thoughts of some as I read some of the responses.
Assumption #1; The 17 year old girl in your illustration is going to be commissioned and made your boss right away. Not true, your own officer leader, Major Robert Webster, has a degree and nearly 20 years of on the job service. If that 17 year old were to be accepted at 18 she would have a long way to go to be in an administrative position over many degreed personnel.
Assumption #2; That any one who applies gets in. There is a process that is in a continual state of refinement. In addition, and here is a little known fact, the average is around 50% of the individuals who start the process at the beginning of what I call the Candidate year ever make it to Training.
I see so many other assumptions that keep people from following the call, however God put it on their lives, to serve as officers but that could be a rather long article in itself.
I go back to my original premise; what we need the most in officers are individuals who hunger and thirst for life and ministry in the fullness of the Spirit.
If a person is truly hungering and thirsting for life and ministry in the Spirit they will continually be improving themselves to be the best officer they can, and a real credit to the Army we both love so dearly.
Thanks again Eric.
In HIS Service
Major Andy Miller
So many true comments. For me, it is back to the great commission, Matthew 28:18-20. Go make disciples. A disciple being one who follows the Master. “Teaching them to obey…” In my many decades in ministry as a Christ follower and SA Soldier (no, sadly they don’t always mean the same thing though of course they should), I resonate with the recent teachings of our corps Leadership Retreat guest two weeks ago: that basically the saved person has to get past the “me” stage (my ministry, my officership/local officership) and past the “others” stage (social action-how few get past this!) and get to the “bond-servant” stage, an understanding of what Paul used in his greetings of many of his epistles. (see Exodus 21:1-6)Now as a bond-servant I desire to please my Master. For me, this means loving what my Master loves: God’s Word, prayer, the poor and needy in their many forms (social action),living a holy life (which affects how generous I am with my finances and time, as well as my relationships) and true concern for the lost.In order to love in this way I have needed to be a part of on-going small group Bible studies,a women’s accountability group, corporate worship, reading the Word and praying with my husband, and yes, advanced education so that I understand this world God has placed me in a bit better. Discipline does not come easy to me and I have had many struggles, but I love Jesus and want to serve HIM. So when a young Cadet put a post on facebook last fall about “breaking a poker record of four hours”, I admit I was sad and furious. Gratefully, most officers-who I believe have a high calling and take it seriouly– do not live to such a low standard.
I teach High School Sunday School. How I love those kids! I place on myself, as a bond-servant of Christ, the highest possible standard for my life in order to have the privilege of being a part of their discipleship. Were God to call me from that in my younger years to officership, I would have expected that I should possess no less passion and respect for that ministry than I have for my decades of teaching Sunday School.
So for those who simply want to “love people”, you can love them and they will still be marching straight to hell…if you want to disciple people as a Salvation Army officer, then simply and prayerfully ask yourself if you can truly first be called a disciple yourself. Remember, the Twelve spent three years with Jesus. Paul spent three years after conversion preparing for ministry, Moses, well educated by the Egyptians needed forty years to learn humility… you get the picture. These leaders were not learning fund raising and social work, but you will have to learn this and much more in addition to Biblical studies and doctrine at the CFOT. Go to the Word and learn from the Master. Stay in the Word your whole life, by whatever means you need to disipline yourself. And to the young poker playing Cadet
..son,it is time to put that away.
Amen.
So many true comments. For me, it is back to the great commission, Matthew 28:18-20. Go make disciples. A disciple being one who follows the Master. “Teaching them to obey…” In my many decades in ministry as a Christ follower and SA Soldier (no, sadly they don’t always mean the same thing though of course they should), I resonate with the recent teachings of our corps Leadership Retreat guest two weeks ago: that basically the saved person has to get past the “me” stage (my ministry, my officership/local officership) and past the “others” stage (social action-how few get past this!) and get to the “bond-servant” stage, an understanding of what Paul used in his greetings of many of his epistles. (see Exodus 21:1-6)Now as a bond-servant I desire to please my Master. For me, this means loving what my Master loves: God’s Word, prayer, the poor and needy in their many forms (social action),living a holy life (which affects how generous I am with my finances and time, as well as my relationships) and true concern for the lost.In order to love in this way I have needed to be a part of on-going small group Bible studies,a women’s accountability group, corporate worship, reading the Word and praying with my husband, and yes, advanced education so that I understand this world God has placed me in a bit better. Discipline does not come easy to me and I have had many struggles, but I love Jesus and want to serve HIM. So when a young Cadet put a post on facebook last fall about “breaking a poker record of four hours”, I admit I was sad and furious. Gratefully, most officers-who I believe have a high calling and take it seriouly– do not live to such a low standard.
I teach High School Sunday School. How I love those kids! I place on myself, as a bond-servant of Christ, the highest possible standard for my life in order to have the privilege of being a part of their discipleship. Were God to call me from that in my younger years to officership, I would have expected that I should possess no less passion and respect for that ministry than I have for my decades of teaching Sunday School.
So for those who simply want to “love people”, you can love them and they will still be marching straight to hell…if you want to disciple people as a Salvation Army officer, then simply and prayerfully ask yourself if you can truly first be called a disciple yourself. Remember, the Twelve spent three years with Jesus. Paul spent three years after conversion preparing for ministry, Moses, well educated by the Egyptians needed forty years to learn humility… you get the picture. These leaders were not learning fund raising and social work, but you will have to learn this and much more in addition to Biblical studies and doctrine at the CFOT. Go to the Word and learn from the Master. Stay in the Word your whole life, by whatever means you need to disipline yourself. And to the young poker playing Cadet
..son,it is time to put that away.
Amen.
I’m sorry Dave and Eric I disagree with you. Why do you need a college degree to enter a college for officer training? They do make you take a test to enter the Cfot College. If you don’t pass the test they do make you take some college classes. They also make you take a psych test also. Eric did they make you take a psych test before getting your job. If you want it to be so equal they should make you take a psych test. I think you are wrong on the requirements to enter the college for officer training. We should make the college for officer training credited university.
I’m sorry Dave and Eric I disagree with you. Why do you need a college degree to enter a college for officer training? They do make you take a test to enter the Cfot College. If you don’t pass the test they do make you take some college classes. They also make you take a psych test also. Eric did they make you take a psych test before getting your job. If you want it to be so equal they should make you take a psych test. I think you are wrong on the requirements to enter the college for officer training. We should make the college for officer training credited university.
Eric,
Thanks for your clarification and continued interest in “raising the standard.” Now I don’t claim to know all of the historical details but I do believe that in order to raise the standard of officership we may need to look at our own training college.
I am not sure if there is an inequality in Salvation Army minds because officers are required to complete two years of schooling before they are commissioned. The 17 year old that you were referring to will not be commissioned out of high school, but she will have to go to training college. This not only costs money but in order to enter one is required to be debt free and have a balanced family budget. I don’t know about most people but when I graduated college I was not debt free, so to require a 4 year degree and require one to be debt free is asking alot.
Maybe part of raising the standard should go into a major overhaul of how our CFOT works/ operates. In my observation there is no way that two years (including one summer assignment and one christmas assignment) could possibly prepare me for what I would face as an officer. I believe that one would need those two years alone just to study and learn from the word of God, much less know the policies and procedures of The Salvation Army. In addition to knowing Scripture (in order to be a minister) and knowing policies (in order to be an administrator), an officer needs to be a social worker, a teacher, a businessman/woman, etc. How can we possibly teach, or even scratch the surface, of all of these fields in two years.
Just suggestions but maybe we need to:
1. Require all incoming cadets to spend at least one year as a corps helper.
2. Restructure our training school and in addition to preparing all officers to be pastors have them pick an emphasis (social work, education, administration, business, etc.)
3. Offer an “intern year” in training school, rather than just summer/christmas.
4. Partner with Christian Universities/Seminaries to give the cadets an opportunity to learn from the best. I know that we have some GREAT, EDUCATED officers to teach but why not work with someone who has spent their life studying. (ie. I can talk for hours about Shakespeare, I can even teach a high school level class on Shakespeare, but if you want to learn the depths of his writing and how to teach others more, go take a class from my college professor Dr. Grady).
I also think that we can raise the standard by asking our officers to continue learning (beyond SACEP) and offering a way to do this. This is harder to do than say. I know how busy my parents are as officers, but they have never stopped learning. They make time to educate themselves in all areas.
Just some thoughts . . .
Eric,
Thanks for your clarification and continued interest in “raising the standard.” Now I don’t claim to know all of the historical details but I do believe that in order to raise the standard of officership we may need to look at our own training college.
I am not sure if there is an inequality in Salvation Army minds because officers are required to complete two years of schooling before they are commissioned. The 17 year old that you were referring to will not be commissioned out of high school, but she will have to go to training college. This not only costs money but in order to enter one is required to be debt free and have a balanced family budget. I don’t know about most people but when I graduated college I was not debt free, so to require a 4 year degree and require one to be debt free is asking alot.
Maybe part of raising the standard should go into a major overhaul of how our CFOT works/ operates. In my observation there is no way that two years (including one summer assignment and one christmas assignment) could possibly prepare me for what I would face as an officer. I believe that one would need those two years alone just to study and learn from the word of God, much less know the policies and procedures of The Salvation Army. In addition to knowing Scripture (in order to be a minister) and knowing policies (in order to be an administrator), an officer needs to be a social worker, a teacher, a businessman/woman, etc. How can we possibly teach, or even scratch the surface, of all of these fields in two years.
Just suggestions but maybe we need to:
1. Require all incoming cadets to spend at least one year as a corps helper.
2. Restructure our training school and in addition to preparing all officers to be pastors have them pick an emphasis (social work, education, administration, business, etc.)
3. Offer an “intern year” in training school, rather than just summer/christmas.
4. Partner with Christian Universities/Seminaries to give the cadets an opportunity to learn from the best. I know that we have some GREAT, EDUCATED officers to teach but why not work with someone who has spent their life studying. (ie. I can talk for hours about Shakespeare, I can even teach a high school level class on Shakespeare, but if you want to learn the depths of his writing and how to teach others more, go take a class from my college professor Dr. Grady).
I also think that we can raise the standard by asking our officers to continue learning (beyond SACEP) and offering a way to do this. This is harder to do than say. I know how busy my parents are as officers, but they have never stopped learning. They make time to educate themselves in all areas.
Just some thoughts . . .
9. Higher standards would, by default, “weed out” some who may be called to serve the Army but perhaps not as Salvation Army officer. (The truth is that, in this day and age, a Salvation Army officer is responsible for much more than preaching from the pulpit or the street corner, and it is those responsibilities that necessitate a higher standard)
9. Higher standards would, by default, “weed out” some who may be called to serve the Army but perhaps not as Salvation Army officer. (The truth is that, in this day and age, a Salvation Army officer is responsible for much more than preaching from the pulpit or the street corner, and it is those responsibilities that necessitate a higher standard)
I haven’t responded yet because I’m not quite sure where I stand on the issue. I think it’s a great article, Eric. I’m glad you’ve written it and I think the discussion is great and needed.
The points you make are good, David. Here’s the thing I keep coming back to…
Jesus took a rag-tag band of fishermen (likely not “smart” enough to become rabbinical students) and entrusted them with his gospel to spread throughout the world. They turned the world upside-down. The difference was not education. The difference was a changed heart (and mind) through the blood of Jesus and power of Holy Spirit. So, the argument on keeping up with methods is a moot point in my opinion.
1 Corinthians 1:18-31 - Not many wise, influential, noble, are called…
Sorry for the abrupt ending of this comment, but I think you will see my point…
I haven’t responded yet because I’m not quite sure where I stand on the issue. I think it’s a great article, Eric. I’m glad you’ve written it and I think the discussion is great and needed.
The points you make are good, David. Here’s the thing I keep coming back to…
Jesus took a rag-tag band of fishermen (likely not “smart” enough to become rabbinical students) and entrusted them with his gospel to spread throughout the world. They turned the world upside-down. The difference was not education. The difference was a changed heart (and mind) through the blood of Jesus and power of Holy Spirit. So, the argument on keeping up with methods is a moot point in my opinion.
1 Corinthians 1:18-31 - Not many wise, influential, noble, are called…
Sorry for the abrupt ending of this comment, but I think you will see my point…
I think, stemming from this conversation, in addition to having higher standards for officers, there needs to be a discussion of why officership is viewed as such a crucial thing to the success of the Army? Isn’t the real backbone of the Army (especially internationally) the soldiership? Not only do we need qualified officers, but we need opportunities for service besides bell ringing (which I love to do), and League of Mercy (which I also love, I used to be the League of Mercy secretary!).
I feel very blessed and humble that I have had many opportunities to share my God given talents and abilities as a worship leader. However, if I didn’t play the guitar, where would I fit in as a young person who loves God, loves the Army, and wants to get into the fight but isn’t ready, or sure, or “called” yet to officership? I think there needs to be more involvement for corps members. This Sunday, my corps officer was very sick and wasn’t able to be at our meeting. I had the wonderful opportunity to share from the Word some things that God has been teaching me, and growing me in. Honestly, it was a real blessing to me (and hopefully the congregation!). I felt valued, respected, and like I mattered. Now again, I have no problem with setting up tables, and cleaning floors, and I’m not saying that standing behind a pulpit is somehow a more worthy act of service or worship (that would be silly), but where does someone like myself fit in? I have passion, skills, and a desire to use them for God and for this Army, but other than the CFOT, I struggle to find my place where I can be valued and put my abilities to good use. And as I said, I have had many opportunities that most soldiers will never have and I’m very grateful, but what about those who are like me but don’t play an instrument (or at least don’t get asked, ha).
Blessings to everyone. The Lord indeed is God!
I think, stemming from this conversation, in addition to having higher standards for officers, there needs to be a discussion of why officership is viewed as such a crucial thing to the success of the Army? Isn’t the real backbone of the Army (especially internationally) the soldiership? Not only do we need qualified officers, but we need opportunities for service besides bell ringing (which I love to do), and League of Mercy (which I also love, I used to be the League of Mercy secretary!).
I feel very blessed and humble that I have had many opportunities to share my God given talents and abilities as a worship leader. However, if I didn’t play the guitar, where would I fit in as a young person who loves God, loves the Army, and wants to get into the fight but isn’t ready, or sure, or “called” yet to officership? I think there needs to be more involvement for corps members. This Sunday, my corps officer was very sick and wasn’t able to be at our meeting. I had the wonderful opportunity to share from the Word some things that God has been teaching me, and growing me in. Honestly, it was a real blessing to me (and hopefully the congregation!). I felt valued, respected, and like I mattered. Now again, I have no problem with setting up tables, and cleaning floors, and I’m not saying that standing behind a pulpit is somehow a more worthy act of service or worship (that would be silly), but where does someone like myself fit in? I have passion, skills, and a desire to use them for God and for this Army, but other than the CFOT, I struggle to find my place where I can be valued and put my abilities to good use. And as I said, I have had many opportunities that most soldiers will never have and I’m very grateful, but what about those who are like me but don’t play an instrument (or at least don’t get asked, ha).
Blessings to everyone. The Lord indeed is God!
Well, this discussion has certainly been a long winded one.
Anyways, sorry Eric, I won’t be able to give you reasons right now as to why raising the bar would be a GOOD IDEA.
I have a few points and I’ll try to make them as brief as possible to let a dead horse rest peacfully.
1. Before our individual call to officership is heard and heeded we must (at any age) seek out Gods will for our lives above all else. I can’t stess this point more. If we are following God to the best of our abilities and constantly striving to live in Gods will, then this shouldn’t be an issue. There would be officers that make mistakes (because we all do) but there would be no unqualified officer. Romans 8:28, 1 Peter 2:15.
2. We should not institue a higher standard so the ’status’ or appearance of officers will be better by those in other churches or orginizations. Hebrews 11:39-40, 1Samuel 16:7.
Infact, if we are living the will of God, we will be persecuted and dispised by the world. John 15:20, John 17:14.
3. Officers are, though not their soul repsonsibiblity, the spiritual leaders and therfore are held accountable to God. Hebrews 13:17.
4. Training College is formal, higher education. (I’ll see how true this is in a year when I go there my self.)
5. If we have 8 reasons or 800 reasons to institue a higher standard, if they are not scriptually motivated, they hold little weight. Psalm 119:105, Psalm 119(whole chapter)
Well, this discussion has certainly been a long winded one.
Anyways, sorry Eric, I won’t be able to give you reasons right now as to why raising the bar would be a GOOD IDEA.
I have a few points and I’ll try to make them as brief as possible to let a dead horse rest peacfully.
1. Before our individual call to officership is heard and heeded we must (at any age) seek out Gods will for our lives above all else. I can’t stess this point more. If we are following God to the best of our abilities and constantly striving to live in Gods will, then this shouldn’t be an issue. There would be officers that make mistakes (because we all do) but there would be no unqualified officer. Romans 8:28, 1 Peter 2:15.
2. We should not institue a higher standard so the ’status’ or appearance of officers will be better by those in other churches or orginizations. Hebrews 11:39-40, 1Samuel 16:7.
Infact, if we are living the will of God, we will be persecuted and dispised by the world. John 15:20, John 17:14.
3. Officers are, though not their soul repsonsibiblity, the spiritual leaders and therfore are held accountable to God. Hebrews 13:17.
4. Training College is formal, higher education. (I’ll see how true this is in a year when I go there my self.)
5. If we have 8 reasons or 800 reasons to institue a higher standard, if they are not scriptually motivated, they hold little weight. Psalm 119:105, Psalm 119(whole chapter)
Dear Josh,
Interesting point about the psych test.
To answer your question, I was not required to take such a test in order to be hired for my current ministry position. It didn’t come up in my interview or evaluation process (as far as I know).
Tell me…
-Would it take at least 4 years to complete this psych test? That would be admirable because it would demonstrate an ability to sacrifice personal time in the hopes of becoming a more qualified and skilled employee.
-Would it cost tens of thousands of dollars to pay for it? That would be respectable because it would help prove that one could be responsible with personal finance and budgeting.
-Would completing it demonstrate the ability to be a teachable student? That would be great because as “disciples” it could help show how one wouldn’t mind being disciplined as a part of the learning process.
Where could I go about taking this test? I would actually be very interested to take it. I’m interested in bringing equality to the mission of The Salvation Army. If taking this psych test helps do that, bring it on.
Dear Josh,
Interesting point about the psych test.
To answer your question, I was not required to take such a test in order to be hired for my current ministry position. It didn’t come up in my interview or evaluation process (as far as I know).
Tell me…
-Would it take at least 4 years to complete this psych test? That would be admirable because it would demonstrate an ability to sacrifice personal time in the hopes of becoming a more qualified and skilled employee.
-Would it cost tens of thousands of dollars to pay for it? That would be respectable because it would help prove that one could be responsible with personal finance and budgeting.
-Would completing it demonstrate the ability to be a teachable student? That would be great because as “disciples” it could help show how one wouldn’t mind being disciplined as a part of the learning process.
Where could I go about taking this test? I would actually be very interested to take it. I’m interested in bringing equality to the mission of The Salvation Army. If taking this psych test helps do that, bring it on.
Well stated, Phil.
I, too, do not know where I stand on this issue, but I am enjoying reading everyone’s responses! =)
Well stated, Phil.
I, too, do not know where I stand on this issue, but I am enjoying reading everyone’s responses! =)
Dear Eric (and all the others who have commented)
You all make great points. I guess I want to say I agree and disagree with you. I agree that I feel like we should look seriously at the call to officership. It shouldn’t be taken lightly from people. I agree that life experience and education are incredibly important. I think also that not everyone who is called to serve is called to be an officers. Some of the people who have mentored me and influenced me as Christian witnesses haven’t been officers at all. I think we are in desperate need of people who will come and serve in their corps first and foremost. Who will be examples, and role models to the kid coming into our buildings. Who will be witnesses and care for those who needs us.
I want to say though, that I’m someone who feels like God is not calling me to go to four year college before training. I honestly feel like that would be a waste of money, and of time.
I feel that God is telling me to prepare my heart and mind by taking the classes in areas I know I struggle in. While I’m doing this to also intern at a corps in my division, to get a feel of what I’m doing before I go straight in. Not only will both of these benefit me for educational purposes, but it will also help me to prepare for officership. To see the joys and struggles of it. It will also give me a year to pray and mediate over my calling. To make sure that I am doing the right thing.
But I think that it’s SO important we don’t forget the other aspects of officership. More important to me than “Did my officer go to school for four years” is, does my officer love the Lord? Is this what they are called to do? Do they love their staff, their people? Are they passionate for seeking souls? Do they want to teach the people who come into our corps how to serve daily? How to live and love as a Christian family?
Those things to me, are just important as a formal education. I’m not saying you’re wrong that education is important. I’m just saying all aspects should be considered.
I have close friends who have gone through training. I understand where your coming from, but I don’t think it’s fair that everyone should be required to have four year degrees. I know plenty of AMAZING officers who don’t have four year degrees. Including my mom, and best friend.
I have friends who went for all four years and are excellent officers, and I’ll be honored to work under or with them one day. I have friends who went to school for a year, or not at all. They are also excellent officers, who I would be honored to work with.
I just think all things should be looked at considering officers. NOT just education.
Dear Eric (and all the others who have commented)
You all make great points. I guess I want to say I agree and disagree with you. I agree that I feel like we should look seriously at the call to officership. It shouldn’t be taken lightly from people. I agree that life experience and education are incredibly important. I think also that not everyone who is called to serve is called to be an officers. Some of the people who have mentored me and influenced me as Christian witnesses haven’t been officers at all. I think we are in desperate need of people who will come and serve in their corps first and foremost. Who will be examples, and role models to the kid coming into our buildings. Who will be witnesses and care for those who needs us.
I want to say though, that I’m someone who feels like God is not calling me to go to four year college before training. I honestly feel like that would be a waste of money, and of time.
I feel that God is telling me to prepare my heart and mind by taking the classes in areas I know I struggle in. While I’m doing this to also intern at a corps in my division, to get a feel of what I’m doing before I go straight in. Not only will both of these benefit me for educational purposes, but it will also help me to prepare for officership. To see the joys and struggles of it. It will also give me a year to pray and mediate over my calling. To make sure that I am doing the right thing.
But I think that it’s SO important we don’t forget the other aspects of officership. More important to me than “Did my officer go to school for four years” is, does my officer love the Lord? Is this what they are called to do? Do they love their staff, their people? Are they passionate for seeking souls? Do they want to teach the people who come into our corps how to serve daily? How to live and love as a Christian family?
Those things to me, are just important as a formal education. I’m not saying you’re wrong that education is important. I’m just saying all aspects should be considered.
I have close friends who have gone through training. I understand where your coming from, but I don’t think it’s fair that everyone should be required to have four year degrees. I know plenty of AMAZING officers who don’t have four year degrees. Including my mom, and best friend.
I have friends who went for all four years and are excellent officers, and I’ll be honored to work under or with them one day. I have friends who went to school for a year, or not at all. They are also excellent officers, who I would be honored to work with.
I just think all things should be looked at considering officers. NOT just education.
Eric,
I really don’t know where I stand on this issue.
For the record, I do think that a lot of times individuals are pressured into answering “Calls to Officership” if they go on long enough or if their friends go up.
Sadly, I don’t think raising the educational or age standard will attract better officers. I think it begins with character. I have known officers who have an education, and they aren’t afraid to show it! By talking about post-Ceaser Jerusalem (I don’t even know if that’s an issue, I’m just being rhetorical) or explaining the three theories on Eschatological Rapture in their sermons, they have already alienated my “2 year Associate’s Degree in Computer Networking” brain. Or you get some officers that seem only interested in you if you contribute your 10 percent on Sundays.
In my mind, there are officers who are one of two things: Pastors or administrators
Pastors can reach out to the people. Actually fulfill the calling of an officer.
Administrators, on the other end, only seem to know how to deal with budgets, the local higher-ups, and DHQ. When it comes to the congregation, I can’t come to visit you in the hospital because I have a United Way meeting. Or its a “Hi, I’m so and so’s pastor. Here’s my card. Have a blessed day!”
The point I’m making is that I know a lot of officers who really shouldn’t be officers because while they may have an education, they don’t have the passion. Hm, maybe its because I am an Army-employee and I get to see both sides of the spectrum (buddy buddy at a divisional event but if I call you about a missing form you lose your mind haha)
Raising the educational standard may help, but when you get down to the nitty-gritty, a degree won’t help you reach out to the crack addict that lives next to the corps. I know some officers who put others to shame and they don’t have a college degree and they went in when they were 19 or 20. They have something more valuable…. PASSION.
I don’t know though how hard it is to get in to CFOT. I haven’t tried. I feel called to lead where I’m at now. Judging by some officers I’ve met though, it can’t be too hard.
Blessings!
(I am in no way meaning to be interpreted as hurtful or confrontational. I am only basing the previous statements on personal experiences.)
Eric,
I really don’t know where I stand on this issue.
For the record, I do think that a lot of times individuals are pressured into answering “Calls to Officership” if they go on long enough or if their friends go up.
Sadly, I don’t think raising the educational or age standard will attract better officers. I think it begins with character. I have known officers who have an education, and they aren’t afraid to show it! By talking about post-Ceaser Jerusalem (I don’t even know if that’s an issue, I’m just being rhetorical) or explaining the three theories on Eschatological Rapture in their sermons, they have already alienated my “2 year Associate’s Degree in Computer Networking” brain. Or you get some officers that seem only interested in you if you contribute your 10 percent on Sundays.
In my mind, there are officers who are one of two things: Pastors or administrators
Pastors can reach out to the people. Actually fulfill the calling of an officer.
Administrators, on the other end, only seem to know how to deal with budgets, the local higher-ups, and DHQ. When it comes to the congregation, I can’t come to visit you in the hospital because I have a United Way meeting. Or its a “Hi, I’m so and so’s pastor. Here’s my card. Have a blessed day!”
The point I’m making is that I know a lot of officers who really shouldn’t be officers because while they may have an education, they don’t have the passion. Hm, maybe its because I am an Army-employee and I get to see both sides of the spectrum (buddy buddy at a divisional event but if I call you about a missing form you lose your mind haha)
Raising the educational standard may help, but when you get down to the nitty-gritty, a degree won’t help you reach out to the crack addict that lives next to the corps. I know some officers who put others to shame and they don’t have a college degree and they went in when they were 19 or 20. They have something more valuable…. PASSION.
I don’t know though how hard it is to get in to CFOT. I haven’t tried. I feel called to lead where I’m at now. Judging by some officers I’ve met though, it can’t be too hard.
Blessings!
(I am in no way meaning to be interpreted as hurtful or confrontational. I am only basing the previous statements on personal experiences.)
I take my acceptance as a cadet as proof that the standard is much much too low.
I take my acceptance as a cadet as proof that the standard is much much too low.
I can’t believe there are so many comments on this issue!
For all those young people out there feeling the call to Officership and considering whether to get a college or university degree first, I say go for it. You won’t meet many officers who won’t agree that if they had the option, it is better to do both a degree and CFOT.
Life is complicated and requires both a passion for ministry and some book knowlege, which involves exposing you to things about God you haven’t thought about before. It is best to not put your head in the sand but get exposed to it now and then you will be able to recognize and deal with them in your ministry.
I attended 4 years of Bible college, plus CFOT, plus missionary service, plus law school. Of all of that, I use the 4 years of theological study at Bible College the most in my everyday ministry.
It is not for everyone but if you can do it, why not? God needs well equipped officers. You won’t regret it.
I have been a Candidates Secretary and the hardest thing, and perhaps which I regret, was accepting into officership candidates that were clearly not ready but we took them anyway because of the need. I hope the next generation coming up will take the calling seriously and make themselves qualified. Of course God can work through the “unequipped” and “unqualified”, but if you are young and have the ability, why not get all the training you can?
I can’t believe there are so many comments on this issue!
For all those young people out there feeling the call to Officership and considering whether to get a college or university degree first, I say go for it. You won’t meet many officers who won’t agree that if they had the option, it is better to do both a degree and CFOT.
Life is complicated and requires both a passion for ministry and some book knowlege, which involves exposing you to things about God you haven’t thought about before. It is best to not put your head in the sand but get exposed to it now and then you will be able to recognize and deal with them in your ministry.
I attended 4 years of Bible college, plus CFOT, plus missionary service, plus law school. Of all of that, I use the 4 years of theological study at Bible College the most in my everyday ministry.
It is not for everyone but if you can do it, why not? God needs well equipped officers. You won’t regret it.
I have been a Candidates Secretary and the hardest thing, and perhaps which I regret, was accepting into officership candidates that were clearly not ready but we took them anyway because of the need. I hope the next generation coming up will take the calling seriously and make themselves qualified. Of course God can work through the “unequipped” and “unqualified”, but if you are young and have the ability, why not get all the training you can?
Eric:
Once again you’ve wow’d me with your giftedness in writing and your ability to stimulate intelligent thinking about difficult subjects…. and this is one of them.
I am admittedly conflicted on the issue. Specifically, on the one hand I completely support the concept of higher education for cadets and officers. On the other hand I have observed marginally educated officers who go to their appointments, dig in, love their people, preach with passion and lead many to Christ. Then there is the officer who has a Master’s Degree in Education and cannot even organize and lead a Sunday School. (Both illustrations are based on real people.)
I think we all agree that education is not a panacea to successfu and effective officership or anything else, for that matter. Yet, I favor the idea of officers having the advantage of a sound educational background.
About 10 years ago, the United Kingdom Territory implemented a plan of training that required every cadet to complete a certain number of competencies. Let’s say the number required was 30 (obviously, I don’t recall the exact number). If a candidate was accepted for training without having successfully completed any of these 30 competencies, then he/she would be expected to take every course, seminar and internship required. And, it may take that cadet 3 or 4 years to do so. On the other hand, candidates coming to training who already have a degree in Bible, ministry, social science, etc. would not be required to take those classes in training. In such cases, a cadet who came to training with a college degree of two would probably complete training in one year. While I see certain flaws in this plan, basically I see it as an idea worth pursuing.
One of your writers made the salient point about other denominations that hold to rigorous educational requirements and yet are quite dead spiritually. (I know that is somewhat of a judgement and definitely should not be applied to all such denominations.) The common thread of nearly all your responses is that yes, formal education should be required for candidates entering training, and that should be a basic rule but one that allows exceptions. One exception would be a man, woman or couple who are in their 40’s, have raised a family, have successfully built and sold a business and have demonstrated innate leadership and pastoring skills.
I am old enough to remember when it became a pre-requisite for acceptance into training that a candidate would have earned a high school diploma. A number of years ago, I proposed a minimal requirement of 2 years of college.
Eric, I’m glad your article is a two-parter, for I’m anxious to read “the rest of the story.” (Yikes, I just really dated myself by quoting Paul Harvey.) Actually, I have a Part Two, also, but my response is already too long, so I’ll hold that thought until the next time around.
Denny
Eric:
Once again you’ve wow’d me with your giftedness in writing and your ability to stimulate intelligent thinking about difficult subjects…. and this is one of them.
I am admittedly conflicted on the issue. Specifically, on the one hand I completely support the concept of higher education for cadets and officers. On the other hand I have observed marginally educated officers who go to their appointments, dig in, love their people, preach with passion and lead many to Christ. Then there is the officer who has a Master’s Degree in Education and cannot even organize and lead a Sunday School. (Both illustrations are based on real people.)
I think we all agree that education is not a panacea to successfu and effective officership or anything else, for that matter. Yet, I favor the idea of officers having the advantage of a sound educational background.
About 10 years ago, the United Kingdom Territory implemented a plan of training that required every cadet to complete a certain number of competencies. Let’s say the number required was 30 (obviously, I don’t recall the exact number). If a candidate was accepted for training without having successfully completed any of these 30 competencies, then he/she would be expected to take every course, seminar and internship required. And, it may take that cadet 3 or 4 years to do so. On the other hand, candidates coming to training who already have a degree in Bible, ministry, social science, etc. would not be required to take those classes in training. In such cases, a cadet who came to training with a college degree of two would probably complete training in one year. While I see certain flaws in this plan, basically I see it as an idea worth pursuing.
One of your writers made the salient point about other denominations that hold to rigorous educational requirements and yet are quite dead spiritually. (I know that is somewhat of a judgement and definitely should not be applied to all such denominations.) The common thread of nearly all your responses is that yes, formal education should be required for candidates entering training, and that should be a basic rule but one that allows exceptions. One exception would be a man, woman or couple who are in their 40’s, have raised a family, have successfully built and sold a business and have demonstrated innate leadership and pastoring skills.
I am old enough to remember when it became a pre-requisite for acceptance into training that a candidate would have earned a high school diploma. A number of years ago, I proposed a minimal requirement of 2 years of college.
Eric, I’m glad your article is a two-parter, for I’m anxious to read “the rest of the story.” (Yikes, I just really dated myself by quoting Paul Harvey.) Actually, I have a Part Two, also, but my response is already too long, so I’ll hold that thought until the next time around.
Denny
Matt,
what do you do with officers who are passionate about administration?
Or, to put it another way, passionate about building the systems and taking care of the drudgery that needs to be done so the more pastorally and evangelistically gifted officers can get out from behind their desks to do the work God’s called them to?
There’s no one job description that covers the role of ‘officer.’ Just like there are probably no jobs in the Army that can’t be done by employees, there are no jobs that can’t be done by officers.
My experience tells me, though, that many officers lose their passion because they’re placed in roles that they aren’t suited to. There are many officers behind desks aching to get into the rehab clinic. And there are many in the pulpit who would love to be in a cubicle at Headquarters.
That’s an argument for another day, though…!
Matt,
what do you do with officers who are passionate about administration?
Or, to put it another way, passionate about building the systems and taking care of the drudgery that needs to be done so the more pastorally and evangelistically gifted officers can get out from behind their desks to do the work God’s called them to?
There’s no one job description that covers the role of ‘officer.’ Just like there are probably no jobs in the Army that can’t be done by employees, there are no jobs that can’t be done by officers.
My experience tells me, though, that many officers lose their passion because they’re placed in roles that they aren’t suited to. There are many officers behind desks aching to get into the rehab clinic. And there are many in the pulpit who would love to be in a cubicle at Headquarters.
That’s an argument for another day, though…!
Equality in the mission? I’d like to read more about your thoughts on that, Eric. I think if I were going for equality in the mission I would start with sanctification — not education. After all, there are several unsaved professional that work for the mission that hold the same degrees that I do – are we equals? Does my relationship with Christ not hold the same value as that of my education? Is equality in the mission based upon vocational certifications or holiness? Or both?!
I had a bachelors degree prior to entering CFOT. My masters work was completed concurrent with my second year of training – at the request of the Army. The Army paid for it. Was that wrong? Was it wrong for the movement that I’ve belonged to for 31 years and have now given my life for to invest something in me? Was it wrong for the movement to invest in my ministry? If they offered it to you would you say no?
For what it’s worth, the piece of paper on my wall that has benefited my officership the most is my Officer’s Commission. It is a specialized program. I was challenged, stretched, criticized, and congratulated there as much as I was in my two respective degree programs. I look upon my Officer’s Commission in the highest regard – equal to my bachelors and masters. Maybe you had to be there. . .
I understand what you’re saying, Eric. I don’t know that I’m convinced that education is where we start in obtaining equality in the mission. Maybe we want the same thing and just have different ways of going about it. I am not disagreeing that education is important and a vital factor in raising the standard. After all, there are probably more degreed people involved in the mission now than ever and we’re doing great….right?
Equality in the mission? I’d like to read more about your thoughts on that, Eric. I think if I were going for equality in the mission I would start with sanctification — not education. After all, there are several unsaved professional that work for the mission that hold the same degrees that I do – are we equals? Does my relationship with Christ not hold the same value as that of my education? Is equality in the mission based upon vocational certifications or holiness? Or both?!
I had a bachelors degree prior to entering CFOT. My masters work was completed concurrent with my second year of training – at the request of the Army. The Army paid for it. Was that wrong? Was it wrong for the movement that I’ve belonged to for 31 years and have now given my life for to invest something in me? Was it wrong for the movement to invest in my ministry? If they offered it to you would you say no?
For what it’s worth, the piece of paper on my wall that has benefited my officership the most is my Officer’s Commission. It is a specialized program. I was challenged, stretched, criticized, and congratulated there as much as I was in my two respective degree programs. I look upon my Officer’s Commission in the highest regard – equal to my bachelors and masters. Maybe you had to be there. . .
I understand what you’re saying, Eric. I don’t know that I’m convinced that education is where we start in obtaining equality in the mission. Maybe we want the same thing and just have different ways of going about it. I am not disagreeing that education is important and a vital factor in raising the standard. After all, there are probably more degreed people involved in the mission now than ever and we’re doing great….right?
Commissioner Israel Gaither (entered at 18-no degree)
Commissioner Laurence Moretz (entered at 18-no degree)
Major Geoff Ryan
General Larsson (who I believe received his MDiv equivalent after officership)
Just to name few and I am sure there a plenty more who we all respect.
If a candidate has the (1) time and (2) money to pursue higher education then they should whenever possible. Particularly in the case of money, many couldn’t dream of this before training. We can’t expect future officers, and particularly those from Corps that aren’t traditional middle class Corps, to always have these two things.
Commissioner Israel Gaither (entered at 18-no degree)
Commissioner Laurence Moretz (entered at 18-no degree)
Major Geoff Ryan
General Larsson (who I believe received his MDiv equivalent after officership)
Just to name few and I am sure there a plenty more who we all respect.
If a candidate has the (1) time and (2) money to pursue higher education then they should whenever possible. Particularly in the case of money, many couldn’t dream of this before training. We can’t expect future officers, and particularly those from Corps that aren’t traditional middle class Corps, to always have these two things.
I believe that raising the standards would indeed attract better officers. Are there some cases in which there are effective officers who have not gotten that education? Yes, and I understand that is not the point you are making. However, it seems the compensation for that education also would need to increase, and/or penalties for ineffectiveness would have to be enforced.
I believe that raising the standards would indeed attract better officers. Are there some cases in which there are effective officers who have not gotten that education? Yes, and I understand that is not the point you are making. However, it seems the compensation for that education also would need to increase, and/or penalties for ineffectiveness would have to be enforced.
i understand your point about equality, eric, but in my opinion officership is more than a vocation. people in a vocation leave work, go home from the office or workplace and live their lives. should not the role of an officer as a pastor be a leader, a guide, a mentor, a discipler? an officer can’t very well go home and turn away a phone call for help. in a similar manner, there should be soldiers filling that role (aren’t we all commanded to be Christ like?)
the issue is not entirely education, and it’s not about equality either. your position is different from that of an officer, and although i agree that the standards need to be raised, the requirements are naturally going to be different.
i understand your point about equality, eric, but in my opinion officership is more than a vocation. people in a vocation leave work, go home from the office or workplace and live their lives. should not the role of an officer as a pastor be a leader, a guide, a mentor, a discipler? an officer can’t very well go home and turn away a phone call for help. in a similar manner, there should be soldiers filling that role (aren’t we all commanded to be Christ like?)
the issue is not entirely education, and it’s not about equality either. your position is different from that of an officer, and although i agree that the standards need to be raised, the requirements are naturally going to be different.
Great stuff Eric. As a 40-something, I remember the call to officership at Youth Councils as the desperate last resort for many who didn’t have a lot going on upstairs. That may sound mean, but it was the truth then at least in my Territory. This was also when officers really didn’t get much in the way of a nice home or even a vehicle, so anyone with some smarts went to university.
On moving to the US in the mid-90’s I was astounded by the level of relative luxury officers enjoyed. Here in FL, DHQ officers drive Toyota Avalons for instance. I doubt if any of the employees enjoy the lifestyle of most officers. Certainly not the Corps members who often come to us through social services.The Army has serious “affluenza” in this country, but it also has piles of cash (can you say “Big Mac”?).
The pastor of our church has D.Div. from Fuller as do many pastors in other denominations. Now this church has a paid staff of 20 and an affluent congregation of 1800 with weekly giving around $30,000.00, so I guess educational expectations should be high. Having said that, I’ve known many fine officers without fancy degrees who had a heart for God and a passionate gift for oratory. The degrees don’t mean much if your heart is not in it. A four-year degree should be required before acceptance though.With the struggling economy, you’ll see more choosing officership I think. Cradle to Grave security and hopefully beyond the grave.
“Raise the glorious standard higher” refers to the Salvation Army flag. Please don’t take things out of context to suit your agenda.
A Degree and Education are not synonymous, and shouldn’t be assumed as such.
I greatly value education (not pieces of paper that indicate time and money), however I value experience to a greater degree. Perhaps this issue could be more thought-out; omitting the condescending remarks about Daffy Duck.
I wholeheartedly agree that we need higher standards for officership. Yet, I believe the measure of standards should be effectiveness & passion.
Moreover, I pray this girl has not lost her passion for officership by reading this or your encounter.
With respect,
Jon
“Beware you be not swallowed up in books! An ounce of love is worth a pound of knowledge”. ~ John Wesley
Keith
Hi Eric
One point. I wonder if we have been fishing for officers in the same pool for too long. I am not a fisherman, but I do understand that over-fished fishing holes have to be replenished from time to time.
If formal education is so important, why do we not recruit already-well educated leaders from Bible colleges of other related denominations.
Training then would be orientation to The Salvation Army, our history, distinctives, doctrine, organizational culture, etc.
Has two-year training turned out better officers than the old nine-months boot-camp I wonder?
And, at what rank is ongoing leadership training considered not necessary…since, to admit the need for it, suggests that leaders may not be as knowledgeable as they ought?
Terry