Think

Covenant

by Kathie Chiu

I

t was covenant signing day.  The officer stood at the pulpit and looked out at us as he prepared to speak about what his covenant meant to him.  I was intrigued because during my two years at the College for Officer Training I had come to admire this man and his commitment to educating cadets.  He always challenged us to think beyond what was commonly accepted as ‘gospel truth by the tried and true, the faithful of the beloved Salvation Army.  What would he say?

The gist of what he said was this. “When I married my wife, I married her for who she was that day.  My covenant with her was not based on my expectation that she would improve or change.  I accepted her for who she was right then.  It’s the same with my covenant with God and The Salvation Army.  I accepted what The Army was that day without expectation that things would change or improve.”
For the last 17 years his words have stuck with me.  They have been a blessing when things are good and a sore spot when things have not been so good.  But they have never left me.

I asked a few officers to answer some questions for me about their thoughts on their officer covenant and what they understood about it.  I was not surprised that each one believed that they had signed a covenant with God to serve Him - and the vehicle they chose to do that was The Salvation Army.  One said, “… I signed it, with a clear understanding between God and myself, as a covenant with Him alone. As it turned out, I did stay with the institution for His mission purposes, whereas some of my close friends did not. And we all signed the same covenant, each of us fulfilling it in God-ordained ways.”

Not one of the officers who wrote to me considers their covenant to be with The Salvation Army.  That is why for many who have left the Army, there is a sense that they have not broken their covenant and consider themselves to be still fulfilling it through other avenues of service.

And yet, The Army as an organization is so intricately involved with our covenant as officers, and some that wrote understood their covenant that way.  For why would I be signing this covenant in the first place if not to serve God through The Army itself?  I signed my covenant in a Salvation Army owned and operated school.  My ordination, recognized by the government, is as a Salvation Army officer.  If I then leave the Army, and cease to be an officer, how am I still being true to the covenant I signed?  Consider what another officer had to say, “I understood that it was a commitment to The Salvation Army. Of course there was also an understanding that this was a covenant with God, but mostly I understood it as a commitment to officership. I understood that it meant that I would serve as an officer for the rest of my life and that I would be serving God by doing so as a minister of the Gospel of Christ.”

There are many officers who believe that the covenant is like a triune pact - the officer, God and The Salvation Army.  I suspect there is an inherent danger in this belief which leads to confusion between who we’re serving - God or the Army.

There has always been this tension between serving God and serving the Army.  From what was said on that fateful day 17 years ago to our session, we understood we were covenanting with God - and The Salvation Army.  However, that’s not what it says on “My Covenant” that hangs on my office wall.  But it is the essence of what I’ve signed.

So here’s the question… if I am in a covenant with God to serve Him, and yet I simultaneously signed a contract with The Salvation Army (which is not a legal contract and in no way obligates The Salvation Army legally to have any kind of remunerative relationship with me!) then who am I working for.  Oh my, it does get so convoluted sometimes.

And therein lies the rub.  How do we communicate to a younger generation that demands a genuine faith in Jesus be lived out in everything we do and mistrusts organized, institutionalized religion - what it means to be an officer?  What I wrote about in The Shrinking Pool on how an officer is valued by the organization in linked to this point - this generation sees the inconsistencies and convoluted wording of what an officer’s covenant relationship is supposed to be and says, “That doesn’t seem right.”  You’re asking me to sign a paper called “The Undertakings of an Officer” in which I will make all the sacrifices, financial and otherwise, and the organization to which I am going to “work” for and serve God through will have no legal obligation to me whatsoever?  And if a leader makes a decision that is unfair to me and I suffer as a result, that’s too bad?  I have to just suck it up?  And if I’m given an appointment that drains the life out of me because I’m totally out of my element and not working within my gifting, that’s ok?  I need to just work with that because that’s what being an officer means?  Is this kind of “sacrificial” relationship still needed in such an affluent country?  It’s not the early days anymore - why doesn’t the Army change with the times?

How do we answer those questions?  Just what is the sacrifice they are being called to make.
It’s not that we as officers didn’t know this going into it, as one comment suggested.  We know what we signed up for.  We work and pray to help The Salvation Army stay true to what God called us to be every day.  We strive to be as authentic as we can in everything we do because we believe this is where God has called us to be.  However, we also know that as our culture changes and as a society we learn more about ourselves as God’s creation - the organization has to change and grow as well.

If we want to see the pool in which we fish for officer recruits expand, then we need to find a way to refill the pool.  It may mean that we have to look at how we define officership and that it may have to change.  Will we stay as volunteers in this legal no man’s land?  Or will become employees like pastors in other churches - protected by the law against injustice or abuse?  If we do change, however, where will “sacrifice” come into play?

Again, I don’t know the answer to these questions.  I only know I have them - and so does a new generation seeking for ways to serve God in The Salvation Army.   Only one thing I am sure of, no matter whether the Army changes or not, no matter in good times or bad - I made my covenant with the Lord and I will serve Him all my days.  For never will He leave me, nor will He ever forsake me, I am His and He is my God.  I will follow Him wherever He leads me - because I love Him so.  That is why I am an officer.  Because this is where He has led me and I will always be faithful to my calling.  Through good times and not so good times and even through horrible times - that is the commitment I made.  However, I will continue to ask the questions and continue to pray for Godly leaders to take through these changing times.

…Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding. Jeremiah 3:15, NIV

Writer: Along with her husband Ed, Kathie Chiu has been the corps officer of Mountain View Community Church and is the Executive Director of The Caring Place ministries which includes a shelter, transitional housing and community programs, located in British Columbia, Canada.  Kathie has five children and by June 2009 will have eight grandchildren. For over two years she has been writing a monthly column for Salvationist.ca called Just Between Us and right now is working on a blogazine called Full Potential to help equip leaders for ministry. Her passions include building and equipping others for ministry and writing, knitting and especially her family.

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Friday, June 26th, 2009 Think

15 Comments to Covenant

  1. Kathie,

    Great article. I fear too many people will not see its importance however. You are asking the right questions though.

    If you haven’t read it already, you might find “The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind” by Mark Noll an interesting read. I found it revealed the context of the Army’s beginning quite well (and so shows what formed our current culture).

    2. David Witthoff on June 26th, 2009

  2. I picked up on Twitter a quote today: History teaches us that when a barbarian race confronts a sleeping culture, the barbarian always wins. -Arnold Toynbee
    I’m sorry some people feel called by God to be ’shepherds’ of the Salvation Army ‘flock’. There is a sense in which we need shepherding, but when it becomes the whole story, as most of Christendom church has made it, it’s a sedative and a pain-killer. It’s addictive, an alluring escape route from the dangerous and challenging adventure of mission, it’s a cop out. Houston, we have a problem. We have an officer/soldier problem. We have a sheep/flock problem. We have taken on the strengths and the weaknesses of a (Victorian-flavoured) military model, complete with self-absorbed officer communities, alienated and cynical footsoldiers, and everyone confused about who is on the front line and what they are supposed to be doing there. I guess everyone always blames the generals as well!

    I don’t have an answer for that problem, but I do have confidence. I have faith - that if there is quality listening and prayerful discernment that bridges this divide - our Father God will lead us through adjusting our way to be more appropriate to our mission context and age. Nobody ever said mission was going to be easy, and the adaptation of a missionary individual or organisation to a rapidly changing cultural context is exacting, difficult and painful. On the plus side it’s unlikely to be boring. Such a process demands warrior thinking, not a pastoral interlude.

    I believe there is no way that a church, sleepy sheep style or wiry seasoned warrior, can possibly win the world for Jesus unless it is transformed by Christ in every way, demonstrating justice, mercy, kindness and the love and grace of God. This transformation needs to be seen in its structures, its culture, and in the relationships between leaders and ‘led’, as well as in each of us as brothers and sisters in Christ. Church organisation without adequate safety nets simply doesn’t demonstrate consistency between what we argue for in social justice and what we practice ourselves. We can be sheep and encourage sheep-like culture, muddling God with church in how we think of sacrifice, or we can be ethical, and make sure we leave no warrior on the battlefield. It’s up to us which route we take.

    Warmest blessings.

    3. Eleanor Burne-Jones on June 27th, 2009

  3. Hi Kathie,

    I’m one of those who believed I signed my covenant with God - NOT The ‘Army.

    My decision to leave The ‘Army was varied. I still consider myself ordained as I believe I was ordained by God, not man. I still believe I follow God faithfully in doeing what I do (though many would argue that point). I believe God led me into Officership, and to resist going into Officership at the time would have been willfull disobedience and sin. And I believe God led me out of Officership, and to remain in Officership would have been willfull disobedience and sin. There were many things God needed to teach me for various reasons, to prepare me for other work, that I don’t believe could have been taught to me without having gone into Officership.

    For me, the crux of the tension that you outline between a covenant with God and a covenant with The ‘Army, is the underlying assumption that The ‘Army actually serves and follows God as a movement. While I believe that The ‘Army was raised up by God, I no longer believe that it follows God and is, as a movement, part of God’s kingdom. Yes, there are those in The ‘Army that are Christians, that do follow God, but I would suggest that they are the exception that proves the rule. The ‘Army is no longer a God led organisation. It is too reliant on its’ doctrine, its’ O&R’s, its’ positional statements etc.

    This has nothing to do with form or structure or anything like that. This has to do with following God as a movement, challenging long held beliefs, changing our understanding of who and what God is as we grow, and as society grows in understanding.

    My Covenant is a spiritual one with God, therefore, it cannot be fulfilled in any organisation, in any avenue that is not God led - so I left The ‘Army. Until someone can prove and show to me that The ‘Army is God led, and that God is at the centre of all The ‘Army is and does, I will remain an ex-officer.

    Yours in Christ,
    Graeme.

    4. Graeme Randall on June 28th, 2009

  4. P.S. - I might add that if one were to argue that The ‘Army today is part of God’s kingdom, and does represent God on earth, and is led by God, then I would say that that is no God I want to worship. I would rather denounce God then acknowledge the kind of God I see in The ‘Army.

    Yours in Christ,
    Graeme.

    5. Graeme Randall on June 28th, 2009

  5. Kathie — Thank you… (pause for reflection)… I like that you’re asking a today / tomorrow series of questions through the direct light of your experience.

    I agree that these questions really do not yet have a organization wide answer… yet.

    I believe that these are part of the questions that once we have a resounding answer to… will combine with OTHER key questions… and fulfill the statement that Keith Green once made (paraphrase):

    The Salvation Army is a sleeping giant. If they were to wake up… think of the things they could do!

    The solid, God breathed answers we are looking for (to me) will become the alarm clock that “wakes us up”!!

    …

    Eleanor wrote in her reply:

    –
    We have taken on the strengths and the weaknesses of a (Victorian-flavoured) military model, complete with self-absorbed officer communities, alienated and cynical foot soldiers, and everyone confused about who is on the front line and what they are supposed to be doing there. I guess everyone always blames the generals as well!
    –

    I do hear the wide volume of statements that people continue to make as to the military metaphor and structure we’ve inherited as today’s Salvos. Because this reality is still with us… I’d like to offer some thought on it:

    In light of our understanding of eternity… Earth is not our home. The core of Booth’s “I’ll Fight” hearts passion comments on this… as we are at WAR. We know the 2 forces at odds with one another… and we as unique beings in all of creation are the ONLY ones that are entirely Natural AND Supernatural in our make up. The WAR we find ourselves within attacks humanity ON BOTH FRONTS!!

    This is sooooooo important to where we find ourselves at this moment… and where we are passionately investing in prayer and seeking answers to for tomorrow’s leadership.

    “Heart to God, Hand to Man”… The Salvation Army gets it on both fronts… even though we’ve been distracted by many who have ONLY focused on the natural realm… particularly in our leadership.

    This is NOT a criticism of their (our leaders) stewardship.

    IT IS A STATEMENT of our lack as an entire organization to firmly acknowledge the ‘elephant in the room’ and address the cancer that is eating us alive… and leading us often times with ONLY our natural realm being considered (as Graeme suggests above in the comments stating we may not be Spirit Lead any longer.)

    WAR FOLKS!!!!!

    This compels us to need understand AND act with a life’s work that is VERY DIFFERENT than what we as a Body of Believers are currently doing.

    My fear here… is this is where our discussions break down.

    People tend to “take offense” at statements like these… and then they choose to STOP the discussion… mainly due to the idea that THEY are the ones in the right… and others simply are NOT WORTHY OF INVESTING EFFORTS TO SEE THESE CONCERNS THROUGH!!!

    Am I saying that most people in TSA are unreasonable when it comes to addressing the ‘elephant in the room’? Short answer = not really.

    I’m trying to say… culturally… things will ALWAYS change. Winston Churchill said (paraphrase) “the further back we can see means the further forward we can see”. In essence he is stating that we DO need to understand our history… and an honest review of this shows change in most things are constant!!!

    I stated MOST things… because (I believe) we’d all agree that our God does NOT change. His love for us is FOREVER. His passion for redemption of humanity is RESOLVED. His abhorrence for SIN is resolute.

    So… amongst all this talk of “change” across the entire rubicon (and much of TSA world… whispered in quite corners)… WE MUST ADDRESS THE ‘ELEPHANT’… we simply do NOT HAVE THE LUXURY OF TIME NOT TO!!

    … (pause to stop yelling on a soap box… sorry folks… wanting to be as transparent as possible here) …

    I’ve lived most of my life in The Salvation Army. I’m an officers child… so for the first part of it I had no choice (grin).

    I firmly acknowledge that I’m a prodigal son both in the biblical sense and in relation to TSA. I believe that God designs each of us a unique and wonderful “Body Parts”… we’re to follow His design for service and support of the Church Universal.

    Those of us here all seem to agree that the expression of our involvement in Church Body living is via The Salvation Army.

    I, personally, believe that God loves us sooooooo much… that knowing every hair on our head is sooooooo important to Him… then our expression of love and obedience to the stewardship of the rest of our lives is sooooooooo important to Him as well. He has placed us at this time and place… and our love for Him should compel us to invest in our ‘utmost for His highest’!!!!

    WE ARE AT WAR!!

    Unfortunately… the ranks have turned upon themselves. People are hurting in soooooo many places. The very nature of our body’s DNA shows we minister to (and invite into our body) the ‘poor, weak, marginalized, broken, unloved, outcasts’ of societies. We have a LOT of hurting people.

    Add to this our lack of investing in our own future and:

    * We have the “shrinking pool”

    * We have people still arguing about “mental health”
    as it pertains to our faith and the level of someones
    spiritual growth (or lack there of)

    * Mad Scientists “messing with our DNA”
    (heck… we can’t even agree what our
    DNA ‘is’ any longer)

    * These are references to recent discussions here
    on TheRubicon that address in DETAIL my core
    statements in this comment reply.

    …

    I believe that some would stop me in this last part… the part about investing in our future.

    This is where I can’t disagree more.

    WE HAVE STOPPED INVESTING… in that discussions like these are only allowed to happen in places where they can’t be stopped. Inside the ranks… it really is easy to “shut someone up”… or ignore them in such away that the pain they feel sends them out to find healing in other church bodies.

    God HAS placed a burning passion for the war time efforts of Salvos all over this planet. He hurts for the place we find ourselves… and He desires that we find His design for today and tomorrow as the Body of Believers that call themselves “The Salvation Army”.

    … (pause… this has been deep within me for a long time) …

    If indeed you are still reading this… Eleanor again wrote in her reply:

    –
    We have taken on the strengths and the weaknesses of a (Victorian-flavoured) military model, complete with self-absorbed officer communities, alienated and cynical foot soldiers, and everyone confused about who is on the front line and what they are supposed to be doing there. I guess everyone always blames the generals as well!
    –

    Her comment speaks to the misguided focus that has allowed this sleeping giant to remain in slumber land for this long. In light of Eternity… we, in essence, have NOT addressed the WAR that is at hand… on both the Natural AND Supernatural fronts… as a Body of Believers.

    Yes, there are people that are doing just this… spirit lead… they are ministering to humanity following God as close as they possibly can. I believe most that would read this far would agree… those doing this are the minority.

    …

    Where to from here?

    I believe this is the question that TheRubicon is built upon. We are NOT here just to discuss so we can personally or corporately “feel better”. No… we all agree that we’re striving, gnawing, kicking & screaming, clawing, praying, serving, examining, contemplating, praying for God’s direction AND the strength, courage, wisdom to follow it.

    THANK YOU to each of you that are on this journey here. You are an HUGE encouragement to this solider… at a time like this.

    My love and prayers to you in this time of war.

    imMEDIAtely yours,

    Errin Hogan
    Postmodern Storyteller

    6. Errin Hogan on June 28th, 2009

  6. Kathie wrote:
    “How do we communicate to a younger generation that demands a genuine faith in Jesus be lived out in everything we do and mistrusts organized, institutionalized religion - what it means to be an officer?”

    There is only one way: Show them.

    While I can point to dozen of red-shouldered disappointments and hundreds of foolish, wasteful, hurtful and callous institutional acts by the corporation that runs our church, I can also point to one officer who reached out to me when I needed it most and another who showed me that good people can live inside even the most hidebound organization. There are others, dozens of them, who I have found hiding in the cracks - people who truly care about others lurk here and there, peeking around the edges of those who claim their time as officers somehow gives them status or privilege that others don’t have. But all it really took were two sold-out, live your faith, “God works everywhere, even here in The Salvation Army” officers to sway me. God called me through them to serve in The Salvation Army.

    The hurts and frustrations that come from working inside an institution that either refuses or is unable to corporately live out the faith it professes can be salved by the growing number of officers who are willing to express their discontent, willing to stand up and say “God first” instead of “Follow the flag”. More and more are coming to see that we have lost our way and it is they who will refocus our vision on being God’s Army first. And each officer who catches the vision, who points their people towards Jesus Christ as the way, captures more souls who cry out, “I will serve God through The Salvation Army that he created!”

    Perhaps a bit dramatic, but still what is needed - a few shining points of light leading the way, though the darkness surrounds them.

    7. Roger McCort on June 28th, 2009

  7. erm - if I dare wade back in here….

    Wouldn’t it be amazing if the articles on ‘How I’ve had a Fulfilled Life as an Officer’ were actually about the experiences the officers have had enabling soldiers in missional life?

    Have you ever read such an article?

    I have on the other hand had to sit next to officers at a coffee table and be unable to avoid hearing them talk for ninety minutes straight about ‘managing’ their congregations. There was not a single mention of God the Father, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, saving souls, growing saints or serving suffering humanity (other than that the time they spend with soldiers means they sometimes can’t do that which is really irritating). They could have headed it ‘How to turn warriors into easy-to-care-for Sheep’. We don’t fade, we don’t crease, and we can go through a standard wash cycle. I came away nauseated and determined never, but never, to be part of that kind of congregation again.

    I am not a sheep. I am a warrior. I have moments - plenty - when I turn to God as my shepherd. I have had moments when the wider church has provided shepherds to help me cope with my denomination. It isn’t meant to become a way of life.

    I will know we are truly engaged in the war we are called to when I hear officers recount the exploits of their soldiers.

    8. Eleanor Burne-Jones on June 28th, 2009

  8. Wow! OK, so there are some really fervent responses to this article!

    Let me just say this… I do not believe that the Army no longer follows God. In my territory I know many officers - partly because my husband and I are social butterflies and partly because we’ve been at it quite a while. Not once have I ever met an officer that I thought wasn’t trying to follow God. I’ve met dozens of leaders in my years of service who so impressed me with their desire to do God’s will. Have I always agreed with every single thing they thought, did, are still doing? No. But then, I don’t always like the way that God leads me either! Nor do I like what He says to challenge me sometimes!

    So, just because our leaders are not doing what I think God’s will is, doesn’t mean that they aren’t following God’s will.

    Imagine the Israelites discussion about their leaders - “Yeah, that guy Moses can’t even get us out of this desert! There’s no way he’s following God, he couldn’t find his way out of a paper bag! And that Aaron is just a ‘yes’ man.”

    Graeme, I believe the Army is God led… how do I know? Because I am God led and I am an officer. I am the Army. You are (were) the Army. Are there some officers who don’t always hear God? Yes, I’m sure. Some even struggle with sin…gasp! Are there some officer leaders who get it wrong? Yes, but that’s because they’re human - and not perfect.

    I suppose I’ve been really blessed to have had many Godly leaders. One, who was my DC and is now in Cabinet leadership in my territory, has been like my spiritual “father” and his wife became a “mother’s voice” in my life after my own mother became like a child with dementia. I really miss them sometimes! And now, our current DC (who is retiring) and his wife have been so encouraging and supportive. And at retreat this past year I listened to our TC and his wonderful teaching on holiness - what a blessing he was to listen to.

    And yet, I have not always liked nor agreed with everything they have decided in ministry leadership. But that doesn’t mean they weren’t Godly or God led.

    However, I also don’t want to negate your experience with the Army. For I have heard from many people whose experiences were hurtful by leaders who seemed “unGodly.” My husband and I have also been at the mercy of leaders we disagreed with and it hurt, and scarred us. And as an organization we do seem bogged down with R&R’s and P&P’s put together by well meaning administrative types. In our own facility we have seen how these P&P’s can be really helpful and guide us accordingly in such litigious times. And yet they can also bind us to behaviour towards people that can seem cold and calculating - even though that would not have been the intention. They also leave no room for “gray” and when humans are involved, life is not so black and white.

    So, while not perfect, an organization such as the Army is only as holy as it’s people. So I stay, even when sometimes in my frustration I want to leave. Yes, I think we all struggle through this. However, I will not be swayed from following my calling because of another human being and his/her imperfect decisions. If God clearly calls me somewhere else, then I will follow. But I don’t believe God uses negative experiences to “call” us in different directions. He uses those experiences to shape our character and draw us closer to Him.

    So, don’t give up on the Army. Just because times, they are a changing… and people don’t always agree on what those changes should be… doesn’t mean you’re not meant to be in the midst of it all.

    I like what Eleanor said:
    ******************
    Nobody ever said mission was going to be easy, and the adaptation of a missionary individual or organisation to a rapidly changing cultural context is exacting, difficult and painful. On the plus side it’s unlikely to be boring. Such a process demands warrior thinking, not a pastoral interlude.
    **************************

    Keep up the discussion. Anyone have some practical ideas or suggestions for answers to the questions I’ve posed? Or… does anyone have even more insightful questions?

    grace… Kathie

    9. Kathie Chiu on June 29th, 2009

  9. I have spent the last day or two thinking about the posts on this particular topic. Part of it is because I signed Covenant just less than a month ago – and part of it because I am weighing the comments from the perspective of one who just turned 52 ( along with completing 5 years as an A/Captain, 5 years in missionary service (not with TSA) and retiring after 20 years in the paramilitary organizational environment of public safety).

    I hear and appreciate the comments that, in some cases, seem to be coming from individuals that have been hurt by the bad behavior or omissions of those in leadership above them. I also hear and understand the comments of those that are struggling with disillusionment in an organization in which they felt called, at least at one time, to lifetime service. The pain of our brothers and sisters is real and I pray that God may in His time, bring healing, resolution and, if necessary, correction where needed.

    Since the topic line on this post was about our covenant, maybe it is helpful to repeat the words contained in this short document:

    ———————-

    The Salvation Army
    My Covenant
    Called by God

    To proclaim the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as an officer of the Salvation Army

    I BIND MYSELF TO HIM IN THIS SOLEMN COVENANT

    To love and serve Him supremely all my days,

    To live to win souls and make their salvation the first purpose of my life,

    To care for the poor, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, love the unlovable, and befriend those who have no friends,

    To maintain the doctrines and principles of The Salvation Army, and, by God’s grace, to prove myself a worthy officer.

    Done in the strength of my Lord and Savior, and in the presence of the Territorial Commander, training school officers and fellow cadets

    ———————–

    As to whether this is a covenant with God or with TSA; the wording seems to clearly indicate it is with God, but in the context of service as an officer of The Salvation Army. It includes a clear commitment to “maintain the doctrines and principles of The Salvation Army” and to prove “myself a worthy officer”. Further, it communicates a clear recognition that this covenant is undertaken “in the strength of my Lord and Savior”, not in my own strength.

    As was observed in earlier comments, we indeed are serving in an organization, a movement, a church – comprised of imperfect people and led by imperfect people. Sadly, over the years (and even fairly recently,) some of individuals that were once regarded as comrades have even committed notorious crimes. Despite our best efforts, we are an organization composed of fallen human beings that have the possibility of salvation by the blood of Christ and sanctification by the power of the Holy Spirit. That being said, we will continually face challenges as we serve God and battle against the Enemy.

    The topic of “good” officers, “bad” officers, “good” leaders and “bad” leaders will certainly not be resolved by comments on a blog. I doubt that it will be solved this side of Heaven. In my personal view, the Covenant seems to be a clearer issue. I take it in the plain meaning of the words on the paper I signed, as confirmation of what I believe to be a clear lifetime calling.

    I am absolutely certain that there will be things that I disagree with now and into the future, but the Covenant, along with God’s Word provides me with a reminder of where I need to come down on issues that may cause tension between my personal preference and my commitments.

    If there ever comes a time that God make clear to me that compliance with the provisions of the Covenant are in conflict with His Word or His subsequent calling on my life, I would seek the counsel , prayer and insight of a trusted comrade for confirmation. If, upon appropriate reflection I became persuaded that it was not possible for me to remain in compliance with the Covenant because of such a conflict – and only under such circumstances, would I willingly resign my commission.

    These are indeed difficult issues that bring out the passion in people of many different perspectives. Ultimately, the Covenant is between us as individuals and God. Initially making the Covenant from a double-minded perspective seems to pose the same crisis of integrity as the situation of one remaining an officer, while knowingly and intentionally ignoring some aspect of the covenant based on personal preference or conviction. In other words, if a Cadet does not have a complete peace about making the initial Covenant commitment (or signing the undertakings), they should not. Likewise, an officer that can no longer uphold their commitments in the Covenant, should step down, either for a season or as a permanent measure.

    10. Dana Libby on June 29th, 2009

  10. As I understand it, the bottom line of covenant is that we need to be regularly reflecting on our faithfulness - are we fulfilling our promises? The bottom line of vocation is focus, and we need to be regularly reflecting on the degree to which we are focussed on living out our vocation, and the way in which we are living it out - in order to keep it healthy and life-giving.

    Promises can become traps, and a vocation can become a prison which is no longer life-giving. That is why it is so important we ask one another, particularly those with more seniority asking those under their authority, how can I help you live out your vocation more fully and more beautifully for God?

    As a soldier, part of the larger pool from which the army draws its officers, I would like to be part of a high morale, well focussed and competent team in a high challange, high support environment where I’m stretched to grow as a disciple, in my overall spiritual formation, and in all the practical skills necessary to live out my calling. I expect to learn and to grow in service, working hard, and encouraging others along the way. I expect to be held to account,and I aim to help people discover Jesus, to see them commit to following him, to grow in discipleship, to be able to make disciples who can make disciples. I expect to acquire the skills to form and lead groups of increasing size up to the limits of my ability as I go about planting churches/cells or whatever. I expect to be clear thinking, accountable and intentional every step of the way.

    I expect to learn the Bible well, and learn how to think theologically because, as I heard Ann Morisey here point out yesterday, the moment the church gets involved in helping the poor, in any kind of social justice work from neighbourhood level to global level, immediately we are into the zone of needing ‘postgraduate’ level theological thinking. Issues are complex. Are soldiers not called to engage in mission to the poor or do we need officers to do our thinking and theological reflection for us? I don’t know about you but that idea leaves me feeling rather nervous. For a start it would add to the chaos of every officer change - is this mother and toddler group to be developed as church in its own right or not? Yes - no - yes - no ….

    I’ve taken a look at the officers’ covenant and I can’t see any different in fact between that and what a soldier’s covenanted to so I’m baffled as to what that is actually all about. So my response to all the angst going on about lack of officers is to respond, when invited to help out at the corps, yes, I will give you a couple of hours a week to help maintain the programme for the saints if you will undertake to engage me in missional service for another eight hours a week, including time for missional and theological reflection and the necessary help and encouragement to grow in faith and skills for the task.

    If the army delivers this environment for soldiers, and holds officers accountable primarily for how they do this,(rather than for ‘MY ministry as an officer’) can you imagine the pool of potential leaders that will create?

    Our surrender to God I hope is complete and unconditional. Our duty to the army is surely to work together toward serving God as best we possibly can - together. I hope that contributes a useful answer.

    11. Eleanor Burne-Jones on June 30th, 2009

  11. I think Elanor’s last post is very good - it has the basic answers. My problem with officership covenant (or soldiership covenant for that matter) is the emphasis on the doctrines and teachings of The Salvation Army. It is these that I do not believe are God honouring. Having read (in depth) the Postional Statements and accompanying material, the teaching a lot of it contains, and some of the teaching in The Salvation Army handbook of Doctrine (Salvation Story), I have great issues with it theologically. As someone who is striving to serve and follow God, I personally feel (and felt) a great tension between my belief and worship of God, and the theology of The ‘Army. I cannot and could not maintain membership in an organisation whom I believe is so theologically off the track that it no longer worships God.

    If the theology of The ‘Army were (in my oppinion) ‘on track’, I would wholly support what Elanor has said, and I know that there are many in The ‘Army who think as Elanor does, and so that would give me hope to stay. But while the theology is so far off track, signing and maintaining any sort of covenant within The ‘Army, for me, is sin, and rejection of who and what God is.

    Yours in Christ,
    Graeme.

    12. Graeme Randall on June 30th, 2009

  12. P.S. I do find much potential in the Doctrines of The ‘Army. I once wrote a Bible Study based on the old Handbook of Doctrine (and then revised to fit with the new ‘Salvation Story’) for the various Corps I commanded. It is the teaching, interpretation, and guidance for living of such that I take great issue with.

    Yours in Christ,
    Graeme.

    13. Graeme Randall on June 30th, 2009

  13. Interesting comments and opinions. I would invite participation on the former officers blog.

    Bob Deidrick,former USA East,residing in Arizona

    14. Robert Deidrick on July 5th, 2009

  14. Please note that what follows is my opinion, and is therefore subject to change and correction. In fact, I encourage it. Please be blunt about correcting my errors (I don’t often get the point otherwise).

    First let me say that I’m flabbergasted by the comments so far, but in a positive way. It is deeply encouraging to my heart to know we have such profound and passionate thinkers in the Army. It’s exactly what the Army needs to survive the coming years.

    The questions this thread has been dealing with are not unique to the Army. In fact, they are being dealt with by every branch of the Church in one form or another. There is something bigger than denominational leadership issues going on. The fact of the matter is that the very fundamental rules on which society operates are changing, which means a fundamentally different way of thinking is arising. Is this a change for the better or the worse? That remains to be seen, but it is an issue that has to be addressed. The core question in these times seems to be this: “If we are the Body of Christ in the world, what do we do when the world changes?”

    Now to bring this big and rather vague issue down to the problem at hand. Much of the way officership has functioned is rooted in the modernistic mind-set that is currently dying. This is not a criticism in any way, it is a statement of a very positive fact. A modernistic world needs a modernistic Church with modernistic leaders. But modernism has reached it’s limit and a new approach is forming (it is commonly called “post-modernism,” but I have a deep personal distaste for that term). The current economic crisis and the public’s reaction to it and it’s proposed solutions is ample evidence for this fact. People are changing, and there’s no going back. Is this a problem, or an opportunity?

    I say it’s an opportunity, especially for the Salvation Army. Our tradition and heritage are perfectly matched for this new world rising up around us. I’m not talking about uniforms and brass bands, those kind of things are surface traditions. The very heart of our Salvationist tradition that will serve us well lies in the pragmatism that launched our early explosive growth. What is our goal? To save souls and serve suffering humanity, I don’t think that has changed. How do we achieve that? By doing what works and scrapping what doesn’t. The true Salvationist has few “sacred cows,” and what ones s/he has are theological. We do not compromise on who God is and what He does… EVER. Everything else is up for grabs. That is the true heart of the Salvation Army.

    For officership to be a viable option for people in this new world, it has to be appropriate to the new world it seeks to serve. What follows are a few suggestions that I feel could be beneficial.

    1. I don’t think that reducing the sacrifice required of an officer is what is needed. This generation is not inspired by making things easy. In fact, the amount of difficulty or ease involved seems to be almost irrelevant. What inspires them above all else is passion. The passion to endure trial, to share blessings, to stand out: if we show them this passion, then they will be drawn to us. Here’s an example: Nobody wants to be an “assistant manager,” it’s cold and objective. Change the title to “team leader,” which implies more subjective camaraderie and support, then the same job becomes much more desirable.

    2. Officers should be empowered and empowering others. When facing trials for a good cause, nothing sucks the wind out of this generation better than being dictated to by authorities. They need love and support in tough times, not a how-to manual. They don’t want to “manage” others and they definitely don’t want to be “managed.” They respect freedom and imagination, therefore their freedom and imagination need to be respected. They want their leaders to lead, not manage resources. I can’t remember who said it, but it is a wise saying: “People today don’t want to learn about heroes, they want to BE heroes.” A true hero doesn’t inspire others to be followers, but inspires them to be heroes. We must enhance their dignity, courage and calling in Christ, not minimize it; and we must set them free to do the same for others. This goes for the whole of the Church, not just officers.

    3. One of the greatest things that has happened to discredit Christianity has been denominationalism. I do not advocate abolishing denominations, but we do need to see each other as Christ sees us. We are all different parts of the Body of Christ, but this should unite us, not divide us. I was raised a Salvationist, and am called to work in the Salvation Army. I attended a Pentecostal youth group, I go to a Wesleyan Bible college, and I currently work in an Anglican parish, but none of these in any way diminish my loyalty or my calling to the Salvation Army. Why? Because I can tell the difference between my life-long calling and the temporary meanderings that are necessary for me to accomplish that calling. While officers must maintain their obligations to the Army, they must also be free to go where God leads them. Steps must be taken to make sure that the two are not in conflict. General Raider is a good example. He was educated in a Wesleyan school, became an officer in the Army, eventually became our general, and when he retired, he returned to a Wesleyan school as their president. In the end, both our denominations were better off because of his service.

    4. This may be the most important suggestion I make, and possibly the one that will net me the most flak. The Church’s insistence on objective, propositional truth has to go. I AM NOT ADVOCATING NEW AGE RELATIVISM. The thought that all religions are equally true is absurd, but insisting on taking the directly opposite position is not working. Arguing opposing logic and philosophy with this new generation is only driving a wedge between them and the Church (and by extension, Christ himself). There are points of contact on this issue that we can use, but we have to be willing to find and use them. We can’t change the truth, but we can present it in a way that makes sense to them. The reason that the concept of relative truth is so common is the way this generation understands how truth is found. Modernism states that truth is found in what is objectively absolute, the things outside ourselves that govern everything. It is based on logic and finds truth in laws. This generation believes that truth is found in what is subjectively absolute, the things within ourselves that govern everything. It is based on feeling and finds truth in belief. Because many people believe many things, then who’s to say that one is more true than another? The measure of truth is in how passionately it is believed in. We must tell the objective truth subjectively. Logical, rational arguments will not sway them. Radical, passionate faith will. If what you believe is less important to them then how deeply you believe it, then we must believe deeper than anyone else in the world. We need to emphasize the personal, the emotional and the relational; so let our people be dynamic, charismatic and mystical (in a word, HOLY). The fact of the matter is that God has commanded us to love him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. In the modern era, with it’s emphasis on logic over emotion and the natural world over the supernatural, we have let our love in heart and soul grow cold. This NEEDS to be corrected if we are to pass the faith on to this generation.

    As a member of this generation and a soldier of the Salvation Army, I am willing to stake my life on God’s continuing will for His Army in my generation. The only question is whether we are willing to follow where He leads us as a movement, or let Him leave us behind.

    15. Desmond Durdle on July 7th, 2009

  15. Hi Desmond,

    Having read your post, I think you might be interested in reading the various responses to Colonel Max Ryan’s article ‘What’s this about postmodernism?’ (or something like that)

    As a Constructionist, and influenced heavily by Post-Structualism, I disagree with some of your points as generalisations. They are true for SOME of the current generation, but certainly not all. In fact, the reason the concept of relative truth is so readily accepted is because it is the ultimate extension of pure logic and reason AND it embraces relativity which equally can not be ignored. For most people (certainly myself), a ‘relative truth’ will only be accepted after a great deal of in-depth study and research. If I haven’t done the research, then I will be open to the idea that ALL truths on the subject are correct. I will do research on those topics which are of vital importance to me (the amount of research one does means one can only study a limited range of topics, so only the most extremely important topics to the individual are prioritised).

    So, if matters of theology and faith are deemed THAT important, then the individual will examine ALL avenues of theology and faith, from multiple angles. Any group that only presents one side of the discussion is treated with extreme scepticism as it comes across that they are fantatically passionate and have not worked out their salvation ‘With fear and trembling’ as the Apostle Paul says. One will be open to Extreme fundamentalism right through to Extreme Liberalism and everything in between, until one finds an expression that makes sense to them. Because ‘this generation’ as you put it, do so readily embrace relativity, the experiences and passion of another is of little importance to them - chiefly because the experience belongs to another - a different individual - not themselves. They want something relavant to them, not someone else. Each individual is unique, and so needs a unique solution. A ‘one size fits all’ solution is largely rejected as it denies the uniquness and individuality of the person, and therefore denies supremacy of God (at least to me) (the argument and theology here is quite exhaustive - I will not go into it here).

    Something to think about.

    Yours in Christ,
    Graeme.

    16. Graeme Randall on July 13th, 2009

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