SA Non-Negotiables?

Iwas recently asked what I thought the “non-negotiables” of The Salvation Army were. I thought my reply might interest others …

I always find the discussion regarding “non-negotiables” somewhat amusing. It seems to be a perpetual one that has become more prevalent in the last ten years or so. I can remember the then Commissioner Shaw Clifton (now General) speaking at the Coutts Memorial Lecture when I was in college (2003) on this very topic. His talk from that occasion is now the first chapter of his book New Love. He shared his 8 “non-negotiables” on that occasion…

1. Realism
2. Idealism
3. Acceptance (or Inclusiveness)
4. Compassion
5. Simplicity
6. Internationalism
7. Visibility
8. Audibility

I’ve also been a part of a similar discussion at a conference in Melbourne in 2006. There it was about Salvation Army “DNA”. All that’s just to say that this discussion keeps revolving and never seems to come to a definitive conclusion.

This is all just symptomatic of The Salvation Army’s “identity crisis” of the last 10 years. The ultimate question here is “Who are we?”.

For me, using the General’s list as a starting point, I struggle with the obvious lack of biblical language within that list of distinctives. You may be aware that the YMCA was a “Christian” organisation but certainly now has drifted away from that as it’s core roots. It would certainly be possible for The Salvation Army to also drift away from it’s Christian heritage and become just a social organisation if we held to this list of “non-negotiables” provided by the General. That’s really dangerous for me. If those 8 things are the things we must hold on to (which I’m assuming is the way he’s using “non-negotiable”) then there’s nothing there about the primacy of Scripture, our evangelical focus, our pneumatological priority (i.e. holiness of life), etc.

I personally think that we are a movement that epitomises “strength in weakness” (2 Cor 9). This should be evident in our message, our motivation, and our methodology. What I mean by this is that we preach a message about the Christ who, in the incarnation, became weak so that we may be strong. Our God is a God who loves us enough to subject himself to the humiliation of the cross and the suffering of a Roman execution. Our motivation becomes the belief that there is no “weakness” in this world that cannot be overcome with Christ’s “strength”. No addiction, no illness, no sinful life, no persecution, no government, no temptations, nothing can defeat the strength of Christ and all that he achieved in the incarnation, and all that that entails. And so our methodology reflects the message and motivation that we have. A willingness to adopt whatever means is appropriate to achieve the goal of the Salvation of the World. A willingness to humiliate ourselves regardless of the consequences if that communicates the message in some way (e.g. willing to place our reputation on the line or willing to give up government funding if necessary, dare I say it). Dropping the old if it no longer works, and adopting the new if it does, or alternatively re-adopting the old if it works again.

This is what I mean by “strength in weakness” - an absolute dependence upon Christ who strengthens us; and not relying upon our reputation, our past methods, our government funding, our heritage, or anything else that we like, that really aren’t “non-negotiable”. I would love to see and be a part of an Army that looks like that.

For me, when we talk about non-negotiables, or what we want to look like in 10 years etc, if we start making the list too long, and begin drifting away from “who we are (and are meant to be) in Christ” then we risk making “peripherals” central. The non-negotiables are the message, the motivation (which stems from the message), and the methodology (which ironically is completely adaptable).

What are your non-negotiables?

Writer: Captain Adam Couchman is currently the Director for the School for Christian Studies at Booth College, Australia Eastern Territory. He loves reading, talking, discussing, thinking, and re-thinking all things theological. Most of all, he just wants to “be Holy as God is holy”. Adam is married to Megan and together they have two girls - Brielle and Annabelle.

6 Comments to SA Non-Negotiables?

1. I’d include covenant + vocational discernment for everyone (i.e. look like a mission order, not a Christendom-shaped clergy-laiety church). This is what makes us ‘us’ and not just another local church.

   This would also help people stop thinking ‘institution’ and start thinking ‘following Jesus’. There’s nothing wrong with institutions provided they are kept in their place and don’t get enmeshed with ‘being church’. The institution does good work despite struggling with some serious issues, but it is part of, and only part of, being a salvationist.

   E B-J
Eleanor Burne-Jones on November 25th, 2009

2. Adam

   Amen–your comments about the lack of Scripture and the Centrality of Christ in the General’s list of non-negotiables shows just how far away from Booth’s vision we have come.

   Primarily, IMHO, our mission is to bring the message that Christ is the answer. Scripture which is inspired (dare I hint at infallible?) points the way.

   The list of non-negotiables provided by the General reads like the goals of a secular organisation that is doing good–not the non-negotiables of a part of the Community of Christ. We are a segment of the Forever Family. Each and every one of us as Eleanor Burne-Jones has implied in her writings over the years must see ourselves as fully engaged in the mission of the church.

   Thanks again.

   John Stephenson
John Stephenson on November 25th, 2009

3. My “non-negotiables” would have to start with some basic statements of belief. A short list might look like this:

   1) Jesus Christ was God and man.
   2) Jesus died and the cross and rose from the dead.
   3) Remember Love. Christ’s love for us, lived out in his sacrifice. Our love for others, lived out by sharing the promise of Salvation in word and deed.
   4) Evangelism is primary. Social Services is merely a tool to perform evangelism and show God’s love in action.
   5) Jesus instructed us to “be perfect, as God the father is perfect”. Thus indicating we should act in accordance with the will and character of God.
   6) This is the basis for social services. ‘Social Justice’ is nice, but worthless in eternity if practiced without a Gospel basis.

   That’s off the top of my head. I’m sure with some added thought I’d make some revisions or additions.

   Thanks for making me think. I appreciate the mental exercise.

   Josh G
Josh Garrington on November 25th, 2009

4. Well, let me be the dissenter here. I quite like the General’s list.

   We could learn some professionalism and strategizing from the corporate world. I assume that the mission of TSA is taken for granted when this list is compiled, don’t you? I mean, if we have to start listing every creed or doctrine that we will not ever change, the list of non-negotiables will become so lengthy that it will serve no purpose.

   In fact, doesn’t the list reflect very fundamental Christian values, such as simplicity? Compassion? Inclusiveness? I would prefer that the list incorporate general headings like these that are not so specific that we cannot agree on them. For example, visibility is a good non-negotiable. But it doesn’t say, full formal uniform.

   The list above by Josh, I could not agree with. #4 - “Evangelism is primary. Social Services is merely a tool to perform evangelism and show God’s love in action”? Really? That kind of attitude is not something all Salvationists, including myself, could hold to. In fact I think it is wrong and contrary to the biblical call to live out the kingdom of God here on earth.

   I agree that perhaps another item could be added to the list to capture our Christian identity, so that we don’t go the way of the YMCA. But let’s be fair towards General Clifton’s list and not allow our guilt to force us to add so many other creedal statements to make the list essentially useless.

   Juan
Juan on November 26th, 2009

5. All of the General’s non-negotiables if you’d really care to read through his book instead of seeking out the soundbyte only, are supported by scripture in various ways. I don’t see this list in any ways corporate, or organizational. It’s a good list, one that is well-thought out and intentioned.

   But, is it the “be-all-and-end-all” of everything TSA should stand for? Probably not. But is it a catylst for good discussion and reflection on what TSA should be? Absolutely.

   Robert J
Rob Jeffery on December 1st, 2009

6. Thanks everyone for your comments. Again, the list begins to expand and the disagreement ensues. This is why I think lists of “non-negotiables” (when they get too long) become problematic. Personally, I’d much rather talk about what unites us with all of Christianity that that which distinguishes us from everyone else. Aren’t we called to make every effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit? That’s why I would include both Eleanor’s and Josh’s “list of 5″ within the category of “message”.

   Rob - a rose by any other name is still a rose, and an insult by any other name is still an insult. I’m not sure who you were aiming at with the “if you’d really care to read the book” comment, however I felt that it was out of place in this discussion. I’m more than happy to discuss differing points of view and enter into a discussion. I certainly don’t put articles such as this up assuming that I know everything. Far from it. Discussion helps fine tuen all of our beliefs, but let’s ensure that we keep in mind that the heart of the gospel that we have all accepted is a message of love. Insults, even thinly veiled ones, have no place within theology.

   For interests sake, here’s a link to the General’s talk back in 2003 which is available for download. This is what became the chapter under discussion

   http://www.salvoaudio.com/sermon/general_shaw_clifton.htm

   (Click on “What on earth is Neo-Primitive Salvationism?”)

   Thanks
   Adam Couchman
Adam Couchman on December 5th, 2009

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