1000 Posts - Comments from Contributors

Congratulations on the 1000th post! I am so proud to be a part of such an amazing group of writers and contributors, to such a great publication. The Gospel has been a blessing to many, many people because of this site, and may it continue far beyond even the 1 millionth post.

In His dust,
Johnny (Jonathan Gainey)

 

I like to think that blogging is a much less formal type of writing. It’s like jotting on a napkin at the restaurant. It’s a way to think out loud. However, here at the Rubicon, it can be like talking out loud in church. Suddenly everyone turns to listen and every word matters. It was Geoff Ryan who encouraged me to submit some of my jottings. I did, and I quickly discovered I’m not from around here, it’s a little like having a foreign accent. 

I am a thinker. My favorite tools for thinking are observation and dialogue. I am a visual learner and a vital part of the process is talking through my observations in order to refine the valuables. I didn’t do well in school, except in a few subjects where this learning style seemed to work. It wasn’t until midlife before I discovered writing. Writing became a process of sort words, almost like talking to myself. I found myself using this technique to sort through ideas, often reading my words back to myself aloud. Today I carry a note book with me, or my iPod, and I jot down ideas as they come to me. I’ve tried using voice recordings, but it doesn’t seem to have the same effect. There is something special about forcing ideas through the word arranging part of my brain. Having written that I’d still rather talk about it. Anybody who works with me knows that. I spend a lot of time standing in office doorways working through ideas.

Many of the pieces that are posted would never be considered napkin jottings, most are essays. Joe Noland, and perhaps a few others occasionally produce the exception. So many seem to be about the functions and doctrines of the SA. The ones that score the most comments are those that wrestle with the theological/ideological issues. It seems as though the focus of the Salvation Army is the salvation of the Army.
Although I struggle with my writing, and although I am not from around here, both Bruce and Geoff and a few others have made me welcome. I will continue to write on napkins, about things that turn my crank. I can promise they won’t be about officer training strategies or how to keep the big machine running. I can also promise that many of my ideas won’t be well thought out, three point essays. I believe the Rubicon should be like a coffee shop, the kind where you can walk in and join a conversation. This will only work if we write in a manner that invites dialogue.
So what do you think?  

Wayne Rumsby

 

The Education section of theRubicon is a unique international repository for post graduate and research material relating to the work and mission of The Salvation Army.  Finding high quality academic work on The Salvation Army has never been easier as it’s all stored in the one place, with summary pages to tempt you in to the lengthier documents.  The next stage of development will see a targeted collection of research relating specifically to the social service practices of The Salvation Army.  We’re always looking for more material, so if you or someone you know has recently completed a post-graduate dissertation or has engaged with an academic institution in research that relates to The Salvation Army, please let us know.

Jason Davies-Kildea (Captain)

 

Who would have thought, in the distant days of urgent discussion and planning, that we would be celebrating the 1000^th post on the Rubicon. But it has happened, and here we are, energetically anticipating the future! Thinkaloud” and “Resurrected writers” may yet live again occasionally – if the editor has space from time to time. Blessings on you Bruce and the team, and may the forum continue!

Max Ryan

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Wow, quite an accomplishment! In those beginning days, Geoff wrote and asked if I would like to be a regular contributor, to which I quickly replied, “Yes!” 

To my way of thinking, this is “Order of the Founder” groundbreaking stuff (WB would be proud!). Who knows? So, let me join the well-deserved “kudos-giving” parade.

The risk-taking has and will continue to payoff big time.    Joe Noland

 

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