Comm 2 Comm #2 : No Boundaries | YES!

Here is the second question (paraphrased) put to me by Commissioner Jim Knaggs in the interview over at TCSpeak - www.isalvos.net: “With the Army pressuring you to conform, stay within the box, and as a creative, free spirit, what did you do to overcome, get around that? How did you get those around you to tolerate the chaos?” Here’s how I wished I’d answered the question.

Looking back, the answer to that question becomes very clear when it wasn’t so clear at the time. Five simple words to live by if you’re a risk-taking, “creative chaos” kind of guy or gal: God’s timing is always perfect! It was uncanny how God sent “empowering” leaders at just the right time, usually after a trying period when “No!” was the repressive, “controlling” leadership style of the day. - Just like these lyrics from the Charlie Brown Musical, “My New Philosophy” song:

No!! I like it! “No!” That’s a good philosophy.

“No!” “No!” “No!”

SCHROEDER

That’s your new philosophy, huh?

SALLY

Yes. I mean– “No!”

Just like a busy bee

Each new philosophy

Can fly from tree to tree and keep me moving

When life’s a dizzy maze

On alternating days

I choose a different phrase-

SCHROEDER

Your new philosophy?

 

Three DC’s and a TC who said, “Yes,” when most others would have said, “No!” no matter how radical the idea: Gene Rice (OF), David Moulton, Dave Riley (I left Riley out on the Webcast) and the then Commissioner Paul Rader. It was uncanny how they appeared on the scene, in command, at the most opportune times right when we were at one of those “breaking point” periods in our Army journey. Actually there was nothing mysterious about it; it was simply and purely miraculous. Paul Rader’s ever releasing “Go for it!” philosophy was a breath of fresh air and music to our ears. The timing couldn’t have been better.

What is the moral of this little story? Just hang in there! Especially those of you feeling suppressed right now (I know you’re out there because many have told me so).

God’s timing is always perfect

Ah, but there’s more to the story, and this leads me to six additional words to live by: Success Covers A Multitude of Sins. “Sins” being defined as “not asking for permission.”  “Success” being defined as “making Jesus look good.” And it doesn’t hurt either if your superiors interpret this as, “making the DC/TC look good.” A slap on the wrist will be quickly followed with a pat on the back (The granting of forgiveness) - beats being sent to proverbial Siberia, doesn’t it?

But, then again, there are risks involved when you take this route because some failure is inevitable. And I have the scars to prove it. Ah, but the risk is part of the fun and excitement, isn’t it? Caution: Make sure the risks are taken for the right reasons. Ask yourself this question before jumping. “Will His Kingdom benefit from what I’m about to do?”

Purchasing a new vehicle, not on the “approved” list, without permission, is not “doing it for the right reasons.” That is, unless it’s an antique Cadillac hearse to be radically converted for evangelistic purposes. Back in the early 70’s, when this was fashionable, I bought the hearse first, then had it painted bright gold with spiritual, psychedelic art (love, peace, etc.) on the sides and this Scripture Verse on the back: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.” Then I asked for permission.

The DC was nonplussed at first look. I explained, talking fast. A platform was customized to fit on the coffin rollers. When pulled out the back door it unfolded into a staging area, complete with microphones and speakers. A contemporary Gospel singing group had been formed - “Us Plus!” - our mission and vision to perform out on the street corners, parks, anyplace where men, woman and children could be reached with the Gospel message (Hard to say no to that, huh?). “Colonel, the hearse will attract attention, souls will get saved and our soldier roles will grow exponentially.”

After much wailing and gnashing of teeth, he finally acquiesced saying, “O.K., but how will I ever explain this to the insurance department at THQ.” I reminded him that a corps down the road had been given permission to purchase a Checker Limousine in order to transport its aging, ever-growing Home League population. “Don’t call it a hearse; refer to it as a limousine,” I said. He did. It was approved. We grew exponentially.

What is the moral of this little story?  Whatever you do, make Jesus (and the DC, in that order) look good. For the right reasons, of course! Oh, and that DC was Lt. Colonel David Moulton (now gone to Glory), one of my heroes.

Success Covers A Multitude of Sins!

 

Writer: Commissioner Joe Noland’s ministry can be summed up in three words: chaos, creativity and controversy - three elements implicit in any successful innovative endeavor. Cecil B. DeMille, renowned producer of Biblical epics, once wrote, “Creativity is a drug I cannot live without.” Joe’s mantra reads, “Creativity is my drug of choice.”  Access Joe Noland’s complete bio, among other things, by clicking into his website.

6 Comments to Comm 2 Comm #2 : No Boundaries | YES!

1. Funny you should say this….just waiting for my Siberia to come through

   AC
Andrew Clark on April 12th, 2010

2. I am loving your posts! What a breath of fresh air!

   Rachel
Rachel on April 13th, 2010

3. Thanks Rachel. Andrew, there wasn’t space to mention my Siberia’s, each perfect preparation for what was yet to come. Anyway, one person’s Siberia is another’s Hawaii! And there are some impossible to please, no matter how good you make them look. Coincidentally, I was just writing about one of those Siberia moments when this came through. Here is an excerpt, unedited:

   The most trying time of my officership career came during a DHQ staff appointment under a very controlling regime. This was the only time I ever entertained the thought of leaving. It was a two-year appointment and six months into it when I was at my lowest point ever, the Chief Secretary came to town and personally handed me my appointment as a delegate to ICO. God’s timing couldn’t have been more perfect, even if I had written the script. Six-months later at the halfway point, I was given a 3-month sabbatical. My self esteem had never been lower, nor by body weight higher. I returned spiritually refreshed, emotionally strong and 30 pounds lighter.

   During that time, God gave me a clear vision for the future and it was to be within TSA. It was the only time we would ever ask for a change of appointment, to a corps, expecting to remain on the field until we retired. We were granted that request, which again proved to be the right appointment coming at exactly the right time. The rest is history. There would be other tough times later on, but the knowledge of God’s perfect timing and perfect will carried us through. And, with that in mind, we would have happily stayed in Corps work until the ® was placed after our name. Attitude is everything. And besides where else would we have had the extraordinary opportunities yet to come?
Joe Noland on April 13th, 2010

4. Thanks, Joe. This is a challenging word given from the context of a holy life.

   Jim Knaggs
Jim Knaggs on April 13th, 2010

5. Well, we live in hope in our current situation but sadly it is hope in God alone for the Army don’t seem to want us and are willing to let us walk away.
Andrew Clark on April 14th, 2010

6. Just praying for all involved here. Despite the kind and loving people in each of the corps I’ve been in, outside the world of friendship, I wouldn’t wish my experience missionally as a soldier on anyone, but even in this wilderness it is possible to discern a sense of ongoing vocation through others, and to share and test out discernment decisions on where and how to serve. The prayerful guidance of friends far away helps to fill the void and helps me grow. Being a soldier feels as I imagine it would to be a missionary out alone in an alien place -as in fact believers are when we venture outside our churches in the UK , this brings strengths, challenges, opportunities and builds considerable resilience.

   If you want a team to do mission with you have to go form it yourself, and that’s not a bad experience! You also have to find venues and raise all your own funds, but so far we are thriving on that as well. Don’t underestimate how difficult it is to try to focus one minute on livelihood and the next on making disciples and church planting.

   What has struck me in the Fresh Expressions nets has been the genuine and ongoing endeavour to implement what Archbishop Rowan Williams described as the needed mixed economy of churches for the future. We are all well aware that it usually doesn’t work to try to ‘bolt on’ a new form of church to an old form of congregation - bodies everywhere. But if the denominations can decide to positively enable new forms of church alongside old forms, and allow different streams of leaders to develop, then the process of transitioning from christendom-minded church to post-christendom adapted church (and from one culture to another etc) becomes possible. It needs the WILL of the church leaders to say they desire to transition the church, not forcing change but allowing and encouraging and waiting to see where God blesses and moves.

   The fact that new forms of being ‘army’, of living the army charism in postchristendom don’t yet seem to have good financial models mustn’t stop the transition happening, or we will break the continuity of the charism - we will prevent the charism of TSA, which is so beautiful and life-giving as a way to follow Jesus, from moving into the future generations.
   Praying for all caught up in the pain of this time of change.
Eleanor Burne-Jones on April 15th, 2010

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