FIRE AWAY!

by Terry Camsey 
 

“… children are a heritage from the Lord…Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.”

Psalm 127: 3-5 NKJV 
 

I

 am not an archer trying to hit a target or kill an animal (neither of which I have ever tried to do!), but I do feel that this passage has something very important to tell us. 

Firstly, arrows are the tools of a warrior. They can accomplish much if skillfully used…they can accomplish little or nothing if the archer is not skilled in their use, or the target is not in clear sight.. 

So, if the target is missed by the arrow we can conclude that either the arrow was faulty (bent) or that the archer - even with the best bow and arrow in the world - is not skilled enough in using the arrows to full advantage. 

I read of someone who rode into an old Western (cowboy) town and, in passing a barn, noted there were several targets painted on the side wall each with an arrow  in the bulls-eye. He looked across the road and saw who seemed to be the village idiot standing there with a bow and quiver full of arrows. He asked the boy who had fired the arrows dead center into each of the targets. The boy said, “I did!” So the man asked, “How did you do it?” The boy replied, “It’s simple, I fire the arrows first and then draw the circles around them!” 

Does that have a familiar ring? 

This has played on my mind for a long time, it having possibly much to say to the Army in these days: 

The Army “fathers” of today do indeed have a quiver full of arrows…keen, young, energetic, creative young people who know our times better than anyone of a previous generation or two. The question is whether those “arrows” which, hopefully are the “heir force” of The Army’s future, are used to the fullest extent of their capability. Do our “archers” have the skills necessary to fire these “arrows?” 

To be used to maximum effect, our “arrows” need both a clear target to be fired at. In our context that would be a vision of what our “archers” want to accomplish for God through the Army international. Not just a Mission Statement (that is just a purpose what we do) but a stirring vision of what the idea future will look, sound and feel like when being accomplished with excellence.  

It should send shivers of excitement and down our backs when we read it realizing that to accomplish it, if we do our part, God will do his through us. 

Those “arrows” should also be released by the “archer” if they are to be of any use at all. 

Is there such a target?  I’m not talking about “we shall be…” statements but, “With Gods help we shall see…” (followed by a sensual - of the senses - description of it what it will be like when actually being achieved. Just as God’s vision is recorded in Revelation with all tribes and nations worshiping before the throne). What an exciting event that is to work towards. 

Yes, we have, in our quiver of arrows today, our “Sons of Issachar” who know our times, just as in Biblical days the Sons of Issachar knew their times. Since they bring a point of view we sorely need, they should surely be represented in the development of a compelling vision of God’s preferred future. They stand, I am sure, ready to seek and hit the target if and when the archer sets up the target and releases those “arrows” to do so. 

What say you?

Writer: A published and recorded composer; cornet soloist of international fame; Terry Camsey was a Salvation Army officer for over twenty years mostly in the area of Church Health and Growth who in retirement is a church growth consultant. He studied with Carl F George (of the then Fuller Institute of Evangelism) as a church growth “doctor” (Diagnosis with Impact), Lyle E. Schaller, Charles and “Chip” Arne and trained as facilitator with Covey Institute (Seven Habits and  First Things First), and The Edward de Bono Lateral Thinking Course.

Terry has traveled as Church Growth teacher around the world including Britain, Scandinavia, Germany, Australia and New Zealand, Philippines, Germany.

He is writer of “Slightly Off-Center” (Crest books) and regular columnist in New Frontier (The Salvation Army USA West’s periodical) for over two decades.

© Terry Camsey, May 2010 (Used with permission of the author)

5 Comments to FIRE AWAY!

1. Great stuff, as always, Terry. I hope you’re not just preaching to the choir here, but that the choir will pass this song on to the ears who need to hear it. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

   Joe
Joe Noland on May 11th, 2010

2. Terry - I appreciate what you’re saying here. I believe that the word or term or action needed to move forward in the direction you suggest is TRUST.

   Captain Billy Francis made the following comment this morning on his Facebook status update: “…[I] watched Tom Brokaw’s “Boomer$” last night. As a proud member of the Buster, X’er, 13th generation (those born between 1964 - 1981) it started me thinking about the ‘end of the boom’ for leadership in The Salvation Army. Within 10 years Boomer control will end…what will our role be? There are distinct differences …in how we perceive leadership, family, wealth, etc., etc., etc….a fascinating journey begins…” Indeed the beginning of the end of an era is taking shape. Who will fill those leadership shoes? How will they be chosen? Will those individuals even know they’ve been chosen?

   Rob Reardon

   TRUST is the key factor as we forge ahead because eventually, the next generation will need to be entrusted to not only “mind the store,” but also to shape and redefine the parameters of who we are.
Rob on May 11th, 2010

3. I’d like to suggest we try using our imaginations, our playfulness and our creativity, to tell the stories of how we made (past tense) the arrows fly straight, as if we are speaking from 10-20 years from now.

   It would be a challenge for those of us in the UK to include, realistically, what’s likely to happen to many corps in the UK territory in that time.

   But what’s to lose?

   Eleanor
Eleanor Burne-Jones on May 11th, 2010

4. Rob, I hope you realize that for some of us “late boomers” (born 1959!) we still have up to 18 years left and may work beyond 65 given that in Canada, age discrimination has stopped companies from forced retirement. You busters can’t get rid of us that easy! ;o)

   Kathie Chiu
Kathie Chiu on May 13th, 2010

5. Full marks Terry, yes how do we look at our children/young people, are they to be seen but not heard, do we only think senior corps?

   I’d like to make a suggestion, think of your corps as a process, the cradle to the grave so to speak. Look at each part, cradle roll, primary, sunday school, senior corps. Check each part for being effective as a child travels through the process. Is each part effective in passing that child on to the next part of the process or is there a high risk that that child will not make it. Think continuous improvement (doing little things better) our young people are worth it and our future depends on it.

   Actually come to think about it apply continuous improvement to the whole corps make it away of life. I used it for over 25 years in my work as an industrial engineer and have been on a marvellous journey. My only regret is that I’ve failed to get our Army leaders to take an interest, but i haven’t given up on that one.

   Your humble foot soldier
Roy Stephens on May 13th, 2010

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