The People's General - A New Tribute to General Eva Burrows

I was sitting around a table on the tenth floor overlooking the city of Melbourne. I was privileged enough, as a cadet in those days, to be sitting next to General Eva Burrows. There was always something special about that hand of hers that would reach out and touch your arm. You felt cared for, supported, uplifted and inspired all in one simple gesture.

Other Salvationists have their memories. For me, it's the treasured email my wife Jo and I received after the birth of one of our children. From General Eva Burrow's perspective, it would've taken a couple of minutes; a few lines of text. But for me, it was a retired world leader, taking a few moments to congratulate us, and offer a prayer of blessing. Once again a simple gesture that brought joy to my heart.

I remember the times I would see her at large Salvation Army gatherings, and she would not miss a beat; she'd look over and mention one of my children's names and ask how they were. She'd remember what corps we were serving at and ask, 'How's Craigieburn going?' A simple gesture.

The date was May 2nd, 1986, when the first Australian-born woman was elected General of The Salvation Army. During the next few years General Eva met with Presidents, including President Ronald Reagan, President Fidel Castro in the Caribbean and President Daniel T. arap Moi of Kenya. She preached about Jesus right across the nations, from Canada to India, and South Africa to the Pacific Islands, in her homeland Australia, and of course, across the countries of Africa that she loved so dearly.

There are many aspects of the life of General Eva Burrows that are worthy of a mention.

Firstly, her resilience. Commissioner John Clinch said of her, 'I have seen her on more than one occasion sitting at her desk following a heavy and demanding period away, grey-faced, bone-weary, head in hands, completely drained. Most people would need a week or two to recover. But one good night's sleep and she is back on the job, full of vitality...'  

She was passionate about renewal. In Henry Gariepy's biography, General of God's Army: The Authorized Biography of General Eva Burrows, she says, 'God has shown me that I must emphasize our need for renewal in The Salvation Army. God seems to have said, 'You've tackled several administrative challenges, you've done quite a lot of clearing away of the organizational problem; now it's time to center down and focus on the great issue of renewal within The Salvation Army and on the mission for which I called it into being.'' She had a deep passion for Christ, and always sought to raise up leaders, care for the vulnerable and make disciples for the sake of the Kingdom of God. 

Thirdly, there was a deep passion for relationships. When General Eva walked in the room, there was something about her demeanor, her smile, her way of connecting that made you feel at ease. You felt cared for. You felt like it was ok for you to be in the room. You didn't feel power-plays happening. You were welcome. Even with thousands of relational connections across the globe, General Eva Burrows remembered your name, she genuinely cared and the love of God was present when she was there!

General Eva Burrows was intently focused on reforming organisational structures and the brokenness of society. Whether it be standing in the queue with black South Africans at the local South African Post Office as a silent protest against apartheid, speaking up about unity at a conference in Melbourne (I was in the room and everyone went silent when she spoke), or standing up for the sanctity of life by writing to the Prime Minister of England, or sitting with the poor and vulnerable on the streets of Melbourne in her retirement years. She believed The Salvation Army had a rich heritage and a clear mission to care for the most broken across our societies. 

The People's General lead by example, and on this International Women's Day 2024, I want to pay tribute. One thing I've realised, just by writing these few paragraphs, is the power of one particular thing...

All it takes is one small gesture to impact someone's life. 

When The Salvation Army Dies...

A decade ago I signed the Officer's Covenant. What a privilege I felt in my heart, to be able to lay down my life to serve others and lead people to Jesus Christ.

That passion is still there. In fact, it is there more than ever.

See, I have such a holy discontent that we are not doing more to support people in need and see lives transformed for Jesus. I long to increase our impact upon society. I long for more people to join the cause. I long for more people to commit themselves to the ideals of the soldier's and officer's covenants.

But then this nagging feeling comes upon me.

I began to reflect one day on what would happen if The Salvation Army died. Let me qualify what I mean by that: I began to wonder what would happen if The Salvation Army lost its focus so much so that it became significantly different to the original movement that I signed up to be a part.

Maybe you have asked that question once or twice. It's not because you or I lack faith or fail to have a view that God raised up The Salvation Army, but because we don't want to see it be less than what God raised it up to be.

Recently I was walking around a large lake at a local park, praying and thinking about that very question.

'What if The Salvation Army died?'

Then I felt some words in my spirit that said:

The Salvation Army does need to die. 
It needs to die to its own image.
It needs to die to its own strategic plans.
It needs to die to its own narcissism. 
The Salvation Army needs to spend less time celebrating the mission it has achieved, and more time celebrating the source of the mission.
The Salvation Army needs to spend less time focused on how good it thinks it is, how good it thinks its forebears were, but rather point to how good it believes God is.

We need to reignite the coals of Jesus-focused, gutsy, Spirit-filled fervour, that is embedded within the very DNA of this movement. We need to re-embrace the Apostles, Evangelists and Prophets across the globe, to join again with the Shepherds and Teachers to work together to establish God's kingdom here and now.

Captain Matt Reeve quoted this recently, 'Movements start because their founder loves Jesus. They die when the movement loves its founder.' There's a tension there. One that I feel and acknowledge. We are thankful to William, Catherine, Bramwell and the team. We love their focus, passion and tenacity to raise up such a movement. We are thankful to Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit that we should be a part of such exciting times.

Though The Salvation Army didn't succeed because General William Booth always spoke about how good John Wesley was.

The Salvation Army didn't succeed because Catherine Booth chose to put Phoebe Palmer up on a pedestal.

Part of why The Salvation Army succeeded was both because Salvationists learned and were inspired by the past, but were driven ultimately by a passion for Jesus Christ.

In John's Gospel, chapter 15, we read that Jesus is the true vine, and that the Father cuts off every branch in us that bears no fruit. Jesus says we cannot bear fruit unless we remain in him, because apart from him, we can do nothing.

I look forward then to the day that The Salvation Army dies.

A day we lay our timbrels at the mercy seat.

A day we lay down our own ambition for that which is even better.

A day we commit ourselves wholeheartedly to the cause of Jesus Christ in the world.

This is the day I long for.

This is the day that we will be at our best.

And Praise God that in some places, that day has already arrived.

The Salvation Army does not belong in a box!

I was asked to contribute an article to the Journal of Aggressive Christianity in recent days. The editor Major Stephen Court challenged me to write and express my views. Here's the article I wrote and I think it's worth the couple of minutes to read:

The Salvation Army does not belong in a box!

God bless you.

What is God whispering to The Salvation Army?

What is God saying in these days to The Salvation Army? What is the Holy Spirit whispering to this movement in the early parts of 2016?

I think this is critical to consider. Like Moses once said, 'If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here' (Exodus 33:15). We want to embrace all that God is saying to us and apply all that we discern is being revealed to us.

Let me stop there for a moment. As Salvationists, we become so pragmatic in our service to God, we can neglect listening to God. I make a general statement here, though I have seen it time and time again. We run around like Martha, trying to prepare a meal for Jesus, yet Mary was the one who had done what Jesus desired. She had sat at his feet, to learn from him and to hear from him.
 
So with that in mind, What is God saying?

If you permit me, I want to offer my thoughts as I have been praying. They're far from conclusive, and you might want to add your own thoughts in the comments section.

I hesitate to start with something from Revelation, because you probably think I'm about to predict the day and time of the return of Jesus. But have a read of this, that John wrote to the church in Ephesus:

² I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. ³ You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. ⁴ Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. ⁵ Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. (Revelation 2:2-5)

Pastor Jim Cymbala, a few years ago, gave this word to The Salvation Army:

'Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord; Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn.' (Isaiah 51:1)

I constantly think of a similar word; that God is calling us to fix our eyes on Jesus. Simple. Yet if we fail, we lose the entire foundation on which The Salvation Army was built.

We must look to Jesus. We cannot look to large, growing churches in affluent communities for tips on future methodology. We cannot merely look at our current practices, shine them up a little and expect different results. We must look to Jesus.

I consider my local context in recent days. Two of us praying every week for God to touch our community. Two people. Consistent prayer. Week in, week out. Would God every grow this little prayer meeting?! We believe God for breakthrough. In recent days there were six of us praying. Sunday morning we had thirteen people gathered around before the meeting to pray. God teach us to fix our eyes upon Jesus!

I sense that God is doing a new thing in our movement. Can you perceive it? And further to the preceding comments, the words in the gospel of John, chapter 15, ring true to many: You will bear fruit, fruit that will last. And that word about fruit, is related to remaining IN Jesus. Keeping our eyes fixed on him.

God is pleased that we now squabble less about meaningless, frivolous matters. The mission of God is being revealed to us in such a fresh way, that the concerns and desires of our heart is to partner with God in fulfilling that mission.

Though let me ask you this: If God is doing a new thing... then who are we to hold on to the old? That's a loaded question right there, but one that the Spirit of God would surely have us consider. In moving forward, what stays and what goes? It's critical to discern in coming months and years the right answer to such a question. If we get it right, then we fully pursue the purposes for which God raised us up. If we get it wrong, we may end up perpetuating practices and procedures that no longer work in our time.

So be reminded of this: God is doing a new thing, can you not perceive it?


* These are Pete Brookshaw's thoughts and ideas and do not necessarily represent the official position of The Salvation Army.

Why God is Not Finished with The Salvation Army.

The response was varied. The readership was huge. The viral nature of my previous blog astounded me. I wrote a piece entitled, 'Why The Salvation Army is in decline and what we can do about it!'  For different reasons it sparked discussion right around the globe (especially in the West - and many are right when they assert that decline is most relevant IN the West). In one corner people agreed, and in another there was vehement disagreement. Some sought to sharpen up the original post, with some clarifying thoughts. Some pointed out that some of my assertions were general assumptions and not applicable to their setting.

Well, the dust has settled and I want to follow up that provocative post with Part 2: Why God is Not Finished with The Salvation Army.

I am convinced that Salvationists need a sense of urgency of the need for change, hence my previous post. One does not get a hair cut until they are dissatisfied with their current hair style (Ok, I do not speak from experience on that one...). You know what I mean? We can not change the course of history by trying to solve the challenges we have with the same thinking that existed when the challenge arose. We must think outside the box. Give new things a shot. We keep what is absolutely essential to what makes us The Salvation Army, and allow the Lord to reveal to us new ways of expressing gospel-centered ministry to a broken world in our rapidly changing global environment.

So, that's why I have written this post. God is not finished with The Salvation Army. In fact, I think the best days are still ahead. No offense, Will and Kate. You did great things. Though God has planted something within this movement that desires to do greater things!

We could rewind to the vision imparted to The Salvation Army from William Booth, found within In Darkest England and the Way out. The vision was an army pulling people from the ills of society, and giving them the hope of full salvation. You can see workers straining to reach out to people in need. There is a passion for the transformative work of Jesus to transpire in people's lives.

Today we have Salvationists right around the globe still working tirelessly to draw people out of addictions, hate, pornography, apathy, homelessness, loneliness, anger, abuse, bitterness and the list goes on.

I think of the street ministries of Salvationists and volunteers that give cups of cold water to those who thirst, and the community lunches that feed the hungry. I know of a ministry that provides free legal advice to those on lower incomes. There are Salvation Army hospitals and schools, and rehab centres, and shelters from abuse. There are Corps that are ignited by a passion to lead people to Christ and disciple them in the process. Some Salvation Army communities of faith meet in buildings, under trees, in houses, in fields, in large basketball arenas, in 'mission houses' and even in secret.

There is a passion to do something about our faith!

But one knows only too well, that there is still a job ahead of us.

This is why I believe God is not finished with The Salvation Army. See, within this movement is an embedded DNA that says, while there is still one lost soul, we'll fight. While there is still brokenness, we'll fight.

We're still fighting.

Until the fullness of the Kingdom of God has come among us, we will keep fighting.


We may wrestle with what The Salvation Army looks like a decade from now. We may not be able to conceive of how God will shape us moving forward. No doubt we'll discuss uniforms and music and ecclesiastical structures. A commissioner here and there will make some tough decisions. We'll debate about how to do effective mission in the world and we'll work at finding alignment on such issues. But that being said, I know this: we'll keep fighting.


We'll keep fighting, because there is still something to fight for. And while there is still something to fight for, you'll find The Salvation Army.


* These are my opinions and do not necessarily reflect the official position of The Salvation Army.

Why The Salvation Army is in Decline and What We Can Do About it!

This may well be my most provocative blog yet. Sometimes things are just painful. If you don't like pain, please turn away now. And this blog comes with a warning; these are my thoughts and my musings, not that of The Salvation Army, nor those of my wife. My children are only 2, 5 and 7, so it sure ain't theirs either. You can blame me if you disagree.

The Salvation Army is in decline.

The quicker we acknowledge the truth, the better.

Stephen Court highlights some sobering statistics in a blog back on January 20th at Army Barmy. Let's look at the facts:

1. Number of Corps
2015 - 15636

2016 – 13826
Decline of 1810 in one year.

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2. Junior Soldiers  

2015 - 385994

2016 – 378881

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3. Senior Soldiers

2015 – 1174913

2016 – 1056722

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4. Soldiers (combined)
2015 – 1560607

2016 – 1435533

Decline – 125074

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5. Officers.

2015 – 26497

2016 – 26675

Before I highlight why I believe The Salvation Army is in decline, we might as well admit that it is. One does not deal with their alcoholism until they admit they're an alcoholic. 

Let me suggest some reasons WHY I think The Salvation Army is in decline and this is the bit that gets controversial:

• We have promoted music over mission
• We have placed the Holy Spirit into the pentecostal don't-dare-go-there basket
• We have created an unnecessary divide between evangelism and social work
• We have failed to call people to follow Jesus
• We have relied on our Public Image, more than our Image-giver
• We have taken our eyes off the radical mission God calls us to, and watered it down to a pew-warming, lovey-dovey envrionment that celebrates mediocority. And yes, I spelt mediocrity wrong, because I couldn't be bothered fixing it. Call me apathetic.
• Hmm... Should I go on?
• We lost sight of the identity of the Army, within the trappings of the Army, and are only now seeking to reclaim the identity that we so quickly dismissed.
• We call people to less than full salvation in Christ.

Maybe I've said too much and maybe the list is incomplete. Maybe we don't need to focus on such things? Maybe I'm being too pessimistic for once. Well, it's difficult to fix a problem you don't believe exists. 

Have a read of this:

Major Darren Elkington offers these provocative, yet insightful words, 'Sociologists would tell us that we are now living in a new age … that the old is gone … replaced by a new reality … that we are no longer living in the age of Christendom … but rather a new era … the post Christian era where every area of life is steadily being divorced from Christian ideals and re-interpreted in humanistic terms. Meaning that for many today, that the things that we cherish: God, Christ, grace, the cross, Easter … the church … is considered meaningless, irrelevant, and for some they would even go as far as saying to believe in that stuff is just strange or bizarre.

Now, like all new ideas … this is all debatable … and it’s certainly not my intention to debate whether or not this is indeed our new reality  … except to say … if it is true … then surely it requires a newness, a freshness, a new way of thinking and doing … Because if we simply continue operating under an old premise … or that this new division becomes no more than just the old division re-badged as new … then my prediction is that this new division will go the way of the old … each year producing less Soldiers, smaller congregations, fewer conversions, less ministry and more closures of corps.   

And so we need to embrace the new … new leadership, a new way of doing, new ideas, news initiatives, new possibilities, and as we do, I don’t believe it means that we have to re-invent ourselves.  This time last year, I arrived in back in Australia after being out of the country for the last 6 years … and what I’ve encountered on my return is a busy army, a diverse army, a social army, a uniformed army, a caring army, a fundraising army, a compliant army … and these are all good things in themselves to be … But God raised us up to be a Salvation Army … William Booth said it best.  This is our speciality: Getting saved, keeping saved, and getting someone else saved, and then getting ourselves mightily saved again and again.' 

 
So what can we do about it?

We need to be The Salvation Army. We don't need more facebook groups celebrating old Salvation Army buildings that have closed down, brass bands that had glory days in the 1970s and social media communities that are designed to have a whinge about the past, the present and anything worthy of trying to better the future. 

Fix your eyes upon Jesus, Salvation Army. God raised us up for more than good music, good social work and a comfortable Sunday morning. We are called to win the world for Jesus. Anything less is an insult to William Booth and a kick in the guts to Catherine. Re-embrace a radical, passionate, courageous faith in Christ, that causes you to substitute what is good, for what is great. Seek first the Kingdom of God. Pray like Jesus is coming back tomorrow. Live like you only have days left on the earth. Commit to sacrificial giving, disciplined obedience and compassionate gospel work.

Come on. Let's change the world.

Repent. Pray. Believe. Radically respond.

The Salvation Army - How to Forge Ahead in 2016

I'm sick of the same old, same old. Aren't you? The wheel keeps spinning and 2016 could end up just looking like a polished version of 2015. That's all well and good if you're completely satisfied with the year just gone. Though, if you're like me, you're not.

A new year always affords new opportunities. And one must say, to forge ahead in 2016, means we need to fix the bad habits of 2015 and tweak everything else. If we are hoping for different results and better outcomes, we cannot continue to do the same old thing. Same old, same old, with the same results. Don't be insane.

The Salvation Army has a great year ahead.

I have a couple of thoughts of how, God willing, The Salvation Army can forge ahead in 2016. We can forge ahead. To forge is 'to form or make, especially by concerted effort'. I like that. Salvationists are predominantly already busy, pragmatic, do-ers, who want to change the world. So the challenge then is to consider, what are we forging ahead with?

Let me offer you my thoughts, and you can add to it.

How The Salvation Army can forge ahead in 2016:

• We need to better understand the mission of The Salvation Army. Why? Then we wouldn't get caught up in debates about worship styles and heated discussions about the colour of the carpets. I couldn't imagine Jesus unrolling the scroll of the prophet Isaiah and saying to the Nazarene community gathered, 'Hi folks, contrary to what you think, today my ministry is going to be about superficial things that don't really matter.' (See Luke 4:14-21). A better grasp of the significance of a mission of serving the last, lost and least of our global village will better prepare us in the year ahead.
  
• We need to admit worship is more about our lifestyle than our music. We also should admit, (from what I understand), William Booth implemented Brass Bands as a vehicle for effective mission in his context. We must continually seek ways for our music, finances and resources to be mission-focused and make appropriate adaptations over time. I'm not going to say much more. Worship is about laying your life on the altar (See Romans 12:1-2).
  
• We need to wrestle with people admiring The Salvation Army but not wanting to join it. I speak in generalities. People love The Salvation Army, but don't see themselves ever able to be a Salvationist. I don't know the answer to this. Do we need to radically re-think our organisational structures? How does Soldiership become more accessible to the world? How do we be not of the world, but still in it, and still effectively reach our world? I'm asking more questions than giving answers.
  
• We need to write more provocative works. We need to pen better books. We need to communicate so people want to listen. We must find ourselves on the cutting edge of creative ministry. We must engage people with the exciting, hope-filled mission that we are a part, and call people to follow Jesus in the midst of a dynamically, changing world. One may say then that ministry becomes all about us and I sure don't want to go down that rabbit warren. Though, we are still called by God to do the best with what we have, the best with what we have in our hands, and the best with all that God will make us stewards of. So be the best in 2016. Don't settle for mediocrity.
  
• We must pray like we believe that God answers the prayers of his people. Stop for a moment. This is critical. IF WE BELIEVED God actually changed the course of history, because one of God's Spirit-filled believers requested more of God and God's presence abided in a deeper way, we would PRAY MORE! We would pray with more intent and passion! The issue here is plain to me. We pray more like Calvinists, than anyone else. We pray like God has already chosen to bless certain people and God has already decided who will be healed and who will flourish. I want to say, No! I believe your prayers can change the course of the present and create a different future! God hears the cries of his people. Call people in 2016 to really, really pray!
  
• We must hear from God. Yeah, yeah, I know you've heard that before. Sure. Great. I get the repetition. Though, this is another no-brainer, that needs re-iterating. Without hearing from the still small voice of the Holy Spirit, you're bound to simply do what most Salvationists do - fundraise, worship, serve, read, pray, serve some more and pastorally support others. All of it is good, absolutely, though we need to hear from the Lord. What is God is saying for you to leave everything and go to the Northern Territory? What if God is saying, it's time to pray for the sick on a regular basis? What if God is saying, take 20 people and go on a silent retreat? We must hear from God in 2016. I'm not saying we didn't in 2015, you understand that. But we must, hear from God. What are you saying Lord?
  
• One more thought. We must not simply build buildings so that we can worship, and then fundraise to keep the building open so that we can worship. We must be wholly committed to embracing a risky, dynamic mission that reaches into the crevices of a broken world, and offers the hope of Christ.

The Salvation Army has a great year ahead.

Will you be led by the Holy Spirit, to fully participate in all that God desires to do through you this year?

Controversial Ideas for The Salvation Army to Wrestle with...

Before I say a word, let me remind you; these are my thoughts, and they don't necessarily represent the views of The Salvation Army.

I love The Salvation Army; what it does, who it worships, the people in it, the legacy it has and the future that is destined for it. Though, I want to ask some tough questions and make some observations.

Take a deep breath. Are you ready for this?

1. When we worship traditionalism rather than simply giving thanks for our traditions, we create an idol that distracts us from innovative mission.
2. When our Salvation Army uniform is such that the uniformity is a barrier to people responding to Christ we have a conundrum. 
3. When the gospel is only about the salvation of souls we deprive Salvationism of the fullness of the work of Christ. When the service of God through The Salvation Army is only about cups of cold water to those in need we can let people go spiritually thirsty. Captain Andy Miller III in his new book Holistic Hospitality says, 'The way in which people understood [the] balance between what is social and what is spiritual was an issue in the beginning of the Army and is still an issue today.' He mentions that in some points of The Salvation Army's history we had 'dynamic holistic missiology'. 
4. When you walk through the desert looking for the blessing, you have to realise that sometimes it is in fact the Holy Spirit that leads you into the desert. Why? The desert prepares you for what is to come. See Luke 4 and the start of the ministry of Jesus.
5. My wife and I walked around the City of Melbourne recently and took photos of old Salvation Army buildings. Buildings that were once used for exciting, dynamic, life-changing ministries for Jesus. It then hit me. God, I don't want people to merely take photos of what The Salvation Army used to do!
6. I believe, that the BEST days are still ahead for The Salvation Army.
7. Are timbrels really relevant in the western world context today? 
8. How do we continue to fund and support creative, transformative social work with tightening budgets from State and Federals governments around the globe?
9. Here is a tough challenge in an article entitled, 'Where are the children?' with some thought provoking content from Captain Steven Smith.
10. Are we holy? Are you holy? Captain Scott Strissel puts it this way: Beware of the mines!
11. In an age where businesses are flattening bureaucratic structures and cutting middle management, do we continue with the same structures we have developed years previous? Do they still do the job? (Some argue yes, and I'm not saying either way - just asking the question). Are there better and more efficient ways to make decisions?
12. What is God calling you to do, right now?
13. If you are a Salvo, what can you do in the coming week, to help mobilize an army to transform the world? 

I'm stirring the pot a little. I know that. I apologise if it hurts. I'm not intending to offend. I'm merely asking some tough questions and making some observations. One may argue, I've only scratched the surface.

God bless you today.

Check out a previous post of challenges facing The Salvation Army today.

Pete Brookshaw (Captain).

A Prophetic Word for The Salvation Army

I am no prophet.

Though, I have a word on my heart, for The Salvation Army.

Let it grip your heart and inspire you in 2015.

I pray that you would let the Holy Spirit's wisdom be upon you as you read this word, and let God give you a sense of its credibility and trustworthiness.

(I probably need to say it for someone reading: My views, thoughts and opinions come from Pete Brookshaw and not from The Salvation Army).


A Prophetic Word for The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is restoring its focus. It's learning its identity again. Innovation is springing up from unlikely places. Salvation found in Jesus is becoming central once again. Holiness is getting a facelift. There is a growing, renewed faith-expectation within its officers, soldiers and friends of The Salvation Army. Some are saying, 'God has only just started with The Salvation Army!' Others are suggesting that, 'God is doing a new thing.'

See, God is the one who brings streams in the wasteland and it is in that place of wrestling with God in the desert, that God teaches tenacity and perseverance and can recalibrate a wrong direction.

One could say, the direction of The Salvation Army, at times, has been slightly askew. Maybe not by much. Though, if for 40 years you walk 1 degree off course, you understand the implications. In what way has The Salvation Army been off course? Good question. I suggest, we find ourselves off course from God's original intentions, when we care more about the status quo than we do about the transformative power of the gospel. I suggest we are off course, when we inherently embrace traditionalism as opposed to giving thanks for our tradition; when the useability or otherwise of our Corps buildings encapsulates our missional imagination; when trivial theological debates cause dissension and when contemporary church expressions of missiology wrongly redefine our salvationist identity.   

2015 is a big year for The Salvation Army. As we celebrate 150 years, would it be, that God is saying, 'Are you ready? Are you ready to embrace all I have for The Salvation Army?' It seems the Holy Spirit is stirring up Salvationists around the globe to recommit to their covenants and stay steadfast in their following of Jesus and helping the hurting and broken. In a world, that seems to 'have gone mad', the Lord is rising up a holy, loving army, that will represent to the world a Jesus who can bring peace into the midst of the madness.

Our God is boundless. No limits. Boundaries do not contain God. Now, if we have the Spirit of Jesus living inside of us, we live in a paradigm that is boundless. Many have said to me, that 2014, was something liken to walking up hill with a chain around your ankle. It was a difficult year, and yet some saw some great Godly outcomes. As we embrace 2015, we take hold of a year with boundless opportunities. We worship a God without limits. We believe for healing from a God who can heal. God has no financial debt too difficult to repay. There is no mission that is too arduous for God. There is no mountain that cannot be moved.

Get ready Salvation Army. Put on faith like a uniform. Be sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see. God is about to answer unanswered prayers, and bring fulfilment to broken dreams. This is a time of favour and a time of blessing. God is using the challenges that The Salvation Army have faced in recent days to build our resilience, right some wrongs and realign our focus.

The best days are still ahead for The Salvation Army.

This year, many Salvationists will see that.
  
The word is BOUNDLESS.

_____________________

Two BIG Posts you will want to read:

• Top 100 Leadership Tips
• 50 Salvation Army Officers I Admire...

50 Salvation Army Officers I Admire

Salvation Army Officers are a unique bunch. The 2014 yearbook highlights that there are 17,105 active Salvation Army Officers in the world and 9,252 retired officers.

For some unknown reason, I have found myself absolutely inspired by Salvation Army Officers around the globe in recent days. What a diverse, passionate group of Jesus-followers, each with varying personalities and giftings, each called to live out the Officer's Covenant.

I want to highlight 50 Salvation Army Officers I admire. Now, this list is far from exhaustive, nor scientific, nor in any particular order and undoubtedly missing spouses and friends and colleagues. In fact, to tell you the truth, the list merely popped in my head one by one. Now, If I completed a list two weeks later, the list would be different. It of course, doesn't account for everyone and nor does it account for the plethora of amazing Salvationists the world-over who give The Salvation Army its flavour and contribute to a global Kingdom impact. I'm sure you understand this.

Here we are, 50 Salvation Army Officers I admire:

1. Captain Scott Ellery for his ability to bring Scripture alive through drama.
2. Major Vicki McMahon for her willingness to take in a young child and care for her for years to come.
3. Captain Aaron Stobie because of his capacity to plant missional congregations like it's a new Bono soundtrack.
4. Steve Simms (Captain?) because he advocates for the priesthood of all believers.
5. Commissioner Tracy Tidd because she facebooks me encouragement, even when she is dealing with national administrative tasks.
6. Commissioner Jim Knaggs, who spoke into my life even when I smelt like a cadet.
7. Lieutenant Simon Mapleback because he showed me spiritual gifts I hadn't thought much about a few years back.
8. Major David Eldridge, who has done more for the social services sector than I will ever do in three lifetimes.
9. Captain Lance Jeffrey who is a man of integrity and has a pastoral touch I really admire.
10. My mum (well, she's a newly enrolled soldier - I can break the rules; it's my blog), because she found the courage and faith to make a commitment to the soldier's covenant.
11. General Eva Burrows (Rtd), who still takes an interest in me and my local corps whenever I bump into her. Please note, I try not to literally bump into her these days...
12. General William Booth, who, along with Catherine and the power of the Holy Spirit birthed a movement that is still impacting the world today.
13. Lt. Col. Chris Reid who invests in the next generation of officers.
14. Commissioner James Condon. What a graceful leader in the midst of challenging organisational demands.
15. Lieutenant Michael Nally. Perseverance and focus on Jesus.
16. Captain Craig Farrell for standing up for children in detention centres.
17. Captain Mal Davies who has more literature in Army publications than I've had vegemite sandwiches.
18. Colonel Janet Munn for posting up Scriptures on social media like it's the air I breathe.
19. Major Stephen Court because of his discipline, accountability and holiness that keeps him and others focused on Christ.
20. Cadet David Mackertich, who has a dream for global, cross-cultural impact. Let it happen Lord.
21. Majors Gary and Julie Grant, who led an amazing Corps (Salvos 3064) and somehow, by the grace of God, Jo and I were privileged enough to take the baton for the next leg of the race.
22. Major Rob Evans, who makes leadership look like Carlton winning the 1995 AFL premiership (i.e. a breeze).
23. Lieutenant Meg who exemplifies compassion for Jesus. 
24. Major Jennifer Mundy who spoke truth into my life as a cadet. An introverted dynamic servant.
25. Major Marney Turner, who turns adversity into prayer meetings and demonic strongholds into plaster funhouses. In Jesus' name!
26. Major Gregory Morgan who lives and breathes a missional life.
27. Captain Kim Haworth who loves Jesus. And I love Jesus when I see that in Kim!
28. Captain Steve Haworth who has perfected the pastoral craft of, 'So what I hear you saying is...'
29. Lieutenant Tracy Marks. You better believe it; the way you live out your relationship with God is inspiring.
30. Captain Adam Couchman, who writes theological stuff that makes you want to be a couchman. 
31. Captain Stuart McGifford who exemplifies hard work, grace and intellectual rigour that motivates the people.
32. Lieutenant Matt Kean. A straight-shooter with a prophetic edge. 
33. Lieutenant Amy Stobie - Loves her family and therefore inspires me to love mine more!
34. Cadet Erin Main who just wants to help people and bring about God's kingdom on earth.
35. General John Gowans who challenged stale thinking with innovation, passion and leadership prowess.
36. Major Gary Hart, who makes the minute book feel like a good Roald Dahl novel.
37. Major Graham Roberts who takes biblical truth and infuses it into people's lives. Ok, that sounded a little creepy.
38. Grace Choi (Are you a captain now?) because you can see Jesus when she smiles.
39. Lieutenant Olivia Munn for holiness taught and lived.
40. Lieutenant Adrian Hamond who is the big bloke with a big heart and big dreams. Change the world mate.
41. Major Alan Laurens (rtd), who has spoken more prophetic words over people, than I've had cheeseburgers.... and I've had a lot of cheeseburgers.
42. Captain Kevin Lumb who allowed me to preach and lead even when I had many sharp edges.
43. Major Brendan Nottle who is a Melbourne icon because of his service and leadership to the disadvantaged. 
44. Sandra Maunder (are you Colonel now?!), who took a chance on Jo and I when she was a Candidates Secretary. She then fled to Pakistan to escape.
45. Major Kaye Reeves who shows support in what we do in our local corps.
46. Captain Peer Cathcart, who finds solutions for every problem.
47. Major Joyleen Stewart who let me run a youth group. No children were permanently injured during this time.
48. Shaun Featherston for... wait? Are you still not an officer yet?
49. Major Brian Pratt, who from a distance exudes compassion and kingdom-focus.
50. My wife, Jo. Captain Brookshaw. Graphic designer. Worship Leader. Mother. Preacher. Leader. Amazing wife. What more could I say?

I admire more than 50 Salvation Army Officers. Just I knew you wouldn't read past 20, so I shortened the list.

God - Do a great work through the officers, soldiers, employees, friends and family of The Salvation Army. Collectively we can continue to transform lives, make disciples, care for people and reform society; in Jesus' name.

Which COUNTRY reads my blog the most?

Following on from Major Stephen Court's blog on the predominant countries reading his blog, let me offer you the Top 10 Countries that Read My Blog (statistics atleast taken from the last fortnight, thanks to www.statcounter.com):

1. U.S.A - A whopping 62% readership. Maybe I should be advocating a little stronger against gun ownership, and yelling out praise for the Obama administration - that way I'd give other countries opportunity to up their percentage.
2. Australia (15% of the readership - thanks Mum) - This is where my credible audience comes from. ;)
3. The United Kingdom - If I'm speaking about The Salvation Army specifically, I'll increase readership from the UK.
4. Philippines - Yes, the Philippines. Thanks for wading your way through the sand, in order to find the pearls.
5. Canada - Thanks Stephen Court and others. You are so fortunate to be reading an Australian's views on the world.
6. Hong Kong - And I haven't even committed to a blog about pro-democracy demonstrations in the region (the Umbrella Movement).
7. Ireland - Who knows why.
8. Nigeria - Actual readership? I hope so. 
9. Vietnam - Hmm... It's surely all the amazing blogs about leadership.
10. India - Did I do a blog about Cricket?

Current Salvationist Issues and The Salvation Army International Doctrine Council

In a rapidly changing global environment, the foundational doctrinal beliefs of The Salvation Army and the way they are taught and embraced around the globe, need to be looked at, considered and addressed when applicable. The Salvation Army have an International Doctrine Council (IDC) to help with such matters.

Now this may or may not interest you much, but the issues that the IDC need to address are at times contemporary theological issues that pertain to the life of The Salvation Army and its impact upon society. 

One of the purposes of The Salvation Army International Doctrine Council is the following:

The IDC approaches all assignments entrusted to it bearing in mind the need to affirm, promote and safeguard the Army’s identity and role under God, in keeping with the council’s stewardship responsibilities toward Salvationist doctrinal, theological and ecclesiological positions.

Another section remarks:

The IDC assists the General in responding to current doctrinal, theological and ecclesiological issues.

So what are the current doctrinal, theological and ecclesiological (church-centered) global issues?

Let me suggest some theological hot potatoes that The Salvation Army and the wider people of God need to wrestle with today. Some doctrinal, theological and ecclesiological issues worth considering, discussing, and 'putting on the table' for review are:

• The use of IVF and surrogacy
• The marriage of same-sex couples
• The science of cloning
• The debate around particular doctrinal statements and the wording of such doctrines
• Women in ministry (continuing to keep that on the table is important)
• Women in executive leadership positions within The Salvation Army
• Safe-injecting rooms for those who are addicted to drugs (theologically, what is TSA's position?)
• Rembracing evangelistic ministry in a 21st Century context
• Quasi-militarisitic structure vs other structures

So there are some of the theological hot potatoes that come to mind.

I am not one to unnecessarily stir the pot in this regard, though I do believe that is important for Salvationists to have a foundational knowledge of why they believe what they believe, and to understand what belief system The Salvation Army embraces.

I pray God's wisdom upon those in The Salvation Army International Doctrine Council, as they discuss issues (such as above) when they meet together.

God bless The Salvation Army.

Onward March with the Blood and Fire... Perhaps

Onward march with the blood and fire!

Wait a minute?

The word 'onward' is a little old.

And marching? We don't march anymore. We barely do open-air meetings.

Blood? Why do speak of something that is so quaint to the secular world around us?

And fire? Serious? Does anyone believe that anymore. If we really believed that, Salvation Army ministry would be very different.

*****

I'm being facetious. Yet there's truth in what I'm saying. While we may not understand the complexities of salvation in Christ, we still call people to it. While we may not grasp the significance of the blood of Jesus, we still understand it transforms lives. While we look around and do not always see Salvation Army ministry characterised by 'Fire', we nonetheless believe in the 'Fire of the Holy Ghost!'.

It's time to onward march with the blood and fire. Or let me say, it's time to move forward in unity with the blood of Jesus and the power and presence of Jesus amongst us!

While our expression of Salvation Army ministry gradually shifts over time, the passion and foundations of our faith do not. A problem I sense, is that while The Salvation Army have grappled with contextualising Salvation Army ministry in today's world, we've lost the grit, the passion and the bold, world-changing kind of faith in the process. While we've discussed our theology, our methods, our uniforms, our quasi-military structure and the like, we have thrown out a radical desire to witness the world be transformed through this evangelical branch of the universal Christian Church. 

William Booth, in an address entitled, 'The Salvation Army', said passionately, 'Push forward, never heed the number or position of your foes, or the impossibility of overcoming them. Your Salvation Army has been made to accomplish the impossible and conquer that which to human calculations cannot be overcome. Forward!'

Has this changed? For some it has. We no longer 'onward march with the blood and fire', we simply 'wake up and be, and hope for the best.' I'm being a little provocative, because it's time we let the embers in our bellies flare up and the power, grace and forgiveness of Christ to permeate inside and outside this movement in which we serve.

We must move forward.

*****

There is so much more to say. There always is. Feel free to make a comment and add to the discussion.

(My wife has kindly told me that I have mixed up, 'Onward Christian Soldiers' and 'On ye march with the blood and fire' - but I'm sure you are cluey enough to have noticed that, and still grasped the point of what I was saying).