I find myself nine years into Baptist Church Ministry, reflecting on life’s journey. I suppose it’s because it’s Lent and we reflect on Christ’s journey to the Cross, via the waters of Baptism, into the Wilderness and then up to Jerusalem for the ultimate of all journeys. In all of life we journey, through good times and bad times, and I share with you some reflections on my life through this blog.I always knew I would be a Salvation Army Officer one day, such was the certainty of my calling. I would walk to school and say if two red cars came together I’d be an officer, only those were the days when red cars outnumbered silver cars, and two coming together was commonplace. I recall sitting with my Career's teacher at school and saying I wanted to be a Salvation Army Officer. That left her confused and speechles; she had information about secretarial college, nursing courses or of course, working in the local Robertson’s Jam factory, but she knew nothing about The Salvation Army.
When I was 18, someone said to me I had “yellow red and blue blood” flowing through my veins, and I was quite sure they were right. By that age I was Assistant Corps Cadet Guardian, served on the Corps Council, had been a Link member for years, then an Applicant, and was now a Candidate and loved Jesus with a passion. I was also an avid reader of all Samuel Logan Brengle’s writings, striving for complete sanctification (never did find it by the way!). I preached my first sermon when I was 17, in a Salvation Meeting at a little Corps at Waterfoot in the Manchester Division. My text was Hebrews 3:15 "Today, if you hear his Voice, do not harden your hearts”. From there I went on to regularly cover Sundays at small Corps who had no officer, and I received so much encouragement and blessing through ministering to others. It’s odd, I had never really felt outstanding and intelligent at school, and at home my brother and sister had both passed that dreadful exam thing they called the 11+ where I had failed, but when I was at the Army.. well, things were different; there, I felt I could conquer the world.
I left school and worked for The SA Social Services in the Furniture Salvage Department in Manchester, answering the phones and making milky coffee, of which I was an expert! From there I went to work on DHQ Manchester, starting as the Officer Junior and finishing work there 8 years later as the Divisional Commander’s Secretary. Happy days, what a privilege to work with some amazing people and to learn so much from them about Christian leadership and servanthood.So how come I sit here today as a Baptist Union Minister? So what went wrong?
Alison MackayFormer
UKT
12 comments:
Saddened to read it all came to an end. But nonetheless pray God's richest blessing upon your ministry today.
Alison, thank you for sharing as you have in your article. Now I am more than interested to read part two. But also curious. In this article your wrote of the 'amazing people' you worked with as DC's secretary. Have you found support from them since your resignation?
I hope your present ministry leadership encourages you to write for their official organ. Your writing style is excellent- fluid and compelling. I don't know what we'll learn in part two, but I, for one, am saddened that The SA is now history for you. Your zeal is a true loss for us and a gain for the Baptists.
God bless you in your ministry; fly the flag !
Former
USA
Part two please !!!
Former
Canada
Thanks for re-running this article; one of the best to date.
Former
UKT
As a former salvationist, candidate, applicant etc. Now as a minister in a free church, I value the upbringing and early 20's in SA like you and now value my ministry. Your article is an inspiration for fomers.
I shall attempt an answer to your question, Alison.
Like many people on here, you grew up "army". Let's face it, the Army was all you knew as you were growing up, and therefore the call to ministry had only one possible outcome - officership.
But as we move into the real world, our eyes are opened, and we eventually discover that there are other Christians out there, some with different traditions and emphases.
Because the SA is, perhaps, the most inward-looking of all the Christian denominations, you could never see this.
After nine years, you have out-grown the Army. You have found "a better boat from which to fish", and God has blessed your ministry.
Like me, and like many of us, you retain a great affection for the Army, but it's mainly sentimental these days, isn't it?
If I'm wrong, please forgive me. I look forward to reading more of your story.
Blessings etc.
Spartacus
Former
UK
Oh dear, Active UK Anonymous.
I seem to have rattled your cage somewhat. So sorry.
I write from years of experience as an Army Officer and as a Church Minister.
I have always found that the SA are consistently absent from ecumenical gatherings and clergy fraternals, preferring to do their own thing for themselves. For example, some years ago, I attended the retirement service for General Gowans. I looked in vain for any representation from any other church, but it was a totally SA affair. That would be unimaginable in the wider church, but is the norm in the Army. Similarly, how often does a non-Army preacher get invited to conduct worship at the citadel? In years of worship at a very large corps in the UK, my recollection is clear - "not once"!
Youngsters get cocooned in the SA ways (like it or not!), and it is only later that they begin to see that there are Christians out there who worship differently. I am suggesting that this is one reason why officers leave "the work". It may not be the only reason, but it certainly was in my case. I arrived at the ITC aged 21, having had zero exposure to anything except the Army. God moved me on, in much the same way that he moved Booth on from Methodism.
I am very grateful for that, since he has opened up incredible opportunities in ministry, far beyond what I deserve. I still have a love for the Army, and one of our children still worships there. But, yes, I have moved on. He has certainly given me a "better boat from which to fish", and I am assuming he has done something similar for Alison and many others.
There is a whole world of ministry out there beyond the rather narrow confines of the SA. I write that by way of encouragement to those on this forum who are told that leaving the Army means the end of meaningful service. Believe me, nothing could be further from the truth.
Anyway, I have no wish to take issue with you. I was simply responding to Alison's heartfelt question. If you don't like my comments, just ignore them. But at least try to give a reasoned answer to the OP, rather than attack me.
For what it's worth, I stand by my comments. They may not fit you, nor even Alison for that matter, but they are a valid point of view I assure you.
By the way, Spartacus was a slave who gave his life to set people free. Not a bad pen name - much better than "anonymous", I would suggest.
Yours,
Spartacus
Former
UK
Dear Active UK,
How is having "Spartacus" as a pen name arrogant?
Your vitriolic response to his constructive comments reminds me of why I left the Army in the first place.
Are you, by any chance, a DC?
Just wondered...
:)
Former
UK
Alison,
Nothing "went wrong".
God simply had other ideas, and that involved you moving from the Army to the Baptist Church.
Bearing in mind your early life which seems to have been pretty much submerged in the SA, it took a mighty miracle to bring you to where you are today.
In all likelihood, he's not finished with you yet. So hang in there. Thank God for the past, and trust him for the future.
For, as the General rightly says, "He is able"!
(But you know that...)
Love and prayers
Former
UKT
Hallelujah! What Spartacus is saying is my experience too. Cosy Salvationism was wonderful for embedding holiness values and spirituality, something that engages and helps to move my current ministry. But, if I had never looked beyond the SA, or more so, looked over the parapit of the citadel, I would never have woken up and smelt the coffee. God is so wonderful, loving caring and so real. I find myself in a Free Church ministry helping people find there faith after being damaged by spiritualism/psychic activities. We now have so many souls awaking to God's kingdom its just breath taking.
God showed me real spiritual discipline in the army but I needed to 'think for myself' and so today having a 'soft spot' for the army is cool, but going back, I cannot.
When salvationist of the older generation and some officers tell me that - I will never get to heaven because I left the army doesnt hurt anymore, when salvationists I know cross the street to avoid me, which still happens, it hurts. But, praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Last evening In the church service, used Gen Osborns' song - 'My life must be Christ's broken bread' it focused people, moved people and repaired - so even thought I am no longer 'army' the tools given to me in many holiness meetings, ring out today in the hearts and lives of others. God, sometimes has to move us on. Alison be blessed in your ministry - God knows the work he wants to do in you and is doing so -- Army, listen to formers - realise that sometimes - we have to leave, to do the work God has always called us to do. Bless us, dont condemn us, we are still in His service. Be Blessed, this site gives me such upliftment, tears when I read about wronged officers etc but a source of inspiration of knowing I'm in His hands. Stephen Former UKT.
Post a Comment