Let me take this opportunity to say that I hope and pray we will continue to make progress in the way we treat and think about officer colleagues who relinquish officership. Trials come. Some are unavoidable. It is not for us to stigmatise any colleague.
A word for those feeling discouraged. Put your hope in God and seek out reasons to praise Him. Psalm 43:5 will bring you hope and so too will Paul’s words to the Christians in Rome: ‘We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose’ (Romans 8:28)
Some among us may feel anger. Often this is justified. We can sometimes repress it and suffer the consequences of a later outburst. Somehow, the exhortation of the Scriptures to ‘get rid of bitterness, rage and anger’ (Ephesians 4: 31) leaves us cold and we can feel so intensely indignant sometimes that we burn with a sense of injustice. I suppose the key thing is what we do with our anger, and how we express it. Candid conversation out loud with God can help. He can handle anger better than we can. We can each seek grace to be ‘slow … to become angry’ (James 1:19)
Few among us are free from anxiety. I take refuge in the stunning promise found in the prophecy of Isaiah: ‘I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear; I will help you’ (43:1) and in the advice of Peter: ‘Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.’ (1 Peter 5:7)
As I write I am aware of many known to me who are in grief and mourning. You are all loved and prayed for, even when you are far away across the continents. No human words will ease your pain, but we know about Heaven and therefore all is well. In the Army we know also how to praise amid the hurt and loss, clapping our hands and singing of Heaven and eternity even with tears in our eyes, and decking our flags with white ribbon for victory. ‘Neither death nor life … will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Romans 8: 38,39)
Finally, I think of those officers suffering illness. You know that this was my own experience in the first half of last year. Again, I thank you for your Christian love and countless prayers. These prayers have been answered and I am pleased to tell you I am fully well. Through it all I knew that my refuge was God and that His ‘everlasting arms’ were holding me (Deuteronomy 33:27). Prayer, faith and trust can carry us to that place where even when our bodies are weak we fly and soar in our spirits like eagles, making true the priceless promises of Isaiah 40: 29-31
Crosses, trials, afflictions, hardship, suffering? Oh, yes, but with Paul we say: ‘I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us’ (Romans 8: 18)
He is able. Hallelujah!
IHQLONDON
14 comments:
1. Given the unique nature of US Officer's compensation and relative security compared to many other denominations, and understanding that many Officers do not have a formal education which would allow them the same level of compensation/security enjoyed as Officers, how can we find any meaning/excitement from the comparison to other denominations?
2. Shoud the question be, "How many officers are happy, fulfilled, satisfied in/with the Army or in their ministry capacity?
Former
USA East
I too struggled with leaving the "covenant" that I had signed. However, I also knew that God was giving me permission to leave. This was confirmed with the great sense of peace and relief I felt as I handed my letter of resignation to my DC. As an officer's child I had many discussions with my parents about what the Officer's Covenant meant. In my father's eyes once you signed it you were in for life. However, by the end of my 14 years as an officer he had changed his mind, he knew my struggles and he knew the reasons why I felt I needed to resign and then completely supported my decision.
I agree with others (FB SITE) in these posts, the article seems to be a "patting on the back" of sorts and does not show the real issues at hand. I know a few officers who are still "in" because they feel they have no other choice, especially financially. One comment made to me, "If it weren't for the current economic situation, I'd leave in a heartbeat."
It seems to me that the Army should be looking at more things than just numbers, but looking at the hearts of those who still serve. (And those who have left).
Former
USA Central
With reference to the General's statistics, while they are interesting I do not recall anyone asking in any form or my giving an explanation for our resignation which is listed above.
Specifically the reason we left Officership was..
After giving very serious thought and spending a great deal of time in prayer and soul-searching regarding our officership, (we) believe that the time has come for us to step aside from our role as Salvation Army officers. Therefore we will not be available to take a new appointment in the forthcoming moves. We will be resigning as of July 2, 2008
We have been blessed beyond measure to serve the Lord through the ministry of The Salvation Army for 21 years. God has taken us to new depths in our relationship with Him, and we are confident that this new phase of our lives will allow for even greater depths of faith and trust in His provision.
Formers
USA East
"Let me take this opportunity to say that I hope and pray we will continue to make progress in the way we treat and think about officer colleagues who relinquish officership. Trials come. Some are unavoidable. It is not for us to stigmatise any colleague.", Shaw Clifton General
Thank you General Clifton.
The single most often mentioned thread in the private dialogue among the 200+ former officers focuses on bitterness, dismay, frustration, spiritual abandonment, and pain around the fact that there is no across-the-territories consistent, cohesive, and comprehensive system of support or after-care.
The FSAOF is in the process of compiling a comprehensive list of concerns that we'd like The SA to address. Two of our members have recently returned to full time service, both sharing that the fellowship was in large part the impetus that led to their seeking the Spirit's leading. We hope they will assist to champion our cause.
Blessings, sven
As an active/serving SA officer I must admit that the comments are quite disturbing. I for one will admit I had not given much thought to the hurt that one must experience when leaving, AND then to suddenly being excluded from the army's unique fellowship and support network.
It appears we could and should be doing a great deal more in providing practical, spiritual and psychological support. These folk are family !
UKT
I am grateful that the General has a compassionate heart for struggling officers. All I can do is hope that the same compassion would spread to all Salvation Army officers and leadership across the globe.
For me, the sense of isolation after making the difficult decision to leave officership was more discouraging than I ever would have imagined. Being raised by officer parents and my social network almost exclusively Salvationist, I felt like an outcast - I felt very alone.
Thankfully, God was there every step of the way to comfort and guide me. I was just so extremely disappointed in the Army abandoning me. In the 12 years since leaving officership, Salvation Army leadership has not once contacted me to see how I am doing. Isn't that sad?
Former
USA South
I believe the article is trying to help the Army feel better about their losses by saying "praise God that this year is lower"-----Hmmmm....Why not a question like..."Perhaps we need to look at our structure to see why people are leaving and what we can do about it"
The Army is really good at helping people except the ones that were doing the helping and perhaps simply needed a break-
Former
USA South
Melanie said, "For me, the sense of isolation...was more discouraging than I ever would have imagined. Being raised by officer parents and my social network almost exclusively Salvationist, I felt like an outcast - I felt very alone.".
That echoes my experience when knowledge of my impending departure became public, a good number of years ago. I was surprised that it was older officers, rather than my peers (30-somethings at the time), who were most understanding of my decision.
The previous comment was shared by a 'former' from the USA Southern Territory.
Blog Administrator
We, members of the FSAOF (fellowship) share an objective fact, what the Bible termed koinonia; a sense of security, God's grace with us (me), as Paul wrote. However, many in our fellowship, and in some cases for years, wondered, why after many years of faithful, loyal service did a sense of abandonment and dis-connectedness sweep through their psyche on resignation ?
Earlier we had all shared, as SA officers, in a fellowship that we can describe as a subjective experience; a spiritual 'security', basking in the officer fellowship's warmth, learned and expressed in various forms, and uniting us.
On leaving "the work" every semblance of fellowship, its importance to many 'formers' ' faith and stability was instantly torn and shredded. Persons who had served loyally were left to fend for themselves; abandoned, disdained and stigmatized by many,
Yes, there is certainly a good deal more understanding and acceptance today, from people on all levels, however much more needs to done. The 200 member FSAOF is committed to supporting all former officers, and those to come, while also assisting The SA in more fully understanding the needs of those who leave the ranks, and making ourselves available to assist in suggesting methods to thwart resignations.
I thank God for the FSAOF fellowship-not sure how I would have made it without the support of like minded formers. It's unfortunate that the sa couldn't be more supportive and link the officer fraternity with ours. SA, when someone thinks of resigning, tell them we are able to provide counsel before they step out, and also, once they do.
Former
USA
I believe I've shared before that TSA administration was supportive of me when I left and continued to be so until I married "outside" the Army. I then knew they were only interested in my return to officership.
Sad. I didn't leave God or my calling. I left Officership. My ministry - in a different form - still goes on
Former
USA East
Part 2 really did not change my thoughts or comments which I have posted to Part 1. The only addition would be to echo Anonymous from the first comment here...
Words are easy, actions are more telling
That's what the Pharisees found who seemed more interesting in the correct wording of scripture interpretation than its actions on others.
They were quite happy to exclude many feeling they were safe. How safe will be the former or current General?
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