I LOVE A CONGRESS ! Part -2-

The Leaders would have to be carefully chosen so that they would not be seen to trying to ‘get us back’ or ‘telling us that we have all been naughty’. They would have to have qualities of diplomacy and dignity and tact, to match us formers, with a sprinkling of irreverence to give some of us something tangible to complain about. There could be a ‘Question and Answer’ session where the focus for some would be getting the right answer and for others it would be the focus would be on asking a better question almost like going to a Hebrew Shul where every question engenders another question rather than a simple answer. The personal Testimony time would be a sacred time where we would be encouraged to tell our story and irrespective of what that story is would be given encouragement and support, rather than being told ‘you are wrong, my friend’. It would be a time of binding us together rather than a ‘goats and sheep’ exercise. If the attendees at this mythical Congress require we could provide Carnevalé style masks for those who wish to remain anonymous, they would all be the same except for the size to match the individuals ego and those that are pro army could have them colored accordingly and the rest would be either black or white according to their choice. We would be encouraged to wear the uniform of our choice; possibly bearing the rank that we were when we made the transition, or the times that we enjoyed most or even bearing the rank that we feel we should have had. But maybe not; that would overwhelm even our group with Commissioners and Generals, and we would have so many DC’s that we would tip the scales in the favor of ‘chiefs’ rather than having a good balance with the indians’.

The bands would be an interesting collection of groups from the ‘Genuine Staff Bands’, made up of just officers with guitars groups and even mouth organ bands. There could be singing groups of all varieties and the musical festival could really be called a ‘competition’ with groups winning and losing an option and not just say that we are not competing with each other.
So many possibilities, so many options, such differences, so much hurt, but ‘together’ we still have the opportunity to change the world. Despite the variety of emotions from overwhelming pain to almost, it seems from some an overwhelming feeling of relief, there is an energy and enthusiasm within this group to actually continue to fulfill our covenant as well as we are able.

We still have a powerful role to play in our Army no matter what our feelings towards how we feel that we have been treated. The commitment that is still evident among us can inform future officers and the disaffection that some feel can also be used as a learning tool for the development of future officers. I would dare to dream that this congress would be open to all officers, former and active, and there would be an equal number of ‘actives’ who would want to come and share with us and stand alongside us and say thank you for what you did for the Kingdom, for all the people that you ministered to and for making the Army an organisation more in line with its roots and mission. From this gathering there may even be some of our number who could get invited back to Spiritual Days at ‘The College’, to talk to the cadets, we would certainly be far more informative to the cadets than the myriad of retired officers who were trotted out in their retirement to narrate the story that always began ‘When I sat where you sat…..’

I know! I am dreaming, but every world changing organisation started with a dream, where in heaven’s name do we think the Salvation Army came from in the first place?

Do you want to keep dreaming? Then talk to someone in your territory and begin a new adventure.

Fletch
Peter Fletcher
Former
Australia
Peter Fletcher

Born in Birmingham (but that does not make me a Brummy) and as a young lad migrated to Melbourne as a £10 tourist with his Mum, and became a ‘dinky di’ Aussie. Entered the Training College in ’69 from South Melbourne Corps into the ‘Undaunted’ Session. (someone is supposed to say Hallelujah). After serving in Australia with a short stint in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, he became a 'former'. A new career loomed in fundraising and he has worked for over 20 years with a variety of Charities. Sitting in a Starbucks cafe in San Hose for three days after Sept 11 it was time to evaluate everything that made up his life and so a lot of things fell off the agenda so that things that could make a more significant difference could be supported. Then he took to wandering the world. With a British passport he found himself back in the UK working as a Fundraiser at a Hospital in Birmingham. This turned into nearly 6 years but has now returned to the Promised Land. He is very committed to his profession and has worked as a volunteer for its professional bodies for many years.. Passionate about anything to do with people, fundraising and education and doing all that he can to help people to just simply ‘grow’. He has been a regular presenter around the UK and Australia. Although English by birth he claims his 'spiritual' heritage is as Australian it is possible to be and he still bleeds red, yellow and blue.. Now working as a life coach specializing in retirement coaching and also as the fundraiser for an internet based charity that uses the latest internet technology to support people with mild to moderate depression. The use by date is still blurry and has an active involvement in mentoring and supporting people from all areas of life. Futurefletch is the tag line and he lives it.