FORGIVE THEM FOR THEY KNOW NOT... Part -2-

As officers we most often acted on a priori knowledge, that is, what was known independently of experience (that is, it is non-empirical, or arrived at beforehand).The pain we experienced on resignation and beyond was the exact opposite, it was a posteriori knowledge, knowledge that can only be known by experience (it is empirical, or arrived at afterward). That experience includes every member of the affected family, the corps of the family members and comrade officers, however, on very different levels from the person resigning and breaking from their SA commission (call).

EXISTENTIALISM
All who have stood behind a pulpit will have shared from their personal experience in making the Bible more relevant and timely to the listener. Without question the analogies shared that were most effective in speaking to the listeners were those learned through a painful, personal experience. My own preaching, when it focused, as yours would have, on the death of a family member, took on a very different perspective following the private pain I experienced on the death of my father. When speaking about family and divorce I sensed again that I could speak from a special level of understanding due affliction, again from my personal and individual experience following the break up of my marriage.

All in our fellowship have had similar existential experiences that move us into a new level of spiritual awareness. However, few who serve as SA officers will ever come close to knowing our unique spiritual existentialist pain and affliction. The leaders and colleagues from whom we expected and sought empathy, have all suffered various painful experiences. but none the private pain of being separated from the full time calling of preaching, pastoring and practicing Christ's love in the ranks of the 'dear old army'.

The term 'lacking empathy' has been used by some when describing leadership. However, once again the assumption of a similar existentialist insight is incorrectly credited and assumed. Empathy can be described as a shared experience, that is, stepping into the shoes of another. However, that word empathy cannot be used in this instance. Our hurt and pain stems from our separation from a unique fellowship with God and comrades under the ‘Blood and Fire’ flag. Being separated from that fellowship, whether willingly or not, can best be likened to divorce; one of the most traumatic experiences in life. We know better than any what ‘this’ deep pain entails. It’s an acknowledgment of our soul's pain, an existential one that we ought not to assume active officers should understand or be able to identify with. Consequently, we ought not exhibit any arrogance in finding fault with how we were ‘mistreated’, or not provided after-care subsequent to our resignations. Rather, we, the formers, must demonstrate forgiveness, understanding, and future-care to SA Leaders.

What now? We must make every effort to bridge our existential knowledge with the Army’s programming, at every level, beginning with the SFOT (include a seminar/discussion with 'formers') and right through to IHQ to ensure that a more Christian, sympathetic process is created and adopted. A white paper will be shared with all formers for comment prior to forwarding to SA Leadership in the weeks ahead.

Dr. Sven Ljungholm
Former
Exeter, England

Sven was a senior executive working in the airline industry prior to becoming a Salvation Army officer at age 40. He served with his then wife in the USA, Sweden, Russia, and Ukraine being one of the pioneers who re-established The SA in the former Soviet Union. A90 minute TV special, "THIS IS YOUR LIFE", was broadcast in his native Sweden, and 3 other TV broadcasts (Sweden, the UK) have featured his SA activities. He was a frequent contributor to SA periodicals. Subsequent to resigning from The SA he completed his PhD at Moscow State University and taught for several years at Central Ct. State University, and in the MBA program at 2 other New England universities. Today he continues teaching university courses online and is an active soldier of the Corps at Exeter Temple working with the homeless, encouraging them in the restoration of their lives through weekly Bible Study.