It’s no secret that I sometimes have issues with the systems of The Salvation Army. Like most people, I didn’t choose to enter officership because of its specific doctrinal stance on eschatology or the structure of its church polity. I came because of open doors and a gentle nudging of the Spirit, and I’ve stayed because of the work that I do and the gentle constraints of the Spirit.
When I think of structure, my personal preference would be towards a congregational or presbyterian form of church governance rather than the episcopal (centralized) form that we hold. Yet just as if I worked at Wal-Mart, I can’t walk in and say, “O, my personal preference is . . .” and expect the corporation to bow at my feet and change the way it is organized.
So for more than a hundred years, officers have both sat in the seats of power and have learned to adapt to the system as it is. While it may seem paternalistic, I’ve encountered many with good hearts who attempt to work within the system as it stands and provide support to those who need it, particularly in regards to officership.
To those who’ve been hurt through this system, I’ve seen enough over thirty-plus years to know that there are some leaders who will risk their necks to find solutions. We’ve had the calls from the D.C. requesting that we make room for another officer for a while until their situation can be sorted out. We’ve been asked about employment opportunities for someone transitioning out of officership. Could I recommend a therapist in a certain area?
The difficulty is that nobody really knows, and due to its concern over confidentiality as well as its structure of leadership, it’s likely that no one will ever know the full story. It ends up feeling as though there are too many secrets that are fueled by behind-the-scenes maneuvering. Can’t we just sit down at the table and talk it out?
In our community, there is a Family Care Team that provides intervention to families who are at risk or in crisis. They meet at the Kroc Center in the room we’ve named the Sacred Space and wrestle through the issues facing the family. Professionals come from groups that have some contact with the family (school, church, private agencies, mental health, etc.) and discuss what supports can be offered. Here’s the hint of a difference between that model and the Army’s system – the family is in the room, participating fully in the conversation.
Could it ever happen in our organization? They’ve been officers for ten years, but the marriage is shaky and the future is unknown. What if the counselor, the D.C., a supportive staff member, the pastoral care officer, a representative from the personnel secretary’s office, a family friend and the officer couple met together to work out a plan. Would it make a difference? And, dear ones who’ve joined the fellowship of former officers, could it have made a difference for you?
Major JoAnn Shade ministers with her husband Larry as the corps officers and Directors of the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center. She received a B.A. in sociology from S.U.N.Y. at Binghamton, a M.A. in Pastoral Counseling, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Ashland Theological Seminary in June, 2006. She is a prolific writer, lecturer, and busy counselor and has been a valued contributor to this blog since its inception.
16 comments:
How do you respond when you are supporting a member of your congregation who is accusing a soldier of sexual abuse when they were a child, and you are listening to the stories of at least a hundread others who say the same thing but are too ashamed/scared to do anything. In that situation, your DC gets up in court in full uniform (with the support of THQ) as a character witness for the accused and testifies that he couldn't have done it because he is a friend of his. The judge then says in his summation words to the effect 'it was only the testimony of the DC - Bishop - that swayed him to consider a verdict of 'not guilty''?
What do you do, when in a different division, you as a single male officer, are being stalked by a young woman who starts making accusations that you are the father of her unborn child. When you cry out to the DC for support her response is 'what did you do to encourage her?' (making the assumption that you are the father given you are a single male)?
As an Officer, how do you handle it when your Personnell Secretary, after hearing your views are more liberal than standard SA orthadoxy, places you in an appointment where you have no direct ministry activity, and lets it be knwon that you are not allowed to special at any corps, lead any bible studies, or do any counselling etc?
There are many other issues involved in my leaving as well - too many to go into in a short response.
For me, such mediation as suggested would not have made a difference, as most of the people suggested would be the ones that pushed me to leave. There needs to be fundamental changes in TSA - pastorally, theologically, organsiationally etc. - if we are to have a hope of stemming the flow of Officers becomming 'formers', and win some of us 'formers' back.
I thank you for your suggestion, but for many, the answer is not so simple.
Yours in Christ,
Graeme.
Former Australian East
Your comments are appreciated JoAnn, and as always, well reasoned and articulated.
I resigned on divorcing my wife, who has now returned to active service. I was asked twice if I'd be interested in returning to active service, and to which I replied in the affirmative. Two weeks later I was informed that the Commissioner would not review my case as I had re-married, and my spouse was 'only a soldier". My territory does not permit officers to marry non-officers. In the UK, and perhaps elsewhere, the antiquated regulation had been revised. I was more than a little surprised that the CS, FS, etc., etc. didn't know this...
Former
USA
I find that there is too much secrecy and decisions made by one or two people at the top end of leadership. Just because someone is appointed to a position, that does not make them an expert or qualified for the position. Many of us over the years had to experience officer leadership that was poor and out of place.Too many hard feelings or vendettas got in the way. Unfortunately the Army has some people that are power hungry and jockeying for position. All I ever wanted was to serve God through the Army and man kept getting in the way. I felt more like I was serving the "man" with the demands and edicts. People are people , but the Army should be different. It should be a great organisation to work for and not settle for the standards of the world.
I would only return if women were treated fairly and the position of corps officer was supported as it should be, with respect and honor. After all it is the place on the front lines and DHQ is needed to support the corps not rape it. Demand , push and micro management of corps officers will be the slow death of the Army. Look out YMCA , here comes the Army. So sad.
Former Officer USA East
The 15 most frequently mentioned concerns; most common of more than 400
------------------------
1. Not receiving pastoral care while we were officers, nor after we resigned.
2. We felt unwelcomed in the corps that we attempted to get involved with after we resigned, including our home corps.
3. The Army's neglect of personnel structures, legal policy, etc.
4. The SA sees personnel (or HR) as basically two things: moving people and damage control.
5. No/little Counseling/dialogue prior to resignation
6. Access to personnel files/final evaluation/recommendations
7. Officer friends unable to keep in touch with me when I resigned; lack of contact info
8. I didn't feel like I could reach out to Army people - it would have been comforting if Army people could have reached out to me.
9. A recommendation be made that when an officer resigns and THQ sends out a memo directing everyone to "remove from dispo", the very same memo include the 'formers' contact information.
10. We request that the dispo include the 'former's' contact info for 24 months subsequent to resignation at the discretion of the former.
11. Private ombudsman at THQ for formers to maintain official contact
12. A newsletter with pertinent SA information focusing on 'formers', including internal SA employment opportunities.
13.Make leave of absence OPTION available with an open door for return
14. A system should be introduced whereby officers (of any rank) can file and process matters that concern unethical/unjust abuse, physical and/or psychological.
15. Officers who have discussed resignation not being offered the alternative appointments that were offered/promised to them
JoAnn,
I appreciate your stand and opinion. Not too many active officers will speak up about imparity and injustice within an organisation like The Salvation Army.When friends and relatives outside the ranks hear of some of the things that go on they become very upset and often debate whether to support such malarchy. I had two close friends tell me that it sounded like I was part of a cult because of the control and intimidation. They are happy that I am no longer an officer after several years and many appointments.
Several Biblical principles have been broken and the law of judgement is not far away. Yes , much good comes from The Salvation Army. It can be much better. It just so happens at this time to have poor leadership and men that think that they are leading, but they are only leading astray. Good leaders need the filling of the Holy Spirit and the deep love of Christ. Seriously , look around. Good men are hard to find. Many are spiritual wimps. Several officers are waiting on the sidelines to catch a new wave. Many officers are afraid to speak up. If they do thay are reprimanded and placed in an appointment that causes grief. I am not speaking of troublemakers. I mean good , hardworking sensitive people.
Maybe it is time for a new movement? Too bad that this one has a very slow adaption rate and may die.
Failure= Lack of true discipleship training, holiness teaching, true leadership training-Biblical, lack of using truely gifted officers and placing buddies in positions that are hurtful to all involved.How about dealing with the worst sin of all....pride.
Former, USA Eastern Territory
JoAnn, you wrote, "To those who’ve been hurt through this system, I’ve seen enough over thirty-plus years to know that there are some leaders who will risk their necks to find solutions." You've been fortunate, until the most recent change, to have had such exemplary caring leaders in your Division. However, in order for any DC to step out from the pack requires that he/she be already well established or 'in the family'!
DELETED; BLOG ADMINISTRATOR...
provide a loving, caring, initiative paving the way for many formers to return, and stemming the current loss, which will demand an assessment of the spouse's role, as you've shared in earlier posts.
Former, Female
ET USA
Thank you Jo-Ann for your article.
I feel if I had been male I would have been treated differently. I was vulnerable and nobody walked along side me, no local support, no divisional support and I was hurting so bad!!
So called friends wanted to know all the details of my resignation and then ran a mile when they didnt have the necessary skills to support.
I am still without work and the emptiness is painful and the question I ask myself over and over again is 'Where is the forgiveness...... the man on the street is supported, loved and cared for'. Why am I discriminated against because I am on the 'inside' and not outside.
Please someone listen, please support even if we say no, please help, please... please... please...
Dear Anonymous, if you and I haven't already spoken, please contact me at selmoscow@aol.com. All communication will be confidential.
Our fellowship has a number of 'formers' in various corners of the world, and who have a wealth of support experience all willing to share time with you.
grace, sven
Dear Anonymous:
Please know I make myself available to connect with you. I can be reached at pastor@livingwaterchurchministries.org
Will be praying for you!
jeff
Dear Anonymous,
Once again (to let you know there is a lot of support for you) I also can be contacted at thunderchest@hotmail.com (my email). I don't know where you are (I live in London UK) - but if you are near one of us 'formers' then please feel free to contact us if you want 'someone with skin on'. This is a fantastic fellowship designed for such support.
Yours in Christ,
Graeme Randall
former Australian East.
Anonymous,
I hope that you realise that there are people on this site that care. Many have experienced some of the same feelings as you and yet many are moving on to various stages of their lives.Please be in touch with someone and seek fellowship. I know that many are praying for you now. If you feel that female officers have been generaly mistreated , I would say that I and a few others would agree.
The Lord loves you and I am praying for you.
My e-mail is n3fsa@yahoo.com
Blessings!
Bob
In thinking back on my own experience as a corps officer, I see that several of our corps were indeed autonomous congregations, not subject to episcopal or presbyterial control. Interestingly though they were all start-up congregations in the former Soviet Union, and revitalizing corps in the United States (New York) and 4 corps in Sweden that had been in existence for over 100 years and consequently, steeped in tradition with little room or allowance for experiments. Nonetheless, innovations and a semblance of freedom granted or simply assumed by us, moved each and every corps to new and exciting ministries.
AUTONOMY
The independence we enjoyed when pioneering the work in Russia and later in Ukraine was the result of our work being far distant from any HQ, with communication difficult and often sporadic at best, and in being almost totally self-funded and sufficient. (family, friends, and Kurt Weishaupt & other SA Board members) While we operated under the strict Salvation Army code of conduct we applied democratic principles in large part to celebrate with the Russian populace, who were for the first time in their life, given the freedom to worship where and how they liked. The army's joyous freedom of expression in worship, our uniforms and the warm welcome extended by sharing in tea following our services with the many visitors became infectious with scores of newcomers every month. The NT makes it clear that Christians are all one in Christ and there is no room for any absolute human authority and that is a mandate we sought to abide by.
Within a very short time our three separate congregations had grown to several hundred persons with many being recruited, trained, and enrolled as soldiers. The tasks were too many for just two officers. Consequently, networking groups were formed in accordance with talent and interest. These groups included teenagers who took on the role of publishing a weekly Junior Soldier magazine, a drama department, a group of ladies who established a corps “trade department”, several musical groups each with their own group of leaders, a War Cry unit that published monthly, a youth department that coordinated excursions and all of the corps’ camping programs, and a department coordinating evangelistic outreach and providing social support to vulnerable groups, and that in turn resulted in the swearing in of more than two dozen hearing impaired soldiers. We had a signer in each of our meetings and who today serves as an officer with her husband.
While we operated in accordance with a congregational polity we did not seek independence from, or refuse to be subject to any outside SA authority.
When, many months later, leaders from THQ in Norway, and RHQ in Leningrad came to Moscow to bring our three large and growing corps under TSA reign and control not all of our local leaders saw this as a positive move and made it well known.
A few months later we saluted and bid our farewell from Russia as we sent to “open fire” in Ukraine, again two officers, a Toyota van, Bibles, recruit material, and a contact name. The Ukraine history mirrored almost exactly what we had experienced in Moscow.
Conclusion
I believe the growth experienced resulted from encouraging net-working and providing the resources necessary to succeed. I will share further on this in a brief article and how a similar method may well benefit equality in TSA.
Sven,
Sounds great!
USA East former
Thank you to those who have given personal email contacts its very kind.
I don't want to explain my pain, maybe when something starts to go right for me then maybe I can start to live again and deal with things.
Please pray as I try to come to terms with my children moving to live with their father. Please pray that I will get work which I desperately need to stay alive.
My pastor met me at a local event... he didnt know what to say!! ... so simply said nothing.
I don't know what the answer is but what I do know is we to care for our own!!
Some time ago we were having a pastor's meeting in Riga. It was basically "free churches pastors" from various parts of Latvia. There was much that was interesting and different. For example, one of the present bishops of the Pentecostal churches in Latvia. Perhaps a hint to the Swedish Pentecostal movement?
We were composed mainly of middle-aged and older men. In Sweden, it had probably been many more women in the fellowship. The only two women who were present (except those serving food at the tables) were from the Salvation Army.
When I look at the picture I am also thinking of something else that is completely unique to the Salvation Army's way of working. The joint service. Both husband and wife are ordained pastors. It does not appear in any Christian context.
All the others had to leave the wife at home, while the Salvation Army has the opportunity to serve together. To stand side by side in a joint service on equal terms.
What strength! - Strange that nobody else got it yet!
Peter Baronowsky
Active Officer
Riga, Latvia
Post a Comment