Salute and Go???

So what have you done wrong? That question was raised four years ago when we were appointed as the Corps Officers in Ashland, Ohio, traditionally seen as a first appointment type of corps by most in the know. Our friend was unaware of the Kroc designation for the Ashland community, so thought that something was wrong that we now needed to go to such a small appointment after 28 years of officership. His comment wasn’t unusual, for as Salvation Army officers just experienced once again, the publication of the Change of Appointment list brings a number of comments regarding the various changes, ranging from “that’s a perfect fit” and, “that makes a lot of sense” to “oh, my.”

With the release of the most recent LIST, my thoughts turn to those who, with the stroke of a pen (or a few computer keys) and the answering of a phone, find their lives once more in transition to a new place of ministry. Some find it a welcome designation, needing to shake the dust off their feet in a placement where they weren’t accepted or that didn’t fit very well, or coming at a time when both the congregation/corps and the officer sense that it’s time for a leadership change. Others may face the change with ambivalence, happy and productive in their present assignment but open to what the next challenge may bring. However, a third group of officers may find themselves in a place of confusion and grief, as the farewell orders and the marching orders simply don’t make sense, come at a difficult time in their lives, or leave them asking: can I/we even do this?

Like much else in the Salvation Army, when you’re in the first two groups, the system seems to work relatively well. It fits with our initial commitment as officers to live in submission to the placements determined by those in leadership, accepting that God directs those who wrestle with deciding those placements. However, when the phone call from the divisional commander is devastating, what do we do?

Recognize that you are not alone. While I have no statistics for the number of calls to the Secretary for Personnel the week of moves, it is likely that the reassignment phone call is unwelcome by at least 10-20% of officers (a good research project for someone). As one of my leaders once said, “I know that change is never easy. That's why, for most of us, it's one of the hardest things we face in this ministry.” Change is difficult enough when it is expected and/or welcomed – it is excruciating when our world is turned upside-down overnight. And while they may not shout it from the mountaintop or post it on Facebook, there are a good number of officers who are struggling to see the hand of God in their particular reassignments. Trust me – you are not alone. (Remember the roots of the Salvation Army - William and Catherine struggled to submit to the authority of their early church body).

Find a safe sounding board. When we’re in crisis or shock, our judgment may not be the best. Taking our concerns to a safe, relatively neutral sounding board can give perspective that we might miss in the initial hours following the phone call.

Request more information. While there are no EEOC regulations that apply to officers, and no union representatives that can speak up for those who need a voice, it is possible for the officers to request to talk with someone in leadership about the reasoning behind the placement. Years ago, one divisional leader told us that he had looked through the dispo and couldn’t see anyone else more qualified to fill an open position. I would have preferred a more realistic assessment: we had a commitment to inner city ministry, there had been an unexpected breakdown, and the Salvation Army needed officers who would be willing to walk into a difficult situation with at least some prior experience in a cross-cultural setting – and we were trusted enough to be able to do the job requested.

We can hope and pray that our leaders are willing to tell us the truth about ourselves, our performance, and the needs of the appointment awaiting us. Sometimes we feel like we’re a part of the kind of quiz that matches questions from one column with answers from the other column – and we were the left-over answer. Appointments are not made that lightly, but sometimes there are moves that may not make much sense to us. Jesus encourages us to ask, seek and knock. If we’re entrusting our lives and families to the direction of our leaders, it is not unreasonable to request a conversation that can address our questions.

Know that changes can be made. While not common, it is possible for adjustments to be made, either in the current round of assignments or at a later date. Even with as much care and prayer that goes into the process, sometimes mistakes are made. Pro tem appointments can happen. Other options can be explored.

Submission and Obedience. If I had a quarter for every time I’ve heard this, I’d be rich: “Man (or The Salvation Army) cannot place me where God cannot use me.” Of course that is true – it just doesn’t always make man’s - or woman’s –placement decision the best decision. God can use us anywhere – but I have to believe that He desires to use us in ways that maximize our gifts and abilities. However, officers serve in a system where we’ve committed to abide by the decisions of our leaders – and the move system is definitely one of those decisions. If our reluctance to move to a particular spot is mostly an issue of preference or bruised ego, we’re out of luck, as we have made a commitment to obedience and don’t really have the choice to refuse to go. However, if there are valid concerns regarding the appointment, we must find ways to articulate them, working with the leadership to determine if any other options are available.

Give it time. With the system as it stands, we still are facing many farewell orders that come as a surprise to the officers. While we have moved towards at least a bit of “consultation,” some have no clue that the phone will ring during the week of moves (another good research project to determine if prior consultation makes the process any easier). It may be that with some time for prayer, reflection, and conversation as noted above, the appointment will become more workable.

Redeeming the struggle. In the book of Ruth, Naomi returns to Bethlehem with a curious statement: “Don’t call me Naomi . . .call me Mara (bitter).” One thought on this narrative is that Naomi discovered she had to name her pain in order for it to be redeemed. While we want to protect the integrity of the Salvation Army as well as our own character, there may be opportunity to be vulnerable with those closest to us as we walk through the difficult days of struggling with the reassignment. We can model a grieving that is consistent with a spirit of holiness. We can walk with our people as they also mourn the loss they feel.

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.