Is there a role for the FSAOF in turning the tide of losses?

Many of those in the Former Salvation Army Officers Fellowship continue serving in consecrated, ordained roles as pastors , teachers and shepherds, while others live out their calling in other areas of service. No matter where our vocation is lived out, and as we faithfully serve, we are also mindful of a key corporate mission as ‘former’ officers; the reformation of THE SA Officer recruitment, retention and resignation process- to thwart the steady departure of well-qualified, committed officers.

A first and key step in formulating a successful strategy is acknowledging that reform is necessary. One need only take a cursory look at the alarmingly high percentage of officers resigning from active service each year to recognize both the immediate and long-term negative implications. And our concern is shared by many, including active SA officers, and others, as evidenced by the many articles and comments shared through our blog site.

General Shaw Clifton too is concerned as demonstrated by his, “If Crosses Come”.
The Officer, 2009. ‘Each year I receive the global annual statistics for officer resignations and dismissals. Those for the calendar year of 2007 show that fewer colleagues left officership than in 2006. Of approximately 16,500 active officers, 257 or 1.6% left in 2007 (274 or 1.9% in 2006).’

The General's comments reflects a positive position and consequently, one of lesser urgency than those shared regularly in our blog. Assuming the resignations remain at a percentage level of between 1.5 and 2 %, one must also remember that each departing officer often represents a significant number of years of active service; experience and commitment.

The average number of years of service represented in the FSAOF is approximately 14, or a combined 4,620 years (330 members worldwide). Further, at the current rate of departure, this represents a staggering 2,500 experienced and tested officers ‘leaving the work’ every decade. There’s little doubt that the count exceeds the number of those still in active service. FSAOF members share that typically, fewer than 50% of their session mates remain in active service. And, in the UK territory, the number of officers retiring each year from active service now outnumber those being commissioned!

It must certainly cause constant consternation, concern, and contemplation among SA leaders in many territories. And it must grieve God's heart to see the number of steady resignations; scores who promised a lifetime of loyalty to ‘the cross and the colours’ are departing, many resigning to serve elsewhere. While some loss is inevitable, one must question why there is such an alarmingly high and steady departure flow.

The General’s article “If Crosses Come”, details the cause and effect (%) of resignations:

REASONS:
Domestics, marital or family: (25.29 %)
Dissatisfaction, for example, appointment/remuneration: (21.01) %
Misconduct: (19.06) %
Unsuited for further service: (9.7 %)
Transfer to another church: (6.23 %)
Marriage to non-officer: (5.8 %)
Feeling discouraged: (5.4 %)
Health issues: (5.4 %)
Health of spouse: (.4 %)
Doctrinal issues: ( 1.55 %)

The above list of ‘reasons’ suggest that there is no unique or single common motivating factor, the resignations stem from a multitude of factors.

As a spiritual body nearing 350 members, the FSAOF is very concerned about the army’s future, the organization that trained us for the ministry and in the roles where many of us serve today. The spiritual body we represent was grounded and formed in response to a ‘call’ each of us heard, accepting our vocation in accordance with Paul’s description in Ephesians 4:11-12 (NIV) ‘It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up’.

Our concern moved us to conduct a series of surveys among our world-wide fellowship to more accurately determine; (other surveys are planned to be conducted among the 300+ former officers in Sweden)

• The number of years of active service
• The type of appointment(s) held
• The reason for resignation/dismissal
• What type efforts/measures were expended to dissuade resignation
• If efforts were made to recruit ‘formers’ to return to full time service
• The type employment engaged in;
Ministry
Teaching
Church related
Counseling
Health care
Administration
Managerial
Homemaker
Other
• Active in TSA
• Active in another denomination
• Not active in any church
• Would consider a return to TSA without reservation
• Would consider a return to TSA with reservations/conditions
• Would not consider a return to TSA under any condition
• TSA demonstrated Christian concern and provided necessary support during the separation/resignation process
• TSA demonstrated little Christian concern and provided no significant support during the separation/resignation process
The surveys will be conducted via the FSAOF blog site from which we learned in a June 2010 survey that our readership profile make-up represents:.

FORMER OFFICERS (91%)
ACTIVE AND RETIRED OFFICERS (8%)
CADETS (2%)
PERSON WHO ARE SA SOLDIER (25%)
PERSONS WITH NO SA AFFILIATION (10%)
RESIDE IN USA (50%)
RESIDE IN CANADA (4%)
RESIDE IN UK (21%)
RESIDE ELSEWHERE (19%)

We believe wholeheartedly in the soul-saving mission of the army and want to do all possible to advance that divine assignment. However, to serve the present age and to march steadily onward can best be achieved by calling on the resources represented by the FSAOF, that in part brought the advances the army, through God the Holy Spirit, has achieved. The Former Salvation Army Officers Fellowship members represent a formidable earlier resource willing to be used once again in SA service.

Your battle is our battle... Specifically, is there a role for the FSAOF to provide in assisting in turning the tide of losses? Let us hear from you SA!

Dr. Sven Ljungholm
Former SA Officer (USA, SWEDEN, RUSSIA, UKRAINE, MOLDOVA)