Chosen by her husband, General Shaw Clifton (Retired), this compilation represents writings from almost every phase of Commissioner Helen Clifton's influential service as a Salvation Army officer - including testimonies, personal insights from her prayer journals, and material from her time as World President of Women's Ministries.
The first weekend in April 2001 saw the commissioning
in Lahore of the Ambassadors of Grace session of cadets. There were forty of
them, the maximum the training college could hold. It was a happy day and ended
with us attending the wedding of Lieutenant Sughra and newly commissioned
Lieutenant Sharkat in the Lahore Central Hall. Because the commissioning
brought all the senior officers in the territory to Lahore, the ensuing days
were devoted to the Executive Officers’ Conference. We met in the Conference
Room at Territorial Headquarters...
It was on the first day of the Conference, 2 April,
2001 that Helen spoke to us, with translation, about officership.
General
Shaw Clifton (R)
It is good to think theologically about officership. There is room
for personal views about each of our callings. However, we do need to have
agreed theological insights about this sacred vocation in order to teach others
and to train the cadets properly.
It becomes important also when we sit down in the boardroom as a
Territorial Candidates’ Council. That is when we carry out the sacred task of
selecting, deferring or rejecting. We seek humbly to test the strength of each
person’s calling. To do this we need to have a clear standard to use as a
measure.
We can start by looking at the Officer’s Covenant. This is a formal
statement of a theological nature. It needs to be identical all over the Army
world. It must state the deep things of
the Spirit that bind us together in sacred service. We are called: to preach
and to serve; to love God supremely; to make the salvation of the lost the
highest ambition of our lives; to live for souls.
Where does all this come from? It comes from the long and deep
traditions found in the Bible. It comes from God’s planning for us, from even
before we are born (like Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Paul). It can become a reality
for us when we are still in childhood (like Samuel, and like my husband). Or
when we are in the middle of a well-paid career (like Matthew). It can come to
a man (Romans 16 names eighteen of them). It can come to a woman (Romans 16
mentions nine, remarkable for that ancient culture!). Note too that God’s call
can come to married couples together (Priscilla and Aquila).
The call can be delivered to a person by name (Saul). Or it can
reach us through a wider cry from God (Isaiah heard, ‘Whom shall I send and who
will go for us?’). Also it can be made through the consensus of the leaders of
the congregation (as for Stephen or Barnabas).
It is a powerful calling. It can keep a person faithful even unto
death (like Stephen). It can impact someone who witnesses the fidelity of another
who is called (like Saul who watched Stephen die). The call might tell you that
you are to be a prophet (Amos), or a priest (Zechariah), or a pastor (Timothy).
That same divine voice can tell you to leave your nets, your secular work (James and John).
Part One
Commissioner Helen Clifton
Part One
Commissioner Helen Clifton
6 comments:
I believe God's timing is perfect but I believe in the Promotion to Glory of Commissioner Helen our Army lost a beautiful (in every sense of the word) committed, dedicated, gifted leader. I thank God we still have the opportunity to learn from her today through the gift of her writings.
Thank you for sharing these with us Sven. I hope and pray many will be both challenged and encouraged by them.
'God bless and comfort the bereaved. God help us to be faithful to Him, unto death'
Active UKT
I loved Commissioner Helen. Her gentle and yet strong convicted spirit and thank God for the influence she had and now through her writings continues to have on our Army.
Sven, please will you ask whoever you need to ask if you can put these articles on my blog too - www.sacommission.blogspot.com
Many thanks!
GBY real good! ... miss you ... hurry up home!
Glad Ljungholm
Active UKIT
As an active officer living in the USA I was well acquainted with General Shaw Clifton's theology and ardent salvationist zeal. It's not surprising then that the General's presence often placed his wife, and all others, in his shadow. Not a bad thing when the leader is of Shaw's ilk and impressive intellect and bearing...
How delightful then to see this most charming Christian representative being selected by her husband, the then TC, Pakistan, to address the officers in congress.
The Commissioner's book, From Her Heart, is a new meditation favorite.
Thank you FSAOF for bringing this reading treasure to the attention of the wider SA and secular world.
Your postings represent all the topics that are on our collective minds, but that TSA is afraid to touch.
God bless you.
Active USA Central Territory
Where in the USA can this book be purchsed?
Interesting and eclectic material for thought and challenge. Will become a regular follower of this site, and TSA is to be commended.
Pastor(former SA officer)
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