May God himself blanket her heart and mind with tender love
Speculation is rife, which is inevitable, given that The Salvation Army will now keep the details of General Bond’s retirement private. Well, good for The Salvation Army, I say. Some things are intensely personal, and I for one know, from experience, the value of Army leaders who can be trusted to keep private matters private. So what if I don’t have the foggiest what’s happened? It has zilch to do with me (see John 21:21, 22), and, actually, it reassures me that those in senior leadership who have been entrusted with confidential news, have been proved trustworthy. Who do we want running the Army? Blabbermouths and gossips?Comments about General Linda Bond are also inevitable. Most, thus far, are kind, warm and full of love and gratitude towards a fine leader, a woman of strength, vision, integrity and passion. Others aren’t.
We will all have feelings and opinions. For example, I
resigned in 2012 after the best part of two decades as an officer, my last
appointment offering me the privilege of direct daily access to the Office of
the General (with humble thanks to the ever-gracious Major Lorraine Hart). Did
General Bond express an iota of pastoral concern directly in my direction, when
I quit? No. Not a phone call, not a note, not a text, not a letter, not an
email; at a time of massive bewilderment, loss and distress. But, so what? Am I
called to love only those who love me? Matthew 5:46 rules that out. End of.
SUMO – Suck Up, Move On.
And let’s not forget I let her down big time, given that
the Editor of Salvationist is the General’s appointment. What did I expect? Flowers?
A book token? A season ticket to Man. City? What about that long list of times
I’ve failed to call someone, or drop them a line, or check on them? (Make that
lists, plural.)
Standing in need of mercy myself, am I entitled to
grumble about her, or to harbour a grudge? What, with that whopping great big
log poking out of my eye? The only mandate I have is to forgive and love
anyway, bearing in mind the fact that I am forgiven and loved anyway. There
isn’t a Plan B.
Who on earth is Stephen Poxon to judge anyone – anyone at
all? Since when was this chief of sinners even remotely entitled to keep any
record of wrongs? Who is the vilest offender to point the finger? Plus the
fact, friends, let us remember that General Linda Bond is (I’m sorry to break
the news) more-or-less as imperfect as the rest of us, if Romans 3:23 still
counts. That means she stands in the same need of prayer, concern, humanity,
goodwill, charity, support, kindness, forgiveness, grace and love as you and I
do each and every day. That means she will have heartaches, regrets, unseen
tears, struggles and vulnerabilities just like we all have.
All the more reason, then, to love and admire a woman who selflessly offered four-and-a-half decades of largely excellent, hard-working service to Jesus as an Army officer, with a wit and an intelligence and a fortitude and a dignity that is not given to many. And who knows what a General has to put up with? Goodness knows, I put up with enough garbage as Editor of Salvationist (some of which no-one will ever know about), so I can but stand in awe of an international leader who simply commands respect (present tense).
All the more reason, then, to love and admire a woman who selflessly offered four-and-a-half decades of largely excellent, hard-working service to Jesus as an Army officer, with a wit and an intelligence and a fortitude and a dignity that is not given to many. And who knows what a General has to put up with? Goodness knows, I put up with enough garbage as Editor of Salvationist (some of which no-one will ever know about), so I can but stand in awe of an international leader who simply commands respect (present tense).
She got most things right. She did her best. She gave
what she could and encouraged and influenced many, worldwide. I salute her, and
regard it as a privilege to have served under her.
God bless General Linda Bond (R), woman of God.
Stephen Poxon
Former officer
UKTI
22 comments:
Amen.
At last some real honest to goodness salvationism. When God calls He equips ... even our frailties melt into insignificance in the light of His love. Called by God to proclaim the Gospel; I firmly believe our retiring General did .. so lets salute and bless her not be so blind to the lonely road a General walks.
i am sure she worked very hard and i know via someone else how hard she worked against human trafficking and i wish her well in her retirement but yet again it has to be said that it seemed silence was golden. someone please remind me , and i am sure someone will if i am wrong , but when was the last time we heard a general be vocal on news or tv about any issues in the world. lets hope the army choose a new general who will not be afraid to stand up and be heard. only anon as i dont have a profile btw. my name is sarah
Just wondering, Stephen.
In your many one-to-ones with the General in your role as intrepid reporter, did you ever ask her about the Croc millions, and her role in the affair?
I can't help feeling that our Army has been seriously compromised in recent years, and the sudden departure of this key player only adds to my suspicions.
When was the last time a General left office without so much as a Retirement Service?
Sure, she needs our prayers, because she is just as human as the rest of us. But some honest reporting in the Salvationist would have helped rather than the usual unbridled admiration and sycophancy.
Then again, as the Editor is directly appointed by the General, we can hardly expect anything else.
Major - UKT
The most pressing issue facing the church international are the LGBT and same sex marriage issues. A year ago we were told that the SA, IHQ, would revisit our stance on this explosive issue. A year has passed and not a word. Did they expect us to ignore their promise as the rest of the world's churches move on and face the future with searching hearts and minds?
Confusion is undoubtedly present, and disagreement among leader on our direction a factor, or has the Army's position even been revisited? Or was the delay due the General's private wrestling on the consequences of her coming out in favor of a more liberal view, she being a life long single woman? Or was the silence due concern on how a public response would rock the Army world; east vs. west?
I believe the General's retirement reflects the only step she could take and remain honest to both the Army and herself.
Former officer
USA
Oh boy! Like all but .02% of the Army world I'm privy to just about nothing, but so far in just the last few days almost every rumor that's ever been floating around about the General seems to have been covered in comments on this site--mysteriously walking out in L.A. and being reinstated 6 months later, the Kroc money, fear about dealing with the LGBT issue, etc. etc. The only thing left is some off the wall gossip about falling madly in love. And if you never heard that crazy one before than I guess you're hearing it here for the first time!
That's why I have to agree with the UKT Major on this one. Openness with honesty is always the best way to go---especially in this day and age when the whole world is communicating with each other via technology. Any time you're dealing with more than 6 people and there's secrecy involved in anything, you're asking for all types of unsubstantiated rumors to start flying all over the place. Could the Army's leadership really be so nieve as to think that when they're dealing with several millions of people they can quell all of the rumors (some of which might turn out to be very harmful to the Army in the long run) with a neat little homily about gossip? Dream on. It isn't 1929 anymore!
People can always deal with the truth about matters, forgive where necessary, extend grace where needed realizing that we're all fallible, less than perfect creatures and move on. But all that official secrecy does when it comes to a public figure is breed and nurture mistrust and give fodder to the always present malcontents.
I do have to agree with Stephen Poxon on at least one point though: There are way too many crybabies in the Army world who get their kicks from making mountains out of molehills.
No matter who you are, everyone in the world is not going to like you, remember your birthday, send you condolence cards, call to see how you're doing on your first anniversary date out of the work, never say an unkind word to or about you, adore you and just generally put you high up on a pedestal. If you're the type of person who is overly, overly, sensitive about such things it just may be time to grow up and deal with it. It also helps to remember your own human frailties and the times you may have been (hopefully unknowingly) insensitive toward the needs of others----and dare I say it? FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, STOP BREAKING THE FIRST THREE COMMANDMENTS. THE ARMY ISN'T GOD!
USA (Non-coastal, landlocked territory)
Stephen asks, 'Who do we want running the Army. Blabbermouths and gossips?'
No, of course not, but neither do we want to be treated as fools. This DOES concern me, because my entire life and family are wrapped up in this Salvation Army, and this is our top person, the one entrusted with the leadership, the one who calls for loyalty and commitment from everyone else.
I think the very least we should expect is a personal statement, setting out the reasons, whatever they may be. But such is the secrecy surrounding the higher echelons of our movement that some think it is just fine to say nothing, even when something as embarrassing and shocking as this happens.
No, it won't do, Stephen. I agree - it's not 1929 any more, and the Army need to be honest and upfront about this debacle.
The fact that she has gone suddenly, without any notice or handover period, is simply beyond belief, especially if the whole thing is deliberately shrouded in secrecy.
There is obviously something not right about all of this. We left Officership because of the deceit and politics of those in charge. This just brings it back, with a vengeance.
Simple question - did she jump, or was she pushed?
Former - UK
I will echo and expound on the the words of many; spoken, emails, FB, telephone calls, blog comments and more in tomorrow's blog post!! Thousands of hits on our blog these last 5 days from almost every territory and command where our tri-color flies troubled by the lack of substantive news.
The controversy is as much about how the news was shared, its abruptness and brevity as about the General's reason for leaving the Army's highest office -
And a ship afloat with all the Captains-in-training all on shore leave. Generals Clifton and Larsson are a phone call away! Invite then in, sift through the most pressing mail- phone General Linda for consultation if necessary, and ask them if their passports are up to date and off they go.
We'd all sigh a collective hallelujah!
God bless the Salvation Army and God bless the...
Looking forward to tomorrow's word, Sven. Hopefully the organisation is reading this and will respond appropriately.
And regarding your other point - Larsson, please!
Active UKT
Active UK, from the moment the Chief pressed 'SEND' announcing the General's immediate departure (One wonders if she'd even adjusted from the jet lag, arriving just a day earlier from Chicago) we've had 2,400 hits. I haven't taken the time to analyze the IPO of every 'hit', but yes, IHQ has peeked in as have several THQs and DHQs. After all, what option do they have?
Is anyone else sharing any news at all?
How funny; Let's be honest; Transparent; Be told the truth. But let not any of us be brave enough to add our names to our comments.
UKT
UKT
No. In posting here we are directly contravening the wishes of to de facto current General. The fact we can at least post anonymously is a blessing.
I am also pleased that, although we want to know more and we can be anonymous, there has not been too much scurrilous comment or innuendo here, just a desire for clarity.
Active UKT
Well sadly the hierarchy dont learn from past problems. TSA is becoming as secret as the Vatican. This has to stop. Time for transparancy. Even the new and recent commissioners cannot fall into the status quo. Perhaps the whole soldiery need to mobilise ans say enough is enough.
As for Linda Bond we need to trust her judgement she would have not gone lightly her decision seems a force of hand ... again more secrets
Come on TSA tell your soldiery the truth.
Former TSA
What good would it really do any of us to know the truth? A painful decision has been made. Painful no doubt for many people not just Linda Bond, painful too for TSA I believe. Live with it. Get over it. There are things in all of our lives we would rather not be out there for the public domain.
From Mark Walford FB
Whilst 100% supporting our leaders, both at THQ and IHQ, past and present, I have dug a couple of interesting facts (from wiki, as I don't have a yearbook to hand) as follows:-
Since General Burrows retired 20 years ago in 1993 , we have had 6 generals (7 if you count whoever is elected at the forthcoming high council) making an average period in office of about 3 years 4 months.
The UKT has had 3 leaders in little over a year, and it could easily be 4 by the end of the high council.
If a commercial business changed management at that speed the shareholders would be asking questions as to continuity of vision, stability of focus, and other management terms that are relevant to us as well.
Yes, we trust God, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, but we do not follow the catholic church with papal (or in our case General) infallibility, and accept the different focus (at its kindest) that each office holder brings.
But 3 years 4 months is not enough when a Corps Officer in the UKT is expected to have at least 5 years in each appointment to achieve anything of lasting kingdom value.
I can only pray for a younger General, who will bring a longer term in office, and the management stability that will help us all achieve General Gowans mission statement to "grow saints and serve suffering humanity" better .
Amen
'I can only pray for a younger General, who will bring a longer term in office, and the management stability that will help us all achieve General Gowans mission statement to "grow saints and serve suffering humanity" better.'
With you in that prayer, Mark!
Former UK
I think this retirement/resignation (along with many other incidents over the years) seriously brings into question "the guidance of the Holy Spirit" in much of this human decision making. To claim trust in this concept makes the Holy Spirit appear to be very fickle.
Just maybe this concept is partially what the commandment means when it talks about using the Lord's name in vain. So often people think of this just as swearing/profanity, but perhaps attributing to God what is human decision, can equally be using God's name in vain.
You raise interesting point anonymous: there are many who, over the years, might have expressed a similar view and then have to withstand the barrage of holy-insult as integrity, faith and experience are all questioned with the accompanying accusations that we might be untrusting and full-of-doubt and that we are nothing more than cynics.
If we take on face value the statement released (and to be honest that is all that we have to go on), there is a sense of encouragement in the fact that the General made the decision ‘after a period of personal reflection and prayer’. Surely, we have to accept, if circumstance is as presented, that the prompted decision sits comfortably with the General and/or is in response to some divine leading.
I passionately believe that the Holy Spirit does lead, guide and direct. The trouble is that He works in and through people with all of their failings and foibles. Could it be that when the General was elected she was the chosen one but for a time … could it be that even the Divine works in the ‘short term’ and that there was someone else but who at the point of her election was not quite ready but now two and half years on is better-equipped for the office and to lead for a longer time.
However, if there is far more to his than meets the eye do we believe that the Almighty has the power to right a terrible wrong and give the Army the person that He truly wants for this moment in time? I happen to think that He can and will. I also pray that somehow within the sacredness of that chamber there will be an understanding of a more long term strategy that the Army can sign up to whereby the Army will not appear to change direction every time a new General is elected in response to the personally held view and imperatives of the office holder.
To my understanding, we have had two significant leaders within the last twenty seven years. General Eva Burrows’ tenure coincided with profound political changes that saw the Army re-establish itself in Central and Eastern Europe and then General John Gowans’, especially with his work surrounding officership, made deep impression. General Tillsley made a mark through his platform work: General Rader steadied the ship. Larsson offered a degree of continuity, especially having served as Gowans’ CofS: personally, I think the momentum was lost when Commissioner Gaither was not elected in 2005.
I sincerely pray that God will continue to bless the Army!
DW
I as a former SA officer (UKT) felt so disappointed That The General has gone for what ever reason! It doesn't matter really... what will be missed is her challenge to all Salivationists to be Christ where we are. I remember fondly her challenge to us during the congress - I'll Fight.... I often think we are so busy fighting ourselves that we forget our Mission to the Lost - I mean look at the number of Social Service Centre closed over the past ten years in the UK- Have we lost our birthright for the Lost? They still weep, they still go to prison, they still sit in dark rooms, they still cry out for someone to listen! We are getting lost in arguments about Gay Rights and if marriage is to be accepted for same sex etc. For God's Sake Lets get on with the Mission and Commissioners when you choose the next General Try to remember the Mission - You may preach it But lets get back to basics - Then we might get the Mission right! God Help the New general My Pray is that God will intervene and shake us out of our apathy.
"If we take on face value the statement released (and to be honest that is all that we have to go on), there is a sense of encouragement in the fact that the General made the decision ‘after a period of personal reflection and prayer’. Surely, we have to accept, if circumstance is as presented, that the prompted decision sits comfortably with the General and/or is in response to some divine leading."
'On face value' is the problem with this stance. The statement reeked of insincerity and obfuscation. It said what you would write if you wanted to 'say' nothing at all.
I have received appalling correspondence in the past from Commissioners, and more junior officers, closed with just such hollow religious pleasantries. One TC wrote to me to tell me he hoped I would have a nice life with my son, closing a letter in which he had resolutely refused to address the fact that I was being barred from seeing him by his (Salvationist) mother. A nasty letter with 'God Bless You' at the end is still a nasty letter. A carefully worded press release trying to cover off a sudden, unexplained and fishy set of circumstances which ascribes unsubstantiated Godliness to itself, is no more than political postulating either.
It is a great shame that many within the Army (most notably including sycophantic and less-talented officers, and those lay Salvationists with lucrative 'non-jobs' at headquarters) are peddling the usual, and ever more risible line of 'we should be above all this'. This sort of event should trouble every one of us, and we should seek truth proportionate to the circumstances.
It is embarrassing for committed Salvationists to have their General disappearing, with not so much as a good wish from any of the Commissioners, so far as I am aware, announced at tea time on the day she leaves. It is even more embarrassing when it turns out that our General had resigned before. I make no inference as to any balance of fault in either event, but I do feel misled for not having been aware of the USA Western incident until now. Either Linda Bond has done nothing wrong and the Army has unfeelingly shrugged her off, or the outgoing General had to fall on her sword, in which case we might at least expect to be offered the broadest opportunity to understand and forgive. It is easier to do this when you don't believe in the implicit infallibility of anyone in velvet trimmings.
Trust in the Army's senior leaders is ebbing away ever faster, yet many pander to it by failing to say so in their own name, for fear of reprisal, loss of favour, or indeed the decidedly litigious tendencies of certain senior officers over recent years. The King is not wearing any uniform just now!
Something needs to be done to lend stability and credibility. Perhaps moving forward with a General who wears their (godly) heart on their sleeve, who loves The Lord, loves the Army and loves its people , to the point of being open and honest with them, would be a good start. I can certainly live with a 'messy' General much better than an opaque one!
Dropping the pretence of infallibility and the presumption that we are all fools would be a good sign of this, and might leave an opening for a human, fallible, yet forgiven General, under less pressure to be something we don't want them to be and free to lead the Army with an informed and encouraged soldiery right behind them.
T.A. Jones (Regent Hall), I’m sorry to hear about the appalling bureaucratic responses you have received to the vital human issues you have raised with SA leaders. This seems to be an example of the interests of our ‘movement’ being prioritised over the integrity of our ‘mission’.
I think we cannot expect a future General to have real power to significantly change the pragmatism, which controls SA decision-making. We are simply too large, and complex and too dependent on a very few rich, powerful territories.
I hate the thought, but we may need to accept that future Generals will be figure-heads rather than directors.
When I was a delegate at the ICO Gowans spoke with real concern that as General he was not able to have a dialogue with his officers and soldiers because his messages were blocked before they reached the officers and soldiers in some territories. .
Does this mean we will shrivel and decline? I think not, God's call is always personal, and our mission to effectively spread the Gospel and effectively declare and demonstrate the possibility of a holy life, and to effectively help the poor and the fallen is always local matter.
The real question is "are the people who are called to fulfil our mission, truly committed to our mission?". If the answer is “yes” we have a bright future. If the answer is not yes…???
Respect and regards. Joseph
Post a Comment