SAMPLING OF THE 35 COMMENTS SHARED BY YESTERDAY’S
SEVERAL HUNDRED VISITORS TO THE FSAOF BLOG SEP 9, 2013.
Anonymous
said...
We have trusted our leaders - deemed them to be
highly spiritual people who have the interests of the Kingdom at heart. But
this tragic episode has shown us a darker side, which, speaking personally, has
destroyed my trust in them.
Whatever the political sensitivities, I cannot
condone the sudden dismissal of Dr Thistle in such a way. To me it was inhumane
and uncaring, and yes, selfish, for not considering the detrimental effects it
would have on people who regarded the hospital as a lifeline. UK
Monday, 09 September, 2013
Anonymous
said...
There is a website that you can convey your
concerns to the General. There are presently 2 messages of concern over
Chiweshe and Howard hospital on it. Please add yours - the more we can get on
an Army site the better. it's on the following link, which will get you
directly to the required page.
No need for names - just use a pen name if you
are uncomfortable with revealing your identity.
http://news.salvationarmy.org.uk/salvation-army-united-kingdom-welcomes-general-andr%25C3%25A9-cox-new-international-leader
Monday, 09 September, 2013
Anonymous
said...
As a former international leader I cannot, in
present circumstances, forget that during the period I held significant
responsibilities in my home territory, in which I was not only able to see some
of the injustice meted out by unwise IHQ decisions and spoke up in protest
about them, I was eventually seen by my TC who, doubtless with my best
interests at heart, and told 'I advise you to remain silent for a year - it
will be better for your future'. I( responded that I would leave my future in
God's hands, as I was not prepared to remain silent when it was necessary to
speak up. Later, he told me he was having difficulty in arranging an overseas
appointment for me, as 'You are not an IHQ man'. Despite all, the Lord did open
wonderful opportunities for service, for which I am grateful. Now, after years
of retirement, I can rejoice in that I always tried to be 'true to myself and
to the Lord'. Sadly I have seen other very fine officers penalised and at times
virtually forced into resignation when they failed to conform with the fixed
ideas of some of their leaders, and later, having achieved highly successful
ministries outside of the SA, are welcomed back as guests speakers in some of
our major events! How much the SA has lost! Sadly, the 'silence' to which I was
'called' by my leaders years ago seems to be still symptomatic of policy at
high levers, and I regret that I have now met numerous people who have written
to IHQ about the Howard situation, and who do not even receive a courteous
acknowledgement. Whatever is happening? Should the SA not show better 'customer
relations' than then the commercial world? I am distressed beyond measure by
what is happening.
Monday, 09 September, 2013
Anonymous
said...
Former International Leader - how heartening to
hear your comment. Yes, God is no man's debtor, and what we lose by following
Him and not 'man's' way is often the start of a life full of blessings we
wouldn't otherwise have experienced.
I have been a 'whistleblower' in my
secular work, and was penalised in what I saw was unfair in the extreme, but,
having been true to my conscience, the Lord has blessed me beyond my
imaginings.
One of my friends also came into conflict with her employer and
resigned on a matter of principle - at a time when her husband had no job and
they had a family to consider. But God richly blessed her, and she secured
employment that was much better than that which she had given up.
And having
read 'the Thistle epistle', it seems that God has blessed the good doctor and
his family as well, despite the spitefulness and inconsideration of TSA. I'm
sure that he will now be able to carry out his skills of healing without the
shackles of the Army's narrow-mindedness. The organisation has lost much more
than a doctor, methinks.
Unfortunately, material security has become a god
that even Christians serve today, and conscience is often quashed because of
the uncertainties it brings, so that matters of faith are not tested.
Oh that
there were others like you at IHQ today. The Salvation Army is not a compassionate
organisation, and I'm afraid the godlike reverence in which it is held by
people at the top is a precursor for spiritual disaster. You can't preach to
people the core values of Christianity, create in them a Christian conscience
and then to expect them to follow blindly when they see injustice and hypocrisy
in the actions of their 'teachers'.
It is bad enough learning about TSA's
decision regarding Paul Thistle and the Howard hospital, but to witness its
obduracy in doing nothing about the chaos, misery and death that it has caused
is, frankly, inexcusable, and the longer it goes on, the worse its moral
position will be.
Monday, 09 September, 2013
Anonymous
said...
Sven and the FSAOF, you have been patient far
too long! You've exhibited incredible grace in not taking the HH tragedy to the
media. Your very special and essential bond with SA missions is evidenced by
the several SA medical and health services you support through direct financial
and equipment donations, gifts in kind and personal visits, all funded by
former officers.
There have been hundreds of comments from blog visitors in
support of your position; asking leadership for a response. Give it a few more
days and if no response is forthcoming, let the media begin a search for truth
and transparency.
SA leader
Monday, 09 September, 2013
Anonymous
said...
I write as a UK soldier.
This tragedy is
dreadful, fuelled by the fact that it originated because of the sinful actions
of 'Christian' leaders and affected so many people detrimentally. I agree there
is a case for doing something drastic to bring it out in the open, but that
would be at a tremendous cost for other Salvation Army ventures, and could harm
people who now benefit from them. TSA is operating a cynical ploy with this
saga, in that it knows that most people of conscience do not want to place its
international operations under more scrutiny, and that is why, after 'firing a
volley' of what can only be described as lies concerning their actions and
intentions regarding the HH and the Thistles, it has maintained a painful,
defensive and arrogant silence on the issue, and is hiding in its fortified,
secured 'citadel' at IHQ. This 'volley' is surely not what William Booth ever
dreamed of for his Movement.
But we now have the opportunity to lobby the
current General from within the ranks - at no personal cost to ourselves.
The
link is:
http://news.salvationarmy.org.uk/salvation-army-united-kingdom-welcomes-general-andr%25C3%25A9-cox-new-international-leader
It
works - I have posted my views on it. If enough people do this, TSA will have
to do or say something.
At least this is a breakthrough, albeit a small one -
people have previously reported that they have written and have had no
response.
Well, this is no longer the case. Just do it. If you look at
Armybarmy blog, you'll see Stephen Court waxing lyrical about evangelising
aggressively all the time.
We can be evangelistic about our concerns for
things other than salvation - this is a case in point – standing up for the
marginalised people that TSA has abandoned.
This means of protest is but a
small step to achieving justice for a disadvantaged community. It's the least
we can do, and it costs us nothing. If you really feel as strongly about the
misdeeds of the leaders as you state, then please - express your concern in
this way. By not doing so we are no better than the leaders.
Monday, 09 September, 2013
Anonymous
said...
I've just checked and they have indeed been
removed. one comment had been there since early August. That is shocking. To
disenfranchise members like this is nothing short of totalitarianism. TSA does
not deserve such loyal minions.
Hmmm..... that has made me angry - what to do
now?
Monday, 09 September, 2013
Jolinda
Cooper said...
So, I am taking to twitter...
J Cooper @auntjojocooper
Pray
for the Chiweshe people who have been without adequate medical care from the
Howard Hospital for over a yr @TSA_WWPM @GeneralAndreCox
Monday, 09 September, 2013
Dr. Sven
Ljungholm said...
FSAOF SURVEY RESULTS
THE HOWARD HOSPITAL - DR.
PAUL THISTLE ISSUES:
Have been resolved to my satisfaction 4%
Require further investigation by an outside
agency
64%
Were poorly handled by the SA 84%
Were handled appropriately 12%
Demonstrated that SA's politics trumps
humanitarian needs 48%
Remain unresolved; people continue to suffer and
die
80%
Require apologies by the SA 76%
Monday, 09 September, 2013
Anonymous
said...
PLEASE VOTE IN THE SURVEY - TOP RIGHT OF THIS
PAGE.
In Canada some Salvationists are now sending their tithe to TEAM (for
Karanda Mission Hospital) and will not give anything financially to TSA until
IHQ does something about this situation. We no longer respect or trust the
leadership of TSA.
In Canada Salvationists and non-Salvationists have gone to
the media - BUT with the crisis in Syria at the moment, it is difficult to get
media to look at anything else.
TSA has been removing postings about the
Howard Hospital from it's discussion forums since last August 2012. The IHQ
discussion forum, moderated at IHQ by Kevin Sims, allowed last August a prayer
request for the Thistle's and the Chiweshe people. Forum contributors asked why
prayers were being requested but any postings attempting to explain the
situation were removed almost immediately.
IHQ has censored all comment on the
HH situation since comments started appearing on their forums last August 2012
and apparently their censorship is continuing. The Canadian territory did not
censor comments after their press release of Aug. 23/12, in fact many of the
blog comments that have appeared on this website, have been taken straight from
the Canadian media website comments of a year ago. It would be interesting to
see if the Canadian territory still allows comments to be posted on this topic.
I
smirked to myself when I read above that someone realized TSA is acting like a
totalitarian regime. "To disenfranchise members like this is nothing short
of totalitarianism." TSA has always been totalitarian, autocratic,
militaristic. This is absolutely nothing new.
I'm sure IHQ probably didn't
agree with the Canadian territory making press releases pertaining to an issue
because when has anyone seen IHQ make a press release on a hot topic? - Never -
I believe it is against their policy to do so. Silence is always the name of
their game and they just hope that in time people will wear out.
Again thanks
to this blog site for keeping this issue alive and PLEASE VOTE - TOP RIGHT OF
THIS PAGE.
Monday, 09 September, 2013
Anonymous
said...
Another avenue is ... the World Council of
Churches or an email to the Minister for International Development in UK and
similar in each country. If IHQ can and has censused postings what else is
left.
Monday, 09 September, 2013
Anonymous
said...
Another option is start a UK Government e
petition. You only need 100 signatures before it is taken seriously by the
relevant department of State. Surely 100 signatures is an easy option given the
numbers herein. The link is here
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions
Monday, 09 September, 2013
Jolinda
Cooper said...
To the contributor who wrote "This from an
organisation that denies its members the human right of free speech (an illegal
contravention of the Human Rights Act).
" -
They are not denying your
right to free speech. They are denying your (our) use of their websites and
media presences upon which to make our statements.
We are free to take to
other venues, such as this website w/comments, Facebook and Twitter. We are
free to comment on other blogs, websites, etc.
And you have to know the
powers-that-be or those that are charged with keeping all unpleasantness away
are keeping up with what we're doing here. We don't let that stop us... we just
have to do more than just use this site.
Email your Army friends around the
world. Tweet with the hashtag #HHZIM. Post links to this blog on Facebook,
making sure that your postings are as open as you feel you can make them (open
to public, or open to a controlled list of viewers).
I'm open to other
suggestions about what WE can do - certainly people have sent copies of the
report to news agencies, print and media. But there are things that can be done
on the ground, in our neighborhoods and in our corps.
Monday, 09 September, 2013
Anonymous
said...
I've just donated my harvest altar service to
the Barnabas Fund for use in Syria. Fulfilling the Army's mission of 'Doing the
most good - with heart to God and hand to man'.
I know people will criticise me
for doing this, but I have lost total confidence in the Army to do anything
than further its own ends. It has chosen to ignore the plight of the suffering
community in Chiweshe, and the pleas by its members on their behalf, so at
least I know that my (external) donation will have some impact for another
group of people who are suffering real hardship.
Since this subject began I
have researched many articles about TSA, and have been horrified at the number
of instances where it has been less than Christian, and I've been shocked at
the number of court cases involving the organisation.
In my opinion, it's
totally lost the vision, and the logo 'One Army, one mission, one message' is
phoney - a sop to the masses to delude us into a sense of purpose.
Yes, many
of us, both soldiers and officers, are true to our calling, but what can you do
when the leadership team is singing from a different hymn sheet?
Monday, 09 September, 2013
33 comments:
Thank God IHQ has not been blackmailed or held to ransom by this group! I don't dispute what you are saying but believe you have gone about it in completely the wrong way You've made your point loud and clear now move on before you create even more damage.
Blackmailed? Held to ransom? This isn't crime fiction. It's real life. Where's the blackmail? How is TSA held to ransom? It holds all the power at the moment, and is exercising it in a very un-christian manner.
But perhaps you could suggest the right way? Move on - to what? And why? 'Moving on' would leave a large group of people still marginalised - why is TSA absolutely refusing to help this particular community? None of it makes any sense at all.
There is damage limitation that TSA could do - perhaps they should do it - with the truth.
What's with denying their own members to speak freely?
If the point has been made loud and clear, why is TSA not listening and responding?
If 'more damage' is inflicted, TSA will only have itself to blame. Every day it lets this saga fester brings it a day when it loses more respect, and every day brings it a day when people like me will go digging into what seems to be an increasingly murky existence.
Wake up and smell the coffee - if the membership is not impressed with its leaders, it disengages. Already people on here have voted with their pockets, and will continue to do so. Commitment will wane, and the devil will have achieved his objective of dividing the flock. Get real.
Because to respond to this little group of dissatisfied people, some with their own hidden agenda's would be a total unprofessional disaster for any reputable secular or faith organisation?
Wakey, wakey, smell the coffee! Of course, one can speak freely, spout anything especially on the internet (up to a point)but not on any company or privately owned and managed website. I know not of one single church, charity or company website where you can express freely against the policies and directions of that organisation. Whether you are a paid up member or not. There are safeguards in place to protect the integrity of the company so it can not be compromised by the opposition.
Even on this private Sven blog, there are limits. I am 100% certain that,if needed, in order to protect himself from defamatory actions and possible legal recriminations he would pull the plug without any qualms.
The positive action of FSAOF has been the only medium by which many salvationists and former who love TSA but the Lord much more are only extremely concerned that TSA leaders have become poor in there judgement.
The only bottom line required is a sample acknowledgement that TSA IHQ are seriously repairing the fault line that now has become embeded in the movement.
This blog is only asking for some contrition from TSA leaders. Without malice or condemnation.
TSA is leaving itself wide open for massive criticism if it doesn't move. You only have ti look at other World Churches to see the results of silence and cover up.
Therefore this story will break outside TSA in some way in the future and most probably not through this blog. The only thing this blog has done is to bring matters into a wider sphere of those who do care about TSA and its true Holy Spirit moved mission which is being thwarted ti a huge extent by it leaders. Time for radical change is coming.
"Even on this private Sven blog, there are limits. I am 100% certain that,if needed, in order to protect himself from defamatory actions and possible legal recriminations he would pull the plug without any qualms."
Correction! This not Sven's blog. In fact, of the more than 1,200 articles posted in our 6 year history, 90% were written by others in our 6-700 member fellowship. The HH and Thistle tragedy is of special concern for three reasons: We all signed the SA officer covenant and served an average of 12 years in SA appointments, witnessed SA leadership's commitment to the patients in HH unravel in favor of SA personnel and saw the 18 year reputation of a selfless Christian servant besmirched.
While a response from IHQ would be honorable, a year of indifferent silence has passed. We have no intention of taking this issue public - others are doing so. But, make no mistake, neither will we disappear or let our interest wane. Almost 30,000 visitors, albeit not all unique, and the several hundred comments that they've shared on our fellowship's blog speak almost unanimously against the attitude and action of IHQ. And who are they? SA corps and headquarters in the following for a start, London, Toronto, Nairobi, Harare, Stockholm, Oslo, New York, Atlanta, Sydney, Los Angeles, Melbourne and more. But the most frequent visitors were from 101 Queen Victoria Street, London.
We invite articles from all persons with a well stated opinion. And, we have never turned down an article in our history.
Subject choices? Here are a few that have been suggested: Loyalty vs truth - The values went in the shredder - 3rd world cultures have 2nd rate ethics - A consistent moral fabric across territories - Sanctioned situational ethics - Or select your own and send it to selmoscow@aol.com
I just opened our visitor's box, this 10 seconds subsequent to posting the above comments, and who's reading the blog?
- Domain Name (Unknown)
IP Address 217.196.246.#
(Salvation Army - Queen Vic St)
Continent : Europe
Country : United Kingdom (Facts)
State/Region : London, City of
Lat/Long : 51.5, -0.1167 (Map)
________________________
Kind regards, Sven
you are being spied on sven ;);)
Its the General!
I just counted 3 blog visits by IHQ in the last three hours!
There appears to be a great deal more interest in this sorry saga than some of our critics would like?
And it's not the General. I saw him yesterday.
FSAOF member, Sydney
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH GENERAL Andre Cox
A Canadian initiative!
http://www.sendthefire.ca/tell-the-general-your-thoughts/
Of course there is SA interest, after all it employs people to scan the world wide media about anything with 'The Salvation Army' in it.
This is a very prudent practice to protect the closely guarded top brand name from possible harm.
Add to this that some individual people may have an interest beyond that is understandable and should be appreciated......but, but, but, do not expect any silence to be broken at any time - not now, nor in the future. Realising that will save a lot of pent up frustration on the part of those who expect the official SA to acknowledge let alone engage with a bunch of anonymous bloggers.
Do IHQ make anonymous comments? Not all 'bloggers' make anonymous comments.
When will IHQ make a public statement on its own website or in print about the current situation at Howard Hospital? Will the SA make public its latest investigation if there ever was one by IHQ?
To the poster of the Tell the General/Send the Fire link:
This particular venue for "telling the General" is limited to kids between the ages of 7 and 25. And, of course, the Army reserves the right to remove any questionable submissions.
With retired officers refusing to wear uniform to meetings in Canada, soldiers seeking new worship venue and Salvationist' and other SA supporters' funds being earmarked for non-SA projects the HH tragedy will not soon be forgotten.
We're sending our cartridge moneys to Karanka Hospital. Granted, only 100.0 GBP pcm, but a truly significant symbol.
UK SA family
Sven, given your wife is currently and active officer and you an officer spouse, have you been treated harshly or your wife considering all the attention this blog has created?
Just a side note... this blog is reaching to all parts of the world. I've been tracking it loosely, but the following countries have visited this blog site over the last 3 weeks or so:
Antigua
Argentina
Australia
Bermuda
Bolivia
Brazil
Canada
Canary Islands
Chile
Costa Rica
Croatia
Czech Republic
Djibouti
Ethiopia
Finland
France
French Guiana
Gabarone
Georgia Republic
Germany
Hong Kong
India
Isle of Guernsey
Italy
Jamaica
Kenya
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Malawi
Malaysia
Manila
Mauritania
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Poland
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Russia
Saint Helier, Jersey Isle
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Tunisia
Turkey
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Zimbabwe
"We're sending our cartridge moneys to Karanka Hospital. Granted, only 100.0 GBP pcm, but a truly significant symbol"
What happens when there is no money in your local corps? Would you be gladly sitting in the cold in the middle of winter or in the dark? What/ who would would pay all the other ministry related costs at local level? I truly hope that your corps is self financing, increasing Territorial Mission Support level is not an option here.
Think twice before becoming so short-sighted that your faith community will suffer through it.
To the poster who said, 'What happens when there is no money in your local corps?'
It's a protest, can't you see that - the same as the person sending their harvest donation to the Syrian charity. We - as serving members - want to belong to an organisation which shows compassion, not spite and stubbornness - and all we have asked for is a statement and some compassion shown to a special group of people who have been robbed by TSA of vital services. They are some of the worlds' neediest people, and they have had their lifeline cruelly cut off at a stroke by TSA -not through any fault of their own, but as part of an agenda directed at the CMO Dr Paul Thistle. Is this fair? Did they consider the effects when they dismissed him? No, they didn't. And this from an organisation which then has the gall to beg for money from everyone to uphold its services to provide for all humanity - everyone except these poor people. They have also, by these actions, lost thousands in donations because of it - is that wise stewardship?
While this situation remains unresolved and the members' questions remain unanswered by TSA, I, too, fully intend to withdraw some financial support - I am involved in many other ventures to whom I give my 'offerings', and these will benefit until such time as this saga comes to an end. This isn't blackmail, it's fact. I cannot stomach the fact that my Christian leaders are so dismissive of their own people that they cannot even be bothered to communicate with us on spiritual matters such as this. There is no crisis of conscience either - I know that my money will be going to charities which will benefit mankind.
And to the person who said 'I know not of one single church, charity or company website where you can express freely against the policies and directions of that organisation'.
Please tell us what are the policies and directions to which you refer?
I'm not sure that I've seen anything that is 'against' TSA's policies and directions. It is US who are asking TSA to adhere to its own mission statement and positional statements, because this whole affair is an abject failure to do so by this Christian organisation. All we are asking is that they fulfil their 'policies' to serve suffering humanity. it isn't the people on this blog who have withdrawn them, after all.
But do you really want to take it out on your local faith community-the place that is your spiritual 'home' and where you 'do' service and where you are happy to belong? Denying yourself the needed financial resources to function, albeit on principle, is not going to make any difference elsewhere.
'But do you really want to take it out on your local faith community-the place that is your spiritual 'home' and where you 'do' service and where you are happy to belong?'
That is a very subtle ponderance - one that I have taken into consideration and enacted with a very heavy heart. It isn't taken lightly, I assure you. The ideals of TSA are very dear to me, and I have spent many happy years serving within its ranks. So my answer is simple - no, I don't - but neither am I happy to serve in an organisation where the spiritual leadership is no example to the flock, and does not uphold even its own positional statements.
'Don't do as I do, do as I tell you' is not a leadership concept for the 21st century. No matter that TSA is a hierarchy, we serve as volunteers in this 'Salvation' Army, and we represent Christian standards to the world. Leaders should set an example to us all, not walk away from a self-inflicted mistake which has had enormous consequences for this poor community, and ignore it as if it never happened.
The commenters on here who say this is small fry to TSA are not helping at all - it smacks of insensitivity and injustice. This sort of talk negates the ministry of Jesus, to whom ONE person was important. He interrupted his sojourning on more than one occasion to tend to the physical and spiritual need of individuals. How much more would he have done for a whole community if He were there.
And to the person who said 'this little group of dissatisfied people, some with their own hidden agenda's' - I have no hidden agenda - I'm just a soldier who is disgusted that church leaders can act this way.
Another nasty comment above says ' do not expect any silence to be broken at any time - not now, nor in the future. Realising that will save a lot of pent up frustration on the part of those who expect the official SA to acknowledge let alone engage with a bunch of anonymous bloggers'.
This bunch of anonymous bloggers has small-fry power that could reverberate like ripples in a stream for some time to come. Maybe we can't achieve the impossible - for SA leaders to at least show some manners and acknowledge the issue, or even repair the situation with the Chiweshe people, but - as has been said many times - we are all volunteers, and strangely enough we are part of the priesthood of all believers when it suits the leadership. For you to call us out as inconsequential is quite inflammatory.
I do have 'pent up' frustration over this issue, but it is because I am bewildered that it has come to this. And to cancel people's internet postings without consultation is beyond comprehension. Not the reaction of people seeking after truth, that's for sure, nor is it in the interests of transparency. All very sad. And unnecessary.
I'm not too concerned about my cartridge since 90% is retained by my corps and I can see where that is being spent. But I'm hazy about where our harvest offerings go - I've heard some vague comment about social work but I thought that was predominantly funded by government grants these days - so, like a previous poster, that contribution will be redirected, at least for this year. As for the February altar service for missionary work, it depends on whether by then I believe the SA has sufficient checks in place to ensure the money goes where its supposed to. There are so many charities needing money. The SA has had more than its share of mine!
25% of it goes to DHQ - the rest is kept by the corps.
For a Salvationist to deny the excellent International Self Denial Fund in favour of another charity is like taking the basic bread, water and opportunity away from (out of the mouths of?) already hard pressed 1001 social programmes in the developing world.
There is no other fund that is operated so effectively with 100% of sacrificial giving reaching the intended Partners in Mission. Whether a GAT or a FIT, each contributing according to ability towards the needs of others elsewhere. Very sound applied biblical principle indeed.
I know the excuse, 'if only IHQ played ball on my terms....' - 'in my opinion they are not so I am going to take the ball away';);)
NS
"I've heard some vague comment about social work but I thought that was predominantly funded by government grants these days"
Vague indeed! I think you are a bit out of touch here. This may have been the case until fairly recent years in the UK but not any longer. Many programmes have been closed or curtailed due to the unavailability of financial resources due to massive cuts on local government imposed by Whitehall.
Think of the needs in your immediate community and see how these can be met with integrity by your local church financially- in conjunction with other care organisations, that is where your money is needed most and best used.
'For a Salvationist to deny the excellent International Self Denial Fund in favour of another charity is like taking the basic bread, water and opportunity away from (out of the mouths of?) already hard pressed 1001 social programmes in the developing world.'
Not at all - there is so much choice for giving these days, and in a world of finite resources, people will examine who will do the most and the best with the little or much they have to give. If TSA does not fit that bill, then it only has itself to blame.
Salvationists these days question more, and are not blind to what goes on. After all, value for money is the key. I would imagine this HH issue has been and will continue to be a negative drain of income on TSA - I see that, and I see other organisations and charities that are not shackled with such obdurate introspection and conduct that you wouldn't even see in secular establishments, and as a Christian I prefer to donate my 'extras' to charities which portray a more loving and compassionate attitude to the needy and the hurting. That's how it is. The above blogger has said 'think of how needs can be met with integrity' - that's so right. In this sorrowful saga - to me - TSA has no integrity at all. Sorry.
Giving is like supermarket shopping - you buy what you need, and then you buy what you like. If a better, more improved brand than your usual one comes on the market, you'll buy that instead. Non-officer Salvationists are not shackled by the 'loyalty to the SA' clause, our focus is God, albeit through the medium of TSA, so we choose who to donate to. It generally works that the most appealing charity, subject to ethics, of course, wins. For me these days, although I still 'belong', this is not TSA.
And for the suppliers, it's all about marketing - making sure that people consider you to be the best. I can't see any effective 'marketing' on the HH issue. Once a story gets hold, to allow it to spread uncontrollably is an abrogation of responsibility, and becomes the lasting focus of the organisation as a whole. In my not considerable service in TSA I have not come across anything like this, and it has soured my opinion of TSA.
"I would imagine this HH issue has been and will continue to be a negative drain of income on TSA - I see that, and I see other organisations and charities that are not shackled with such obdurate introspection and conduct that you wouldn't even see in secular establishments"
How do you know that for sure? Do you think that it is only TSA that has such intricate company issues to deal with and other are exempt from same? You will be very disappointed to discover that the grass is not greener on the other side.
One gives to where your heart is and can identify with the mission - we are all free to choose - thank God for that!
How do I know for sure? Intricate company issues? Is a human soul reduced to a 'company issue'? I never thought I'd read that on a Salvation Army blog.
It doesn't take a genius to realise how much this is costing TSA in legalities and 'cover-up' activities - I prefer at the moment to give to organisations with a little more transparency and with less to hide.
I was not aware that this is a Salvation Army blog....sorry
Some of the comments aren't very 'christian' in character, are they?
Maybe this would be a good point for reflection:
Unto Thee would I cry
Shepherd, hear my prayer!
Poor and needy am I
Shepherd, hear my prayer!
Deep is calling unto deep,
Rugged are the heights, and steep:
Guide my steps, and keep:
Hear, O hear my prayer!
Hear, o hear my prayer!
Where the tempest is loud,
Shepherd, hear my prayer!
'Mid the darkness and cloud,
Shepherd, hear my prayer!
Let me hear Thy voice afar,
Coming with the Morning Star:
True Thy mercies are:
Hear, O hear my prayer!
Hear, O hear my prayer!
Let the foe not prevail,
Shepherd, hear my prayer!
My resources would fail,
Shepherd, hear my prayer!
Order all my steps aright,
Carry me from height to height:
Yonder shines the light:
Shepherd, lead me there!
Lead me safely there!
Albert Osborn
I pray both leaders and soldiers alike will heed these words. Only Jesus is the answer to TSA's problems - He is the only answer for each of us, if we look to Him and follow His example.
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