SHARE YOUR THOUGHT WITH GENERAL ANDRE COX
Anonymous
said...
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.
Tuesday, 10 September, 2013
Anonymous
said...
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.
Tuesday, 10 September, 2013
The positive action of FSAOF has been the only
medium by which many salvationists and formers who love TSA, but the Lord much
more, are only extremely concerned that TSA leaders have become poor in their
judgment.
The only bottom line required is a sample
acknowledgement that TSA IHQ are seriously repairing the fault line that now
has become embedded 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 to 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 to a huge extent by it leaders. Time for radical change is
coming.
Tuesday, 10 September, 2013
Dr. Sven Ljungholm
said...
"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 though is of special
concern for three reasons: We (former officers) 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 now passed.
We have no intention of taking this issue public
- others appear to be 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 these
critics? 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
Tuesday, 10 September, 2013
Jolinda
Cooper said...
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
Tuesday, 10 September, 2013
Anonymous
said...
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.
Tuesday, 10 September, 2013
Anonymous
said...
'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.
26 comments:
The HH issue indicates to me that TSA may just be lacking in compassion for some hurting folks. It is the Holy Spirit who stirs kindness in us for souls who are hurting. Satan’s job is to take us away from our spiritual intentions and set our minds on human traits - that way we become distracted and easily defeated.
When we fail to supply mercy, we fail both God and our neighbor. Our neighbor is every person we meet. Matthew 22:38-40 (KJV): “This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Jesus showed His compassion for all humanity. He paid the debts of each soul everywhere on the Cross of Calvary.
God’s Word is the ultimate guide for Christian compassion, which, in turn, is the vital breath which enables the church to grow. I read this: 'Failing to display mercy could be like a stock market crash. A failure to show compassion to one soul can affect a multitude. Compassion is to the hurting as water is to a parched person in the desert - priceless'.
What a debt we owe when we fail.
Brengle said this:
If the future of the Salvation Army is to be spiritually radiant and all conquering, we must not simply endure the cross, but glory in it. This will arrest the world, disarm Hell, and gladden the heart of the Lord.
We must “by love serve one another.” We are following Him who “came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give His life a ransom for many.”
We, too, must give our lives for others, shrinking from no service, holding ourselves ever ready to wash the feet of the lowliest disciple. We must still prove our discipleship by our love for the other.
It is not enough to wear the uniform, to profess loyalty to the Army leaders and principles, to give our goods to feed the poor and our bodies to be burned. We must love one another. We must make this a badge of our discipleship. ...
The Army is so thoroughly organized and disciplined, so wrought into the life of nations, so fortified with valuable properties, and on such a sound financial basis, that it is not likely to perish as an organization, but it will become a spiritually dead thing if love leaks out.
Many turn-of-the-century Holiness bodies understood their special calling to be ministry to the poor, especially those in the inner cities -- and this impulse was epitomized in the Salvation Army.
Such concerns are, however, largely absent today. The Holiness reform impulse is largely evaporated, and often in the recent identification with the “evangelical” world even repudiated as inappropriate for a properly “spiritual” and “evangelistic” church.
Probably the greatest temptation facing these churches today is materialism. Marginality, both cultural and economic, has produced its opposite in successive generations -- the push toward “respectability,” a strong desire to be close to the centers of power, and a longing to enjoy the “good life.”
More from Brengle:
Commissioner Samuel Logan Brengle (1860–1936) a holiness prophet, was well aware of the potential problems the Army faced due to its organizational structure and need for leadership development.
He had a realistic understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the organization that he loved. His assessment of the Army is evident in a letter to his wife, Lily, written from Chicago on January 16th, 1911: “But the General’s [William Booth] danger is in over–organization—organization that may at last cramp, encrust and enslave the spirit. When men have the authority over others that the Army grants, it may result in great danger both to them and those over whom they exercise authority. Only fullness of wisdom and the Holy Ghost can avert this danger.”
When dealing with disappointment in Army leadership, Brengle shared that it was the criterion of love that helped him stay true during times of disenchantment, reasoning “... if love drew me and the Spirit led me in, love and the Spirit must lead me out.”
Brengle pointed out the need to be an answer to the problem, by following Christ despite the circumstances, and seeking to minister, rather than be ministered to. He illustrated this from his own experience, as he reflected on lessons learned throughout a lifetime of service:
If then ... leaders of the Army were so absorbed in administrative and business affairs that they neglected the highest spiritual values, then, I argued, did not God wish me to remain and do the best to emphasize those values? Might not that be one of the very purposes for which He led me into the Army? ... Please do not think that it has been easy, and please do not think that I was puffed up with conceit. It was the way of the Cross. My first D.O. was disciplined and suspended for immorality. My first Provincial Officer fell into the grossest iniquity and was dismissed from the Army. The Commissioner who accepted me as a candidate left the Army, and my second Commissioner left the Army and started a movement that greatly hurt us, and added immeasurably to the difficulty of our work.
Then I saw our poor people, hungry for the bread of life, looking for someone to show them the way and reveal to them Jesus, and I said, “I cannot leave them. My business is to save them, not myself, and I could not run away and seek an easier and more inviting job.” ... I saw I must take my eyes off others whatever their rank or command, and, seeing Jesus only, I must do with my might what my hands found to do. ... I saw that if leaders did not give “spiritual impetus” to the work and dispense “spiritual inspiration,” then I must stand in the breach and, so far as was in my power, make up for their lack.
This I saw and felt when i was a captain as plainly, as poignantly, as now when I am a Commissioner. I ceased largely, to criticize them. I praised them and I praise God for them, for the work ... they do, and set myself with full purpose of heart and all my powers to make up for their lack. Indeed, I felt that if I were carrying their heavy burden of administrative work, I could not at the same time do the spiritual work I was doing. And I saw that if they did not inspire me spiritually, that maybe God meant me to inspire them. ... I was helped, too, by a prayerful consideration of such scriptures as Romans 12:3–8 and 1 Corinthians 12:4–31.
Brengle believed that the compelling need within the church is holiness, not organizational strategies or programs, maintaining that as the church engaged in spiritual warfare, “it will not be by programs but by Pentecost that the battle will be won.”
In a letter to Lily, written from Long Beach, California on July 22nd, 1912, he indicated his concern that the real ministry of the Army was being impeded by its own bureaucracy:
I think probably most of our difficulty at present in this country arises from this multiplicity of details and the infinite red tape with which we are tied up which sap the strength and frustrate the piety of our people. If our officers had the spirit of the General when he refused to be tied up to a pastorate and broke away from the church, I am not sure that there are many of them who would remain with the present concern.
To my mind it is one of the paradoxes of history how the General, with his free, large spirit which refuses to be bound by the mild rules of a Methodist conference, could have developed a system which binds men hand and foot with red tape, which is to the Methodist rules what calculus is to the multiplication table.
Brengle’s focus was on spiritual revival, not organizational reform. He wrote:
God is ready to revive His work, to refresh His people and we need not wait. We can begin now and where we are provided there is a revival in our own souls. But reform is different. Institutions and men become fixed. They harden like cement and to reform them is often a very difficult and slow process and you will probably find it so in the Army.
In exhorting Salvationists to continued faithfulness, Brengle recognized the conditionality of God’s continued blessing on the Army. Likening the Army to “a great bridge hung upon two buttresses - God and man,” he wrote:
The future of the Army depends not only upon God, but also upon man, upon men, upon you and me and all who have to do with the Army. ... In so far in the past as we have sought God with our whole heart, walked in His ways, and lived and wrought in the spirit of our Lord and Master, He has been with us, preserved us, prospered the work of our hands. ... Can we still confidently expect His favor for the future? Only if we continue to abide in Him and fulfill the conditions that have permitted Him to pour benedictions upon us in the past.
The basis for Brengle’s optimism concerning the Army’s future was thus based upon his confidence in the possibilities of God’s grace as experienced and expressed in the life of holiness. He presented this vision in terms of its biblical mandate:
If the future of the Salvation Army is still to be glorious, we must heed the exhortation: “Let brotherly love continue.” ... This is that for which Jesus pleaded on that last night before His crucifixion: “This is My commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. ...” This is that for which Paul pleaded and labored: “And the Lord make you increase and abound in love one toward another and toward all men ... to the end He may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God.” ... This is that to which Peter exhorted the universal church: “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently.” ... How else but by fullness of love for one another can we fulfill those supernatural requirements expressed by Paul and Peter?
He believed that only as holiness remains the touchstone of Army mission, will its effectiveness continue. In this light, he wrote: “In so far as this spirit rules in our hearts God can work with us and bless us, and the spiritual triumphs and glory of the Army for the future are assured. But in so far as these graces of the Spirit in us fail, so far will the Army as a spiritual power in the earth fail.”
In the aftermath of the crisis surrounding the events of the 1929 High Council, Brengle recognized the need for servant leadership.
He urged Salvationists to pursue self–sacrificial love in the context of organizational reform, contrasting such an attitude with the self–seeking, selfish spirit of Diotrephes (3 John 9–10):
The testing time of a great organization comes when its founder and makers pass away and its leadership and destiny fall into the hands of the men of the third generation who were not its makers, but were made by the organization. It is when such a founder and the devoted men who with him made the Organization pass to their reward, leaving places of power, of trust, of honor and influence to be filled by other men, that the men of the Tribe of Diotrephes bestir themselves. They have one invariable mark; one distinguishing spirit...every one “loveth to have the pre–eminence”—not pre–eminence in goodness, Christlikeness, brotherly love, humility, meekness, or holiness, but pre–eminence in name, in fame, popular acclaim, in wealth, in place, or authority. These it is that the members of the tribe lust after, scheme, plot and plan, whisper and fawn and flatter and backbite to obtain. Each and every Diotrephesian is a follower, not of Christ but the Antichrist.
With the passing of “the absolute though paternal autocracy of our Founder,” Brengle saw opportunity for such reform making possible “a strange new freedom” within the Army, which could easily be dominated by a “Diotrephesian spirit.” He cautioned Salvationists not to allow reform “to destroy the balance between the centripetal and centrifugal forces which can alone sustain us as a unified, compact, joyous, conquering Army in the face of world–wide diversity of conditions and needs.”
In the context of major reform in Army leadership structures, he warned against allowing personal ambition and self–seeking to lead to schism. The Army must be careful to maintain the “spirit of service without thought of personal reward.”
Also important for the future success of the Army, according to Brengle, was the need to remain separate from the world, by which he meant to be “in the world, but not of it.” In the context of the Army’s growing social acceptance and temptations to become entangled with the world, he wrote:
And so the Salvation Army, through more than fifty years of detachment, separateness from the world, and uncompromising, single–eyed devotion to its one Master and the work He has given it to do, has come at last to world recognition and acclaim. But with this recognition come temptations more subtle and dangers more destructive than any which have beset us in the past. Only by the uttermost circumspection, self–denial, and faithfulness to our great calling can we hope to escape the snares that beset and will beset us. ... Wherever the children of God have been seduced by the world’s glitter and flattery, and accepted its offers and entered into alliance with it, spiritual decay has begun.
Brengle saw that the greatest danger to any religious organization is that a body of men should arise in its ranks, and hold positions of trust, who have learned its great fundamental doctrines by rote out of a catechism, but have no experimental knowledge of their truth inwrought by the anointing of the Holy Ghost.
In looking back through the first sixty years of the Army’s history, Brengle saw “the story of a succession of spiritual miracles, daredevil exploits, martyr- like sacrifices, all nights of prayer ... solemn life–long consecrations, toils and tears, occasional defeats and shouts of triumphs.” He maintained that Christ crucified (“the Bleeding Lamb”) was the foundation and “chief cornerstone” of William Booth’s army.
He quoted the Founder as saying: “If there ever comes a time when the Salvation Army ceases to get people baptized with the Holy Ghost, I pray God sweep it from the face of the earth, for it will then be but a corpse, an offence, and a cumberer of the ground.”
So, for Booth, the Army’s holiness teaching was foundational for her identity and mission. Brengle agreed, and questioned those who think that with changing times, new theological emphases are needed: “Times are always changing. But the Holy Spirit is the same yesterday, today and forever. But maybe we have changed with the times, and no longer believe in and instantly depend on the ever–present and active help of the Holy Spirit as did the early Salvationists!”
These are challenging words to an Army, which in its efforts to stay relevant, is ever in danger of losing sight of its holiness heritage, and thus being cut off from the source of its spiritual power and effectiveness.
Witnessing the ever-worrisome attrition rate in the number of active officers in the ‘west’, the call for more officers may always be with us. (this has long been a FSAOF blog focus) However, what we need at the moment may not be additional officers as such. What we need are servants of God who can call existing offices back to biblical standards.
“As long as rulers are filled with the Spirit and wisdom any form of government will do. And if they’re lacking these virtues even the most cleverly devised polity will be found wanting… Ecclesiastical rule has no independent rights. It exists as a handmaid to the ministry of the Word”. The Case for Biblical Christianity (The government of the Church)
Someone above has written, "To my mind it is one of the paradoxes of history how the General, with his free, large spirit which refuses to be bound by the mild rules of a Methodist conference, could have developed a system which binds men hand and foot with red tape, which is to the Methodist rules what calculus is to the multiplication table."
This of course is the paradox of history - Revolutionaries have often replaced one tyranny with another. Certainly Booth fell into this trap. His admiration of Napoleon was astounding considering he lived in the next century with the benefit of hindsight on Napoleon's life.
Booth's primary value for his organization was obedience (like Napoleon's Army) not love, and he writes that obedience is the primary goal of officer training and the Army's biggest asset. He set officership up as a cult of obedience to "the directing brain" (using Booth's own words). This paradox of revolutionary and tyrant is prevalent throughout history but not a mystery given Booth's autocratic, militaristic admiration for Napoleon - efficiency at the expense of all else.
Also another comment above, "Brengle’s focus was on spiritual revival, not organizational reform." True but isn't it too bad!! Perhaps if Brengle had been more balanced in his focus, TSA would not be where it is today - tied up by its own system.
Someone emailed me yesterday about the HH situation and offered an insight worthy of sharing. This person found the continued obstinacy of the Salvation Army in this situation to be amazing - I do not find it amazing, sadly it's what I've come to expect. Also the person emailing me commented that they find the resilience of the bloggers on this website encouraging.In particular this person writes "As some suggest, it would have to come out in international media to make a difference. The Pope did not apologize for paedophilia in the church over a blog site alone. And think, the Catholic church is stronger today because of it."
So true - the RC church would never have apologized for wrong doing had the issue of sexual abuse not come out world wide in the media. But having gone through the pain of world wide exposure, having done the right thing by making public apology and making amends financially to victims, the RC church is today better for it and has redeemed some lost respect.
If the Vatican can do that, why can IHQ not show the same humility by apologizing publicly for a humanitarian tragedy the Army's decisions have caused? It took media exposure to bring the Vatican to its knees. It would be so much better if IHQ would respond appropriately before such media exposure, but it's beginning to look like their silence will force the issue.
It appears that a time of serious introspection is needed across the whole of TSA. If like the RC there is a media backkash then without the blame game there must be an apology first of all. Then a serious review of structure by external entities. Once completed a focus on renewal and reconsecration.
Therefore .... Spirit if the living God; fall afresh on TSA... break it, melt it, mould it; use it.... This is all we can hope for in the short term.
Former DE UKT
A VISITOR FROM THE BELOW ADDRESS SPENT ALMOST 10 MINUTES READING TODAY'S BLOG ARTICLE ISP Houses of Parliament
IP Address 194.60.38.# (Houses of Parliament)
ISP Houses of Parliament
Location Continent : Europe
Country : United Kingdom (Facts)
State/Region : London, City of
City : London
Lat/Long : 51.5, -0.1167 (Map)
That seems to say alot Sven. But if IHQ are so stony silent what can they expect. FSAOF are only being honest and diligent in providing sound factual reporting. No hype or spin just pure facts.
IHQ are naive in the extreme and are being very badly advised if they think they can hide this under the carpet. I don't know any ISP addresses, but my observations at just the times of day when I'm home from work suggests that it is being read by more and more people in the UK as well. Does TSA honestly think that its members will just sit and do nothing once they know about it? It is being spoken at in my corps, albeit quietly at the moment, but if TSA is seen to do nothing about it, then I'm sure we will escalate it among the rest of the membership. Everyone who does know about it is shocked that the Army could do this in the first place, and furthermore sit back and do nothing to redress the situation. This tragedy strikes a chord in the heart of every caring Christian to whom the truths of the Good Samaritan parable are more than words.
What I find doubly bewildering is that this leadership appears to be devoid of any such emotion. It really beggars belief.
For every caring Salvationist there are many more who even when they know about this situation, are apathetic. This is very disturbing.Loyalty, trust, obedience is what IHQ is counting on and it appears to me they may very well be judging Salvationists accurately.
We cannot count on fellow Salvationists to stand up, so the only alternative is to do as has already happened in Canada and in Zimbabwe, and expose this beyond TSA in the media, which is very difficult to do right now because of the Syria/chemical weapons issue. IHQ is in England so the media has to be informed in the UK.
Remember, sexual abuse would never have been acknowledged, apologized for and financial compensation made by the Vatican if this had not been exposed world wide in the media. IHQ could avoid this, but no doubt they are hoping the story will never break forth beyond Canada and Zimbabwe. I think it is a good sign that an IPS from the British Parliament has visited this site as Sven has reported.
When Dr. Silverman met with the Pallant's and Commissioner Marseille last Sept 2012. at IHQ, he was apparently going to London originally for another purpose - to address a committee I believe of the Tony Blair Foundation - not sure if that's a British parliamentary committee or separate from Parliament. Whatever, the topic had to do with faith based charities. He could have used this as an opportunity to possibly blackball TSA, but he didn't because he was hopeful in the promises the Pallant's had made to him which have been documented in Jolinda Cooper's Final report. Dr. Silverman abided by his promise not to go to the media, until he discovered IHQ was not keeping their side of the promise - then he did go public in the interview with Alex Bell and of course the detailed article in the Huffington Post.
IHQ's actions are more than deserving of exposure but that media exposure has to happen on their doorstep - Canada is an ocean away. I would think this is the ideal time for such exposure to happen - not sure what exactly the Big Collection is, but would assume it's the solicitation of public funds for the work of the Army in the UK.
Pray and then hurl the stone from the slingshot. IHQ is a giant Goliath, but a small stone with God's blessing can be effective in slaying giants and giving victory to righteousness.
Bah humbug
'Bah humbug'? Not at all. You are right about the Big Collection - it's the UK's exciting annual chance to walk miles every evening for a pittance to bolster TSA's coffers, regardless of personal health and safety. You wouldn't mind if you knew it was all going to the worthy social agenda, but when you read about how much the Army spends on lawsuits (all on the internet to be seen), it's mind boggling, and not conducive to participation in this labour-intensive outmoded method of raising funds. Also, it's quite demoralising when, having walked up winding driveways or many steps to be told that the national SA begging bowl has got there before you with its mailshot, which was dutifully sent off to London before you got there. This 'big collection' is so archaic it defies description, and is now only done by die-hards who are inured in the ways and methods of TSA, and have no idea of the seediness of some of TSA's involvements. Unfortunately for the said organisation, these people are becoming fewer, as age decrees limitations in physical ability, and young people are either not interested, or are too busy with educational projects to participate.
It was inspirational when salvationists found supermarkets to collect at, but with increasing secularisation this is becoming more difficult to maintain, and now there are endless 'fundraising' events, concerts, sponsorships etc to try to raise the 'target' amount set for each corps by their respective DHQ officers.
God will either bless or curse TSA by its deeds, and no amount of denials or 'bah humbug' comments will change that.
It's well past the time for change. This topic may well be cathartic.
On an earlier blog on this subject, TSA has been likened to Narcissus. It says
'It is so narcissistic......Narcissus' fate, of course, was death, as he was unable to leave the beauty of his own reflection.
I do hope TSA will realise that the organisation is just an image -it's humanity that counts in the light of eternity'.
I thought this was worth repeating.
Yes,Bah Humbug!!The Big Collection affords us the opportunity to meet people on their doorstep or at the supermarked or in my case the train station.Last year it raised £2.2 million pounds all for social and community projects,a fraction of actual costs here in the UK!where even the tiniest of corps often run outreach programmes to the needy.
What an insult to suggest it is all done just to fill the Army,s coffers.
Stick to the matter in hand,the HH situation .The majority of officers are hard working,carrying out mission in the name of Jesus often to very marginalised communities.
"'Bah humbug'? Not at all. You are right about the Big Collection - it's the UK's exciting annual chance to walk miles every evening for a pittance to bolster TSA's coffers, regardless of personal health and safety."
Is that your best excuse for doing sod all? I bet my last £ that you are not a net contributor to the sum and total and have not been for a long time!
'Is that your best excuse for doing sod all? I bet my last £ that you are not a net contributor to the sum and total and have not been for a long time!'
You are wrong - so wrong. My financial contribution is more than many. It doesn't stop me from viewing the exercise as archaic in this day and age. I am an active participant in the Big Collection. This doesn't stop me from questioning its practicality in this day and age.
And if you don't mind me saying so - 'sod all' is rather crude, and blindly insulting. I do more than most. Don't judge people when you don't know them. I am fully committed in my SA service - I just don't view the organisation with the rose coloured spectacles that some loyalists do. And I don't have blinkers, either. And I am actually questioning my loyalty after reading what TSA gets up to. When I read that it has paid out $15 million to settle child sexual abuse cases in Australia, why should we struggle to fill the coffers when waste like this happens?
If TSA had not been silent on the HH issue I would not have known about it. There are other cases, too, which probably prompted my exasperated comment above.
Do I still want to serve within its ranks? I'm currently asking myself the question.
'The Big Collection affords us the opportunity to meet people on their doorstep or at the supermarked or in my case the train station'.
This comment is about as 'bah humbug' as it gets. How much time - beyond a brief 'hello' and a 'God bless you' do you spend with each person? How many people have attended the Army as a result of these one or two sentences?
In reality, people who want to talk are seen as a hindrance to fundraising - after all, that's the purpose of it, isn't it? Imagining meeting just a few chatterboxes on your collecting round and you return with hardly any cash. What do you think would be the reaction of DHQ? I doubt if they'd be impressed with the number of people you spoke to. They would never reach their 'targets' and they'd fall lower down the league table than other DHQs who managed to achieve or exceed their required amount.
And as for house collections - I have spent over 4 decades doing this, and the number of people who welcome our call is very few. We are just an inconvenience to whom people spare some small amounts of cash. And there is a bewildering sense of pride when notes are given - are we not guilty of thinking more of these people than the ones who give less?
Because - it's nothing to do with personal contacts - it's all about money. Don't be fooled.
Mr negativity strikes again!I know at least four fairly new officers whose first contact with the S.A.came when a faithful soldier knocked on the door and asked for the envelope and an explanation of what the S.A. is and were invited to worship.
Each person's experience tells a different tale. And enthusiasm comes to us each in much different measures, it seems! Well done.
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