I would
love to see a website similar to this one (FSAOF) brought into being by the
Salvation Army. There is honest discussion on a range of issues here. Many
articles attract numerous comments - others just a few or none.
Being able to
actually write down one's viewpoint and share it in cyberspace is important, as
well as reading the many responses. It's healthy discussion because someone
else's comment may be something you hadn't thought of; consequently your
breadth of knowledge widens.
What
other self-respecting organisation denies its members a voice?
One
recent aspect of unacceptable SA behaviour in the Howard Hospital discussions
was the revelation that people who had taken the trouble to write in on the 'contact the General' web page actually had their messages
deleted. Information relative to the General's invitation was shared in the
FSAOF blog, the SA's Facebook page and elsewhere. We don't know for certain how
many of the question relating to the HH tragedy were
asked of the General but would estimate 25 or more. I was shocked and upset at
learning that a gatekeeper had deleted any and all Howard Hospital questions.
It's
important that SA members, supporters, all stakeholders are valued, and that
they be provided the courtesy to openly express their concerns.
It is
recognised that the FSAOF blog site is ‘visited’ – or ‘spied on’ – however you
wish to class it – by IHQ staff and other SA centres and institutions.
Surely it would be more honest and transparent to launch a similar site to this
one so that Salvationists and others can comment freely, and that senior
leaders can actually observe and learn what ‘the flock’ is thinking without
resorting to subterfuge?
The USA East Mission and Culture Department Statement
says it wants to….."promote the formation of skilled Salvationist change
agents ....through wisdom gathering, theological dialogue, event planning,
resource development, wrestling through local questions, shared strategizing,
and the encouragement of systems of care for all".
How is this achievable
without communication between leaders and soldiers?
You
invite us to ask questions but censor them deleting those you deem difficult to respond to or that you find embarrassing.
I'm up in
the air on which of IHQ's antics is most reprehensible; cherry picking the
question or the half truths and spin being fed?!
CONCERNED SALVATIONIST
IUKT
CONCERNED SALVATIONIST
IUKT
8 comments:
Silence the dissenters - the usual policy of any fascist regime.
And they expect us to respect their leadership? I don't think so. "Obey your leaders" assumes they are acting righteously.
This man is Paul Thistle. He has upheld the mission of the Salvation Army in a foreign land and as of last year, had that all taken away from him in a blink of an eye. The people and Paul (and his family) are devastated. I had the privilege of going to Howard on October 13, 2013 and saw the truth for myself.
3 children on the children's ward; less than 10 women on the women's ward and the men's ward was full, but that was only because of a bus accident. And just inside the gate where there were throngs of people on any given day, only a handful remain. I have pictures to prove what I saw, but I have left the cord that is used to connect the camera to the computer at home. I will be home at the end of October and will post the pics then.
I got first-hand account from the people that they want Paul back and that they are not happy. For anyone who contradicts this statement, is not being truthful.
I am very saddened and angry what has happened at Howard and the Army needs to admit they made a mistake and get back the one man who truly can make a difference. People in Zimbabwe and even some in Canada refer to Paul as their hero.
The Army needs to listen to the people who are being affected, show love and demonstrate a caring attitude. Actions speak louder than words. We must never give up. People who really are supportive of Paul and the Howard situation, need to keep sending emails to the appropriate persons in charge. I leave you with a quote from Paul Thistle himself- "I am still a Salvationist and believe in reform within the church."
I know who is quoted in this comment and this soldier was previously a volunteer at HH so would well be able to compare what the HH is now to what it was prior to August 2012 before the dismissal of the Thistle`s.
This accurate description confirms everything that Major Jim Watt (R) has been receiving from reliable sources in Zimbabwe during the last year.
I call a spade a spade. IHQ is lying to TSA world. `Spin` is too vague a word at this point.
A picture speaks a thousand or more words. Doug MacLellan, a professional photographer whose photos of HH have been used many times by TSA, was forbidden entrance to the Howard last fall when he went over at his own expense to photograph the truth, but apparently this person got in. We look forward to seeing the photos up on the internet upon their return to Canada.
Truth will out - eventually - and it will be worse for TSA then - much better to be transparent and honest from the start. Shameful you have to point that out to Christians - and Christian leaders at that.
I found the following comments quite revealing. they were written after someone wrote that the HH story was spreading around the soldiery:
I have not heard one single person in my large corps mention anything, let alone anything negative about HH as they are totally oblivious to past happenings as described on this blog. As far as I can gather, no-one knows even of the existence of this blog.
Thursday, 17 October, 2013
How do you know they are oblivious? Mine is a small corps, and at least 10 people are aware of what's happened at HH. No-one gets up on Sundays to tell the others - who ARE oblivious - but the people who know are handling it sensitively, and hoping and praying that the SA will show some integrity. We all have heavy hearts about it, and cannot equate the Army we love and serve in with the heartless and insensitive actions just over a year ago. With the articles being published in WC, ATW and Salvationist we are hopeful.........
Thursday, 17 October, 2013
For several weeks after I first heard about the HH problems I too thought I was the only person at my corps to know about it. With a number of soldiers fairly new to the Army I kept quiet not wanting to spread disillusionment. But eventually someone asked me if Id heard about it and I discovered that actually a number of the more established soldiery were very aware and turn to this website for information. Equally other former officers have asked me whether I'm a member of the fellowship because they are thinking of joining. Nothing has been said from the platform so our newer friends still have trust in the hierarchy. I'm not sure how much longer that can continue so I too pray that someone - preferably the General - will act with sensitivity and integrity to repair the situation as far as that is possible.
Friday, 18 October, 2013
Very interesting. I suspect others are aware of it, but don't want to admit that TSA could have got it so wrong. Many people will stay at TSA no matter what IHQ do or don't do, because they, too, have the same affliction as the dyed-in-the-wool- senior leaders - their first loyalty is to TSA instead of to God.
If, as was reported, the HH now has a functioning up an running internet connection, why don't they share other good news? Or, as the old commercial asks; Is that all there is?!
Guess we'll have to wait for DP's PC report once he's safely back in the office.
A travesty
It's only recently that the HH issue has surfaced at our Corps, and was initially met with disbelief - however, thanks to the information available through the FSAOF site, it is clear that there are significant issues that are being ignored by TSA leadership and word is starting to spread. I'm not a retired Officer, but a concerned soldier in the US. We're all praying that IHQ will respond appropriately, as it's most discouraging to read how things have been handled so far.
Concern is spreading over continents - I am a soldier in the UK, and the same is happening in my corps.
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