While
other pastors drifted in and out of our fellowship, our core group remained
close, committed and connected.
The
location we chose for our meeting was a small coffee house in Ocean Grove New
Jersey, a quaint little beach town known as God’s Square Mile. The owners, who
actually started the prayer meeting, felt that God had called them into the
marketplace to live out their ministry. As the summer months came the little
town would begin to fill with people anxious to enjoy the beauty and
tranquility of God’s Square Mile. With the crowds came the interruption to our
hour of prayer, as eager vacationers would line up waiting for our meeting to
end and the doors to open so they could get their fix of caffeine.
The
deeper into the summer the more difficult it was for our gracious hosts to
concentrate on prayer, knowing the customers pounding on their door represented
the difference between a successful or unsuccessful year, as 85% of their
income was generated in just three short months.
Early
on it was easy to see God’s plan and His blessing on our gathering, but as
things started to change we spent more time talking and less time praying. Our
group had dwindled down to just a handful, including our gracious hosts, who by
now had to place all their attention on the customers. It wasn’t fun, it wasn’t
exciting, it wasn’t even very inspirational, but we continued to meet each week
more out of duty than desire.
And
then I got the call I’d been waiting for to begin training as a franchise owner
for a quick service restaurant. The training would take me out of the state for
seven weeks, but I was able to be in prayer for my friends every Thursday
morning at 6:00, still desiring the connection that had been nurtured and
developed over the years.
When
I returned home I couldn’t wait to begin meeting again. For the first couple of
weeks it felt like old times, even though our group had continued to shrink
during my absence. But about the third or fourth week I knew it was over. It
was one of the most difficult decisions I ever had to make. In so many ways I
attributed much of my spiritual growth to the time spent in prayer with this
group of people who loved me and always wanted the best for my life.
It’s
been three years since we had our last prayer meeting in Ocean Grove. I’ve
tried to keep in touch with all the members of our little group. The friend who
moved away promised that we would get together the next time he was in town…I
found out he’s been back twice, one of the members retired and didn’t give any
of us his new number, on occasion I see a few of the others and we say how we must
get together but it never happens. Last year our gracious hosts sold the coffee
shop and moved south to be with family.
My
friend Charlie and I have remained close, still meeting on occasion for prayer,
attending each other’s family weddings, and talking on the phone at least twice
a month. Recently we were reminiscing about how powerful our prayer fellowship
was, and how sad it is that we don’t meet anymore. Not only is he a gifted
worship leader, but he recently retired from a career as a mental health
professional. He shared the importance of understanding and accepting the
seasons of life. He pointed out the life principle that is outlined in
Ecclesiastes chapter 3 verse 1, that there is an appointed time for everything.
This can include friendships, prayer fellowships, and perhaps even include
dependance on The Salvation Army.
It’s
never easy to say good-by, and in many cases the separation anxiety experienced
when an Officer resigns is similar to the loss of a loved one. For some the
grieving process is short and relatively painless. For others, perhaps those
who loved the Army with complete abandon will require more time to be able to
say good-by.
End Part One
End Part One
I
have two requests, the first is for The Salvation Army. Please be sensitive to
the difficulty and grieving that many Former Officers experience. Some
practical steps that can be taken when an Officer announces their resignation
are as follows…
Former SA officer
USA East
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