FORMER SALVATION ARMY OFFICERS FELLOWSHIP

THE FSAOF                       

The FSAOF was inspired and launched on August 15, 2007, an era when every facet of business had begun using one common media outlet to expand their market focus and outreach, the world wide web (internet). Both the intrinsic and extrinsic usefulness for the use of the Internet was immediately recognized and motivated many to form international alliances. It was in this same fashion that I was inspired to form the FSAOF. Initially I created a web-log page where ‘former’ officers could visit and read challenging and inspirational messages with ‘formers’ being the article contributors and our focus audience. One of the driving purposes was to slow the steady flow in the numbers of Salvation Army officers resigning and deserting the assignments they’d prayerfully and willingly accepted as being Divine appointments. 

Our primary intent was to get alongside those contemplating resignation and those who’d already made a ‘break’. We wanted to make all ‘formers’ our friends through our Spirit led fellowship; we were careful to not be seen as in any sense making them our ‘mission’. Anti-religion and negative SA leadership sentiments were running strong.  Few active officers, on the separation of faithful officers from the organization, demonstrated the spiritual kinship William Booth ascribed to us: “He received the spirit of officership, whereby he mingled amongst us, for a season, as one of us, and go where he likes, and do what he likes, the imprint of the life he lived will remain.”

Within a few weeks the interest, need and usefulness became evident with scores of blog visitors daily. And the FSAOF has to date welcomed almost 90,000 visitors from more than 100 countries, with around 50% having a SA link.

A few months subsequent to the launch of our blog, the private FACEBOOK site was created with the intent of being a “safe house” where formers from around the world sensed that they were in the presence of like minded souls, others who had trod the road of the Divinely inspired and chosen Evangelist but who for varied reason was separated from the army’s fighting forces; those with whom they had shared years of service under the SA banner. We formed a spiritually committed fellowship that is as faithful and supportive as any that can be found inside or outside the church.

Dozens come together in fellowship daily. Our fears, hurts and joys are shared. We discuss, mostly in a brotherly way, all matters of interest and concern- no subject is too foreign to be shared in our loving fellowship; hundreds of threads and thousands of responses. It is a place of healing, rest and reconciliation.

FSAOF MEMBER PROFILE

Many of those in the Former Salvation Army Officers Fellowship continue serving in consecrated, ordained roles as pastors , teachers and shepherds, while others live out their calling in other areas of service. No matter where our vocation is lived out, and as we faithfully serve, we are also mindful of a key corporate mission as ‘former’ officers; the reformation of THE SA Officer recruitment, retention and resignation process- to thwart the steady departure of well-qualified, committed officers.

We are in the process of sharing the results from more than 7 recently conducted survey with SA leadership detailing for the first time the loss of return on investment relative to the high level of attrition of officers. And also sharing, from experience several recommendation on how the losses can be reversed.

A first and key step in formulating a successful strategy is acknowledging that reform is necessary. One need only take a cursory look at the alarmingly high percentage of officers resigning from active service each year to recognize both the immediate and long-term negative implications. And our concern is shared by many, including active SA officers, and others, as evidenced by the more than 900 articles and comments shared through our blog site.

As a spiritual body of more than 450  members, the FSAOF is very concerned about the army’s future, the organization that trained us for the ministry and in the roles where many of us serve today. The spiritual body we represent was grounded and formed in response to a ‘call’ each of us heard, accepting our vocation in accordance with Paul’s description in Ephesians 4:11-12 (NIV) ‘It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up’.

We believe wholeheartedly in the soul-saving mission of the army and want to do all possible to advance that divine assignment. However, to serve the present age and to march steadily onward can best be achieved by calling on the resources represented by the FSAOF, that in part brought the advances the army, through God the Holy Spirit, has achieved. The Former Salvation Army Officers Fellowship members represent a formidable earlier resource willing to be used once again in SA service.

Your battle is our battle...

May God continue to bless the hundreds of formers in our fellowship, their families, and their Kingdom committment. And may God bless the Salvation Army. 

Dr . Sven –Erik Ljungholm

Former Salvation Army Officer

Birkenhead Corps, UKT 

HE SAID WHAT?!

William Booth arrives at Royal Albert Hall, London to deliver what became his last challenge to his officers and soldiers; May 9, 1912


”While women weep, as they do now, I'll fight; while little children go hungry, as they do now, I'll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I'll fight; while there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I'll fight-I'll fight to the very end”…

And so the fight goes on, but with a deviation searching for the person who actually penned those words. And, to ascertain if Booth indeed ever shared the well-known phrase. Many a person claim proudly to having been eyewitnesses and giving faithful testimony to William as the person who concluded his last public address, in the Royal Albert Hall on 9 May 1912, with those memorable words. The fiery, ‘go to war’ words, are certainly typical of what one would expect from a warrior General. But he neither penned the words nor spoke them in his last public address. So, it would appear that the arrogant claim; "been there, done that", is pure rubbish, a flagrant untruth of having 'rubbed elbows' with Founder.

So, how then did the tradition of linking these words with this occasion come about? And, in selecting the 2012 UKT Congress theme, “I’ll Fight”, did a misinformed, or deliberate denier of truth, decide to link the theme to Booth's bold claim? Branding has become a basic marketing tool and certainly brought attention to the Congress event. With the undeserved connection to Booth’s catch phrase, would there have been sufficient interest to fill all the necessary seats to pay the RAH premium?

The following quotation appeared in the magazine ALL THE WORLD, April 1906, p169, above a poem by Charles Coller, entitled "To the General": 

"While women weep as they do now, I'll fight,. While little children go hungry as they do now, I'll fight,. while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I'll fight. " - THE GENERAL
(Six full years prior to Booth’s exclamation)


The same poem, with the same quotation, later appeared in OUR OWN RECITER, 1908, p168, and also in THE WAR CRY (London), 10 April 1909, p2, and THE WAR CRY (Australia), 16 April 1910, p2.
 (this time 4 and 3 years respectively prior to the Founder's address)


In his LIFE OF WILLIAM BOOTH, 1920, Vol.2, p473, Harold Begbie quotes the same words, together with two of William Booth's other well-known sayings.

"
It is notable that, although Begbie had quoted extensively from William Booth's address in the Royal Albert Hall a few pages earlier [pp 458-4601, he did not quote the extract from the "I'll fight" speech in this context.

 Nor did any of the contemporary newspaper accounts of the meeting at the Royal Albert Hall make any reference to the famous "I'll fight" words or quote.

The report in THE SOCIAL GAZETTE, 18 May 1912, p3, which quoted several "striking passages" from the speech, said that he concluded as follows: 

Having acknowledged his indebtedness to the glorified Army Mother, to his devoted Officers and Soldiers, and to the many generous friends who had rallied to the help of the Movement, The General concluded by ascribing all the glory to God, and resumed his seat amid a fresh outburst of admiration and sympathy.



Several periodicals subsequently referred to William Booth's last speech, or quoted from his address, but none reported that he concluded with the words "I'll fight". Nor did a specially printed Supplement to THE WAR CRY, 24 August 1912, page iv, quoting from the General's "Noble Words of Farewell at the Royal Albert Hall mention, "I'll fight".

An article in ALL THE WORLD, October 1912, p 555, specifically says:
 
His last public words were, 'And now, comrades and friends, good-bye.'

This phrase is also used as the caption for an artist's impression of the scene in the Royal Albert Hall on another page of the same magazine, ALL THE WORLD, October 1912, p 531, although it is clear from other reports that these were not actually his final words.



Looking at the extensive coverage of the event, immediately afterwards and in the following few years, all the other familiar sections of the address are quoted, including "I am going into dock for repairs", but the absence of early references to the "I'll fight" section of the speech is remarkable, if William Booth did say these words on that occasion.



The story moves on to 1927, when a song entitled "I'll fight", by Staff-Captain Fristrup, appeared in THE MUSICAL SALVATIONIST, September 1927, p 97. Lieut-Colonel F. G. Hawkes, in his comments on the inside cover of this issue, said:
 
The song was inspired by one of the Founder's stirring declarations which fell from his lips in one of his fire baptized platform appeals: 'As long as women suffer as they do I will fight! As long as little children hungering go, as they now do, I will fight. As long as men go to the prisons, in and out, in and out, as they now do, I will fight. All who are not on the ship are in the sea. Every Soldier must do his utmost to save them.’ 

The source of the quotation is not indicated, though it has echoes of the various sayings quoted by Begbie. It is interesting to note that it is attributed to one of the Founder's platform appeals, not specifically to his last speech.

A few weeks later, at the time of the 'Great Salvation Siege' campaign, an article by an anonymous London Corps Sergeant-Major appeared in THE WAR CRY, 15 October 1927, p 13, under the heading 'A Voice from the Celestial City'. The Corps Sergeant-Major, who had been a local officer for more than forty years, described a recent incident outside the Central Hall, Westminster, that brought back to his mind the sound of the Founder's voice:
 Visions of his last great Meeting, held in the Royal Albert Hall, before, as he graphically described it, 'going into dry-dock for repairs,' appeared before me, and these were the words I heard as clearly as I had done in that spacious domed building fifteen years before:

 "While women weep, as they do now, I'll fight; while little children go hungry as they do now, I'll fight; while men go to prison in and out and in and out, I'll fight; while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, I'll fight; while there yet remains one dark soul without the light of God, I'll fight-I'll fight to the very end!

"

As far as I can discover, this was the first time that the speech had been linked with the Royal Albert Hall meeting. (15 years subsequent to the RAH meeting) This source also added the references to the, 'poor lost girl upon the streets' and the 'dark soul without the light of God', who were not mentioned in the earlier versions of the speech. 

Subsequently, other eyewitnesses came forward with their own recollections. 

Referring to his father's last speech in THESE FIFTY YEARS, 1929, p 54, Bramwell Booth said:
 
The very last words of his last public address were, "While women weep as they do now, I will fight."



Lieut-Commissioner J Evan Smith, who had been William Booth's secretary in 1912, wrote in reminiscences for Founders' Day in THE WAR CRY, 2 July 1938, p 9: 

A great Meeting was held in the Royal Albert Hall, London, when, at the conclusion of a lengthy address he said, 'Now I am going into dock for repairs,' and those of us who were present will never forget his striking peroration -

While women weep as they do now, I'll fight; While little children go hungry, as they do now, I'll fight; While men go to prison, in and out, in and out, I'll fight; While there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I'll fight-I'll fight to the very end! 

The phrase about the drunkard was not in earlier versions of the speech. Lieut-Colonel Bernard Booth, the eldest grandson of William Booth, quotes a similar version of the speech in THE SALVATION ARMY YEAR BOOK, 1944, p 5, in an article written for the centenary of his grandfather's conversion, the only differences, apart from punctuation, being the substitution of "I will fight" for "I'll fight" in each phrase.

Some years later, Commissioner Catherine Bramwell-Booth, another eyewitness, quotes the same version as J Evan Smith, Booth's secretary in 1912, in her interview with Ted Harrison, in COMMISSIONER CATHERINE, 1983, pp 58-59.

 A poem, "I'll fight to the end", by Mrs Commissioner Irene Arnold, with the subheading 'A Review of William Booth's Last Public Message', was included in her anthology MORE POEMS OF A SALVATIONIST, 1945, pp 23-24, but may have appeared earlier in some other publication. The poem refers to the children who cry for bread, the women who weep, the lost girls, the men in prison, the drunkard and the dark soul, so (for comparison with other versions of the speech) it would be interesting to know when the poem was actually written.



In his book BOOTH THE BELOVED, 1949, pp 122-124, J. Evan Smith, General Booth's secretary, gives a more detailed description of the speech than he did in his earlier article:
 
”Who of those present will ever forget the great meeting in the Royal Albert Hall on May 9, 1912, held to celebrate his eighty-third birthday, and the powerful address he delivered for fully an hour that evening, an address prepared during the two weeks prior to the event, with the utmost care and precision, every word of which, dictated to me, it was necessary for him, with my help, to memorize!

 Though there were no amplifiers then, every one of the seven thousand people in the Royal Albert Hall heard his impassioned delivery. Here is a brief extract from his notes: -

"And now, comrades and friends, I must say good-bye. I am going into dry-dockfor repairs, but The Army will not be allowed to suffer, either financially or spiritually, or in any other way by my absence; and in the long future I think it will be seen - I shall not be here to see, but you will-that The Army will answer every doubt and banish every fear and strangle every slander, and by its marvellous success show to the world that it is the work of God and that the General has been His servant. 

The peroration of that speech has now become widely known and will never be forgotten by those of us who were privileged to be present. It is typical of the spirit and purpose of the Salvation Army which he brought into being. "While women weep, as they do now," he said, "I'll fight; while little children go hungry, as they do now, I'll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I'll fight; while there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I'll fight-I'll fight to the very end! "

This version of the speech was included in THE FOUNDER SPEAKS AGAIN, 1960, p 171, a selection of the writings of William Booth, chosen and arranged by Cyril J Bames, and also in the SALVATIONIST RECITER, No. 2, p 9, published in 1967. It seems to have become the standard version of the text.

The great majority of the above article is the work of 
Gordon Taylor and whose work was submitted on 19 July, 1996 and which I had the privilege to observe today at the International Heritage Centre.
_______________________________________
The Centennial Memorial Temple in New York City  

Each year TSA conducts a series of weekly meetings running the course of many months; FRIDAY EVENING AT THE TEMPLE. 

All USA East SA Cadets, along with hundreds of soldiers and members of the public enter the Temple through the grand portals and where 'Booth's'  words are etched deeply into the granite wall.

"While women weep, as they do now, I'll fight; while little children go hungry, as they do now, I'll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I'll fight; while there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I'll fight-I'll fight to the very end!"  William Booth

No doubt many of the Cadets will challenge SA soldiers with the words, "I'll Fight", giving full credit for the words to the wrong person! But then, does it really matter...

Dr. Sven Ljungholm
London

RETAINING THE ESSENCE: TRAINING FOR A FUTURE GENERATION

The Officer Magazine; March-April, 2012

-----------
Anyone who has lived in London during the last six to eight years will have experienced transition. This transition is from an older way that had lost its efficiency, to a new way that is recapturing the efficiency of old. This transition has been messy and inconvenient. It has had to be well planned and articulated. It started when the problems were realistically acknowledged but seen as not being insurmountable. While the old corroded and decaying Victorian water pipe works still achieve its aim, its brokenness could not be ignored. It leaked; haemorrhaging gallons of water a minute, it didn't achieve what it was created to do.

A huge engineering task has stopped and slowed traffic all over London as areas particularly affected are addressed. Huge holes have appeared in most parts of London as engineers work to bring back ‘watertight’ efficiency to the distribution of water throughout the city. In excess of 1,000 miles of pipeline by 2012!

Of particular interest is that the old pipe work is not obsolete, it may not function in the same way but its role is essential within the transition. Huge reels of plastic piping announce that the end of inconvenience is near as they are fed - I am told – largely through the older pipes. The older pipes guide and act as a conduit to the new. The pipes look different but the water tastes the same.

It is clear that 130 years after the first attempt at systematic training was made by Captain Ballington Booth, the world is different. How training colleges and programmes engage with an emerging culture and its associated opportunity of burgeoning diversity has been the focus of discussion for three years as the European Training Leaders Network examined training from the perspective of Essence, Function and Form. In looking at what it is to develop curriculum, not only for such a time as this but also for tomorrow several tensions were identified. This the first in a series of three articles reflects discussion and thought that centred upon what a creative response might look like while upholding that for which The Salvation Army was called into being.

The Tension of Context

The world that we live in is changing rapidly. From the way information is absorbed, to the way authority is responded to, the world is different. Bible colleges are not exempt from the impact of such changes as they face their own ‘issues of inertia’ in order to survive this different world, as Webber identifies, “if you graduated from seminary before 1985, you were trained to lead a church that no longer exists. Gibbs making the same point, acknowledges that the training he received over forty years ago, was ‘for a world that now no longer exists…’.

Into this kaleidoscopic culture and thought, training colleges are facing the missional challenge of preparing leaders to embrace the tension of what could be called contextual engagement. For some, these times of transition are to be anticipated and embraced; for others these are times of confusion, incredulity and resistance. How training colleges respond to such challenges and opportunities, will lay down a marker that could remain indelible for years to come.

The Tension of Communitas

Perhaps a question exists ‘how can training programmes encourage engagement with this tension of context and worldview in a creative and sustainable manner?’ The concept of Communitas borrowed from anthropology is an environment of potential and discovery, where people collide and discover one another on different levels of identity and role. It is here that diversity of opinion remains conversant in a culture of healthy overlap and shared mutuality. Undoubtedly the collision of individuality and institution will be an increasing issue for training colleges as they prepare people for ministry .

Allowing ‘individualism’ to dominate could lead to a loss of a common ground in the priorities of theology and practice. The deconstruction that individualism brings could result in unwarranted experimentation leaving the real issues of training within an era of transition unaddressed. Equally for Training Colleges to remain strongholds of 'institution' could dilute the required creativity needed to act decisively and effectively in the development of spiritual leadership. Mutual respect brings creativity where orthodoxy and deconstruction are held together in tension. Embracing the mutuality of both institution and individuality, rather than a grey and safe opt out, offers a source of creativity to train Salvation Army Officers for ministry.

The Tension of Innovation

While innovation brings excitement to the emerging pioneering leader, it can strike trepidation to the heart of others. It is recognised that in some parts of The Salvation Army world the need to pioneer new expressions of Salvation Army ministry is progressively more important. Here the need to embrace the tension of innovation is as appropriate today as it was yesterday, a loss of creativity could have a detrimental effect on the progress of missional innovation. General Erik Wickberg catches something of this pointing beyond the ‘certain things which The Salvation Army can spare’, to that which ‘The Salvation Army cannot spare’ .

Perhaps in the spirit of ‘communitas’ it is expedient to explore and to prepare leadership for that place where both the 'traditional' and 'emerging' share the same calling and essence of Salvation Army. From this place, those who see themselves as emerging could be encouraged not to lose that which they call institutional and, those who see who like to see themselves as institutional could be encouraged not to lose that which they call emerging!

The Tension of Distinctives

“The lasting marks of Salvationism will not be synonymous with methods, programmes or outward trappings. Usually these are merely a means to an end, though some have, rightly, become dear to us.” In stating this General Shaw Clifton infers that the ‘essence’ of Salvationism runs deeper, and in using the language of distinctives, he does not seem to be thinking in terms of what might be seen as the trappings of The Salvation Army. In other words understanding our identity is not a question of ‘function’ in terms of what we do, nor is it a question of ‘form’ in terms of how we organise ourselves, rather it is a question of ‘essence’. If it is not, the ‘lasting marks of Salvationism’ will be ‘synonymous with methods, programmes and outward trappings’. The implications for training colleges and training while obvious on one hand remain subtle on the other.
The essence of The Salvation Army has to be defined by its calling and place in the mission of God in the world through the redemptive work of Christ. As a model of new and full humanity, The Salvation Army holistically makes sense of this plan to ‘the whosoever’. Brengle articulates this prophetically when looking at the unmistakable essence of The Salvation Army, or what he calls ‘the badge of our discipleship’. He clearly warns of the implication of the loss of identity when 'love leaks out'

Once we are certain of our essence, then the function and form of Officer training and curriculum development follows on. Understanding The Salvation Army’s prophetic voice brings focus to the nature of Salvationism as it emanates from a grounded appreciation of God’s direction for The Salvation Army. The consequent implication for Training Colleges is how they develop curriculum that engages with this tension in such a way that encourages future leaders to be cultivators rather than merely curators of Salvationism, leaders who are as conversant with contemporary mission and ministry as they are with the prophetic voice of The Salvation Army.

Conclusion

The well worn mantra ‘The best days of The Salvation Army are ahead of us’ is as comforting as it is challenging. How officer training continues to contribute to such a belief needs to remain a key area of evaluation of any Training College programme ethos. How colleges embrace and facilitate creative tension through curriculum and attitude will remain a challenge if The Salvation Army is to continue to do what it does best, be The Salvation Army!

Gordon Cotterill
William Booth Training College
Denmark Hill, London

CARPE DIEM

Psalm 90: 12  Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well!

(MSG)

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

(NIV)

A rich relative, whom you never met but heard mentioned a few times in you life, designated you as a benefactor in his will. His attorney sent you a registered letter stating: “There's been $86,400 deposited in your 1^st National Bank account!” You read the line a second time, and continue reading, holding the letter more firmly as your hands begin to tremble… “The same exact amount will be placed ($86,000) into your personal account every day.

The only stipulation is that you must spend, invest or in some way use the entire amount each day. You will not be allowed to accrue a balance and there is no roll-over allowed.  Simply said, use it before midnight or you lose it. However, at midnight, another $86,400 is entered into your account.”

 ___________

Stunned into silence you pass the letter to a family member as you begin to ponder what this could mean to you, to your family’s future… What an awesome challenge, responsibility and legacy.

What would you do with such a treasure? Would you spend it all or just a portion and give away the rest? Would you waste a small part of it on those crazy, whimsical activities you’ve always dreamed of? Would you invest some or all of it, and in what?

I’m convinced that I, and most of the people I know, would have little difficulty in making good and immediate use of, and go through the entire $86,400 each day. I choose to believe that I'd do so wisely, at least initially, or if I'm not in a rush.

While the scenario is, of course, only fantasy, we all have an inheritance that is worth far more than money. And it’s gift that is deposited into our account each and every day, and one that we’re obligated to use to the full or we lose any unused balance at midnight!

I’m certain you’ve already perceived that it’s the deposit of seconds, 86,400 of them into your personal ‘time’ account, measured time, yours to spend and invest as you see fit.

Oh, how I shudder when I think back on the seconds, hours, and days wasted. And time for me has become an ever more significant resource subsequent to months being ‘wasted’ in a hospital bed and rehab ward as a result of a massive stroke; wasted in the sense that I had no control on how to use 20,000+ seconds spent doing virtually nothing, four full months. In fact, seconds have become so important to me that I often avoid using capital letters when writing on my laptop - due to my stroke I can’t use my left hand so the act of capitalizing a word or name requires me to lock the ‘caps lock’ button, type the word or name, and then, back to unlock the caps key; all using my right hand. It may seem insignificant, however, in that I spend most of the day wheel chair bound, and in front of my MacBook, it’s likely that I save as much as 60 seconds a day, a good 7-10 minutes a week, or as much as a full hour per month or a day’s work per year!

  

Our ‘People’s General’, Eva Burrows used the Latin phrase carpe diem, more than any person I’ve ever known; Seize the Day

All of us become ever more aware with age - maturity, wisdom, that our lives stand for something. The Contemporary English Version of the Old Testament of this verse says it in a particularly sage like way.  "Teach us to use wisely all the time we have." Make the seconds count for today and the morrow; apply our hearts unto wisdom.

In just a few short weeks, Boris Johnson, newly reelected Mayor of London, will witness a tribute to his investment in time, the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympic Games.

One of my favored events is the marathon, because some thirty years ago I was responsible in large part in staging the NEW YORK MARATHON… the finish line was in Manhattan’s Central Park. Consider the effect that the cheering crowd and the sight of the finish line has on a marathon runner. Early on in the race the marathoner establishes a pace, one worked out through the discipline of months of training- each part of that arduous 26.2-mile race is planned to the minute—that is, until he nears the finish line. Something happens the moment the finish line comes into full view, the steps quicken. Even after hours of running, when the finish line is in view he quickens his pace, digging down deep in that rarely tapped reserve of strength. 


Our finest efforts—our best strivings—come knowing that we have but one race to finish, and we’re all given the same 86,400 seconds each day. Invest that gift wisely right up to the moment the finish line is in view: Carpe Diem. He stands waiting to say; Well done!

Sven Ljungholm

Evangelical Relationships Commitment

The Evangelical Relationships Commitment is a modern re-wording of the eight Practical Resolutions originally agreed at the 1846 Assembly that launched the Evangelical Alliance. They were written to guide members in their relationships with other Christians. We hope they will help you as you build good positive working relationships in all areas of your Christian life.

AFFIRMATIONS

1. We welcome as Christian brothers and sisters all who experience the grace of new birth, bringing them to that fear and knowledge of God which is expressed in a life of obedience to His word.
2. We recognise our Christian duty of trust and mutual encouragement to all who serve Christ as Lord, not least to those who conscientiously prefer not to be identified with the same churches, alliances or councils as ourselves.
3. We respect the diversity of culture, experience and doctrinal understanding that God grants to His people, and acknowledge that some differences over issues not essential to salvation may well remain until the end of time.

ACTIONS

4. We urge all Christians to pray as Christ prayed, that we may be one in the Father and the Son, and so by the Spirit promote personal relationships of love, peace and fellowship within the Body of Christ, His universal Church.
5. We encourage all Christians earnestly to contend for biblical truth, since only as we are open to learn from others and yield fuller obedience to the truth will we be drawn closer to Christ and to each other.
6. We call on each other, when speaking or writing of those issues of faith or practice that divide us, to acknowledge our own failings and the possibility that we ourselves may be mistaken, avoiding personal hostility and abuse, and speaking the truth in love and gentleness.
7. We owe it to each other, in making public comment on the alleged statements of our fellow Christians, first to confer directly with them and to establish what was actually intended. Then to commend what we can, to weigh the proportional significance of what we perceive to be in error, and to put a charitable construction on what is doubtful, expressing all with courtesy, humility and graciousness.
8. We rejoice in the spread of the Gospel across the world and urge all Christians to commit themselves to this task, avoiding unnecessary competition and co-operating, wherever possible, in the completion of Christ's kingdom of peace, justice and holiness, to the glory of the one God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

You are not allowed to curse them (with word or finger)

While The Salvation Army’s Soldier’s Covenant contains some extremely demanding promises, perhaps the most challenging one is this:

I will uphold Christian integrity in every area of my life, allowing nothing in thought, word or deed that is unworthy, unclean, untrue, profane, dishonest or immoral.

In other words, I not only promise to not speak or act in an immoral or impure way, I promise not to even think bad thoughts!

The Soldier’s Covenant is a statement of sacred promises; it is a covenant with God. The Bible makes it abundantly clear that covenant is of the utmost importance to God. So, how can any human being possibly sign a document promising the all-knowing God that they will allow nothing in thought that is unclean, immoral or unworthy? This statement isn’t prefaced by “I will try my very best” or “As far as I am able.” There are no out clauses. Salvation Army soldiers around the world and throughout the years have covenanted to God that all their actions, alltheir words and all their thoughts would be pure and righteous.

Is it possible to keep such a promise? Suppose that someone cuts you off in traffic and nearly causes an accident. Not only are you not allowed to curse them (with word or finger), you can’t even think a disparaging thought about them. How about when a beautiful guy or girl walks by and your eyes linger a bit too long? Once again you’ve broken a sacred covenant with God.

On the other hand, maybe this all sounds familiar:

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment … ” (Matthew 5:21-22). Or, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28).

This is just a small excerpt from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ most famous collection of teachings. As with the above, the Sermon on the Mount is overflowing with instructions that seem impossible to fulfil, culminating at the end of Matthew 5 with the challenge, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (v 48).

Rob Perry is the ministry co-ordinator at Toronto’s Corps 614.

The old Stigma spurs olde thinking...

The following was received from a member of the Swedish FSAO association…

Here in Sweden there is the FDFO (FSAOF) but our fellowship differs in that it is open to all interested parties. The quarterly FSAOF (Sweden) Journal, in contrast to The War Cry, includes some insider info and I became a member last fall.

I understand that there are 300 paying members in Sweden, many are older but still... We meet a few times a year (district meetings) and a summer meeting-congress is held for the entire country. Have not yet had the opportunity to be part of something on a large scale but have already been in telephone contact with someone on the board. Maybe I’ll go to the one in the northern circuit scheduled in March. Many of the members are very active in their corps; some corps are under the command (of former officers).

The goal of FDFO (Swedish FSAOF) was from the beginning that it would serve as a ‘retreat for the battle wounded and injured’; we would support, help and make them battle-ready again. How one manages that I do not know, but I know that the ‘fellowship’ has the blessing of leadership and that, for example, Commissioner Rolf Roos, when he was in active service, was the keynote speaker at the summer meeting of the Sollefteå  FSAOF Congress.

"Keep the fire burning" is their motto, but in the situation I find myself, I appreciate any contact with TSA.

Interestingly, the statutes (mission statement) state that it (we in the fellowship) do not discuss or attempt to resolve any disagreements and conflicts between individuals and the Salvation Army.

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The FSAOF (international) attempted to bring our fellowship together in a “FSAOF’S GET TOGETHER AT THE BRITISH CONGRESS, BRISTOL 2009” In preparation announcements were made, a THQ representative invited to share with us, and an advert was sent to The Salvationist. The ad was pulled without our knowledge by the CS and the attendance was minimal.

“It seems so incredibly short-sighted not to accept and publish your advert in The Salvationist announcing the fellowship's existence and get-to-gether ! Have "they" in the UK not yet adopted and understood the enormous resource former officers represent ?! Even if they worship and lead other denominations or belong to no community at all, they can have lots of positive influence and impact. (and some may even return to the army !)”

“Good luck, but ... While it is important to talk among yourselves/themselves and vent, you may be better off allowing a ground swell of good coming HQ’s way… (to circumvent their negativity or dismissal of the fellowship’s strength and intent) “

FSAOF member, Sweden

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I'm somewhat reluctant to post the below. They were all comments left by visitors to 'our' blog yesterday.

All glory goes to God the Holy Spirit for using us and the fellowship in such a powerful way.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "UNWARRANTED STIGMA CAST IN 1934!":

Sven,

I believe that some of the interaction and challenge on this site and support has helped me have the desire to return to officership.

My wife Sandy and I will be returning to officership after a leave of three years and prior service of 25 years. Also the Divisional Commander of the Southwest Division (USA Western Territory) was very supportive and understanding.

Blessings in Christ,

Robert Deidrick USA Western Territory

Returning to active service in June

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Posted by Anonymous to FORMER SALVATION ARMY OFFICERS FELLOWSHIP at Tuesday, 01 May, 2012

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "UNWARRANTED STIGMA CAST IN 1934!":

Sven, I think TSA across the world should be indebted to your ministry of support and encouragement. You have wept with us, prayed with us, listened to us when no-one else wanted to know us. You have brushed us down and put us back on our feet. I returned to officership nearly a year ago now because of the power of God's Holy Spirit in my life and your healing ministry.

Southern Australia

Former but now Active

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Posted by Anonymous to FORMER SALVATION ARMY OFFICERS FELLOWSHIP at Monday, 30 April, 2012

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "UNWARRANTED STIGMA CAST IN 1934!":

I remain an Officer today because of your ministry, encouragement and support to carry on. Where others have failed you have helped me bear the pain, carry the cross and carry on. It seems strange to me, although knowing you both, not so strange, that my inspiration and encouragement to remain an officer has come from you and Glad and not the official channels that we would expect. As Glad would say, GBY real good!

Active UKT

Posted by Anonymous to FORMER SALVATION ARMY OFFICERS FELLOWSHIP at Monday, 30 April, 2012

Dr. Sven Ljungholm

Former Salvation Army Officer

Birkenhead Corps, UKT