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SALVATIONISTEssential reading for everyone linked to The Salvation Army // www.salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist

Pages 12 & 13

26 October 2013 // No. 1421 // Price 60p // Also available digitally

Christmas

Mailing List

2013

CONTENTS

Salvationist 26 October 20132

3. FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

4. PAPERSThis week’s quotes from the papers and From the archives

5. – 9. & 17. NEWSHungary // Jordan // Sale // Greenford // Colchester Citadel // Kirkcaldy // Guisborough // Tadley // Staple Hill // North Walsham // Harrow // Douglas // Darlaston // Wimbledon // Wigan // Bristol Kingswood // Banbury // Stockton // Dunstable // Southampton Shirley // Newbiggin-by-the-Sea // Hartlepool // Manchester // Hadleigh Temple //

8. NEW TESTAMENT BIBLE READING CHALLENGE

10. & 11. FEATURE New Addington ups the numbers

12. & 13. FEATURE Christmas mailing list 2013

14. MISSION MEANS Growing together

15. BIBLE STUDY God’s covenantal love

16. REVIEWYork Courses – Expecting Christ

17. ANNOUNCEMENTS

18. & 19. NEW COMMITMENTS

20. – 23. ADVERTS

24. THROUGH THE WEEK WITH SALVATIONIST

SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS Scripture quotations in Salvationist are from the New International Version (2011), unless otherwise stated

12.

6.

9.

Salvationist 26 October 2013 3

VALUED AND APPRECIATEDI ENJOY eating – I also enjoy a good comedy show. So this week I treated myself to both, with mixed results. The Mexican restaurant appeared welcoming – lit with a warm glow, reassuring with a familiar menu. Keen young men and women with foreign accents and well-worn sombreros were eager to wait upon me – so far so good – but disappointment followed. Could I change my seat to accommodate a larger group? I agreed. Now cramped in a corner, within elbow prodding distance of the new customers, I was passed from one waiter to another. The meal arrived late and, to cap it all, they added a service charge directly onto my bill, which I queried. ‘It says it on the menu,’ was the manager’s response. I decided I would never return and considered posting my thoughts online.

The comedy club was altogether different. The guest performer was a well-known TV star but the queue looked forbidding. As we waited in line, the club manager good-naturedly made his way down the queue. He offered sweets and engaging conversation as encouragement or commiseration, giving his assessment of how likely we were to get into the small venue. His enthusiasm was obvious, not only for comedy, but for his customers, eager that as many as possible experience the show. ‘Hello Martin!’ he said. I was impressed he remembered.

I will return to the comedy club, but give the restaurant a miss.

New Addington Corps (pages 10 and 11) is thriving as it makes people feel valued, appreciated and encouraged. The corps, led by Captains Emma and Matt Spencer, has experienced growth in numbers attending worship. It’s

nothing to do with a relentless recruitment drive. Far from it! Their motive for caring isn’t boosting Sunday attendances. ‘It’s all about serving and loving the community,’ says Matt. But the natural enthusiasm and welcome of corps members is an attraction that has drawn many to start worshipping there. People are encountering Christ.

On page 14 Chick Yuill writes about Growing Together and says that ‘when it comes to discipleship, the most important resource we have is one another’. He suggests practical ways that we can disciple one another, emphasising that discipleship applies to every area of our lives.

I am reminded that there are 60 days to Christmas. I hear groans from those who banish thoughts of the season until absolutely necessary. But others who approach Christmas enthusiastically will welcome two items in this week’s Salvationist.

The Christmas mailing list (pages 12 and 13) contains addresses of UK Salvationists on international service who might appreciate a card or contact – confirmation that they are remembered and their service valued. Why not also use it as a helpful prayer prompt! Major Rosemary Dawson (page 16) informs us of the York Courses first Advent study course, Expecting Christ. It is a great resource for individuals or groups and an antidote to the driven commercialism of the season.

Enjoy a really good read.

MAJOR MARTIN HILL

FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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A registered newspaper published weekly by The Salvation Army (United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland) on behalf of the General of The Salvation Army and printed by Wyndeham Grange, Southwick. © André Cox, General of The Salvation Army, 2013. The Salvation Army Trust is a registered charity. The charity number in England and Wales is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399.

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PAPERS


THIS WEEK’S QUOTES FROM THE PAPERS

FROM THE ARCHIVES – TEN YEARS ON

FOOD BANK NUMBERS UP YET AGAINThe Government’s ‘Poverty Tsar’ Frank Field MP, said… that he had asked the Archbishop of Canterbury to lead an inquiry into the demand for food banks.Mr Field… told ITV’s Daybreak: ‘If you

said to me 30 years ago that I would be coming on television to talk about this, I would have advised you to go into a dark room and actually lie down.’The Trussell Trust, Britain’s largest

food bank network, reported… that more than 350,000 people had received three days’ emergency food from its food banks between April and September 2013, three times the numbers helped in the same period last year. Chris Mould, the trust’s executive chairman, said… ‘The level of food poverty in the UK is not acceptable. It’s scandalous, and it is causing deep distress to thousands of people.’Church Times

‘SIN TAXES’ HIT POORThe poor spend twice as high a proportion of income on so-called sin taxes, such as those on alcohol and cigarettes, as do the wealthy, according to a study. The poorest fifth of households spend £1,286, or one eighth of their disposable income on such taxes… according to the Institute for Economic Affairs. Poor smokers spent on average about a fifth of their

disposable income on cigarettes...... The Times

GAMBLING INCREASES QUESTIONABLEThe Evangelical Alliance has criticised the Government for continually increasing prizes and stakes for gambling machines to secure the profit margins of big business.

The latest government response pushes up

the prizes or stakes for many categories of gambling machine in response to requests from industry groups that such changes were necessary for their economic survival.

In response to the planned increases the Alliance questioned whether the Government’s priorities put the profits of the gambling industry ahead of protection of the poorest.The Church of England Newspaper

BABIES BORN IN WEDLOCK FALL TO NEW LOW OF 53 PER CENTThe proportion of babies born to married couples has reached a new low, making up just over half the total number of births last year.

Though marriage remains the most common family setting for babies, the steady fall since the early 1960s has continued, dropping to 53 per cent last year from 59 per cent a decade before. In 1962 the figure was 93 per cent.The Independent

General in back alleysSTUDENTS of Canada’s War College join General Eva Burrows (Retired) in the back alleys of Vancouver’s downtown Eastside. The General is a member of the college’s board of reference. News in ‘Salvationist’ dated 25 October 2003

European anti-human trafficking response launchedHUNGARY

THIRTY-SIX delegates from 23 European countries met in Budapest to develop and launch The Salvation Army’s European anti-human trafficking response. The delegates, many of whom are already involved in anti-trafficking work, are to be the national contact people who will ensure that this response is carried out effectively. The conference was arranged by The Salvation Army’s anti-trafficking task force.

Delegates were reminded of the tragic circumstances in which trafficked people find themselves. Trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery involving men, women and children, and can include sex trafficking, forced labour and the removal of organs. Whatever form it takes, trafficking exploits vulnerable people and damages them in body, mind and spirit.

The first steps of the Europe-wide response were put in place during the conference. The Army is uniquely placed to respond to this problem. It works in almost every European country and – with a ministry in 126 nations – it is often present in source, transit and destination countries of trafficked people. A major aim of the conference was to ensure that the Army makes best use of this geographical advantage with a united and co-ordinated approach that works across borders and boundaries. Christine Tursi (Switzerland, Austria and Hungary) said: ‘Traffickers are good at networking – we must be better!’

In every European country in which the Army is at work there is now a national contact person who – in some cases working with a national task force – will focus on three concrete actions: prevention of trafficking and the protection and reintegration of vic -tims. Prevention will involve data collection, raising awareness, education and training. Protection will take the form of practical help through outreach programmes and safe houses. Reintegration will enable victims to return home and reconnect with their families and communities.

The conference concluded with a meeting to launch the new initiative and dedicate it to God. Speaking in the meeting, European Zonal Secretary for Women’s Ministries Com missioner Dorita Wainwright referred to Budapest’s Chain Bridge, a famous landmark on the River Danube. She said that the national contact people were like links in a chain, working together to respond to the evil of trafficking. And as the bridge was illuminated at night, she explained, so the

contacts were to be lights in the darkness for victims of trafficking.

To remind them of this, the chair of the anti-trafficking task force, Jeroen Hoogteijling (The Netherlands and Czech Republic)

handed each person a small light. In a prayer of dedication the national contact people were entrusted into God’s hands as they committed themselves to seek his wisdom and strength for their work. – J. R.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS


Salvation Army team assists refugees JORDAN

A SALVATION Army Inter national Emer-gency Services team is working with the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) to assist refugees fleeing the ongoing conflict in Syria. The United Nations reports that more than two million people have fled Syria, with in excess of half a million seeking safety in Jordan.

Emergency workers Damaris Frick (IHQ), Major Barrie Sampson (United Kingdom with the Republic of Ireland) and team leader Major Henk Van Hattem (The Netherlands and Czech Republic) were supported by Mr Nader Duqmaq, the head of LWF’s Jordan office, and his team. They have been allocated room in the LWF office in Amman and supplied with mobile phones and stationery.

Working in conjunction with local suppliers and the Jor -dan Hashemite Charity Organi sation ( JHCO) – an organisation which is exempt from taxes and custom fees – the partners have brought in supplies of gas stoves, gas cylinders, fleece training suits in different sizes and hygiene family kits for distribution. The first distribution went to the 200 families assessed to have the greatest needs.

A second distribution pro gramme is being considered, with par -ticular emphasis given to preparations for winter.

Major Sampson trav el -

led with Salvation Army team members and representatives from LWF to Al Mafraq where the team met several families who had fled from Syria. Major Sampson reports: ‘We saw the 14-member Al Ewasha family who are living in a broken-down building, with carpets and curtains hung to cover the holes in the walls and keep some semblance of dignity. The youngest member of the family, a boy of about eight years, lost both parents in the Syrian conflict.

‘He should be at school but there is no possibility for him to continue his education as there is no space in the schools, so he spends all his time with his grandparents.’

The Salvation Army team expects to continue its work in Jordan for the foreseeable future, with plans under way to send in more team members as necessary. To donate visit www.salvationarmy.org or send cheques to The Salvation Army, 101 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4V 4EH. – A. R.

All-age Harvest hoedown COLCHESTER CITADEL

MORE than 65 people of vari-ous ages attended the Harvest hoedown. Some attending for

NEWS


Bootiful Harvest displaySALE

CAPTAIN Emma Knights (Sudbury) led Harvest weekend, which began with a Saturday evening ceilidh and pie and peas supper. Sunday worship focused on the theme Bread Of Heaven and gifts were added to the Harvest display entitled ‘Give Thanks’ and set out creatively in flowers and wellington boots. – A. D.

KIRKCALDY: Colonels David and Grace Napier conducted Harvest weekend, starting with an evening of Scottish music by a small group comprising fiddle, keyboard, accordions and piano. On Sunday morning the colonels led a thought-provoking meeting. Donated produce will be used in community food parcels. – D. A.

GUISBOROUGH: Harvest cele -brations began with a well-attended Harvest Supper and quiz night. Cadet David White led the Sunday meetings in which many items were donated for food parcels. – S. S.

Harvest meeting produces pledgesGREENFORD

THE Harvest weekend started with a ploughman’s lunch on

Saturday evening. On Sunday Majors Harold and Helen Stone, pictured with Divisional Envoy Kath Davison, led worship – attended by some new people – in which corps folk pledged their continued support for the Lord’s work in Greenford.

This was followed by a Harvest lunch and songs of praise meeting. The weekend concluded on Monday with the Evergreen club joining in the celebrations. – K. D.

TADLEY: Commissioners Alex and Ingeborg Hughes led Harvest weekend, starting with a Harvest Supper. Later, Central South Fellowship Band and Ladies Chorus pro- vided entertainment, compèred by Major Fred Thompson (Heathrow Airport Chaplain). On Sunday morning the singers and timbrel group took part. – J. R.

STAPLE HILL: At the Harvest Supper, thanks was given to God for his goodness and provision. All items received during the celebrations were donated to a new community food bank. Guest speaker Julie Ricketts spoke about the need to help others. – V. W.

Staff and residents at Furze Hill

House Care Home, North

Walsham, display the items

prepared during a craft session

for the Harvest thanksgiving

meeting

the first time included staff from an emergency night shelter, friends of corps folk, clients from the Open House Drop In venture and folk from other corps. The event raised £317 for The Big Collection. – D. H.

Harvest helps homeless and hungryWIMBLEDON

HARVEST donations (pictured) were given to Merton Faith In Action Homelessness Project and the food bank. Harvest cele-brations included Messy Church, family worship and a high tea. Outside the hall a colourful banner, produced by the parent-and-toddler group, reminded passers-by of the Harvest season.

NEWS


At Wigan items from the Harvest display were donated to the

food bank; Major Stephen Gowler, pictured with corps members

and Cadets Emma and Les Heal, led Harvest meetings

Members of the Young At Heart Club at Bristol Kingswood

donate items for the food bank at their Harvest praise meeting

Celebrations as building reopensHARROW

AFTER ten years out of their building, the corps celebrated as Divisional Commander Major Paul Main officially opened the refurbished hall.

In welcoming people, corps officer Captain Pauline Milner gave a brief résumé of the time the corps had not been able to use the building and thanked DHQ for their help in enabling the refurbishment to take place.

She particularly thanked former divisional commander Major Christine Bailey (Latvia), who led the weekend, for her support during a difficult period.

After the opening meeting past and present members, along with friends and other church leaders, were able to look round the building. – D. B.

DOUGLAS: More than 40 people attended the first Messy Church at the corps, which had the story of Joseph as its theme. The hall was decorated with pictures of pyramids and coloured paper chains. Everyone had the opportunity to blow their own bubble dream, make a thumbprint family and help create a big collage coat of many colours. The morning concluded with a shared meal. – S. C.

Brownies and rainbows join Darlaston corps folk at the Harvest

meeting, contributing items for the food bank and corps; after

the service, parents and some of the children stayed at the hall

to share fellowship with tea and cake

NEWS


WEEK 35Monday 28 October Ephesians 3 – ‘Through faith in Christ we may approach God with freedom and confidence’ (v12)

To what extent do we believe this, practise this, tell others about this?

Tuesday 29 October Ephesians 4 – Paul speaks about unity in the Body of Christ

vv4 and 5: what is the ‘one baptism’? Is it more about a united confession of our belief in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, rather than the means by which that baptism is made?

vv11–16: in what way have you grown in your knowledge and understanding of God and Scripture in the past year?

vv29–32: are there any elements here that need to be eradicated from your life?

Wednesday 30 October Ephesians 5 – A short guide for holy living and a call for mutual respect within marriage

vv1–7: Paul continues to describe requirements for living in holiness. Can we use this teaching to help clean up our own behaviour? Or does it describe things that we try to justify?

vv21–33: some people use this passage to claim that Paul’s teaching on marriage is sexist. Do you agree or is this an abuse of the text? Does the text command mutual love and respect within marriage?

Thursday 31 October Ephesians 6 – Paul describes the spiritual armour needed for spiritual warfare

vv10–18: is there a devil? If there is a devil then does he have power over us?

Why are we given ‘armour’ to wear? When was the last time that you deliberately checked your spiritual armour?

v19: who gives Paul the words to witness?

Friday 1 November Philippians 1 – Paul commends the church at Philippi for their joy and prayers

v21: do you understand Paul’s feelings expressed in this verse?

v27: have you ever had to stand up for the gospel in the face of opposition? If you had to, what would you do?

Prayer beacon birthday celebrationsBANBURY

FOLK gathered to celebrate the prayer beacon’s fifth birthday, enjoying two days of worship, celebration and fellowship, with teaching from guest Lyndall Bywater (Canterbury).

Saturday’s focus was two different but similar figures from Scripture – Elijah and Elisha – and the day concluded in prayer. On Sunday, Lyndall reinvigor-ated those present to be a centre for prayer and a praying people. Celebrations followed with a ‘bring and share’ lunch and birthday cake. – K. B.

Young people at Sale are surrounded in prayer as they prepare

to leave for university

The Mayor of Stockton (Councillor Kathryn Nelson) opens the

annual flower festival at the corps, with 36 displays based

around the theme The Whole World In His Hands; the mayor is

pictured with corps officers Majors Keith and Rosemarie

Williams and festival organiser Freda Cooke

Minister discusses the welfare system with the ArmyMANCHESTER

AT a Conservative Party Con -ference fringe event hosted by The Salvation Army, Terri torial Director of Homelessness Ser -vices Mitch Menagh discussed the welfare system with the Minister for Welfare Reform, Lord Freud, outlining three areas of concern: understanding, access and financial inde pendence.

Lord Freud, who has been involved in government changes to the welfare system for two successive governments, received a pilot copy of The Salvation Army Sanctions Toolkit, which aims to help claimants and advisers to challenge inappropri-ate conditions and deal with the ramifications if they are sanc-tioned. – A. R.

NEWS


All-comers pitch inDUNSTABLE

FRIENDS and former band members joined with present members for an All-Comers Band Sunday. During the morn-ing meeting the relevance of the band was demonstrated as the congregation heard about its ministry in the nearby hospital and prison. The meeting finished on a rousing note as children joined the percussion section.

In the afternoon Dean Jones (THQ) led a practice that included playing a hymn tune over the telephone to Retired Band Sergeant Eddie Papps who was in hospital.

The evening meeting included a personal testimony from Janine Skinner (Leighton Buzzard) who spoke about her hopes of becom-ing an officer, and the message from Dean that God wants to provide his people with a life of fulfilment and great purpose. While the band played ‘I Know Thou Art Mine’, members of the congregation went forward to light a candle and to pray for them selves or someone they knew. – J. B.

NEWBIGGIN-BY-THE-SEA: Parents, toddlers and former corps members attended Back To Church Sunday after corps members gave out leaflets during The Big Collection. The children helped find the lost chocolate coins to illustrate that God loved them and no one is ever too lost. Fellowship and refreshments followed the meeting. – A. M.

Hartlepool Ukulele Group plays at the corps for the first time, helping to raise funds for The Big

Collection

Anniversary meeting focuses on the past and futureSOUTHAMPTON SHIRLEY

LIEUT-COLONEL Marion Drew (THQ) led the 133rd corps anniversary meeting and created much interest through old War Cry cuttings from 1880 when the corps opened fire. The colonel’s messages concentrated not only on the past but also on the future.

The singing company pre -sented a medley of songs including ‘Do, Lord’, ‘Angels Watching Over Me’ and ‘Hand Me Down My Silver Trumpet’. – J. W.

Major Donald Montgomeryt

(Northern DHQ), pictured witht

his son Calum, took part in thet

Great North Run, raising £450t

for The Big Collection at t

Newbiggin-by-the-Seat

At Sale, Bandsman John

Aitchison transfers to the

band reserve after 66 years

of faithful service

Captain Andrew Stone reports on a story of corps growth

FEATURE


that’s our way of showing God’s love. We’re not doing it because we want to get more people on a Sunday or even to convert them to Christianity.’

Matt and Emma also wanted to change people’s concept of worship and make it far more than just an hour spent in a hall each week.

Once a month, on a Sunday morning, the congregation gathers and then goes out litter-picking or gardening. This outreach has led to new people joining the fellowship, but Matt is keen to point out that this act of service is also not done with the intention of adding to the corps numbers.

‘It’s all about serving and loving the community,’ he says. ‘People quickly see through any stealth agenda so you must eradicate it completely.

‘We feel called to seek first the Kingdom of God. So if someone’s hungry we feed them; if people need a choir to exercise their gift of singing and to experience community, we will provide that for them.

‘When we seek the Kingdom of God first in this way, God’s response is to build his Church – that’s God’s side of the equation.

‘So we don’t fixate on building the church, we focus on expressing and experiencing the Kingdom.’

Although Emma and Matt’s approach has not been to focus on increasing their congregation, the members of the fellowship have been enthusiastic in inviting people to join them.

‘A lot of our growth has been through relationships,’ reveals Emma. ‘People bring their neighbours or members of

New Addington ups the numbers

‘We also had a vision to start a community choir and so we ran five or six choir workshops. Once they started singing, people didn’t want to stop and now we are celebrating our fifth anniversary.

‘There are probably around twenty people in our church who came to the fellowship through the choir.’

But the choir was never started to attract new people to Sunday worship, as Emma affirms: ‘We don’t run the choir with any sort of agenda. People are welcomed to it as a gift. A lot of what we do is as a gift to the community because

WHEN Captains Emma and Matt Spencer first took up their appointments at New Addington

in 2008 they joined a fellowship of just a handful of people. Today they worship with a congregation of around eighty and lead a corps that reaches out to the community.

It is a remarkable story of revival for a corps that appeared to be close to closure. But the two officers believe the seeds of new growth were sown before they arrived.

‘The small core group were faithful,’ Matt explains. ‘They held a half night of prayer and prayer-walked the community. As they neared the hall, some teenagers approached them and one of them shouted, “Catch me!” leaping at Major Drew McCombe, who was the divisional director for evangelism.

‘Drew felt it was a sign that this was a community where The Salvation Army was needed in order to help keep people from falling through the bottom of society.’

Although they did not have a specific plan to revitalise the corps, Matt and Emma had the aim of reaching out to the community using whatever resources they had.

‘To start with, there was only a small group of us and so we had to look at what we could do,’ says Emma. ‘We were determined that any programme should be community-focused, and started a kids club following holiday activities organised at our first Easter.

IT S ALL ABOUT SERVING AND LOVING COMMUNITY... SO IF SOMEONE S HUNGRY WE FEED THEM; IF PEOPLE NEED A CHOIR TO EXPERIENCE COMMUNITY WE WILL PROVIDE THAT FOR THEM

‘‘

’’

their family to our Sunday meeting or to the choir or to parent-and-toddlers or other activities.

‘One of our newer believers said that coming to the corps was like walking into her favourite pub. That was a tremendous compliment because it meant she found it welcoming and appealing.

‘We’ve also been blessed along the way by people from other corps choosing to worship and serve with us. Many of these people formed a framework which enabled growth.’

Corps activities are no longer held in

ONE OF OUR NEWER BELIEVERS SAID THAT COMING TO THE CORPS WAS LIKE WALKING INTO HER FAVOURITE PUB

‘‘

’’

does not think that forming a community choir or litter-picking is necessarily the way forward for other corps struggling with dwindling numbers.

‘I’m not saying that other people should copy what we’ve done here – every set of circumstances is unique,’ he insists. ‘But the challenge for us as Salvationists is to relinquish whatever we’re holding on to that hinders us from serving our community or creates barriers to people encountering the living Jesus.’


WHAT MAKES US ARMY IS THAT PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS HEAR AND HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND TO A MESSAGE’’

‘‘

their former hall, which they outgrew. After using the New Addington community centre for worship, the corps was recently given, by the council, use of a building that had earlier this year housed a library.

It is a well-known building in the heart of the community. Despite only moving in at the beginning of September, it has quickly become home for the corps, which has welcomed 23 new members in the past two years.

The congregation does not have many uniform-wearing members and does not have the traditional music sections – but Matt is adamant it is Salvation Army through and through.

‘We are completely infused with the Army’s DNA,’ he says. ‘Rather than uniform or sections, what makes us Army is that people will always hear and have opportunity to respond to a message about personal holiness and how to live as followers of Jesus, loving and serving others.’

The growth of the corps has been dramatic and remarkable but Matt

All personal details withheld.


CHRISTMASMAILING

LIST

THIS LISTING, SUPPLIED BY THE PERSONNEL SERVICE, IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE. OTHER UK OFFICERS ARE ADMINISTERED BY INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS.


to discover what God might be saying to them through those verses. So, when they get together, the starting point for their conversation is the simple but direct question: ‘What do you think God’s been saying to you this week through what we’ve been reading?’

What normally happens is that, after a few weeks of practice, the conversation begins to flow naturally. It becomes easier to talk about being a disciple of Jesus in every area of life – at home, at work, at the corps. Inevitably questions about how the week has gone are asked and answered. Group members feel increasingly willing to share stories of opportunities they’ve been able to grasp, of challenges they’re having to face and even of failures they need to confess. As shared trust grows and as total confidentiality is assured, the group will move beyond simply accepting and affirming each other to holding one another mutually accountable. And the time together is wound up with prayer for the week ahead. It’s not rocket science, but if you’re serious about really becoming a disciple, it might just be the hour in your week that makes all the difference.

FEATURE

GROWING TOGETHERChick Yuill presents the first of a three-partepilogue to his series entitled Mission Means

JUST over 45 years ago I became a husband! Of course, when I say that I ‘became a husband’, that’s only partly true. Much as I loved my wife, I really had very little idea of what being a good husband would mean. So over the years I’ve had to educate myself by reading some helpful books and even attending some useful seminars. They’ve all played a part in equipping me to deal with the demands of married life. But the real work of ‘becoming a husband’, of growing in maturity and building a lasting and loving marriage, hasn’t been done by learning from the experts. Instead, it’s happened as Margaret and I have travelled through life together, sharing its blessings and its challenges, learning from our mistakes and deepening in our love for each other.

Growing as a disciple of Jesus is not all that different. The moment you accept Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, you ‘become a disciple’. But that’s just the start of the journey. Following Jesus – modelling your life on his and growing like him – is a process that takes a lifetime. Of course, there are excellent discipleship courses that can help us along the way with different aspects of Christian living – things like sharing our faith, reading the Bible, praying and hearing God’s voice. But living for Jesus and growing like Jesus – just like becoming a good husband or wife – is something that’s only truly learnt in meaningful and loving relationships.

It’s significant that the phrase ‘one another’ occurs again and again in the New Testament. To choose just a few examples, almost at random: we’re

encouraged to ‘live in harmony with one another’ (Romans 12:16); to ‘serve one another’ (Galatians 5:13); to ‘submit to one another’ (Ephesians 5:21); to ‘teach and admonish one another’ (Colossians 3:16); and to ‘encourage one another’ (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Indeed, Jesus goes so far as to say that it’s only by our love for one another that the world ‘will know that we are his disciples’ ( John 13:35). The inescapable conclusion is that, when it comes to discipleship, the most important resource we have is one another.

Here’s one very effective way of discipling one another. Three or four people commit to meet together at a mutually convenient time once every week or, if that’s impossible, every couple of weeks. It’s often helpful to get together in a public space such as a coffee shop so that the practice of growing as disciples is firmly planted in the middle of everyday life; and it’s best to do this for an initial period of three months after which each person is free to decide whether they want to continue meeting. Each time, before they meet up, they will have read and reflected on a brief passage they’ve agreed on from one of the Gospels. The point of reading the passage is not so much to ‘do Bible study’ as to seek

CHICK IS A FREELANCE WRITER AND SPEAKER


THE MOST IMPORTANT RESOURCE WE HAVE IS ONE ANOTHER

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SALVATIONIt can’t have been pleasant – all those animals in a confined space, bobbing up and down on an endless sea. Perhaps there were times when those on board wished they weren’t!

‘But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and livestock with him in the boat. He sent a wind to blow across the earth, and the floodwaters began to recede’ (8:1). Finally, having been on board for the best part of a year, Noah and his family could walk on dry land again. In the midst of the storm, have you

known that God remembered you and did not abandon you?

COVENANTThe first thing that Noah does when he gets off the ark is build an altar to the Lord. Smelling the pleasant aroma of the sacrifice, God says to himself: ‘I will never again destroy all living things’ (8:21).

He makes a covenant with Noah, his family and every living creature for all generations. He sends a rainbow – a reminder, to God and man, of this covenant: an everlasting covenant of God’s love, and promise to never flood the earth again (chapter 9). When we are through the storm, do

we stop and thank God? Do we recall his promise, his covenantal love, in our everyday lives?

God,s covenantal love

labour of farming this ground that the Lord has cursed.’ Noah was always destined for great things, and when God looked around the earth at the corruption and wickedness, he looked at Noah and saw hope: a man who was righteous and blameless in God’s sight – a man who walked with God (6:9). What glimmers of hope does God

see in us? Do we walk with God?

CLEAR INSTRUCTIONSAfter informing Noah that he was planning to flood the earth and destroy all that was in it, God proceeds to give him comprehensive instructions on how to build the ark that would save him and his family, and enough animals to sustain creation afterwards. Everything was covered in minute detail, from the materials to be used to the exact dimensions and design. What instructions does God give us in

our lives? Do we follow the blueprints?

DISASTERAs soon as Noah had completed this mammoth task and somehow pushed and pulled and squeezed everyone on board, the heavens opened. Every living thing not on the ark was destroyed by God’s judgment. The greatest flood ever known wiped out all evil and corruption. Only the righteous were saved. Could the disasters in our lives be

cleansing and refining us for the future?

WHEN I asked my children what the story of Noah meant, Elise, 8, immediately said: ‘It’s about God’s

promise.’ Sam, 6, added: ‘God sent a rainbow to show he would never flood the world again.’ So that’s our starting point as we look at the story of Noah.

If this passage is about a promise or covenant and a sign of that covenant, why was it needed? What had gone wrong? And what is this covenant?

CHAOSHaving made the world and seen that it was good (Genesis 1), created man in his own image (chapters 1 and 2) and then watched him fall with a mighty thud (chapter 3), God then witnessed murder (Cain and Abel, chapter 4), spirited off a giant of the faith (Enoch, 5:24) and cursed the land (5:29) – all in five chapters!

The world was corrupt and in chaos, and it seems like God had had enough: ‘The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart’ (6:5 and 6 all quotations from New Living Translation). What chaos is in our lives? What

does God see when he looks at us? What breaks God’s heart?

A GLIMMER OF HOPEThen we meet Noah. His father Lamech named him Noah, saying: ‘May he bring us relief from our work and the painful

BIBLE STUDY

CAPTAIN BUTLER IS CORPS OFFICER, GLASGOW CITY CENTRE

by Captain Sarah Butler


STUDY PASSAGE: GENESIS CHAPTERS 6–9

WHAT INSTRUCTIONS DOES GODGIVE US?

‘‘

’’

REVIEW


advice about separating our minds and souls from the busyness of the season in order to be alert to hear the angels’ song.

Each study is followed by suggested Bible passages and questions for group discussion or personal reflection.

Accompanying the course is a CD containing contributions from a variety of churchgoers and a conversation and discussion between Bishop David and Canon Simon Stanley, co-founder of York Courses, a canon at York Minster and a former BBC producer and presenter.

There is also a course transcript booklet, containing a complete written record of the CD, a useful aid for preparation by group leaders or for individuals to muse over.

Expecting Christ is available from York Courses, telephone 01904 466

516 or email [email protected]

our thinking, York Courses have published their first Advent study course. This follows the tried and tested familiar pattern established in their popular Lent course, which appears in abbreviated form in Salvationist each year.

Written by Bishop David Wilbourne of Llandaff, the course looks at the expectations people have about Christmas and how Christ can surprise and meet us in four distinct contexts: in family, in ourselves, in prayer and in the end. It gives pointers about the right and wrong places where we might find Christ, and also

CHRISTMAS is coming! As the busiest time of the year approaches, ‘book now’ festive advertising is already making an appearance. No doubt we will soon be deluged with ideas for gifts, decorations and how to cook that all- important Christmas meal.

Add to that the considerable demands of community involvement on corps and church members, and the pressures intensify.

Often all this leaves little spare time, or even energy, to prepare our own hearts and minds to receive and be blessed by the real message of Christmas.

To help redress the balance and focus

Major Rosemary Dawson reviews Expecting Christ, the York Courses four-week Advent study for groups or individuals

BE SURPRISED BY CHRIST

Bandsman David Wilkinson, Boscombe, of his mother Phyllis

HLS Elizabeth Dear, Poole, of her mother S/Reservist Joan Davies

Songster Lynette Gregory, Boscombe, of her husband S/Sec David Gregory, Songster Jess Thompson, Boscombe, and Ben Thompson of their stepfather

ENGAGEMENTSGENERAL ANDRÉ COX AND COMMISSIONER SILVIA COX: Kenya East, Fri 1 Nov - Tu 5

Kenya West, Wed 6 - Sun 10 ICO, Sun 17 Uganda, Th 21 - Mon 25

THE CHIEF OF THE STAFF (COMMISSIONER WILLIAM ROBERTS) AND COMMISSIONER NANCY ROBERTS: ICO, Tu 29 Oct Germany, Fri 8 Nov - Sun 10** Brazil, Fri 15 - Tu 19

THE TERRITORIAL COMMANDER (COMMISSIONER CLIVE ADAMS) AND COMMISSIONER MARIANNE ADAMS: Swanwick (officers councils), Mon 14 Oct - Wed 30 Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, Glasgow (Territorial Congress), Sat Sun 3 Nov

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (COLONEL DAVID HINTON) AND COLONEL SYLVIA HINTON: Swanwick (officers councils), Mon 14 Oct - Wed 30 Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre,

Glasgow (Territorial Congress), Sat Sun 3 Nov

COMMISSIONER WILLIAM COCHRANE: South Korea (World Council of Churches 10th Assembly), Wed 30 Oct - Fri 8 Nov

COMMISSIONERS LALZAMLOVA AND NEMKHANCHING: India National Secretariat (Conference of Indian Leaders), Wed 23 Oct - Fri 1 Nov India Central, Sat 2 - Tu 5 Middle East Region, Wed 6 - Fri 8

COMMISSIONER JOHN WAINWRIGHT: USA NHQ, Mon 4 Nov - Wed 6 Canada and Bermuda, Wed 6 - Fri 8

INTERNATIONAL STAFF SONGSTERS: Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, Glasgow (Territorial Congress), Sat Sun 3 Nov

INTERNATIONAL STAFF BAND: Birmingham Citadel, Sat Sun 27 Oct Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, Glasgow (Territorial Congress), Sat Sun 3 Nov

**husband will not accompany

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS

ARMY PEOPLEMARRIAGE

BM Stuart Clark (Salisbury) to JS Sgt/Band Librarian/Songster Leanne Turner at L’Islet by Major Claire Hill

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIESDiamond:

Bandsman Alan and Songster Jean Lindsey, Paisley Citadel

Golden: Rtd Dep SL Russell and Songster Nora Parkin, Wigan

Rtd SL Leslie and Songster Joan Farrimond, Wigan

DEDICATED TO GOD Ellie-Rose Marilyn, daughter of Duncan and Yvette Sentubwe at Shildon by Major Linda Watson

Kimberly, daughter of Mathew and B/Sgt/Songster Lorraine Du Port at L’Islet by Major Claire Hill

RETIRED OFFICERSBirthday congratulations:

Mrs Major Lily Ablett (95 on 6 November)

PROMOTED TO GLORY Mrs Major Flo West

from Dover on 11 October

BEREAVED Captain Penny Palmer-Taylor, Skegness, Wendy Barnard, Sally Brown, Steve Palmer, Kim Witterick and Paul Palmer of their mother Brenda Ryder

Gerald Nicoll, Blackpool Citadel, of his wife Margaret, Captain Ged Nicoll, Grimsby, and Elizabeth King, Blackpool Citadel, of their mother

Writers reuniteHADLEIGH TEMPLE

NINETEEN members of the IHQ and THQ editorial teams, prior to 2000, reunited and led the Sunday morning

worship meeting, under the leadership of Commissioner Robert Street.

Later, the group visited a nearby super-market to view the murals and plinth erected in tribute to the Army’s work and the Hadleigh Employment Training Centre tearooms and farm. – B. N.


Please note that soldiers’ tributes submitted for publication should be no longer than 120 words. Good quality pictures will be included with tributes.

NEW COMMITMENTS


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1. RUBY LAURENT-SMART, JENNIFER LAURENT-SMART, ALISHA LAURENT-SMART Adherent members STRATFORDFRIENDS and family gathered to support Ruby, Jennifer and Alisha as they were welcomed as adherent members. Jen testified to her trust in God and appreciates the way corps members support one another like family. Ruby spoke about how her involvement with the night shelter impacted and encouraged her faith, while Alisha testified to the unique sense of belonging and purpose she has experienced since attending the corps. – N. H.

2. AARON HASSARD Soldier ENNISKILLENAARON grew up in the corps and operates the sound desk during Sunday worship. When he turned 18 he made the decision to take the next step on his Christian journey and make a commitment as a soldier. Aaron is pictured with corps officer Captain Sue Dean, Territorial Envoy Ed Dean and his parents. – S. D.

3. JACK WINFIELD Junior soldier TROWBRIDGECORPS officer Major Kelvin Lang enrolled Jack as a junior soldier. Jack testified to hearing a call from God, while at summer camp last year, to take this step of faith. He is an important member of the corps puppet ministry team. – S. S.

4. STAN OXER, JACKY WOODS, GINA OXER, NICOLE VINCENT Adherent members BASINGSTOKESTAN and Gina went to a Christmas Day meeting and have been attending ever since. Gina’s sister Jacky started going to the over-50 meeting and eventually Sunday worship. About a year ago, Nicole attended the corps with a friend. She recently went to the Southern divisional School of Christian Arts, finding friends and spiritual fellowship during the week. All four testified to the warm welcome and inspiration received. – P. F.

5. JEAN COOMBE Soldier MARGARET MARTIN Adherent member CARDIFF CANTONSUPPORTED by family and friends, Jean and Margaret were, respectively, enrolled as a soldier and welcomed as an adherent member. Jean testified that she loved the Lord and wanted to serve him in the best way she could. As part of her testimony, Margaret read a psalm of praise she had written for the occasion. Jean and Margaret are pictured with corps officer Major Sharon Willetts. – G. W.

6. MARTIN STANDEN Adherent member NORTONCORPS officer Major Kevin Rand welcomed Martin as an adherent member. Following an invitation by a soldier at the corps, Martin recently started attending with his parents. – C. R.

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7. LYNDA BURGESS Adherent member LEIGHTON BUZZARDLYNDA initially attended as a way of thanking a corps member for helping her during a time of need. She immediately felt at home and now attends the over-60 club, home league and helps at the homeless project.

She wants to share her love for God in all she does and writes songs and poetry.

Supported by her sister Caroline and daughter Hannah, Lynda was welcomed as an adherent member by corps officer Major Jackie

Bainbridge. – A. N.

8. JAKE JONES, CHARLIE GREEN Soldiers DROITWICH SPAMANY people have watched Charlie and Jake grow in their faith. Charlie, who usually testifies through song, joined with Jake to stress the importance of listening to God’s voice and acting on his requests. Jake and Charlie are pictured with corps officers Captains Jenny and Steve Forman and Recruiting Sergeant Howard Park. – M. M.

9. CLAIRE HALE, JOANA SAMSON, HAYLIE YOO, SUMIN YOO Soldiers REGENT HALLCLAIRE, who had been an adherent member, testified that she was taking the important step of soldiership for life. Sumin and her sister Haylie are both new to the Army. Sumin said that she had experienced God as king, felt his might and wanted to be his soldier and disciple. Haylie found Army ways very different, but was awakened by the singing of ‘Oh,

Church Arise’. God’s presence is now real in every area of her new life.Joana started attending the corps five years ago. She testified to

knowing God’s presence in her life when she was moving from school to college, and the certainty that he has plans for her future.

Corps officer Major Graham Mizon enrolled Joana, Sumin, Haylie and Claire as soldiers. The are pictured with Colour Sergeant Robin Moorwood. – G. M.

10. VAL WELLER, FRED WELLER Soldiers TUNBRIDGE WELLSFRED and Val were enrolled by corps officers Majors John and Lorna Smith. Fred and Val frequently drove past the hall and felt called to go in. They have worshipped there ever since and are keen to serve the Lord in any way they can. – L. W.

11. & 12. JIM DAWSON, STEVE BRIMBLE, MARGARET BRIMBLE Adherent members DUNSTABLEJIM started to attend the corps following his marriage 19 years ago. He soon began to regard the Army as his church and when corps officer Major Carol Evans broached the subject of adherent member-ship, Jim knew it was the right time to commit.

God spoke to Steve at a Billy Graham rally in 1989 and shortly afterwards he committed his life to Christ. Steve and his wife Margaret moved to Dunstable three years ago and, after visiting other churches, went to the corps and knew it is where God wanted them to be. – J. B.

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ADVERTISEMENTS

Salvationist 26 October 2013 20-23

Praying around the world... LiberiaPlease pray for the command in its efforts to rebuild social infrastructures following the end of civil hostilities in 2004. The biggest need is for education. Many corps host classes and there are now 12 schools operating in the Salvation Army school system, educating 2,992 pupils. This education system is ranked among the best in the country.

Through the week with ‘Salvationist’ – a devotional thought for each day

Chatsworth Estate by DENISE D’SOUZA

SaturdayFor this is what the high and exalted One says – he who lives for ever, whose name is holy: ‘I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.’

(Isaiah 57:15)

SundayLord, send revival, start with me.For I am one of unclean lips,And my eyes have seen the King,Your glory I have glimpsed,Send revival, start with me.

(Magnify 66)

MondayWill you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your unfailing love, Lord, and grant us your salvation.

(Psalm 85:6 and 7)

TuesdayLord, for a mighty revival we plead, Lord give us souls…

Let every heart on this object be set…Help us to pray till the answer we get…

Lord, we believe thou art going to save,Lord, we believe.

(SASB 608)

WednesdayReturn to us, God Almighty! Look down from Heaven and see!

Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name.

(Psalm 80:14 and 18)

ThursdayRevive thy work, O Lord,Thy mighty arm make bare;Speak with the voice that wakes

the dead,And make thy people hear.

Revive thy work, O Lord,Create soul-thirst for thee;And hungering for the bread of lifeO may our spirits be!

(SASB 626)

FridayRestore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return; renew our days as of old.

(Lamentations 5:21)

salvationist 26 october 2013 - amazon s3 · salvationist 26 october 2013 3 valued and appreciated i...

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