SALT, November 2023, NZFTS

Making a Mess Unity in Diversity Days of Elijah A Cup of Tea November 2023 | saltmagazine.org.nz

Digital Devotion?

Contents 8 Justice, Mercy and Hope

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The Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Court— Te Whare Whakapiki Wairua—is successfully interrupting the cycle of repeat offending through its intensive rehabilitation programme.

12 Bible-bots: Friend or Foe? In the second instalment of a three-part series, Jules Badger explores the potential impact of AI on our personal engagement with the Bible.

16 Does Thought Really Matter?

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Eighty delegates from both the Australia and New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territories gathered for the Thought Matters conference where they explored the theme ‘Kotahitanga: Unity in a Time of Division’.

18 From Fear to Fearless Denise Gray shares her journey of finding God, and the work she does as team leader at Kāpiti Corps Messy Church.

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20 Making a Mess on Purpose

in Kāpiti

Kāpiti Corps leaders Lt-Colonels Sheryl and Stephen Jarvis share how the creative ministry of Messy Church has positively impacted their community.

SALT Magazine The Salvation Army New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory Territorial Leaders Commissioners Julie and Mark Campbell General Lyndon Buckingham Founders Catherine and William Booth

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November 2023

Editor Vivienne Hill

Graphic design Sam Coates, Nicole Gesmundo, Lauren Millington Staff writers Jules Badger, Kelly Cooper, Captain Rachel Montgomery Proof reading Colleen Marshall, Glenys Fairhurst

16 Connect with us saltmagazine.org.nz SalvationArmyNZFTS

24 Subscriptions mailorder@salvationarmy.org.nz Print Management MakeReady

@SalvationArmyNZ salvationarmynzfts Territorial Headquarters, 204 Cuba Street, PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wellington 6141 p: (04) 384 5649 e: salt@salvationarmy.org.nz

Publishing for 140 years Volume 3, Issue 7 ISSN 2816-1351 (Print) ISSN 2816-136X (Online)

All Bible references from the Holy Bible, New International Version, unless otherwise stated.

Views and opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of The Salvation Army.

Articles are copyrighted to The Salvation Army, except where indicated, and may be reprinted only with permission.

Come Up Higher t is all too easy to get caught up in the drama and tragedy that is unfolding around the world, be it the Middle East conflict or the violence towards Christians in Manipur. Bad news and impending disasters are now our daily bread on social media and through various news cycles.

Opinions are vehemently shared, and pariahs are made of those who disagree with a political view or a justice stance.

Jesus knew all about political conflicts, occupation forces, impending wars, persecution—actually most everything we are living through today. He had a lot to say about our day and age and he was the best example of how we are to live our lives amid this chaos, so it’s to our advantage to take notice of what he said and how he lived.

First and foremost, Jesus lived above the intrigues of his day. Some of his disciples tried to engage him in what they saw as priorities, but Jesus was having none of it, he was far more interested in the individual and bringing the kingdom of God to earth. His priority was doing the Father’s will. His mission was the redemption of humankind. His passion was for the broken and the lost. His fiercest rebukes were for a religious establishment that held people in bondage to a maze of laws they

themselves were unwilling to observe, and his eyes were firmly fixed on the endgame.

Jesus is calling his people to come up higher with him; not to look down on anyone but to live in deep communion with the Father. It is only from the standpoint of heaven that we can truly understand what is happening on the earth. The way we are to live today is not as it was yesterday. We are to wake up, see where we are on God’s timescale and adjust our priorities to the salvation of humankind.

In this edition of SALT, you will read about a priority for Kāpiti Corps called Messy Church (page 20); I love that name because it denotes a flexibility and departure from formality.

This makes some people nervous, but the congregation has embraced this venture and the results speak for themselves. Also check out our Testify on page 18, which is a wonderful testimony of coming to Christ and then turning around and leading others to find their way to him and ultimately to their purpose.

Vivienne Hill Editor

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. EPHESIANS 2:4–6 saltmagazine.org.nz

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INTERNATIONAL PRAYER • K yrgyzstan—Pray for the Christian minority in this Muslim nation. Pray they can obtain jobs, housing and resources to support their families and communities. Pray for new converts to Christianity that they will have courage as they face persecution.

• Oman—Pray for Christian immigrant workers in Oman that they will be strong in their faith. Bless their communities and protect them. Pray for protection and freedom for new converts, particularly those from rural areas.

• I srael—Pray for the Church in Israel that they will be light and salt and a stabilising influence in this time of increasing violence. Pray that the opportunities to introduce Israelis to the Prince of Peace will increase.

‘Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure.

May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels”’ (Psalm 122:6–7).

Photo: Magen David Adom Israel

• Gaza—Pray for the Church in Gaza that it will be kept safe and protected from radical extremists and from violence in all its forms. Pray it will be light and salt and a witness to those who are caught in the middle of increasing violence and uncertainty. Pray for the Holy Spirit to strengthen, guide and protect the Body of Christ in Gaza.

Photo: UNICEF/Eyad El Baba

SALVATION ARMY PRAYER We continue to pray for the Kingdom of Tonga rebuilding after the eruption; Fua’amotu Corps; Gisborne Corps; Glenfield Corps; Gore Corps; Grandview Corps; Greymouth Corps; Hamilton City Corps; Hastings Corps; The Salvation Army in Rwanda and Burundi Territory; and The Salvation Army in Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar Territory.

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Manipur, India

November 2023

Manipur is a state in north-east India and shares international borders with both China and Myanmar.

In May this year, ethnic violence broke out across the state and continues to escalate in the region. More than 400 churches and 4500 buildings and homes belonging to Christians have been burnt in Manipur, and severe persecution, attacks and killings of Christians in this region are increasing. Around 50,000 believers have been displaced.

The Salvation Army India East Territory has several corps and services in Manipur that have been subject to arson and targeting of congregations.

Prayer is needed for protection of the Christian minority in this region and for a stop to the aggression and targeting of Christian families by radicals. Pray also that the ripples of violence will not increase persecution of Christians in neighbouring states.

PHRASE OF THE MONTH

Fiefia ke toe feiloaki mo koe (Tongan) Pleased to meet you.

Chocolate Chip Cookies These are really good! Baked cookies, or unbaked cookie dough balls, can be frozen ready for Christmas to bring out for unexpected guests or for Christmas celebrations. The recipe makes a lot of cookies so a smaller household may bake half and freeze half. When frozen, store the balls of dough in a Ziplock bag and pull out as needed. | Makes 5–6 dozen cookies

Ingredients • 1 cup (250g) of butter or shortening • 1 cup of brown sugar • 1 cup of white sugar • 2 eggs • 2 Tbsp hot water • 2 tsp vanilla essence • 3¼ cups flour • 1 tsp salt • 1 tsp baking soda • 1–2 cups of chocolate chips

Method Place the first three ingredients of the recipe into a bowl or a food processor and beat/process until pale and creamy.

Add eggs, hot water and vanilla essence into the mix and beat/process until fluffy.

Sift together flour, salt and baking soda and add to the mix.

Stir in 1–2 cups of chocolate chips or a combination of choc chips and chopped nuts.

Drop teaspoonfuls on a greased baking sheet and bake at 180°C for 8–10 mins or until golden brown.

Source: Sophie Grey | destitutegourmet.com

INTRIGUING INDEX

Coral Reefs

1 Big fish, small coral

About a quarter of all marine life live on coral reefs, yet coral reefs occupy only one percent of the ocean.

2 Soak up the sun

Coral reefs are found in clear and shallow water so that sunlight can reach them, but too much sunlight can tip the fine balance that can in turn allow algae to bleach the colour from coral and turn it white.

3 Family units

Coral is made up of animals which live together in colonies.

4 Cool coral

Reefs are found in tropical waters but can be also found in oceans with temperatures as low as 4°C.

5 Watch where you step!

Dangers to coral include litter pollution, standing on the coral and the stirring of sediment which smothers coral. saltmagazine.org.nz

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What’s On? Kilbirnie Corps 110th Anniversary 3–5 November

Tonga Region Women’s Camp 3–5 November

Tonga Region Youth Councils

Save the Date 15–17 December Fiji Division 50th Anniversary

24 December Linwood Corps Carols in the Carpark.

8.15pm, 177 Linwood Avenue, Christchurch

24–26 November

QUICK QUIZ 1 According to

the United Nations, how many countries are there in Africa?

2 W hat is the SI (International

System of Units) name for force?

3 W hat is the fear of needles called?

4 How many hours are there in a year?

5 W hat type of rock is marble?

Answers page 32

Do You Know These People?

If you recognise the people in this photo, we’d love to hear from you.

Email: archives@ salvationarmy.org.nz 6

November 2023

Art of the Month Lone Kauri, Judy Bartle, 2020 Judy Bartle has always loved drawing and painting and can remember drawing pictures on her auntie’s bedroom walls when she was three years old. They weren’t well received!

Judy loves painting from nature. She painted Lone Kauri in 2020 when she was 80 years old and she will turn 83 this month. She has won a number of awards over the years. She has been married to Bruce for 62 years.

They have four children and fourteen grandchildren all living overseas.

Do you have a piece of artwork you’re keen to have featured in SALT? Send it to us at salt@salvationarmy.org.nz

Divine Disruption

Religion and Spirituality | Dr Tony Evans, Chrystal Evans-Hurst, Priscilla Shirer, Anthony Evans and Jonathan Evans | Thomas Nelson

In this collaborative offering Dr Tony Evans and his four children explore what it is to hope when your life has been disrupted in more ways than you could possibly imagine. The reader is invited into a conversation with this family as they vulnerably share the hardest season of their lives and pay tribute to their wife and mother. The first half of the book reads like an informal conversation between the authors, each sharing their part of the story and their honest experiences of navigating their faith in the face of losing loved ones and other challenges.

The second half of the book is more like a devotional with authors each sharing their thoughts about what it means to continue in faith when your heart is broken. (Reviewed by Kelly Cooper)

The greatest glory in living, lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

RALPH WALDO EMERSON

Uproar

Comedy/Drama (M, violence and offensive language) | Directed by Hamish Bennett and Paul Middleditch | See in theatres

Race, identity and belonging are a maelstrom of complexity, and it’s a rare film that can navigate these themes head-on, while still bringing enough humour and charm to have the audience leave with a smile. Uproar is one such film. Led by the effortless charisma of Julian Dennison, the anguished restraint of James Rolleston (the boy from Boy) and the long-suffering hopefulness of Minnie Driver, the story follows a young ‘brown boy’ trying to find his footing amid the turmoil of the infamous 1981 Springbok tour of New Zealand. Cast almost entirely with New Zealand actors executing at a high level, Uproar is highly recommended viewing. (Reviewed by Sam Coates)

Those Magnificent Voyagers of the Pacific

Non-fiction/Picture book | Rick Fisher and Andrew Crowe | David Bateman Ltd | Available on MightyApe.co.nz

Careful and diligent research weaves through an historical account of travellers through the Pacific from 3000BC to today. Authors Rick Fisher and Andrew Crowe mix art and photography to illustrate skills of global navigators sailing through the Pacific as well as the beautiful and sometimes terrifying interactions with each other. Not only does this expository non-fiction clearly connect historical movements through the Pacific, but it also offers facts about the land and sea throughout. We come away with a richer understanding of how the Pacific was navigated by explorers from the islands, as well as from Greece, India, Britain and America. (Reviewed by Talya Coates)

Book Giveaway We have a free copy of the book Those Magnificent Voyagers of the Pacific to give away.

To enter the draw, email us at salt@salvationarmy.org.nz before 01 December. saltmagazine.org.nz

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Justice, Mercy and Hope For the past decade, the Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Court (AODTC)—Te Whare Whakapiki Wairua (The House That Uplifts The Spirit)—has been successfully interrupting the cycle of repeat offending through its intensive rehabilitation programme. The Salvation Army has been a key treatment provider in the programme and also an important partner in the initial formation of the court and its ongoing evaluation and development. Currently there are three adult drug courts in Aotearoa: Auckland City, West Auckland and Hamilton.

And the results are in: statistics show that intentionally treating addiction and addressing underlying trauma is the circuit breaker for criminal offending. Not only are individual lives being transformed, but also those of whānau (family) and the wider community.

WORDS Jules Badger

udge Lisa Tremewan has been practising law in Aotearoa since 1986 and was appointed to the bench in 2005. After nearly two decades as a judge, Lisa reflects saying, ‘I have always had an interest in using the mechanisms we have in the community, and in my particular case that means the law, to effect justice. And I am convinced that must include social justice.’

‘Blessed with a burden’ In 2009, Lisa and three other judges attended the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) conference in the USA where drug treatment courts have been around since 1989. Lisa explains that these courts are ‘well established, well regarded and extremely well researched’. With more than 4000 of these courts in the US, including Texas, some correctional facilities have closed in recent years in favour of investing more in therapeutic jurisprudence (law reform that works to positively impact the psychological wellbeing of offenders) because it works.

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The conference was life-changing for Lisa. ‘It was a profound experience that changed me personally and professionally. I felt “blessed with a burden”, as it was obvious there were far more effective ways to deal with these issues within the system, and how far behind we were in New Zealand. I felt a sense of responsibility to try to do something about that.’ So, Lisa and her colleague, Judge Ema Aitken, then worked with experts in the field and officials to establish the new court.

Lisa explains that for many offenders prison becomes a ‘revolving door’ and more of a second home than any great deterrent. ‘Taking a punitive approach to offending that has been driven by unaddressed addiction is ineffective because you cannot punish the addiction away. Unless something meaningful is done to provide a circuit break that addresses underlying issues, nothing changes.’

Salvation Army Addiction Services National Operations Manager Mike Douglas shares Lisa’s burden. ‘No one wakes up one day and says I’m going to become an addict! It’s never a choice. It’s a way of

coping with life’s trauma. Sexual or family violence, abuse in state care, cultural marginalisation—we need to be addressing these deeper issues if we are to break the cycle of addiction and repeat offending. Graduates of the AODTC are living proof this approach works.’

AODTC graduate John* says, ‘My addiction was meth mainly. I was in jail all my life and with the gangs. I was a lost and angry person. I was never there for my children because I was always in jail. When I came into the drug court, I got a glimpse of what a role model was, and I wanted my sons to have someone to look up to. Now I’m in full-time work—I’d never had a job in my life! I’ve got my sons now, and if it wasn’t for the drug court, I wouldn’t have this smile on my face.

I have so much gratitude in my life now.’

When you know better Lisa quotes civil rights activist Maya Angelou when she says, ‘When you know better, you should do better’. Not only is Lisa adamant about the effectiveness of therapeutic jurisprudence, but she now has the numbers and evidence to prove that it really works. Research by Impactlab (October 2022) revealed that the AODTC programme directly reduces

Above: Judge Lisa Tremewan of Te Whare Whakapiki Wairua, the Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Court. addiction, offending, victimisation, risky behaviour, family violence, and smoking, while also improving mental health, driver licensing, employment and more. The report also demonstrated that the AODTC achieved better outcomes than the traditional approach for less expense—for every $1 spent, there is a $2 return. And these figures are conservative.

‘The truth is that our shared humanity means that we are all subjected to traumatic events.’

In a nutshell, the AODTC aims to reduce reoffending, reduce alcohol and other drug consumption and dependency, reduce the use of imprisonment, positively impact on health and wellbeing, reduce the number of victims of crime and be cost-effective. Mike explains that the AODTC model of treatment takes away the adversarial nature of the prosecution and saltmagazine.org.nz

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A soft option?

While some may mistake the programme for a ‘soft option’ on crime, Lisa is emphatic that the results speak for themselves.

Above: Artwork depicting Te Whare Whakapiki Wairua (The House That Uplifts The Spirit). the defence. ‘The prosecution, the defence and police work together constructively for the overall health and wellbeing of the person facing the court. There is a high degree of accountability from the judge, so if you fail to comply you can incur a range of sanctions that might include time in custody; but ultimately everyone is working together, which is refreshing, person-centred and strengths-based.’

There are, of course, exclusion criteria for the AODTC. Defendants who face charges of sexual offending, arson or serious violence are not eligible for the programme. Participants must be aged 17 and over and have charges driven by AOD dependency, like recidivist drink drivers. People coming into the court are those who are high risk in terms of reoffending and a risk to themselves, their family and the community.

Some have suggested that people stuck in this sort of cycle are not capable or motivated to change. Lisa is quick to counter this view. ‘We see participants who are very damaged and have been trapped in the system their whole adult lives. However, the drug court can be like a T-junction—it’s almost like you pick up the train and put it on a different track and anything’s possible.

It can seem unbelievable that given an opportunity for a very different life people can respond so positively.

When I see that, it becomes clear that there are people in the criminal justice system up and down the country who would benefit from this model—we need more of these courts in Aotearoa.

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‘To say it’s a soft option is an ill-informed view. Some people spend longer in the AODTC than they would have in prison. They are in the programme for about 18 months on average—it’s basically a full-time job because participants are doing treatment, various courses and programmes, community work, drug testing and they are scrutinised by the court the whole time. Entering recovery and dealing with your backstory and facing your issues—with all the intensive, long term and often grueling work that this entails— takes much courage, commitment and hard work.

Becoming well is very challenging, but through that courageous work wellness and change are possible.’

‘Taking a punitive approach to offending that has been driven by unaddressed addiction is ineffective because you cannot punish the addiction away.’

Shelley* says, ‘I was doing crime, stealing cars and selling drugs. My life was full of darkness. I used to think it was me against the world, but actually it was me against myself. You have to face the consequences of your actions, and I was prepared to do that. Today I love myself and believe in myself. The AODTC gave me the kick up the backside I needed.’

Mike is careful to explain that ‘whether we want to admit it or not, we are all on a continuum of trauma and wellness. Some people go through life and never recognise that the hurtful things they do towards others, or the way they poorly react to things, frequently have been influenced by the trauma experienced in life.’

Culture as cure While the vision for the courts here was based on the success and evidence of what is happening in America, it needed to be indigenised to New Zealand.

‘The name of the court—Te Whare Whakapiki Wairua (The House That Uplifts The Spirit)—was gifted

by Sir Pita Sharples, who was heavily involved,’ explains Lisa. ‘Each court has crafted panels by artist Steve Gibbs (Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, Rongowhakaata and Rongomaiwahine). The themes of the taonga reference our bicultural heritage but also refer to the Serenity Prayer: Te Wairua Mārie, Serenity/Surrender; Manawanui, Courage; and Māramatanga, Wisdom.’

Mike goes on, ‘Culture is a critical cornerstone of the drug court. Culture and tikanga play a front and centre role in everything the court does. Each court has its own pou oranga (cultural champion/recovery model) and everything is based in the principles of manaakitanga and self-determination, respect and upholding the mana of a person regardless of what their circumstances might be.’

Andy* says, ‘When I heard the judge speaking in Māori—that just got to me somehow. I’d never seen that before.’

James* says, ‘In the normal courts you are just a number. They just want to get you through the system and out of their face. So I found it profound that the drug court could be part of my tikanga—part of my culture. Now I’m a loving man—a loving partner and father. I am who I was always meant to be.’

Living and breathing examples Mike comes across graduates regularly—people he’s met in Salvation Army treatment centres, as part of the AODTC programme. ‘The Salvation Army’s mission is to transform lives and reform society—and graduates are living and breathing examples of that.

Many go on to do both Level 4 mental health support qualifications and degrees in addiction studies, going on to work as peer support workers, case workers or as clinical staff in various treatment services across the motu (land). The peer role is incredibly important— having others beside you who have walked in shoes

like yours and who understand what it is to have lost everything and be in that place of despair and hopelessness. Often peers are graduates themselves, who walk alongside new court participants with empathy and compassion and demonstrate that key characteristic of hope. They also have the capacity and clout to speak powerfully into the lives of court participants in a very real and no-nonsense way.’

‘…the drug court can be like a T-junction—it’s almost like you pick up the train and put it on a different track and anything’s possible.’

Changing the narrative Mike has worked in the addiction and mental health space for many years, enabling him to be very frank.

‘Sadly, there is still underlying stigma and moral judgement placed on those who experience mental health and addiction challenges in life. People have learnt not to voice that opinion overtly today, but if you scratch below the surface there’s sadly still a lot of that kind of thinking in society. That old-fashioned idea that people have some kind of deficiency or moral failure is simply not true. The truth is that our shared humanity means that we are all subjected to traumatic events. The unexpected and unwanted could happen to any of us, at any time, causing pain and distress and prompting a search for ways to cope and survive.

Salvationists will recall that old saying “there but for the grace of God go I…”, which still inspires us to roll up our sleeves, and in the words of William Booth, extend the hand of help to “others” and fight for their transformation and freedom through God’s power.’ * Names changed to protect identity.

Watch an exposé on Te Whare Whakapiki Wairua at tinyurl.com/AODTCNZ

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Bible-bots: Friend or Foe? While Facebook took 10 months to reach 1 million users, and Instagram just 2.5 months, ChatGPT (a chatbot that generates original content when prompted) reached 1 million users in the first five days of its release. Just three months later (January 2023), ChatGPT had reached 100 million visitors to its site. And now BibleGPTs are coming online. In part two of our Artificial Intelligence (AI) series, Jules Badger explores what this could mean for the Church and, perhaps more importantly, our personal engagement with the Bible.

Many digital natives have never owned a hardcover Bible—they use a Bible app on their phone or other device. The term ‘digital natives’ refers not to a specific generation but to anyone who has used digital technology, computers and the internet from a young age. There are still plenty of people who can recall life before we transitioned into the digital age, and many people swapped out their hardcover Bible for an app years ago. That said, there are others who keep a firm grasp on their favourite, dog-eared, coffeestained ‘real’ Bible. Which begs the question, has the digital age diminished the living Word of God in any way? Of course not! The digital revolution has not constrained God any more than the printing press did. In fact, what was once unimaginable, even feared, became a good gift of God. God is alive and well in both digital and analogue forms!

Unchartered waters However, AI technology is next level—seriously. Why? Generative AI 12

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systems like ChatGPT (GPT stands for Generative Pre-trained Transformer) could completely alter engagement with the Bible. It remains to be seen if the results will be helpful or harmful, but this is unknown territory. In his July article titled ‘Robot “Church Fathers” Might Curate New Canons’, Adam Graber explains that there are already multiple tailor-made AIdriven chatbot systems being used for Bible engagement.

‘As a digital theology expert, I believe these kinds of “BibleGPTs” will continue to proliferate, and eventually become proprietary systems. And as this happens, the Church and its leaders will be prompted to make some momentous decisions about the Christian canon.

This will, in turn, influence how we interpret the Bible and impact the future of our faith and practice.’

Readers may not be aware that BibleGPTs must first be fed data. But which denominational traditions should be included?

Which theologies? What about hermeneutical tools? What about

AI bias? Could this mean that mainstream Christian traditions might be over-represented and push important voices, like the Quakers, to the margins? What might a Salvation ArmyGPT look like? In a time when Salvationists hold divergent views on some key issues, who decides what’s included and excluded?

Safeguarding Scripture But let’s not panic quite yet.

Graber explains that ‘the systems and defaults we programme into BibleGPTs must be trained for the purposes of Scripture reading.

Careless BibleGPTs can lose valuable insights and critical context in

questions before wrestling with the questions.

‘This Google mindset assumes that access to Scripture is the same as knowledge of Scripture,’ he states.

‘When used for Bible engagement, not replacement, BibleGPTs can assist us.’ But, he warns, ‘we must place BibleGPTs in the role of Bible supplement, never Bible substitute’.

...the Church and its leaders will be prompted to make some momentous decisions about the Christian canon.

God is alive and well in both digital and analogue forms! translation, but conscientious ones can deepen the significance and comprehension of Scripture for users.’

Graber goes on to suggest that the opportunity exists for innovative Christians to create BibleGPTs that will make our interaction with the Bible richer and deeper. But, he says, ‘this requires intentional effort—in our design as well as our doctrine, and in our strategy as much as in our theology’.

For the first time in history, we need to be praying and supporting those designers and strategists as much as if not more, than our theologians and scholars. However, Graber makes the point that ‘BibleGPTs will not rise to the intentions of the designers—it will fall to the habits of the users. For that reason,’ he says, ‘Christian AI designers must anticipate how users will engage with a BibleGPT.’

Interaction versus replacement This is crucial, because Graber is concerned that BibleGPTs will provoke what he calls a ‘Google reflex’, where users instinctively search for answers to culture-bound

Graber continues: ‘Pre-digested Bible content generated by GPTs isn’t a direct path to spiritual formation.

There’s something important about reading the Bible itself—and for ourselves. Something in the way it draws us into the story and invites us to face the questions about who we really are. We must remember that the ultimate purpose of reading the Bible is to encounter God, to be transformed by that encounter, and to be equipped to participate in what it is doing in the Church and the world.’

So it matters not whether you use a hard cover Bible, an app, or both. What matters is to Whom—not what, we look for guidance. AI will never replace the still small voice of God.

For more information, go to tinyurl.com/ydjctc2z

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Joy in the Journey I write this as I am sitting in Wellington Airport awaiting a flight to Kenya where I am attending an International Salvation Army conference. I have always loved travelling—well, that’s not completely true, what I love is exploring new destinations and catching up with cherished friends and family! Yet I don’t enjoy the travel aspect—getting to the destination.

A few days before travelling, I start to wonder if I have everything I need for the trip. Have I booked the correct flights on the right dates? Have all the arrangements for the family and work been put in place? Then on the day of travel I worry about whether I’ve forgotten to pack something, or will I accidentally take something with me that I’m not supposed to? (This probably hasn’t been helped by watching several episodes of Border Security.) Have I left enough time to get to the airport? I check my bag regularly to ensure that I have my passport and that it is still valid.

You may or may not resonate with any of this, but perhaps there are other aspects of your life where you feel worried or anxious. The fact is, there are a lot of changes happening in our world now: in New Zealand we have just had an election; The Salvation Army internationally has a new General; and here in our territory we are reimagining how we deliver mission and the structures to best suit our front-line corps and centres. Change can be tough, even when we know and like the destination.

It almost feels a little trite to say this, but when I find that I am worried and when I am uncertain about what the next step in my journey is going to be, I go back to some foundational verses in my life, like Proverbs 3:5-6, and Deuteronomy 31:6: ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.’

Whatever your current experience, may you learn to trust in the Lord with all your heart and may there be joy in the journey—not just the destination.

Lt-Colonel Liz Gainsford Territorial Secretary for Spiritual Life Development

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Proverbs 3:5–6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight (NIV).

Whakapaua tōu ngākau ki te whakawhirinaki ki a Ihowā, kaua hoki e okioki ki tōu mātauranga ake.

I ōu ara katoa whakaaro ki a ia, ā māna e whakatika ōu huarahi (PT).

Mo vakararavi vei Jiova e na vu ni yalomu: Ka mo kakua ni vakararavi ki na nomu yalomatua: Mo vakarogotaka vua na nomu sala kecega, Ia ena vakadodonutaka na nomu i lakolako ko koya (FOV).

Apne pura man se Yeshu Masih par bharosa rakh.

Tu apni samajh par bharosa mat kar. Usko tum apne sab kaamo me yaad rakh. Wahi teri sab raaho ko seedhi karega. (Fijian/Hindi).

Falala ki he ‘Eiki ‘aki ‘a e kotoa ‘o ho loto,‘O ‘ouae fāki ki ho poto ‘o‘ou: Ke ke fakaongo kiate ia ‘i ho hala kotoa pe, Pea ‘e fakatonutonu ‘e ia ho ngaahi ‘alunga (TMB).

Ia e faatuatua i Ie ALII ma lou loto atoa; a e aua le faalagolago i lou lava atamai. Ia e manatua o ia i ou ala uma, ona faatonuina ai lea e ia lava ou ala (SOV).

Does Thought Really Matter?

‘Kotahitanga: Unity in a Time of Division’ was the theme for the first Thought Matters Theological Symposium in four years. Eighty delegates from both the Australia Territory and New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory gathered in Upper Hutt at Booth College of Mission from 29 September to 1 October. For the first time, not only were there significantly more female attendees, but twice as many women presented papers than men, with two papers being the collaborative work of groups of women. Jules Badger was in attendance and offers some observations from this important weekend.

I don’t consider myself a theologian.

In fact, I was considering breaking up with theology altogether because of what was beginning to feel like an ever-expanding chasm in the capacity of people of faith to find consensus on matters that affect real people. Lately this relentless debate over ‘right’ theology has been doing my head in and hurting my heart—I know I’m not alone in this. But this year’s theme caught my interest because it spoke to that pain. I was even more compelled to attend when I read the abstracts

of the papers being presented.

With enticing titles like ‘Living with Difference’, ‘Is Unity the Holy Grail?’, ‘Conspiracy Theories’, ‘Division, Pain and the Transformational Potential of Forgiveness’, ‘A Ministry of Reconciliation’, ‘A Model of Godly Zeal’, ‘Eating our Way to Unity’ and more, I couldn’t stay away.

I confess I suffered from information overload, with most papers being re-read reflectively later, but I found myself transfixed by the passion of the presenters.

For some the learning process had

Above: Some of the presenters and members of the Thought Matters forum.

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been truly transformative—research and reflection bringing presenters to unexpected and at times uncomfortable conclusions. The work of the Spirit was evident.

Unity in diversity Captain Malcolm Irwin’s paper, ‘One Body, Many Parts’, is one such example. Malcolm explored the confessions of Christian ‘racists in recovery’ and advocated that it is not diversity we fear, but the loss of white privilege. I sat up and took notice. Malcolm’s research

For some the learning process had been truly transformative— research and reflection bringing presenters to unexpected and at times uncomfortable conclusions. demanded he ask himself difficult questions: ‘What could it mean to attack racism at the point where it has a hold over me?; In what ways could I, a frail, male, pale Pākehā engage with the psychic place of whiteness itself?’

Porirua Women’s Bible Study Group (coordinated by Captain Nicki Dutton) presented a powerful paper, titled ‘Kotahitanga, Duavata, Lotogotasi, Kāfataha, Unity’. These smart women suggested that ‘to gain a full understanding of unity within The Salvation Army in our territory, it is necessary to look at how unity is understood in indigenous languages as well as English. ‘Is it possible,’ they asked, ‘that an English definition of unity limits our ability to understand and enact our work and mission within our churches and communities?’ Their research showed the richness cultural collaboration offers faith and practice.

Other papers explored the question of how to hold diverse views on sexuality while honouring one another; the experiences of marginalised women in our ranks; organisational trauma; diversity and Salvation Army distinctives; and the proposal that unity in the face of diverse opinion can only be found through cruciformity (the laying down

of our own rights and perspectives).

I found the honesty and vulnerability of many of the presenters not only very moving, but beautiful expressions of generosity because they shared their learning so humbly.

I also experienced the sting of personal exposure as my own theological bias was uncovered.

Major Ian Gainsford’s paper ‘Covenantal Love’ explained that many of us tend to lean toward orthodoxy (right belief) or orthopraxy (right action). I’ve found myself leaning into orthopraxy because I hate it when people are hurt or excluded supposedly because of ‘what the Bible says’.

However, Ian challenged my unbalanced thinking, explaining that neither of these paradigms is sufficient. ‘Belief alone can be harsh; and practice alone can be overly humanist. It is the quality of orthopathy (right attitude or right heart) that is necessary to hold belief and action together. To put it another way’, said Ian, ‘our unity is dependent on the practice of Christian love’. Point taken.

talking to each other altogether ... but we need to love well and that means despite difference. We need an intentional unity that follows in the footsteps of Jesus, who offered the cup to Judas and welcomed the dissenter into his embrace. We need a love that overcomes all barriers.’

Ouch, but yes!

Having been to many of these conferences over the years, Major Christina Tyson says her takeaway was ‘the need to work towards unity but not uniformity, and that we do also need to ensure that people experience safety when there is disunity’.

Ian agrees, saying that ‘we tried to move from discussion about unity in the face of disagreement and division, to unity that embraces diversity and difference. We’ve been left with lots to reflect on, and the ongoing challenge of making space for loving God and loving our neighbour even when we disagree.’

The tension of distinctives

Australian delegate Stuart Reid (Spiritual Life Team and Mission Support) says ‘this experience has been about a deepening of understanding about each other’s differing positions. But, also, a deeply embedded revisiting of our theology and distinctives as The Salvation Army. What I’m taking away is a sense of hope. While we have revisited the past, we are very much positioned for the future, and there is a willingness and commitment to forging together a new, more loving expression of Salvationism for a new world.’

I also confess that I had begun to succumb to the habit of what Auxiliary Lieutenant and psychologist Dr Catherine Philpot calls ‘cancel culture’. She explains, ‘If we suspect we are likely to disagree we stop

My takeaway? If all that thinking leads us to love one another more completely, then not only does ‘thought matter’, but I think I’ll put a hold on the break-up with theology after all.

‘...the ongoing challenge of making space for loving God and loving our neighbour even when we disagree.’

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From Fear to Fearless Denise Gray from Kāpiti Corps shares her journey of finding God, who was there the whole time.

I grew up on the Kāpiti Coast. I am a twin, born in the middle of a bunch of children. I have three brothers and four sisters. My mum and dad have always been godly people. Dad used to help teach Sunday school and my mum is a very dedicated Salvation Army soldier. As I got older, I felt like I was always in and out of my faith. I would come and join my parents at church at various stages during my adult life, but I let life get in the way. I stopped coming to church and I stopped listening to the voice of God. Six years ago, I found myself in a very dark place.

I had no spiritual life due to my many sins. I was following the wrong crowd because it was easier to fit in. I could not obey God even if I wanted to. I’d made all sorts of terrible decisions and I’d hurt people.

Times of disquiet I went to bed one night, and I don’t know what happened. I couldn’t sleep; suddenly I felt like I was dying. I was absolutely petrified. I was shaking and nauseous. It wasn’t until the next morning when I explained what had happened to me that my mum said, ‘I think you have had a panic attack’. Something in me had changed. I couldn’t sleep or eat. I had these suicidal thoughts in my head, and it was scary.

Leading up to this so many people I loved had died.

My father died in 2007, which devasted me. I also lost my mother- and father-in-law and a couple of close friends. I wanted to know where they had gone, and I had this strong fear of death. I went to the doctor and he said that I was experiencing anxiety and having panic attacks. He told me to go to the beach and to let go of all my emotions. I did that. I walked into the water up to my waist and I screamed. I let it all go.

My mum moved in to support me. All I could do was sit on the couch and cry. It’s such a strong thing when 18

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you are in it. Mum took me for walks. She told me to go outside, and I created a pebble garden. I spent hours in the sun talking to Jesus. I asked: ‘Where are you?’, ‘Why is this happening to me?’ and I begged him to make me feel better. I went back to my doctor and he prescribed medication which started to work immediately. I felt so much better. It was an awful time that I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

Finding light in dark places My breakdown was the start of me finding God; I knew I needed him and that I had to find him. I visited a couple of churches. I was sure I was going to find God there, that I would hear from him, but I didn’t. I began to feel lost and hopeless. The people in these churches were lovely but they weren’t the right churches for me.

God knew where I was supposed to be.

I had no intention of going to church that Easter Sunday. My mum had been going to The Salvation Army Kāpiti Corps for many years and encouraged me to go. I always found a reason to say no. On the Saturday night I was lying in bed and I thought, I should really go to church to please Mum. When I woke up on the Sunday morning, I told Mum that I was coming but I really didn’t want to go.

My breakdown was the start of me finding God; I knew I needed him and that I had to find him.

I walked in with my head down, I didn’t want to be seen, I didn’t want to be spoken to. I was there for Mum, that was all. I was looking at my watch to check the time. Then the guest speaker Commissioner Andy Westrupp started talking. He shared the parable of the lost sheep. He had a lovely voice. I closed my eyes

and had a beautiful vision. I saw Jesus wearing a white cloak with his flock of sheep in a beautiful field. There was a big boulder, and I could see myself hiding behind it. I was a young girl. He came over to me and I lifted my head up so he could see me.

He took my hand, and I looked up at him. I knew something had happened to me.

I feel so loved and I’m in so much awe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins.

At the front of the church, Andy continued talking about the cross and invited the congregation to go up and touch the cross. I didn’t go up, there was no way! When everyone had sat down, Andy said, ‘There is somebody else here that I know needs to touch the cross’. I got up and went to that cross. I didn’t just touch the cross, I hugged it and kissed it.

I gave Andy a hug after the service. I couldn’t believe what had just happened to me and I told him I felt completely different. He said that he had woken up that morning and felt like he was being sent to save someone at that church. And I said, ‘Well, that someone is me’.

Growing in grace I went straight home and looked for a Bible. I needed to read the stories. I found an old one, but it was difficult to understand. Lt-Colonel Sheryl Jarvis, my corps officer, gave me a lovely Bible and I started reading it. I read the whole thing, I kept going back and re-reading and re-reading it. From then on, my whole life changed.

I talk to Jesus every day, all the time. Knowing him has given me peace. I am different. I feel so loved and I’m in so much awe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins. I can’t believe Jesus did that for me!

I am now the team leader of Messy Church at The Salvation Army Kāpiti Corps and I love it. I’ve always been the type of person that loves to give and to

I have big dreams for Messy Church, and I am thriving in my work. support others and this role helps me to do this. Part of my role is pastoral care, and I enjoy connecting with people and hearing their stories. I have big dreams for Messy Church, and I am thriving in my work.

I look back and wonder why when I had my vision on Easter Sunday that I didn’t see myself as I am now, why was I a child? I have a picture on my desk of a child walking hand in hand with Jesus. I look at that now and know that God was showing me that he has always been with me, right from when I was a little girl. saltmagazine.org.nz

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Making a Mess on Purpose in Kāpiti Many may recall the advertising slogan for Kleenex’s ‘Viva’ paper towels: ‘Life is v. messy—soak it up with Viva!’ And while this could be an apt description for what’s happening at Kāpiti Salvation Army’s ‘Messy Church’, the emphasis is not on cleaning up the mess per se but on soaking up life with all its mess together. SALT sat down with Kāpiti Corps (church) leaders Lt-Colonels Sheryl and Stephen Jarvis, Denise Gray (Messy Church coordinator) and Hannah Medland (communication and creativity champion), to learn about Messy Church and the (good) challenges and opportunities it has added to the life and ministry of the coastal corps.

WORDS Jules Badger

heryl, Stephen, Denise and Hannah all love living and serving on the Kāpiti Coast. ‘It’s a beautiful place to be,’ says Stephen. ‘It feels like you are permanently on holiday,’ explains Hannah, and everyone laughs when Sheryl adds, ‘And it’s also not as windy as Wellington!’

For those who may need some clarity, ‘Kāpiti Coast’ is the umbrella name for the district that extends from Paekākāriki to Ōtaki, including Raumati South, Waikanae and Paraparaumu. Denise has lived on the Kāpiti Coast her entire life and testifies to the vast changes in the population demographics over the past few decades.

‘Kāpiti Coast was once known as the place where people came to retire. But it’s changing, with more and more young families moving out here for the relaxed lifestyle—people wanting to get out of the city.

There’s this whole beachy feel here and so much to do.

We have beautiful bush walks, river trails, cafés and parks, Saturday morning markets and, of course, the Kāpiti Island tours and overnight stays,’ says Denise.

Apparently, there’s some great local ice cream too!

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Once an outpost of Paremata Corps (renamed Mana Corps in 2001, which closed in 2013), the work of The Salvation Army in Kāpiti began in 1979, with the corps officially opening in 1980. Today, 43 years on, Kāpiti Salvation Army strongly reflects its community, with predominantly young families and seniors making up the intergenerational corps whānau (family).

Life is v. messy Although a beautiful place to live, life can be messy on the coast. Like many New Zealand communities, Kāpiti has not been immune to the impact of the rising cost of living.

‘We’ve had a massive increase in the number of people coming to us for help with food. People are either on a lower income and just can’t meet their bills anymore, or they are struggling to make ends meet on the benefit. For others it’s the impact of interest rates.

We are now seeing a whole new clientele of people who have bought homes here in the last few years, accessing our services for the first time. These are families we have never seen before,’ explains Sheryl.

‘We are well positioned in the community as a place where people know they can come for help and find care,’ says Sheryl. ‘It’s not just about us, it’s about the needs of the community we are here to serve.’

But housing is by far the most pressing need the Kāpiti Community Ministries team faces. Kāpiti Salvation Army is one of the main housing providers on the coast, with 18 social houses and a government contract to provide 16 transitional houses (they currently have 12).

Sheryl honours previous officers Captains Sarah and Andrew Green, who worked hard to broaden Kāpiti’s Community Ministries expression and meet need by taking on a government housing contract.

‘At any one time the team is actively supporting 12 whānau living in our transitional housing properties,’ explains Sheryl. ‘Some of those people are working— not just beneficiaries. That’s totally new for us. We’ve had men who have held down jobs but they can’t secure a rental for their family because they can’t afford it. That’s a really disturbing new trend.’

And while Kāpiti is not known for its crime rate, what happens behind closed doors is another story. Stephen

Intergenerational fun at Messy Church.

‘We’re about life and hope, and growing relationships.’ explains that financial challenges put pressure on families. ‘The rise in family harm is real on the coast,’ he says.

A beautiful mess This is one of the reasons the Kāpiti team are committed to a vision that is strongly relational.

‘We want people’s first experience with us to be really positive,’ affirms Stephen. ‘We want people to experience the warmth of genuine community. We’re about life and hope, and growing relationships. We want to be accessible to one another relationally—with no judgement—to experience God through the love we have for one another. I suppose we’re a bit like The Breeze radio station—not too heavy and not too soft— middle of the road and accessible for everyone.’ saltmagazine.org.nz

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‘We are well positioned in the community as a place where people know they can come for help and find care.’

‘It’s a space where people feel safe, and they can ask the hard questions and not feel embarrassed,’ says Denise. ‘People say they feel right at home at Messy Church—it’s beautiful!’

During their time at Royal Oak Messy Church, Sheryl and Stephen witnessed the transformation that can happen through the creative arts and, of course, the power of sitting down to a meal together. The team agreed that a Saturday evening seemed to be the best night for Kāpiti families to come out, holding the first Messy Church in November 2021. ‘It was a huge faith step,’ says Sheryl.

From top: Messy craft morning; Messy Church.

Years of ministry experience have shown Sheryl and Stephen that Sunday mornings don’t work for everyone anymore. ‘We wondered if another way to go was offering different kinds of gatherings under the same umbrella,’ says Sheryl. During their service in the Northern Division, the Jarvises had been involved in Messy Church at Royal Oak Community Ministries in Auckland. Messy Church was born in the UK and is a form of church where both adults and children experience God through creativity, celebration and hospitality. It’s primarily for people who don’t already belong to a church.

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Hannah is careful to explain the purpose behind the creative arts aspect of Messy Church. ‘Sometimes people think, oh ok, the crafts are the hook that get the people to come along and then you share the gospel.

But, no! We are intentionally aiming for a very experiential approach where people are participating and unpacking whatever the faith idea is for the month, with their hands. We’ve been focusing on the questions: Who is God? And how does the Bible reveal who God is to us? But we don’t want to just be offering information, we really want to be offering introductions to God.’

A growing mess Messy Church attendance reaches anywhere between 70 and 100 people. ‘That’s a lot of people to accommodate and feed! We have some anxious days leading up to Messy Church because we can never be sure if we are going to have enough kai (food), or materials or tables. But we don’t ever want to turn anyone away,’ says Sheryl, who also highlights the key role the Family Store team play in sourcing and supplying craft and activity supplies.

Sheryl explains that it was a challenge figuring out how to practically deliver Messy Church with a predominantly older congregation. ‘But let me tell you, our seniors have got behind this 100 percent and the team who support Messy Church are outstanding!

Initially there was concern about the impact Messy Church could have on the existing congregation, but, as Sheryl reports, ‘the real beauty is that both congregations are growing’.

Hannah is so pleased that at Kāpiti there has never been any sense of people wondering when the Messy Church people are going to show up on Sunday. ‘Our Sunday congregation understand and recognise that Messy Church is church—it just meets at a different time and only once a month.’

Sheryl agrees adding, ‘Messy Church is not a feed to the Sunday congregation, that’s not our expectation or a measure of any kind. We just ask what’s the next step for our Messy Church families in the same way we ask that about the Sunday congregation. Are people connecting into men’s groups or life groups and so on?

How are the relationships broadening and deepening within the Kāpiti Salvation Army’s overall umbrella?’

Three months ago, Denise was employed not just to coordinate the monthly gathering (that’s a team effort) but to provide follow up and pastoral care to the Messy Church families. ‘We needed someone who could intentionally support their growth and development— coming to church once a month is not sustainable for anyone’s spiritual life,’ explains Sheryl.

The team are excited by what God is doing in and through Messy Church. ‘We are starting to see Messy Church families making connections with other families. They’re exchanging phone numbers and arranging play dates for the kids,’ explains Denise.

‘A big indicator that this really is a congregation in its own right is when members start connecting and supporting each other and building friendships—it’s not just this programme they come to, there’s real ownership now too. We say to our team, if people offer to put tables away, say yes! Because that means they no longer feel like guests but like part of the whānau.’

The next right thing ‘There isn’t this document saying here’s the big strategy for the next ten years, and this is how it’s going to work. Instead, we are just asking ... what is the next thing that God is inviting us into?’ explains Hannah.

‘As need arises, we discern together what we should do next—what’s the right thing? We could do that but what would we lose and be taking away? Or how far is that going to stretch us in that season? I’m just really blessed by the people here at Kāpiti, and by the people who God has drawn alongside us,’ says Sheryl.

‘... I’m just really blessed by the people here at Kāpiti, and by the people who God has drawn alongside us.’

Stephen finds what he calls the five core purposes of faith framework helpful: ‘Service, worship, evangelism, fellowship, discipleship … I think we are shaped but not constricted by these. When we consider how Messy Church is going, we consider those five things. Yes, they look different to what we have known in the past, but that’s because there is infinite room for creativity within that framework. When we bring our energy and focus to those five areas, what emerges can be as different and wide as God wants to make it.’

Hannah adds, ‘If we were going to add a sixth thing to that framework it would be good food!’

‘Yes!’ agrees Sheryl, ‘We are really good at food!’

‘If you come to MC [Messy Church] you are going to be well fed!’ promises Denise

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Today I’m Thankful For… WORDS Holly Morton-Chong | ART Sam Coates

Recently, at a weekend away with some friends, we were chatting about marriage and relationship advice. A friend shared a little routine she has initiated with her husband to express and share gratitude. My friend easily notices things around her she finds joyful, and so she suggested it as a way for her and her husband to connect and check in at the end of the day.

As time has passed, her husband has become increasingly excited to talk about what he has been grateful for and is often the first to initiate ‘sharing gratitude’ when they are together.

Additionally, my friend has found that it has been a way for both of them to acknowledge what they have been grateful for in each other across the day, which they may not otherwise think to bring up.

My husband and I have started to do this too, and I have enjoyed sharing the joyful parts of my day with him. But the beautiful aspect of this habit is also recognising the things I am grateful to God for in my mundane day-to-day life. Sometimes it ends up being incidental and a bit silly, like ‘thank you that there were biscuits at work today’ or ‘thank you for letting me see two dogs this afternoon!’ Not exactly psalm-worthy praise. But God appreciates our sharing those little things that bring us joy; he knows all about them and likes to hear what has been good and fun and wonderful for us.

Just as we remember the things that brought us joy over the day, expressing gratitude gives us a deeper awareness of what our loved ones are doing for us and this strengthens our relationships.

The same can be said for our relationship with God when we slow down and share our gratitude for his presence in our lives.

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The Days of Elijah In part two of a three-part series Colleen Marshall examines how the issues facing the prophet Elijah in his day are similar to the challenges facing Christians today. She asks: What is God calling his people to do?

For the past two decades the anthem of worship, ‘These are the days of Elijah’ has been sung in many churches. What a bold declaration of hope in the midst of turbulent times, as we look forward to the triumphant return of Jesus Christ, who will come riding on the clouds at the trumpet call (Matthew 24:27–31).

Last month in part one, we looked at the days of Noah, an age in which lawlessness was rife. Noah was a lone voice taking his stand for righteousness. God told Noah to build an ark to save people from the coming flood, but no one heeded his warning.

It was ‘business as usual’ until the flood came and destroyed the earth.

The ark was built in plain view of all, 26

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but tragically the mockers perished as a consequence of their own choices.

Today we hear of humanity being fallen, rather than sinful. It seems more palatable and makes for less accountability. But the Bible states, ‘For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:23).

The nation of Israel had veered far from God’s holy plumbline, and it was full of idolatry, immorality and corruption.

Elijah was a prophet, called to remind the people of God’s covenant and expose the state of the nation in which he lived. They had fallen far short of the Torah, God’s law. He lived around 850 BC and first appears in the Old Testament in 1 Kings 17.

The nation of Israel had veered far from God’s holy plumbline, and it was full of idolatry, immorality and

corruption. King Ahab had arrogantly provoked the anger of the Lord for more than 22 years, worse than any other king of Israel (1 Kings 16:29–33).

He abandoned the temple and worship of Jehovah God, setting up altars for idols Baal and Ashtoreth.

God told Elijah to warn the king that a drought was imminent, with no

rain for three years. God then hid Elijah under the radar, miraculously providing for him.

The drought occurred as Elijah had said and the whole land suffered the impact of climate change: the rivers dried up, crops failed, the famine affected both palace and peasant alike. The people blamed the king, the king blamed the prophet.

Enraged, he finally sought for Elijah.

Where was that troublemaker? King Ahab felt no ownership whatsoever, he hadn’t made the connection that when he dishonoured God, he turned away. God would not be mocked; he reaped what he sowed.

In King Solomon’s day God had pointed to a time when, if he ever shut the heavens and famine hit the land, he says ‘if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land’ (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Summons to a showdown God told Elijah to summon the king and the nation to a showdown on Mt Carmel. ‘Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him”’ (1 Kings 18:21).

Parameters were set. The prophets of Baal would go first and set up an altar, sacrifice a bull, and call on their god to answer, then Elijah would do the same. The God who answered by fire was the one true God. The 450 prophets of Baal ranted all day long. They gored themselves with knives, pleading with their idol to answer. Nothing—no response (1 Kings 18:28–29).

Elijah rose up. He summoned the people and asked them to come over to him. The altar of the Lord was in ruins, a disgrace. They hung their heads in shame. They’d lamented the sorry state of the nation, the corruption, land wars and poverty, but never joined the dots. The world wasn’t broken, they had forsaken the living God and had to own their sin.

Elijah repaired the altar by taking twelve stones, one for each tribe.

Feel the tension of that moment, the grief. Many in their lifetime had never heard the Torah. They didn’t know their identity as God’s covenant people. They’d never seen the power of the living God, their deliverer. The stories from long ago were impossible to relate to.

The world wasn’t broken, they had forsaken the living God and had to own their sin.

In full view of the crowd, Elijah rebuilt the altar, laid the sacrifice, dowsed it in water, then simply worshipped— raising his arms and calling on the Lord of heaven to show his glory. It was a breathtaking moment. In a spectacular demonstration of God’s power, flames flashed down from heaven, licked up the water and burnt up the bull, and the people fell on their faces declaring that the Lord was God.

True allegiance What an encounter! Something ignited in the people that day, a new passion to know God, to serve and follow him. They repented of

their failures and felt new hope for the future. They would no longer compromise with idols but be true to the Lord God of Israel.

Spiritually, God is recruiting his ‘party faithful’, those with true allegiance to him.

If these are the days of Elijah, as the song goes, what is God saying to his people today? Where are the Elijahs who can discern the spiritual climate of the church and of our nation? We lament the moral decay, the mockery of biblical truth, the devaluing of life in the weak and infirm, aged and unborn. Is there a famine of hearing the whole counsel of God in favour of feel-good, ear-tickling sermons that appease the conscience? In Elijah’s day they failed to acknowledge that God had withdrawn his blessing because of their tolerance for other gods. It took a famine and food crisis to bring people to their faces before God. This year has been an election year in New Zealand. Many wavered about who to vote for right until the last minute. Spiritually, God is recruiting his ‘party faithful’, those with true allegiance to him. Those unashamed to stand for righteousness, truth and the gospel of Jesus Christ, and those willing to be a voice in the wilderness preparing the way of the Lord.

Behold he comes!

Part 3, The Days of Ezekiel, in the January edition.

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Northern Youth Councils 2023 Rangatahi (youth) from across Auckland and Northland gathered together from 15 to 17 September for a time of whanaungatanga (connection) and growing in faith, Lieutenant Alana LePine reports.

Our hope this year was to intentionally create a safe space for young people to take the lead, each joining in with their own gifts and talents. This was seen in a worship team made up of young people from corps (churches) from Waitakere and Papakura, MCs and leaders of games from Roskill, Albany, Manukau and Waitakere Corps, speakers from Manukau Central and Westgate Corps, and young people from all corps contributing and leading right across the weekend.

The weather over the weekend couldn’t have been better. Praise God! This allowed us to enjoy the donut truck

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under the stars on Friday night, and an afternoon of outdoor challenges, fun and competition.

A highlight from the weekend was Open Mic Night where people shared testimonies, songs and dances, with the night ending in an epic Bambelala dance party. This song was heard chanted throughout the rest of the weekend and people were encouraged to Bambelala— Hold on to Jesus!

We have amazing rangatahi and leaders in Northern who are eager to grow as leaders and in their faith. Please pray for these people, the ministries and that The Salvation Army would

A highlight from the weekend was Open Mic Night where people shared testimonies, songs and dances, with the night ending in an epic Bambelala dance party. continue to grow as a place where the next generations are seen, heard and included.

Southern Youth Councils 2023 Young people from across Te Waipounamu met in Christchurch for a weekend filled with connection and spiritual growth. Kaitlyn Bunz reports on the event and says the theme, ‘Justice Rising’, placed a strong emphasis on fostering an inclusive environment where young individuals could be their authentic selves while deepening their relationship with God. The weekend was nothing short of action-packed, featuring a variety of sessions, a cosy campfire, exciting outdoor adventures and engaging workshops. These diverse workshops offered the youth a chance to pursue their unique passions and interests throughout the weekend, creating their own meaningful experience.

This year’s Youth Councils introduced a new feature: the Saturday morning Praise Party. It quickly became a highlight of the event, thanks to the passionate and authentic worship brought by the Cuba Street Sallies’ worship team. What made this experience truly special was the way it brought young people together. In this collective worship they found a unique space to connect, engage and explore their faith in a manner that often differs

from their home church settings.

The MCs were a blast! They totally rocked the matching outfits. They didn’t just show up and do their thing, they brought the party to life with their infectious energy. Their casual yet coordinated look, along with their vibrant personalities, set the perfect tone for a weekend of fun and laughter.

God really moved, with legendary speakers Captain Dan Buckingham, Lieutenant Grace Duxfield, and Captain

Many young people found so much value in spending the weekend with people who want to invest in them…

Sammy Millar each bringing powerful words of prophetic encouragement, challenge and healing. Many young people found so much value in spending the weekend with people who want to invest in them and who are paving the way for them to be authentically themselves in church spaces.

For the many young people, the value of the weekend extended beyond the content. It was a unique opportunity to spend time with mentors and leaders who were not only eager to invest in their growth but also actively leading the way in creating church spaces where authenticity is celebrated. This experience left a mark on the attendees, inspiring them to embrace their genuine selves within their faith communities.

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Delve 2023: What’s Your Next Yes? Every big decision we make starts with a single step—a single intentional yes that lights up a path towards something potentially amazing. For many at Delve this year, this first step was taking up the invite for a weekend away to intentionally explore what God could be calling them to. Led by the Territorial and Divisional Candidates’ teams, 33 explorers from across New Zealand gathered at the Silverstream Retreat over the weekend of 11–13 of August. Officers—experienced, new, training and retired—from across different ministry expressions and areas of serving in New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa shared testimonies and stories of their journeys of saying yes and continuing to say yes to God’s call on their lives.

For the full story, go to saltmagazine.org.nz

Tonga Build Underway A very excited team of 15 volunteer Kiwi builders (including an electrician and plumber) arrived safely in Tonga on October 16, ready to get to work.

The concrete foundation for the new Kolovai Corps fale nofo’anga (officers’ quarters) had been laid by local Tongans, and the two 40-foot shipping containers holding all the material for a brand new four-bedroom EasyBuild fale were waiting on site. Following the Hunga Tonga Ha’apai eruption in January 2022 and the tsunami that followed, the need for a new, permanent fale nofo’anga was expedited. The new fale nofo’anga is being built on the six-acre compound owned by The Salvation Army, alongside the fale lotu (church).

Check out the Tonga Build Facebook page for daily updates and for the full story, go to saltmagazine.org.nz

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November 2023

Students Supporting Wellington Inner City Ministries As part of the Hutt Valley High School Gateway programme, a group of Year 12 students recently donated mats and sleeping bags to The Salvation Army Wellington Inner City Ministries. Organised and supported by Careers and Transition teacher Jude Allen, these students identified that they wanted to raise money to offer practical support to homeless Wellingtonians. ‘We knew that they were in need of help, and we were willing to put the effort in to make a change,’ says Elvis Whalen, one of the students involved. A student-led project, Tasha Sandeman, Alex Pahl, Jordan Edhouse and Elvis Whalen researched multiple ways of fundraising. They decided on a school-wide barbeque where they sold burgers, sausages and drinks. They advertised this project on their school website which also gave their community an opportunity to contribute. Following a very successful barbeque, raised funds were then spent on mats and sleeping bags.

For the full story, go to saltmagazine.org.nz

Prayer and Action Against Hunger The world faces an unprecedented hunger crisis, as conflict, Covid-19, climate change and rising costs drive many people into extremely vulnerable situations. On World Food Day, 16 October, The Salvation Army joined other churches and Christian organisations in prayer and action against hunger.

The Salvation Army’s International Development Services partners with local corps (churches) and communities across the world to help tackle poverty and challenge injustice. In the fuller article online, we explore three projects focused on nutrition and food security: persistent drought in Zimbabwe, food diversity in Malawi and child development in the Dominican Republic.

For the full story, go to saltmagazine.org.nz

Badger Book Launch Jules and Major Mat Badger’s new book, When the Light Goes Out, published by The Salvation Army, was launched at Territorial Headquarters on September 22. Pollard Hall was full of friends, family members and Salvation Army staff, ready to celebrate with Jules and Mat in the delivery of their ‘book baby’, as Jules referred to it. Vivienne Hill and Lt-Colonel Michelle Collins both shared on the process of publishing this book under The Salvation Army’s Flag Publications. Rob Harley also spoke about his experience with the book and mental health advocacy from his perspective in the New Zealand journalism industry, and his close relationship to The Salvation Army.

For the full story, go to saltmagazine.org.nz

Looking for more news?

Read the latest news online at saltmagazine.org.nz

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Official Engagements

Commissioners Mark (Territorial Commander) and Julie Campbell (Territorial President of Women’s Ministries) 23 Oct–5 November: Furlough 11–12 November: Opening of new Queenstown Corps building 14 November: Global Leadership Summit, THQ 15 November: Spiritual Day, BCM 18 November: Retirement Service—Majors Ivan and Glenda Bezzant, Hutt City Corps 19 November: Miramar Corps 21 November: 1 Year Officer Review, BCM 24 November: Visit to Central Division—Cuba Street (corps), Petone Corps Plant 25 November: Central 7s, Evans Bay 26 November: Woodville Corps Colonel Gerry Walker (Chief Secretary) 21 November: 1 Year Officer Review—Afternoon tea, Leader-toLeader Forum and Dinner Lt-Colonel Liz Gainsford (Territorial Secretary for Spiritual Life Development) 21 November: 1 Year Officer Review—Afternoon tea, Leader-toLeader Forum and Dinner

Gazette Summary

To read the full version of Gazette notices, visit saltmagazine.org.nz/gazette Promotion to Glory: Major Ivan Medland was promoted to Glory on 26 September 2023 from Hawke’s Bay Hospital, Hastings, aged 96 years. Ivan entered The Salvation Army Training College from New Plymouth Corps in 1950, as a cadet in the Standard Bearers session.

Please support Major Ivan’s children, Commissioner Yvonne Westrupp, Judith, Brian, Adrienne, Major Graham Medland and grandson Captain Jordan Westrupp and other family members in your prayers in this time of grief and loss.

Bereavement: Susan Du Toit, the mother of Auxiliary Captain Tiana Henderson, passed away unexpectedly in South Africa on 14 October 2023, aged 85 years. We ask you to uphold Auxiliary Captains Tiana and Neil Henderson and their extended family in your prayers at this time of grief and loss.

Pamela Wood, the sister of Lt-Colonel Don Hennessey, was promoted to Glory from Christchurch, on 13 October 2023. We ask you to uphold Lt-Colonels Don and Lorna Hennessey and other extended family members in your prayers during this time of grief and loss.

Birth: Captain Jessica Bezzant has given birth to a baby girl, Indigo Hannah Ally Bezzant. Indigo was born on the 26th September 2023, weighing 7lb 9oz (3.6kgs). May God bless Captains Jess and Nathan Bezzant and Elisha, Summer, Josiah, Azariah and Judah as they welcome Indigo into their family.

First-time grandparents: Congratulations to Auxiliary Captains Neil and Tiana Henderson on the safe arrival of their first grandchild, 32

November 2023

FEES FREE IN 2024 Semester 1 applications close 13 December 2023 School of Bible and Mission Diploma in Christian Studies (Theology) Level 5 Full-time or part-time study Available to students 18 or over

For more information, email the academic registrar tracy.smith@salvationarmy.org.nz Lucy Adrielle Henderson-Williams, born on 8 September 2023, weighing 9lb 52oz (4.32 kgs). We join with her parents Alex and Nandi Henderson-Williams as they celebrate the birth of Lucy, and pray God’s blessing on them all.

Congratulations are extended to Captains Doug and Janet Newman on the safe arrival of their first grandchild, Zachary Reginald Grayson Newman. Zachary was born in Auckland on 13 October 2023, weighing 8lb 587oz (3.89 kgs). We join with his parents, Benjamin and Kathryn Newman and grandparents as they celebrate the birth of Zachary, and pray God’s blessing on them all.

Marriage: We congratulate Captain Visa Kaurasi on her marriage to Asesela Sadole on Friday 29 September 2023 at Lautoka, Fiji. Visa will continue her service as an officer under the territorial policy for Single Spouse Officership. We pray God’s blessing on Captain Visa Kaurasi and Asesela as they commence life together as a married couple.

International Service Appointment: Effective 1 October 2023: Lt-Colonel Elsi Sarimin has been appointed as Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries (Territorial Women’s Ministries Coordinator) THQ Mission Section.

Effective 1 February 2024: Lt-Colonel Jennifer Groves’ appointment as Private Secretary to the Chief of the Staff, International Headquarters, will be concluding on 31 January 2024. Jennifer will be returning to New Zealand to take up new appointment responsibilities, with an appointment to be advised.

Promotion: Effective 18 October 2023: We congratulate Captains Douglas Newman and Janet Newman on their promotion to Major.

We thank Majors Doug and Janet for their faithful service and pray God’s blessing on them.

Quiz Answers: 1. 54, 2. The newton, 3. Trypanophobia, 4. 8760, 5. Metamorphic.

SALVATIONISTS IN HISTORY

Salvation Army Tea Merchants Hamodava tea, coffee and cocoa products are available for Christmas gifting. In acknowledgement of this, Kelly Cooper serves up the history of the Hamodava brand and its association with The Salvation Army.

With tea recognised as the national drink of England in the 1700s, Commandant Herbert Booth saw an opportunity to capitalise on the tea drinking culture by importing and selling this beverage as a means of financing the mission work of the Army. He launched a ‘Missionary Tea League’ where members pledged to drink only tea supplied by the Salvation Army. The members of this league enjoyed their tea knowing all profits from its sale were benefitting the Army’s work.

It didn’t take long for tea to increase in popularity in Australia and later New Zealand. In 1888, Adjutant Ashley Lamb, an officer of the Bundaberg Corps, was tasked with entering the tea market as a fundraising enterprise. Initially Adjutant Lamb purchased packets of tea from local merchants and re-sold them from his office at Territorial Headquarters in Melbourne.

This proved so successful that a warehouse was purchased, and he began to blend and sell his own teas under the brand name ‘Hamodava’ which is the Sinhalese word for ‘army’.

By May 1898, the tea enterprise had become so profitable that the Army leased several larger warehouses to operate from. The tea was sourced from suppliers in India and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and was cut, blended and packed with the Army’s own equipment. Early adopters of the concept of fair trade, indigenous farmers were supported to purchase their own land through a scheme financed by the Hamodava tea enterprise.

Hamodava tea provided a windfall for The Salvation Army. Officers were encouraged to promote and sell the tea as part of their fundraising activities and tea agents became established across Australia and in New Zealand. In 1900, coffee and cocoa were added

to the Hamodava family. Hamodava tea continued to increase in popularity, with Lamb stating in 1920 that ‘if cups and saucers were filled with tea made from the output of one year, they would make three lines totalling 3790 miles (6064 kms) in length.’

Hamodava tea, coffee and cocoa production continued until 1930, when competition from other importers, together with consumer demand for lower prices made the enterprise unviable. During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries Hamodava enabled The Salvation Army to provide consumers with high-quality beverages and simultaneously fund its social and mission work.

In 2016, after eighty years off our shelves, Hamodava Coffee was relaunched. Self-confessed coffee snob Lieutenant Jordan Westrupp partnered with Jacob Parsons of Mt Atkinson Coffee to bring us organic Fair Trade Hamodava coffee. With The Salvation Army pioneering fair-trading since 1897, Jordan was equally committed to ensuring ethical trade and positive transformation for farming communities. A portion of the Hamodava profits continue to go directly towards supporting the Army’s social work in New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.

Order Hamodava online at hamodava.com or enjoy at three New Zealand locations: • Hamodava Coffee Cart, Petone Corps Plant, Lower Hutt • The Salvation Army Cuba Street, Wellington • Rolleston Corps Plant, Rolleston

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Then Peter came to Him and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.’ Matthew 18:21-22 (NKJV)

Modelling Forgiveness We all want our children to develop meaningful friendships, and knowing how to repair relationships is an important part of this.

At times, if a child cannot forgive a friend or a sibling, their relationship deteriorates, and this impacts their happiness. Forgiveness can help children maintain stronger relationships.

As parents, we often need to help our children navigate the complexities of their relationships, including when it’s important for them to practise forgiveness.

Here are some ideas that may help: • Model forgiveness in your own life. Talk to your children about when and why you forgive others. Also, tell them clearly when you are forgiving them for something. Point out examples of the complexities of relationships and the role forgiveness plays in maintaining them.

• Help children through the steps of forgiveness. When a child is wronged, walk them through the process of acknowledging that harm was done. Let them sit with those feelings for a bit. Then make sure they share their concerns with someone—like a parent or another friend—before moving on. Help them see that it’s okay to feel hurt and identify people they can talk to.

• Teach children what forgiveness really means. When processing problems, explain to them that forgiveness is something we do, not only for others, but also for ourselves, so we can let go of our anger and make space for more enjoyable feelings. When children choose to forgive, they aren’t condoning the harm done, but choosing to move past it.

Forgiveness is a powerful mental health tool, not only for our children but ourselves. When you model forgiveness as a family, you dismantle the structures of unforgiveness that lead to bitterness and create safe places for healing.

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November 2023

Read: Peter probably thought he was being really generous by saying that he could forgive someone seven times. Imagine Peter’s surprise when Jesus said that he must forgive seventy times seven. That’s 490 times!

Jesus is saying we need to keep on forgiving, even when people wrong us.

Think: It’s not always easy to forgive people.

We often need the Holy Spirit’s help to do this.

Forgiveness is the choice to let go of the pain and anger we feel when someone has wronged us. Forgiving someone is not saying what they did is okay, but it’s choosing to follow Jesus’ example.

Pray: Father God, thank you for your unlimited forgiveness that you show to me through Jesus. Help me to forgive others when they wrong me.

Do: If you’re finding it hard to forgive someone because of something they’ve said or done to you, talk about this with an adult that you trust.

This topic was covered in the 24/7 Prayer App Lectio for Families this month.

FOLD HERE

When I forgive I feel

1. Colour in the doorhanger. 2. Cut around the outside to fit on door handle. 3. Fold in half. 4. Glue the sides together. saltmagazine.org.nz

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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.

John 1:1–2