Sal-2012-11

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New Cadets Lift the Banner High

Fort McMurray: Poverty in the Midst of Plenty

Swift Current Puts Christ in Corrections

Salvationist The Voice of the Army

November 2012

The Leadership Gap Is the Army on the edge of a leadership crisis?

PLUS: A Candid Call for Officers Are You a Resonant Leader? Dealing with Status Anxiety

Salvationist I April 2012 I 1


Lest We Forget

Vimy Ridge. Normandy. Korea. Afghanistan. They fought— and some still fight— for freedom. They served— and some still serve— for love. They died— and some may still die— for peace. Jesus said: “This is my command: love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends.” —John 15:12, 13 The Message


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November 2012 No. 79 www.salvationist.ca E-mail: salvationist@can.salvationarmy.org

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Features 8 A Passage to India Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX

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Salvationist Sam George is dedicated to the Army’s mission in his homeland by Melissa Walter Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX

9 Christ in Corrections

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Through its alternative measures program, free legal clinic and courtroom ministry, Swift Current Community Church is transforming lives, one at a time by Julia Hosking PRODUCT LABELING GUIDE

FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL

12 Freedom in the Spirit

Students experience spiritual and musical renewal at National Music Camp by Kim Garreffa

14 Poverty in the Land of Plenty

For those struggling to make it in the capital of Canada’s oil sands, The Salvation army is there to help by Kristin Fryer

16 Disciples of the Cross Lift the Banner High Departments 4 Editorial

22 Cross Culture 25 Celebrate Community

5 Around the Territory 18 Mission Matters

28 Media Reviews 29 Faith Works

When Words Are Not Enough by Major Jim Champ

Why Officership? Interview with Commissioner Brian Peddle

20 Point Counterpoint

The Leadership Gap by Captain Rob Kerr and Major Stephen Court

Inside Faith & Friends Margaret’s Story

A war bride remembers how The Salvation Army was there for her family during the Second World War

Compassionate Care

The Salvation Army’s Grace Manor is not just any port in a storm

Enrolments and recognition, tributes, gazette, calendar

Is it ever too late to change

23 Status Anxiety

When God is at the centre of our passions, we can use our talents and abilities for the glory of his kingdom by John McAlister

12

Go Deep by Major Kathie Chiu

30 Talking Points

Doubt: Faith’s Friend or Foe? by Major Juan Burry

who you are? That’s the question behind Disney’s newest animated comedy

Share Your Faith

When you finish reading Faith & Friends in the centre of this issue, pull FAITH & it out and give it to someone who needs to hear about Christ’s lifeMargaret’s Story + changing A DOG  TRICKS CAN TEACH power

frıends

November 2012

faithandfriends.ca

Inspiration for Living

A war bride remembers how The Salvation Army was there for her family

Wreck-It Ralph

Canada and Bermuda Territory salutes 16 new cadets in Winnipeg welcome meeting by Major Margaret McLeod

A TRUE GIANT

NFL RUNNING BACK RODNEY HAMPTON HELPS KEEP KIDS OUT OF JAIL

Edge for Kids Edge for Kids is an exciting weekly activity page published by The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda for children five to 12. In this month’s issues, readers will: • Remember the military soldiers who have served our country during times of war and peace • Learn what it means to have faith

• Explore how they can put on the armour of God • Find out how they can become a junior soldier • Enjoy puzzles, games, jokes, colouring and more!

issue

Hi kids!

44

Junior a junior soldier is? Do you know what people who have soldiers are young as their Saviour and accepted Jesus Christ God wants them to that Lord. They believe Army. Him in The Salvation worship and serve week Action classes each and The They attend Junior Bible the learn more about so that they can Salvation Army. think If you are, do you Are you a junior soldier?and the promises you made pledge the pledge. about your special helpful if you memorize school or to God? It might be you are at when it about Then you can think at home. like to be, talk soldier but would will tell If you’re not a junior school teachers. They to one of your Sunday become one. you how you can Your pal, Pacey

Join Pacey’s Birthday Club

Edge for Kids wants to wish YOU a Happy Birthday! Join our birthday club and get a message from Pacey on your special day. Fill in the coupon below and mail it to Pacey Puppy, 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto, ON Canada M4H 1P4. Or you can e-mail Pacey at Pacey@can.salvationarmy.org. Name: ���������������������������������������������������������� Corps/church attending: ��������������������� Birth date: �������������� month/day/ year Mailing address: ���������������������������������������������������������

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rs Junior soldie Park enrolled at l, Grand Street Citade , N.L. Falls-Windsor junior Newly enrolled Abigail, soldiers Brock, and Adam Aidan , Shirléah , Jessica and (front); Sheneya display proudly (back) Sara pledges. their junior soldier s! Congratulation

Salvationist I November 2012 I 3


EDITORIAL

O

When Words Are Not Enough

ne minute they were milling about close to the steps of Parliament. Then the music started and 100 teenagers became a flash mob, breaking into song and dance. This was no ordinary group of kids. They had come to the Hill on a mission. It was a hot August day in Ottawa with the usual number of tourists enjoying the beautiful buildings and green space of our nation’s capital. The choreographed singing grabbed the attention of everyone within earshot and soon a large crowd had gathered. When words are not enough With every breath I take I will give thanks to God above For as long as I shall live I will testify to love The young people’s enthusiasm was contagious. They had come to pray for Canadian and world leaders as part of the United Church of Canada Youth Forum and the UCC General Assembly 41. I was in attendance representing the Canadian Council of Churches as one of the speakers in this open-air witness. I could not help but sense that God was pleased with the bold proclamation

of these young Christians who spoke openly about their faith and prayed fervently for peace and justice. I was struck by the thought that this could easily be a group of Salvation Army youth transported from our National Music Camp. The Army was born in the open-air meeting, and outdoor witness is a rich part of our heritage. The common bond that we share in Christ is so much greater than our differences. This month we focus on leadership challenges facing the Army today. The territorial commander speaks openly of the potential crisis facing the territory as the officer ranks diminish over the next 10 years (see pages 7-8). In our Point Counterpoint series, we invited two officers to debate the leadership gap that is emerging in the Army. Young people are leaving the church in record numbers. Is our Army structure, methodology and culture to blame? Is our current approach to attracting leaders a help or a hindrance? Major Stephen Court and Captain Rob Kerr face off with divergent perspectives on this important subject (see pages 12-14). As the prayer vigil concluded on that afternoon and the flash mob of young people dispersed, Mardi Tindal, then Moderator of the UCC, gave the final benediction and blessing. She then announced the birth of one of Canada’s newest citizens. Nathan Christian Champ had been welcomed into the world while we had been singing and praying on the Hill. I had become Grandpa Champ for a second time and many of my newfound Christian friends gathered round to express their congratulations and joy, and to catch a glimpse of the newborn on my cellphone. All the while, I offered a silent prayer of thanksgiving for the young people who were holding high the banner of Christ, as well as for those whom God will call to lead the Army into the future. MAJOR JIM CHAMP Editor-in-Chief

4 I November 2012 I Salvationist

Salvationist

is a monthly publication of The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory Linda Bond General Commissioner Brian Peddle Territorial Commander Major Jim Champ Editor-in-Chief Geoff Moulton Assistant Editor-in-Chief John McAlister Features Editor (416-467-3185) Pamela Richardson News Editor, Production Co-ordinator, Copy Editor (416-422-6112) Major Max Sturge Associate Editor (416-422-6116) Timothy Cheng Art Director Ada Leung Circulation Co-ordinator Kristin Fryer, Ken Ramstead Contributors Agreement No. 40064794, ISSN 1718-5769. Member, The Canadian Church Press. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, Today’s New International Version (TNIV) © 2001, 2005 International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide. All articles are copyright The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory and can be reprinted only with written permission.

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Editorial lead time is seven weeks prior to an issue’s publication date. No responsibility is assumed to publish, preserve or return unsolicited material. Write to salvationist@ can.salvationarmy.org or Salvationist, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto ON M4H 1P4.

Mission

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world. Salvationist informs readers about the mission and ministry of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda. salvationist.ca salvationist@can.salvationarmy.org facebook.com/salvationistmagazine twitter.com/salvationist


AROUND THE TERRITORY

Building Lives and a Playground in Brazil IN JULY, BANDMASTER Derrick Fishwick led Ontario’s Mississauga Temple Band on an 11-day mission trip to commemorate the 90th anniversary of The Salvation Army in Brazil. James Fountain, cornet soloist, and Matt Ingram, euphonium player, accompanied the band. Wanting to make a tangible contribution to the Brazil Territory, the band chose an Army daycare and crèche in Suzano, Lar das Flores (Blossom Home), which houses more than 400 children under the age of eight. The team partnered with PlaygroundIDEAS to erect a playground for the facility using a design concept based on consultation and recommendations from the children, parents, teachers and Majors Richard and Sarah Oliver, administrators of the home. Partnering with the local city council and businesses, the band constructed a play area which includes a tire labyrinth, sand pit, balance beams, swings, slides and hammocks. In addition to their construction effort, the group led a territorial camp at Vale

de Bençaõ, featuring brass and vocal music for more than 80 Brazilian delegates. The band subsequently performed a public concert at Pedro College in São Miguel, and then travelled to São Paulo for an evening program commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Army’s work in the country. Major Paulo Soares, territorial music director, Brazil Territory, chaired the celebration, which featured the band from Mississauga, songsters from Central Corps, divisional timbrels and a musical presentation from Cubatão Cor ps. Lt-Colonel Alex Nesterenko, chief secretary, Brazil Territory, presented the band with a Brazilian artwork to honour their dedication to the territory. B a nd memb er s a l s o participated in Familia, a monthly community outreach event at Bosque Corps at territorial headquarters in São Paulo. The band provided a small ensemble to play hymns throughout the local streets, while other members led games and activities. The band then conducted an afternoon community con-

cert at Bosque Corps and participated in a traditional Sunday evening service at Central Corps, their last official event. Tony Flanaghan, band sergeant, shared how he and the band had been blessed by the generosity and

the infectious spirit of the Brazilian people. Following the program, band members presented the division with a new bass drum. “It will be difficult to forget the spirit, love and charisma of the Brazilian people as they welcomed us into their territor y,” says Fishwick. “We believe we have left Brazil a better place with our contribution at the Blossom Home, but we also acknowledge that God has changed our lives through the experiences and the people we shared with.” The band has committed to financially support the upkeep of the play area they constructed. Above: Brazilian children enjoy the playground slide built by Salvationists from Mississauga, Ont. Left: During their visit to Brazil, Mississauga Temple Band led a territorial music camp Salvationist I November 2012 I 5


AROUND THE TERRITORY

Food on the Move in Saskatchewan THE SALVATION ARMY offered a unique program this past summer in Saskatchewan—Food on the Move. This initiative was inspired by PotashCorp’s desire to create a grassroots program aimed at providing nutritious food for at-risk children and youth in Saskatoon and Regina. Volunteers prepared and delivered lunches and healthy snacks to children at strategically located swimming pools and parks. In Saskatoon, the Army served at seven locations, providing lunches daily for 165 children. “We have seen an increase in the number of children we serve from last year where the average was 120 per day,” says Major Malba Holliday, executive director of Saskatoon Community Centre. “It is a vital program for many children. During the school year, lunch is often provided, so we wanted to ensure that the children would continue to be fed during the summer to help maintain their nutritional balance.” Each brown-bag lunch included a juice box, sandwich, vegetables, fruit and dessert. In Regina, the Army served four area parks, filling in the gaps left by other summer food programs in the city. “Together with PotashCorp, we’ve found a unique way to connect with these kids and bring nourishing food to them,” states Charity Putman, co-ordinator for the Food on the Move program in Regina. “Certain children became familiar faces and over time we saw glimpses into the reality of their lives. One [child] would approach us and ask for a lunch which he would quickly take home to his mother and then come back to ask for his own. It became apparent that some of these children had taken on the role of family provider, a far too serious undertaking for a child not old enough to read.” “We believe that access to healthy food is important to growing kids,” stresses Bill Johnson, senior director of public affairs at PotashCorp. “We were pleased to help make this program available in Saskatchewan’s two largest cities and wish to thank The Salvation Army’s volunteers and staff for their important work this summer.” The company donated a combined $45,000 toward the Saskatoon and Regina programs.

The Army offered nutritious food to at-risk children in Regina and Saskatoon this past summer 6 I November 2012 I Salvationist

Luis Fernando Ruiz and his wife, Maryuri Marin, performed humorous sketches for fellow campers

Hispanic Family Camp at Jackson’s Point, Ont. MORE THAN 100 Spanish-speaking delegates met at Jackson’s Point Camp, Ont., for the second annual Hispanic family camp from July 30 to August 3. “Not only did delegates find new life in Christ, but relationships between parents and children were restored,” says Aux-Captain Fabio Correa, associate corps officer for Hispanic ministries at Toronto’s Yorkminster Citadel and camp director. Through participation in outdoor sports, aquatics, spiritual teaching and entertainment, people came to faith in Christ and the family unit was strengthened. Teams competed in Hispanic Olympics, which included working on developing a logo, cheers and a mascot. A final celebration featured a mariachi band, folk dances and fireworks. “The festive atmosphere was meant to reflect the celebration in heaven when one sinner returns to Jesus,” says Aux-Captain Correa. During the camp, many chose to commit their lives to Jesus and testified to how he had changed them. Some broke into spontaneous song as they struggled to express how much the Lord meant to them. The week’s theme, In the Potter’s House, was based on Bible passages from Isaiah 64 and Jeremiah 18:1-6. Using a potter’s wheel, Aux-Captain Angelica Hernandez, resource officer, immigrant and refugee services, Toronto Harbour Light Ministry, illustrated how God shapes us through his tender care, not giving up on his work, even when it becomes flawed. Aux-Captain Fabio Correa reminded campers that each person is unique in God’s eyes, made individually just as the potter works uniquely with the clay. “Knowing us better than we know ourselves enables the Potter to mend skilfully the cracks that appear in the clay,” he said. “Applying the right touch, he can heal the deepest wound that no other source on earth can and make us fit for his service.” Luis Fernando and his wife, Maryuri Ruiz, who committed their lives to Christ at the Hispanic family camp in 2011, contributed daily humorous sketches, reflecting what delegates might experience at camp and their responses to the day’s teaching. Their changed relationship with God and their family and interaction over the past year with other newcomers to Canada prompted them to return this year so they could be a blessing to others.


AROUND THE TERRITORY

Blastin’ Brass Day Camp at London Citadel FOR THE FIFTH year, London Citadel, Ont., ran its Blastin’ Brass Day Camp, a youth summer outreach program. The camps ran for three sessions of two weeks each. For a $250 fee, participants were provided with their own instru-

Young musicians rehearse during their twoweek camp experience

ment rental, camp T-shirt, lunches and snacks, and took part in activities that included Bible and theory lessons, band rehearsals, sports, outings, electives and choir. Staff also planned special activities for the campers such as water day, team-building events and a movie afternoon. At the end of each two- Young people have fun at London Citadel’s day camp week session, the campers presented a program for their friends Wonder, David, Esther, Joseph and and relatives. Each program included Joshua emerged as heroes helping chilperformances by chamber ensembles dren understand how God wants them and the beginner and advanced bands. to react to bullies. Children were also The highlight of the program was the introduced to action hero Jesus Christ, performance of the musical, The First who aids, guides and comforts them as Action Heroes, by Pam Andrews, a comicthey encounter Goliaths in their lives. book themed musical with upbeat songs “The kids worked very hard to learn the and a Bible-based script. Through the music and songs, actions and speakmusical, the campers learned lessons ing parts,” says Jonathan Rowsell, who about trust, courage, forgiveness and directed the camp with Mary-Kathleen obedience. Captain Super, Bible Boy Virtue.

Shoes for the Shoeless SHORERUNNERS IN CAMPBELL River, B.C., held a shoe and food drive fundraising event in support of The Salvation Army’s Lighthouse Centre and family services programs. “ShoreRunners is proud to have clients that love to give back to Campbell River,” says Jayne White, ShoreRunners manager. “With school just around the corner, we hoped everyone would have new shoes. We also accepted non-perishable food items to help fill the Army’s food pantry.” The donated shoes were earmarked

for those who frequent the Army’s Lighthouse Centre meal program and the approximately 400 households accessing emergency family services programs. Food donations helped replenish the Army’s food bank which helps families and individuals in crisis situations. “Many of the folks who eat at the Lighthouse Centre don’t have transportation and spend a lot of time walking,” says Kevin Mack, community ministries director. “Shoes get worn out pretty quick and a good pair can make a big difference. We are very thankful for businesses like ShoreRunners partnering with us to help the most vulnerable in our community.” From left, Chenoa Campbell, ShoreRunners owner; Cherie Dalton, community and family services in-take worker; Kevin Mack, community ministries director; and Jayne White, ShoreRunners manager, get ready for a shoe and food drive

Did you know …

… other than the United States’ flag, the Army flag is the only one that has been flown to the moon and back? … on August 20, The Salvation Army marked 100 years to the day since the promotion to glory of General William Booth by releasing a 30-minute film about his life? William Booth—A Passion for the Poor contains restored film footage and photos that present the life of William Booth and what he called his “destiny”—his calling to share the love of Jesus Christ with the poor ... The Salvation Army handed out 150 backpacks full of school supplies to children from low-income families in Halifax? Each child also received a new pair of shoes … The Brick, a leading Canadian retailer of home furnishings, helped the Army obtain donations of clothing and household items to assist families in need? The Brick and the Army hosted a donation drive at four Brick locations in the Toronto area from August 30 to September 1

Salvationist I November 2012 I 7


A Passage to India

Salvationist Sam George is dedicated to the Army’s mission in his homeland

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hen he was 26 years old, Sam George left his home in the south of India for a new life in a small Alberta town. Like many Canadians, the 70-year-old businessman has travelled between his birth country and his new home countless times in the years since, but what drives him to repeat this journey is more unique: to bring funds to his homeland for Salvation Army projects. Each winter, George and his wife, Sara, leave their home in Edmonton armed with resources for everything from building new churches to providing X-ray machines and ambulances for Army hospitals. As they meet in India with those in need, George often hears of new projects requiring funds. When he returns to Canada, he raises money through the Rotary Club, of which he is a member, his home corps of Edmonton Temple and other donors. George contributes whatever money he can from his home renovation business and brings the donations with him during his next trip. “I came to Canada with nothing,” George says. “Now, I try to do whatever I can in a small way. The needs are many, so it doesn’t matter how much money you have to give.” One of the developments George is most proud of is a road he named Canada Way. This paved road replaces a dirt one leading to a remote leprosy hospital. The monsoon rains used to wash away the road each year, but now ambulances and cars can safely drive to the hospital. When George heard of the problem, his response was simple: “I’m going to get this done.” George’s eagerness to help stems from his years living in India. His parents were Salvation Army officers for more than 42 years, with his father serving as divisional commander of several southern divisions before becoming principal of the training college in the India South Western Territory. During their travels, George saw the needs of his country’s people. As an adult, he became a phar8 I November 2012 I Salvationist

BY MELISSA WALTER

Sara and Sam George share a moment with General Linda Bond during their visit to the India South Western Tty

“When I take a mission team to India, we visit the street people to bring them food” macist and worked for the Catherine Booth Hospital in the southern city of Nagercoil, where he saw how indispensable Army hospitals are in serving India’s poor. Many of his contributions today focus on hospital equipment and upgrades. “I know Army hospitals in India are in need more than anything else,” he explains. His years of supporting aid in India have given George a clear perspective on the country’s needs, and he believes that the biggest goal for the Army there is to move beyond needing financial support from other countries. “I want the Army to be self-sufficient,” he says. George believes that focusing money

on developing income-generating projects will prove more useful long-term than simply donating money. He offers one example from his own experience in hospital work: a number of Salvation Army hospitals in India have both general and private wards, creating a system where the private wards generate money to provide more hospital services to those who can’t afford them. As well as travelling yearly to India, the Georges visit other countries, such as Sri Lanka and Peru, which are in need of funding for similar projects. Along the way, they meet Salvationists from around the world. “Everywhere in the world you can see the Red Shield,” George says. “The Salvation Army’s presence is all over the place.” For George, his work in India is a way to carry on the Army traditions established by its Founder: “William Booth and the early Salvation Army were in the slums. Now, when I take a mission team to India, we visit the street people to bring them food. There is a need for Army work in the world, and until my death I will do whatever I can.”


Christ in Corrections

Through its alternative measures program, free legal clinic and courtroom ministry, Swift Current Community Church is transforming lives, one at a time

Photo: © iStockphoto.com/ericsphotography

BY JULIA HOSKING

H

arvey Lomax conducted an alternative measures mediation session with a man who shoplifted from a liquor store. The offender could have gone through court and—regardless of whether he was fined or sentenced to time behind bars—a criminal record would have been permanently attached to his name. Instead, the man chose to take

The Salvation Army Swift Current CC is bringing Christ into the lives of people through the corps’ correctional and justice ministries

the alternative route: face the people he had hurt and make amends. “In the initial intake interview, I led the offender to Christ,” says Lomax, co-ordinator of The Salvation Army’s Swift Current Community Church, Sask., alternative measures program. “He asked for counselling with his wife’s pastor and when I called the pastor, he said, ‘We’ve been praying for this guy

for 20 years. His wife has been going to church, but he has never gone.’ I saw a man begin a relationship with Christ rather than go to court and receive a criminal record for shoplifting.” The alternative measures program is one of Swift Current Community Church’s several ministries in the area of correctional and justice services. The corps also runs a free legal clinic and courtroom ministry. “We don’t hide the fact that these services are Christian ministries,” says Captain Michael Ramsay, corps officer. “We’re open to praying for people and sharing our faith as the Lord leads.” Alternative measures provide offenders and victims an opportunity to attend a mediation session where each party can share their thoughts on the situation and suggest reconciliatory actions. This dialogue can be a helpful and challenging process for victim and offender alike, with the resolutions—financial or otherwise—also particularly demanding on the offender. Ray Friesen, a Mennonite pastor, mediator in private practice and contract mediator for Swift Current Community Church, dealt with a case in which three young men who vandalized a farmhouse—to the point where the house was demolished—paid three times more in financial restitution than if they had gone through court. “In court, the offenders would have simply been asked to pay for the demolition,” says Friesen. “In mediation, the two people who owned the property talked about what the house meant to them and what was now gone. The young men apologized for their actions and agreed to buy a $5,000 camper trailer so the owners could again stay on the property in the summer. “Mediations give victims the opportunity to participate in deciding how matters should be settled,” he continues. “Victims will often find the experience of mediation and what comes out of it more satisfying than if the offender simply goes to court.” Alternative measures began at Swift Current Community Church 12 years ago as a small program, handling only a dozen adult cases in the first year. It soon grew to include youth offences and now Lomax oversees 130 to 150 files every year from communities across the southwest area of Saskatchewan, on charges such as shoplifting, cyber-bulling and vandalism. Salvationist I November 2012 I 9


Swift Current CC is intentional about helping people through their crisis points in life. From left, Gord Meadows, co-ordinator, free legal clinic; Sylvia Thorburn, volunteer, courtroom ministry; Cpt Michael Ramsay, CO; Harvey Lomax, co-ordinator, alternative measures

Gord Meadows speaks with a client in the free legal clinic

Harvey Lomax seeks resolutions in mediation meetings with victims and offenders

“Throughout my previous career as an RCMP officer, I felt that prison for minor offences didn’t make a lot of sense,” says Lomax. “I thought there had to be a better way. Although sometimes court is necessary, victims don’t have a voice there. It is huge for the offender to understand how their crime has impacted a victim. Through mediations, they’re made to think about the terror they caused the grandmother to feel when they threw a rock at her window.” This aspect of the mediations, coupled with the addressing of factors that contribute to an offence, helps reduce the likelihood of a reoccurrence. “A teenager, troubled by gangs and drugs, participated in some vandalism on a business property,” recalls Lomax. “When we discussed a resolution, the victim’s bottom line was that the teenager graduate from high school. “We arranged for the young man to do addictions counselling and to send me his report cards so I could forward them to the victim. The youth was in Grade 10 when we did the mediation and his school marks were around 60 percent. When he graduated, they were well over 80 percent and he even received two college scholarships. The young man was heading down a criminal track but after the mediation, he made a 180-degree turn.”

Free Legal Clinic In another room of the old school building in which Swift Current Community Church operates, lives are being transformed in a different way through the free (pro bono) legal clinic. Each Wednesday, the clinic offers members of the community hour-long appointments to discuss legal matters with one of five lawyers from three local firms. In particular, the clinic helps those who cannot afford a $200 per hour lawyer consultation fee yet don’t qualify for legal aid—a single with no dependents cannot earn more than $785 per month. “Most of the cases we see deal with family law, such as divorces and custody of children,” says Gord Meadows, co-ordinator. “I remember one woman coming in whose husband had kicked her out of their home. The town’s safe shelter told her to come to us to find out about her rights. After she was finished talking to the lawyer, she felt so confident that things were going to get better because now she knew what rights she had and how to use them. “The civil law cases are generally disputes over a bank statement or someone seeking advice as to how to handle a matter with their neighbour,” he continues. “Criminal law is often a DUI (driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol) or public disturbance, cases where the RCMP has laid charges.”

10 I November 2012 I Salvationist

Although some people raise concerns that The Salvation Army is offering legal assistance to those charged with criminal offences, Meadows asserts that until an individual goes to court and is proven guilty, they are innocent. “We’ve got to give individuals a chance to come in, state their case and get advice,” he says. “The Salvation Army is not involved with any legal matters. Our lawyers do not go to court and represent people; they are there to give advice. That might include helping people fill out forms, telling someone to plead guilty to a charge or referring them to another lawyer to fight the accusation in court.” Lindsay Gates, volunteer lawyer and third-year associate at the Kanuka Thuringer Law Office in Swift Current, was a driving force behind the creation of the clinic and currently serves on the board of directors for Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan. “Recently, I saw a woman who was being denied seeing her grandchild after she had assisted raising him for the first five years of his life,” recalls Gates. “I helped her get together an application so she had some specified access with her grandson. She was incredibly grateful. “The legal clinic takes about three to four hours of my time a month and I really get to help people. Sometimes when you get into a practice, you can get stuck in the grind of things. It’s nice to step outside of that and see what you can do for the community and help make a difference.” Courtroom Ministry Since receiving a request to sit with a congregation member the first day he arrived at his previous appointment, Captain Ramsay has had a heart for courtroom ministry. “As the man’s trial continued, I would see people at the courts who I knew from our food bank or other social service ministries,” he recalls. “My involvement in courtroom ministry simply grew from there.” The courtroom ministry is now a valuable component of Swift Current Community Church’s correctional and justice services. Captain Ramsay and several volunteers from the corps regularly offer their support to victims, accused and witnesses attending court dates or lawyer meetings whenever a need is identified; most frequently, that is during a free legal clinic or food bank


appointment. “People are afraid of the court system because of what they see on TV,” says Sylvia Thorburn, volunteer. “There is fear and anxiety of the unknown, but we can give the client information ahead of time to let them know what might happen.” “We pray with people and point them toward the strength and comfort that comes from the Lord,” adds Captain Ramsay. “And we can give people confidence when talking to lawyers to admit if they don’t understand what they’ve been told.” Thorburn’s first experience in the courtroom not only encouraged her to continue in the ministry, but she has witnessed the long-lasting impact of her presence. “The women I was with were upset and afraid,” she recollects. “I prayed for them and it was comforting for them to have me there. When I see them around town today, I think they know that God was working in their lives. It’s incredible to see the peace they have.” Even when Captain Ramsay has not been specifically asked to attend court with someone, if he has a spare moment, he will occasionally sit in the courtroom, offering the ministry of presence and

often meeting an acquaintance in need of a friend. “I can’t think of too many days when I’ve gone to the courthouse and not seen somebody that I know from the food bank or another ministry,” he says. “The more that you are there, the more opportunities you will have to pray with somebody or offer a comforting hand in a time of stress and need.” It is through these actions that Captain Ramsay, Thorburn and other volunteers are able to see God at work in—and out of—the courtroom. “There was one fellow who I was going with to his court appearances and sitting with while he was meeting with his lawyer,” recalls Captain Ramsay. “Before, he wasn’t involved in a church or in a relationship with the Lord, but after having gone through the court process and serving his term, he is involved with a church and has given his life to Christ.” New Beginnings The most recent program to be added to Swift Current’s work in the correctional and justice field is a transition program that supports people as they leave prison. “I would see Christ transform people’s lives in prison,” recalls Captain Ramsay

of his experiences visiting the Stony Mountain Penitentiary in Winnipeg many years ago. “But often those same guys who were keeping out of trouble, once out of prison, would go back to the same social crowd and pressures that sent them to prison in the first place. As a result, they’d wind up back in the penitentiary. It breaks my heart to see that.” The corps is developing a formal transition program that will help prisoners upon release find a place to live, secure employment and integrate them into a more positive environment than the one that perhaps led them into the correctional facility. All of this is being done with the hope that recidivism is reduced. “One of the wonderful things about this program, the courtroom ministry, food bank or any crisis-level ministry, is that when any of us are at the crisis point in our lives, it is when we are most open to seeing what the Lord is doing. We realize we can’t do things in our own strength anymore,” concludes Captain Ramsay. “That’s when we’re most willing to say ‘OK, I can’t handle it’ and give it to the Lord. And once we do that, we see the miracles of God take place.”

Guests With Special Barbara & Steve Allen, Los Angeles, CA Ian Sadler, Organist Colin Fox, Dramatist and featuring The Festival Chorus with The Peterborough Singers, Syd Birrell, Director Canadian Staff Band, John Lam, Bandmaster

Saturday, December 8, 2012 - 7:30 pm Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St, Toronto Tickets $15 to $25 available through RTH Box Office 416-872-4255 Presented by Ontario Central East Division

CwTSA 2012.indd 3

8/1/2012 4:00:42 PM

Salvationist I November 2012 I 11


Freedom in the Spirit Students experience spiritual and musical renewal at National Music Camp

Photos: Kim Garreffa

BY KIM GARREFFA

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ne hundred and s event y-four students, aged 16 to 29, from the Canada and Bermuda Territory, the United States, France and Argentina, gathered in Jackson’s Point, Ont., for National Music Camp from August 25 to September 1.

Students from the timbrels elective in action

“A mission team from Richmond Hill Community Church, Ont., came to Argentina in March and I translated for them,” says Loreley Bono, 19, Buenos Aires, Argentina. “They encouraged me to come to National and I’ve enjoyed the week.”

Campers spend time each day rehearsing in their chosen stream of study 12 I November 2012 I Salvationist

Giving leadership was a 56-member faculty which included Olaf Ritman, bandmaster for the Amsterdam Staff Band; Captain Janice Ree s, cor p s of f icer i n Rockdale, Australia; and Nic hol a s a nd R ob e r t a Simmons-Smith, territorial music secretary and ter-

ritorial creative arts director for the U.S.A. Southern Territory. During the Sunday morning worship service, Colonel Floyd Tidd, chief secretary, challenged the students with thoughts from Ephesians. That evening the students enjoyed a concert by the Canadian Staff Band (CSB), during which Cameron Rawlins, staff bandsman and former camper at National, presented the euphonium solo, Harlequin. “The highlight of camp for me was when the CSB played on Sunday night,” says Ben Coles, 18, Kitchener Community Church, Ont., who attended National for the first time. “We had front row seats and it was awesome.” Mornings began with a Bible time led by Captain Janice Rees, who shared her story of drug addiction and subsequent freedom in Christ through one of the Army’s rehabilitation programs. Throughout the week, Captain Rees led campers to explore the Book of Galatians and the theme of freedom in the Spirit as it relates to the Christian walk. Following a corporate Bible lesson, campers divided into small groups to explore questions pertaining to the day’s teaching. “The Bible program was amazing,” says Jonathan Sturge, 16, St. John’s Citadel, N.L. “The biggest thing I took away is that while we don’t deserve God’s grace, it’s suf-

Small group Bible study is an important part of the camping experience


ficient for anything. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done or what you think. He loves us so much.” Each evening featured a musical program, beginning on Monday with presentations from faculty members, including Olaf Ritman who conducted the A Band in his arrangement of Copenhagen Temple. Tuesday’s talent night gave opportunity for students to present a variety of musical numbers, including Grace Barnhart’s East Coast fiddle jig, Toss the Feathers. It was standing-room only on Wedne sday as Salvationists and friends travelled to Jackson’s Point for the evening program. A highlight was A Band’s presentation of Paul LovattCooper’s Wall of Sound. On Thursday night, Major Kevin Metcalf, territorial secretary for music and gospel arts, and Major Keith Pike,

territorial youth secretary, led a time of devotion and recommitment. Featured throughout the service were musical presentations, student testimonies and an invitation to the mercy seat for rededication to Christ. Students responded by lighting candles to symbolize their renewed commitment. Friday night showcased the talent of campers as they presented items from their electives groups, including timbrels, hip-hop dance, mixed choruses and the chamber ensemble. More than 500 attended the final program held on Saturday evening at Toronto’s S c a rborough Citadel which featured the band pieces Canadian Folk Song Suite and Worthy is the Lamb. Students from the drama stream performed a choreodrama—a mime set to music—to the famous Queen piece Somebody to Love. The

Women’s Chorus presented a number of items, including Send Up Your Praise and In the Secret of Thy Presence. The A Chorus presented God Will Close the Door and Eric Whitacre’s Lux Aurumque. Commissioner Brian Peddle, ter r itor ial comm ander, shared a devotional message. National Music Camp traditionally offers spiritual and musical renewal and

friendships that extend far beyond camp. This year was no exception. “I’ve met people from across the country,” says Mitchell Caissie, 19, from Sussex Community Church, N.B. “And I’ve found a sense of peace. The Spirit of the Lord is here.” Kim Garreffa is the contemporary music consultant, THQ.

The Women’s Chorus shares a musical presentation

Save The Date Mark your calendar for the Hope in the City Breakfast in your area.

Date: Wednesday, November 14th, 2012 Time: 7:30 - 8:45 am Location: Barrie Country Club 635 St. Vincent Street North, Barrie

Keynote Speaker:

Rex Murphy Social Commentator and Editorialist

For information visit hopeinthecityontario.ca HITC Ontario Sal-Ad half page.indd 1

Date: Thursday, November 22nd, 2012 Time: 7:30 - 9:00 am Location: Ottawa Convention Centre 55 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa

Date: Friday, November 23rd, 2012 Time: 7:30 - 9:00 am Location: The Fairmont Royal York Hotel 100 Front Street West, Toronto 7/31/2012 11:50:22 AM

Salvationist I November 2012 I 13


Poverty in the Land of Plenty For those struggling to make it in the capital of Canada’s oil sands, The Salvation Army is there to help

Out of the Cold When Paul came to Fort McMurray in October 2011, his hopes were high. “I had the expectation that I would come up here and get the job with the big money, but it didn’t happen,” he says. Paul did various odd jobs while he looked for permanent employment, but he did not have enough money to rent an apartment. Facing homelessness and the harsh cold of a Fort McMurray winter, he came to The Salvation Army’s mat program. As Joan Nobles, program co-ordinator at the Community Services Centre, explains, Paul’s situation is a common 14 I November 2012 I Salvationist

Photos: Jacquie McFarlane

I

t’s the heart of the Canadian oil boom, one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada and—with an average annual household income of almost $180,000—also one of the wealthiest. For many, Fort McMurray, Alta., is synonymous with opportunity, and every year thousands of new residents arrive with the hope of improving their lives. But success doesn’t always come easy. As the population of Fort McMurray grows, so do the needs of the community. “We live in a city where there is so much wealth, and you hear all this talk about the ‘land of plenty,’ but there are a lot of people here who are struggling,” says Dianne Rice, family services co-ordinator at The Salvation Army Community Services Centre in Fort McMurray. Located in the downtown core, the centre hosts a variety of services including a 32-bed men’s emergency shelter, 30-bed winter mat program, soup kitchen and thrift store, as well as family services, the START program for people with disabilities, and Housing First, a new service that helps homeless persons find accommodation. “We have our door open to the whosoever,” says Rice. “Whoever has a genuine need, they can come here and get help.”

BY KRISTIN FRYER, STAFF WRITER

Agnes Payne organizes clothing at the thrift store

one. “Many people who come to Fort McMurray are not prepared,” she says. “They’re not aware of the high cost of living here and it’s a real shock. Even if you come with money, it doesn’t take long for it to go.” Both the men’s emergency shelter and the winter mat program, which serves chronically homeless men and women, are consistently full. The emergency shelter serves adult men who are looking for work or already working but not yet able to find housing. They also serve supper daily to 60-80 people and lunch at the soup kitchen on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For his first few months in Fort McMurray, Paul stayed on and off at the mat program. When he came to The Salvation Army, he was struggling

with an alcohol addiction, which had been with him for much of his life. After months of trying to get sober on his own, Paul decided to go to a detox centre in Fort McMurray. When he left the centre two weeks later, there was a bed at the men’s emergency shelter waiting for him. Paul says his stay at The Salvation Army was instrumental in helping him overcome his addiction. “I knew that I’d be in a clean environment,” he says. Today, Paul has been clean and sober for more than nine months. “I woke up this morning and I remember what I did last night,” he says. “I’m never going back to where I was before.” Housing the Homeless When Rice opens the door to The


Salvation Army’s family services at 10 a.m. on weekdays, there is already a queue waiting. In the past 18 months, they have seen a dramatic increase in the number of people requiring assistance. In July 2011, they assisted 184 people; this past July, they assisted 356. To some extent, this increase is a reflection of the growing population of Fort McMurray. In the past 10 years, the community has nearly doubled in size and currently sits at nearly 80,000 people. Approximately 80 percent of the people assisted by family services have recently moved to town, and many are new to Canada. With more than 170 nationalities represented, Fort McMurray is a diverse, multicultural community. For those coming to family services, accommodation is the greatest problem. Given the high demand for housing, a one-bedroom apartment may easily go for $1,800 a month, while $2,500 is normal for a two-bedroom. Taking into account a family’s financial circumstances, The Salvation Army can provide assistance with rent or a security deposit. “We will do whatever we can to help each family be successful,” says Rice. After accommodation, finding employment is the chief concern. “There is a lot of work in Fort McMurray, but if people do not have any experience or the right qualifications, it is harder to get in,” Rice explains. “For example, in order to work on the oil fields, you need to have taken certain safety courses. We help individuals get these courses so they can put them on their resumé and find employment.” While Paul applied for many jobs, he eventually found employment through a friend he met at the shelter. He now works at the Albian Sands site approximately 75 kilometres north of Fort McMurray, where he drives a large truck. Since June, he has been living in his own apartment with Dave, who was also staying at the men’s emergency shelter. This new living situation was made possible by the Army’s Housing First program. “Housing First has two goals: to secure stable housing for people who are chronically homeless and to help them find an ongoing source of income,” explains Nobles. “If they have any barriers or addictions, then we work with them on those things, too.”

Louise Lyons and Hilina Haile prepare lunch at the soup kitchen

Two members of the START program participate in a cooking class

Paul and Dave already feel settled in their new place, a clean and quiet two-bedroom apartment that’s only a block from where they get picked up to go to work. “Housing First helped us with rent and the security deposit, and they gave us a furniture allowance, just to get us going,” he says. “We’re both very happy now,” he adds. “I thank God that we were there at the right time.” Giving Hope Though social problems in Fort McMurray are ongoing, Rice emphasizes that the community has been very supportive of The Salvation Army. The Army’s thrift store is thriving, thanks to a large volume of donations. “This is the only thrift store in town so everything comes here,” says Rice. “The store is very busy. People from all walks of life come here to shop.”

“The community has been so good to us,” adds Nobles. “They are very generous.” With this support, The Salvation Army has been able to make a significant impact on the community. While this help often comes in the form of housing or financial assistance, there are many who come to the centre and simply need a listening ear. “We are confronted daily with a lot of needs and they are all different,” says Nobles. “But we deal with the individual; we don’t have a pat answer.” “The people who come in here become part of your life,” says Rice. “I’ve been here for more than eight years and I have people that I meet with time after time. Recently, one of them asked me, ‘Dianne, why do you even bother with us?’ And I told her that it’s because we care. It makes a difference for a lot of these people, just to know that somebody cares.” Salvationist I November 2012 I 15


Disciples of the Cross Lift the Banner High Canada and Bermuda Territory salutes 16 new cadets in Winnipeg welcome meeting

Photos: Carson Samson

BY MAJOR MARGARET McLEOD

Cdt Devin Reid carries the sessional flag for the Disciples of the Cross 16 I November 2012 I Salvationist


H

undreds of Salvationists, family and friends gathered September 16 at Winnipeg’s Southlands Community Church for an afternoon public welcome and worship service for the Disciples of the Cross Session of cadets. “The Disciples of the Cross have been called by God to fulfil is call on their lives,” said Major Jamie Braund, training principal at Winnipeg’s College for Officer Training (CFOT), as he presented the cadets to Commissioner Brian Peddle, territorial commander. “There are 15 residential cadets and one fieldbased tailor-trained cadet who will be trained over the next 22 months to be officers within The Salvation Army.” Welcome events commenced that morning with a worship service as cadets, families, and divisional and territorial leaders gathered at the college. The theme throughout the morning was a declaring of God’s call on the lives of his disciples. A CFOT worship team launched hearts and minds into the presence of the Holy Spirit in unison, singing, To God Be the Glory and You Are My All In All. Cadet Aejin Jeong, a member of the Disciples of the Cross Session, gave her testimony proclaiming God’s call on her life. “Entering the College for Officer Training, I am continuing on his journey for my life,” she said. Session-mate Cadet Daniel Rowe presented a vocal solo, I Will Follow You. Commissioner Rosalie Peddle, territorial president of women’s ministries,

Cdts Aejin Jeong and Dae-Gun Danny Kim march to the platform during the public welcome meeting

shared from Acts and Ephesians on God’s clarion call for authentic disciples, explaining that authentic disciples are obedient disciples participating in the mission of Jesus Christ. At the beginning of the public welcome and worship service, flags of Canada, Bermuda and the CFOT were carried into the auditorium as Winnipeg’s Heritage Park Temple Band played a rousing march. Excitement mounted as Commissioners Brian and Rosalie Peddle, Colonels Floyd and Tracey Tidd, chief secretary and territorial secretary for women’s ministries, Major Jamie Braund and Major Ann Braund, CFOT’s director of spiritual formation, entered the sanctuary to greet the cadets as they commenced their training. Cadet Devin Reid, flag bearer for the Disciples of the Cross Session, together with his wife, Cadet Laurie Reid, led their session-mates to the platform. Major Jamie Braund extended words of welcome to those in attendance and Lt-Colonel Sandra Rice, secretary for personnel, offered a prayer of thanksgiving for the people who had influenced the cadets. A CFOT worship team continued to lead in worship as the words of Sing to the King and Once Again were lifted up to the throne of God. Dedicating the sessional flag of the Disciples of the Cross, Commissioner Brian Peddle encouraged the cadets in their calling, indicating they are unified and identified under the sessional flag— unified as Disciples of the Cross and identified through the fire of the Holy Spirit, the blood of Jesus Christ and the purity of life. A prayer of dedication for

the Disciples of the Cross and their sessional flag was offered by Commissioner Rosalie Peddle. Commissioner Brian Peddle challenged those in attendance, reminding them that we are all disciples of the cross. “As disciples of the cross, we are to be faithful followers of Christ, obedient to his call on our lives. It is a title each of us bears and together we are engaged in God’s universal mission.” Major Wayne Bungay, divisional commander, Prairie Division, pronounced the benediction, giving praise to God for his call on each of the lives of the cadets. Major Margaret McLeod is the director of academic studies at the College for Officer Training in Winnipeg.

Commissioners Brian and Rosalie Peddle receive the Army salute from Cdts Bhreagh and Daniel Rowe

Disciples of the Cross commenced their 22-month training period in September Salvationist I November 2012 I 17


MISSION MATTERS

Why Officership?

We need to develop a culture of growth in Army leadership, says the territorial commander Commissioner Brian Peddle, territorial commander, speaks with John McAlister, features editor, about the importance of officers, the challenges of recruitment and retention and why he remains hopeful for the future. Why do we still need Salvation Army officers? The Salvation Army is first and foremost a spiritual movement. We need ordained individuals who are available to be appointed to ministry units across the territory. If we can’t access a reasonable number of officers through our appointment system, then we will have all kinds of inequities as to how we serve our communities and lead the Army. When people offer themselves for ordination and become covenanted individuals, and in turn make themselves available for appointments, they become a great gift to the Army in the territory as kingdom workers. We also carry a responsibility to support the international Salvation Army by making officers available for overseas service. How do we ensure that we have enough officers for the future? We need to pray and ask God to give us more. One of the evidences of God’s blessing on the Army in this territory is that we continue to welcome cadets to our College for Officer Training. This year, 16 cadets have started training as part of the Disciples of the Cross Session (see pages 16-17). These are excellent people whom God has called to ministry. In each of their stories there is a divine dimension that they have responded to with obedient faith. The question I sometimes ask is, Why not a few more to meet our needs? In that context, we need to continue unpacking this divine partnership we have with God. We need to take our understanding of God’s prerogative to specifically lay his hand on individuals in calling them to officership and balance that with 18 I November 2012 I Salvationist

our responsibility to keep the leadership needs of the Army in front of our people. We need to recruit and directly ask people to consider serving God through the Army as a Salvation Army officer. We need every Salvationist to offer themselves as recruiters. Strategies will be helpful but engaging in a holy conversation is also appropriate and necessary. What characteristics do you think an ideal candidate for officership should have? Let me start by noting the need for obedient faith in God which leads to listening to his voice and following through with what he commands. You need to

be delivered from being judgmental so that you can love people without condition. You need humility and the ability to express yourself well. These are some characteristics but beyond these come a set of competencies that we try to unpack in each officer’s journey. How are they doing with their personal relationship with Christ? How do they manage their servant role with people? How are they developing spiritually with disciplines? How do they relate to being a minister of the gospel? How are they progressing at being a leader of God’s people? Do they invest in others? In the lifelong journey of an officer, it is important that the Army nurtures and develops these competencies.


MISSION MATTERS Why do you think it’s so hard to recruit officer candidates? I’m not sure that it is harder than in the past. I think that many things, such as demographics, have changed significantly. In many families, there were several children, so it wasn’t unusual for one or more in a family to offer themselves to officership. I don’t think there are as many young people coming into families, or into the Army, who are available for future leadership. When people are deciding what to do with their lives or going through a life transition and trying to figure out the next chapter, we need to encourage them to be open to the reality that God loves them and has a plan for their lives. We need to be willing to talk about this openly in the Army and in our congregations. This doesn’t have to be a conversation left for a specific weekend when we bring people together to talk about vocation. We need to refresh our initiatives as far as our willingness to have the hard conversations about how God is unfolding his plan for all of us. There is a huge need for new officers. At present, we have 830 officers as a resource. If all of the trends continue—taking our retirements and other losses and put them alongside those new recruits who are entering training college—in another decade we will only have 630 officers. Unless things change dramatically, then the availability of officers in the territory will be limited. This should be a concern, not just for territorial leadership, but for all Salvationists. I ask for all Salvationists to do their part and pray earnestly for this critical issue of candidate recruitment. We all need to play a role as recruiters. While some officers are retiring, others have quit or been terminated. Why are we losing officers? The retirement numbers are an important part of honouring those who have served. We can project those down to the day. We’re trying to foster a culture in which officers who are well in body and spirit can extend their years of service. I want to honour those who engage in ministry post-retirement and stress our renewed efforts to make this continuation of covenanted service worth pursuing. Officers are called and covenanted to serve God through The Salvation Army. In some ways, we’ve set them apart. It should be noted, however, that they

face the same challenges and stresses as everyone else living in the world today. So, there are outcomes when difficulties arise with family or marriage or when there are serious issues in regard to ministry. I wish I could point to a specific cause or pattern that leads to officers quitting or being terminated so that we could respond to it, but the situations of each individual or couple are unique so it’s difficult to establish a response mechanism that could turn this around. That’s why the Bible calls us to pray for those in spiritual authority over us. I call upon Salvationists to pray for the protection and well-being of their officers and to support them where possible. The Army has a huge responsibility to nurture our officers and ensure that their spiritual lives are strong.

There is a huge need for new officers. This should be a concern for all Salvationists With our leadership needs, what are some strategies that we should be looking at? First of all, our leadership needs exist at every level of the Army and require almost every capacity that you can imagine. In just a second appointment, an officer can receive a significant responsibility with a congregation that is modest but yet a program with 20-25 employees and perhaps a budget of $2 million. Our leadership needs will continue to challenge us and we will have to keep responding to build the capacity of the people we already have— and add to their numbers. I look to our leadership development team for the creation of personal development plans for our officers and employees. This isn’t simply an officers’ Army, but a partnership shared between our officers, employees and volunteers. I commend Booth University College for developing programs that are helping us with our capacity issue, such as their chaplaincy and management programs. At present, we’re exploring a program designed to enhance the corps officer role. I would like to see Booth become our corporate learning centre, so that as we face emerging leadership needs and

capacity issues, then Booth—with its resources and the Army’s commitment to it—becomes one of the means by which we respond as a territory. We need to find ways to enable more Salvationists to serve as auxiliary-captains or in another service category and bring their life experiences to the Army. We also need to recognize the value of our 10,000 employees and find opportunities to maximize our investment in them. As the numbers of officers decrease, does this open up new opportunities for lay leadership? If so, how is the Army moving to empower its lay leaders? Those strategies are being considered. I don’t think we have enough in place to counterbalance the reality of our leadership needs. These are priorities for the territory. We need to be more open to providing ministry opportunities for people. When we look at our employee component, we are trying to develop and invest in them. I do have some concern for what we call our local officers. I think there’s significant responsibility for the Army to continue to ask, appoint and train local officers who are able to support existing officer models and also step into the gap in situations when an officer is not available. I am personally grateful for our local officers who take on various leadership roles in the territory, particularly at the corps level. A great deal of work needs to go into the strategies to support them and in turn help the Army to respond to any diminishment of officer numbers. Are you hopeful for the future? I’m more than hopeful. I don’t have any sense at all that God has taken his hand off the Army in this territory. There is too much visible evidence of his blessing upon us. As I travel the territory, it creates hope within me and I am inspired to believe for greater things. As the territorial commander, I can’t just manage what we have. I have a responsibility as a leader to create a culture of growth that challenges the status quo and says that we can be greater than what we are because God needs us to be greater. We need to grasp the opportunities that come to us both as a social service agency and a credible denomination. We need to be a clear voice in culture and society. Salvationist I November 2012 I 19


POINT COUNTERPOINT

The Leadership Gap

The Army needs leaders, but we’re struggling to develop enough of them. Is the cost of commitment too high?

Yes, leadership in the Army’s culture and structure comes at a price many are not willing to pay. THERE ARE VERY few people who would argue that the work we do as an Army is not worth doing. So, if the Army’s mission still resonates with people, then there must be something else that is holding people back from joining our ranks. From where I sit, I can see that there is a tension between western culture and the Army’s culture and structure. This has amplified over the years as societal norms have changed and the Army’s structure has remained essentially the same. Tension between society and the church is nothing new—the church has been counter cultural since day one—but our denominational structure is certainly becoming more distinct. The question at hand is not whether our structure is right or wrong, but whether it is impacting the recruitment and development of leaders. Over the last 30 years, the local church has become a consumer product. As church attendance began to decline, churches started advertising and marketing campaigns, promoting programs, creating seeker-friendly services and building churches that are ergonomically designed. In an attempt to draw people back into the church, we pushed the church into the consumer market. It changed the mindset of the person in the pew from “How can I contribute to the work of the church?” to “What does this church have that I want?” This paradigm shift has greatly impacted how the church functions. I can’t count the number of times a new person or family has come into one of our corps and said, “We are looking for a church home. Can you tell me what programs you offer?” If the answer is not what they are looking for, we won’t see them again. Contrast this with our corps structure that is designed around the idea that attendees become soldiers and soldiers become leaders. Corps sergeant-major, young people’s sergeantmajor, songster leader, bandmaster, corps treasurer, corps secretary … the list goes on. It’s not that these positions aren’t relevant; I believe they serve a necessary and fundamental purpose in the life of the corps. But the expectations put upon these leaders (either implied or explicit) tend to add a great deal of additional duties into which most don’t want to be drawn. My experience has been that people will do things that they are passionate about and find worthwhile, but they don’t want the extra “stuff” that comes with the position. I also think that in many places there is still the fear that once a person fills a position they may be stuck in it for a very long 20 I November 2012 I Salvationist

Photo: © iStockphoto.com/DNY59

BY CAPTAIN ROB KERR

time. This structure and the written and unwritten expectations surrounding these positions require a commitment of time and energy that few can or are willing to give. Let’s not forget that our corps structure comes from a different age. Dual income households are now the norm with both adults commuting longer distances to work. This means dinner happens later and household chores happen in the evenings or, more likely, on weekends. Children are involved in all sorts of extra activities that are outside the church. Single-parent families don’t have the option to leave the kids with the spouse while he or she runs down to the corps. With this chaotic life, family time is rare. I wrestle with the fact that corps leadership consumes what precious time people have to give. Is it right to take people away from their family in order to fill a role in the corps? Shouldn’t the local corps be encouraging family values and supporting the family unit rather than putting added stress on it? Corps that can afford it hire employees to fill some of the leadership responsibilities. There are many who want to be involved in ministry but need to earn income. They can’t work full time and take on a leadership role in the corps as well. I think this is a valid and realistic response to the current situation, but it certainly isn’t a financially viable option for many corps.


POINT COUNTERPOINT One would think that if our mission is relevant (and it is) and people believe in our work (and they do), then there should be more people signing up for full-time ministry. There are many people who are passionate about the Army and would like to be involved in it full time. In fact, many are, but as employees, not officers. I think that our appointment system and unique compensation package play a significant role in this. If officers were paid market value for the positions they held and the level of responsibility they assumed, we might see more candidates for officership. If officers could apply to positions when they wanted to and where they wanted to, there would likely be more signing up. I know there are people in our congregations across the territory who are called to officership and have resisted this call because they have counted the cost too high. Is our structure hindering people from stepping up into leadership at the corps level? Yes. We need to find ways to run our corps without expecting so much from those who are willing to give to leadership. As far as recruiting officers, our structure is also hindering people from stepping up. Should we change? Can we change? Can we be who we are if we change our structure? These are the questions we need to explore more fully to determine the cost of change versus the cost of staying the same. One thing I do know is that society is not going to adapt to our structure. Captain Rob Kerr is the corps officer at Toronto’s Scarborough Citadel.

No, our leadership structure remains an effective method of recruitment. The problem is that too many people have rejected it in an attempt to resemble other churches. BY MAJOR STEPHEN COURT IT’S NOT TRENDY. And for some, the Army system, with its unique vocabulary and peculiar traditions, might even be regarded as defunct. Corps sergeant-majors? Recruiting sergeants? Quarter masters? I mean, come on! But our discipleship and leader training system, from junior soldiers through corps cadets, into senior soldier training and local officership and corps council, complete with orders and regulations and followed by options in candidateship and officer training, still works well today. Part of the problem is that we’ve forgotten what we are. As Major Harold Hill explains: “The Army’s own history, the history and doctrine of the church, the pattern of sociology, the Word of Scripture, all testify against any great need to be ‘a church.’ Our own history provides us with a clear precedent for retaining our identity without resorting to denominationalism; the history and doctrine of the church provide an ecclesiological and theo-

logical base, the sociology of religious movements provides a rationale, and Scripture provides a mandate.” We are not a social agency only. We are not a church. We are not a denomination. We are an order. And we have orders and regulations, not suggestions and recommendations. “Obedience to properly constituted authority is the foundation of all moral excellence,” wrote Catherine Booth. That is fine in regard to ethics. But Florence Booth takes it further when she testifies: “Looking back over 44 years of officership, it seems to me impossible to speak too highly of the value and importance of Salvation Army discipline…. I realized very clearly that if all leaders had a truer idea, a stricter ideal, of obedience to rules and regulations, a much greater advance would be made throughout the Army world.” This isn’t popular today. But the issue is not that obedience to orders and regulations has been tried and found wanting but rather perceived as irrelevant and obsolete (and maybe a little too hard) and so not even tried. Our desperation for success has sometimes led us far astray from Salvationism. You can possibly identify corps in your division that are more or less imitating the Baptists, Pentecostals, Anglicans and others (including poor substitutions of church for corps, service for meeting, pastor for officer, offering for collection, member for soldier, etc.). The problem is that most of these methods and terms don’t work very well when clothed in Salvationism. We are not free to make things up on the fly. We’re part of an Army. We’re actually obligated to apply the Army system. If you aren’t applying it, you are compromising The Salvation Army and limiting the pace of advance of the salvation war. Applying other methods and programs and non-Army doctrines and theology in attempts to mimic their success while we play the role of pastor and church, is doomed to failure. Strategically, it is mistaken. The significant majority of Canadians have voted with their feet that church is irrelevant. Why would we pretend to be a church? Biblically, it is near-sighted. There are all kinds of biblical metaphors for the people of God—body, temple, vineyard, building, flock, etc. But the Army of God is not a metaphor—it is not compared to something it is not. We are engaged in actual spiritual warfare. Biblically, we are on solid ground. So, to present ourselves as a church is neither accurate nor effective. What goes for church goes for its leaders. In the NIV translation of the Bible, pastor turns up once in Ephesians 4:11, though the Greek word poimen appears 18 times in the New Testament, 17 times being translated as shepherd. Pastor is a biblically rare synonym for the much more popular shepherd, so it makes much more strategic and biblical sense to use shepherd instead of the term pastor, packed as it is with negative connotations today. Oh wait, except that shepherd relates to flock—a metaphor—in contrast with Army, in a very real spiritual war against the forces of evil. So, let’s agree that the term pastor is another term we should avoid. Let’s stop pretending. Let’s embrace The Salvation Army. Let’s embrace Salvationism, its leadership system and structure. Major Stephen Court is the corps officer at Crossroads in Edmonton. Salvationist I November 2012 I 21


CROSS CULTURE

IN THE NEWS

IN REVIEW

Pilate Project

Believe the Unbelievable

Warner Bros. picks up Pontius Pilate biopic Putting a new spin on an old story is a common move in Hollywood. This time, the story is that of Pontius Pilate, the Roman ruler who is best known for sentencing Jesus to death. Warner Bros. recently announced that it is working on an epic film based on Pilate’s life, beginning with his childhood and his early years as a soldier to his eventual rise to power as the governor of Judea. Set up as a political drama, the story culminates with the trial of Jesus. This film, penned by Vera Blasi, joins a list of projects based on biblical narratives

in production, including Noah, directed by Darren Aronofsky, and a film based on the story of Cain and Abel, produced by Will Smith.

“What is truth?” Christ and Pilate by Nikolai Ge

State vs. Church

New Quebec premier promises “secular charter”

Photo: Bouchecl, Wikimedia

While campaigning this past summer, newly elected Quebec Premier Pauline Marois promised to introduce a Charter of Secularism. Now in power, the Parti Québécois, though only a minority government, may be able to put this plan into action. The new charter would ban all civil servants from wearing overt religious symbols, such as hijabs, kippahs and turbans, in public. However, the crucifix that

is in Quebec’s National Assembly would remain in place because it is a part of the province’s heritage. The charter would also allow the wearing of a small crucifix. According to Marois, the charter would have two purposes: first, to enshrine the principle of the neutrality of the state; and second, to recognize the role Catholicism has played in Quebec’s history. Marois’ proposal sparked outcry from members of various religions, who argue that such a charter wou l d p u sh believers out of the public sphere. Pauline Marois campaigns in Québec City

22 I November 2012 I Salvationist

Life of Pi explores faith in God in an imaginative adventure tale On the surface, the story of Life of Pi is preposterous (in theatres November 21). A young Indian boy named Piscine Molitor Patel, or “Pi” for short, is shipwrecked while travelling to Canada. Though he loses his family, he manages to stay afloat on a life boat for 227 days, his only companion a Bengal tiger. Yet Life of Pi is not afraid to ask viewers to believe the unbelievable. Based on Yann Martel’s Booker prize-winning novel of the same name, the film begins with Pi as a young boy living in Pondicherry where his family owns a zoo. From there, it details Pi’s long journey at sea, his relationship with the tiger and his eventual landing in Mexico. Pi’s tale of survival is considered by many to be a religious allegory, paralleling the power of storytelling with faith in God. It gives viewers an opportunity to reflect on their own beliefs and even change the way they view the world.

ON THE WEB

Tweeting the Word

@biblesummary recaps the Bible, one tweet at a time Have you ever read the entire Bible? (Even Leviticus and all the “begats”?) If you haven’t had a chance to do so yet—or if you want to read it all again—Twitter can help. Chris Juby, a worship leader from Durham, United Kingdom, is summarizing the Bible, one tweet per chapter, one chapter per day, for a total of 1,189 tweets. Sample tweet: “Gen1: God created the heavens, the earth and everything that lives. He made humankind in his image, and gave them charge over the earth.” Juby started the three-and-a-half year project on August 8, 2010, and he expects to finish on November 8, 2013. As of this month, Juby is summarizing the Book of Ezekiel. Since the proje ct b e ga n, h i s Twitter account, Bible Summary, has gained 25,500 followers. Follow the project and get the daily tweet @biblesummary.


Status Anxiety

When God is at the centre of our passions, we can use our talents and abilities for the glory of his kingdom

Photo: © iStockphoto.com/danleap

BY JOHN McALISTER, FEATURES EDITOR

W

hat do you do?” When meeting someone for the first time, this is one of the first questions we usually ask. There’s a sense that once we discover what people do for a living, we will have a better idea of who they are and their value to the world. Living in a status-driven society, we also quickly determine our station in relation to others. Are we more or less important? Are these people worthy of my respect and admiration? Some of us may take this a step further and wonder—and perhaps worry—what others think of us. Do they acknowledge my importance? Do they recognize my skills or abilities? It’s a sad reality that many people treat others according to how they perceive their level of status. As such, we have a vested interest in achieving excellence and power as this generally results in people treating us better. When our happiness depends on how people perceive us (and possessing what they have), we become afflicted with what Alain de Botton refers to as “status anxiety.” In his book Status Anxiety, de Botton outlines five major causes that lead to this social disease (loveless-

ness, expectation, meritocracy, snobbery, dependence) and then offers five solutions, one of which is Christianity. De Botton argues that the constant struggle to stand out in the crowd and be different usually only leads to bitterness, shame and depression. Christianity, on the other hand, has the opportunity to build community. “Being like everyone else is not, to follow Christian thought, any sort of calamity,” he writes, “for it was one of Jesus’ central claims that all human beings, including the slow-witted, the untalented and the obscure, are creatures of God and loved by him—and are hence deserving of the honour owed to every example of the Lord’s work.” As Christians, we’re called to look beyond our differences and discover what binds us together. Every person has vulnerabilities and a desire for love, but it’s often difficult for us to view others in this way. Jesus knew this. When the disciples asked him, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” he responded by calling over a small child. “Truly I tell you,” said Jesus, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes a humble

place—becoming like this child—is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3-4). While it’s easy to dismiss or judge a stranger, it’s much harder to do so with a child. When we seek to treat others with the same kindness we’d show to the young, we come closer to realizing God’s kingdom on earth. “So it is that belonging is the place where we grow to maturity and discover what it means to be human and to act in a human way,” writes Jean Vanier in Becoming Human. “It is the place we need in order to live and to act in society in justice, in truth, without seeking power, privileges and honours for our own self-glory. It is the place where we learn to be humble but also audacious and to take initiatives in working with others.” The practice of Christian fellowship has the potential to tear down society’s value system. When our focus is on loving God and our neighbour, it matters little to us whether the person sitting next to us is a panhandler or a doctor. Nor are we worried about what he or she thinks of our career choice or fashion sense. At our best, The Salvation Army has done this well. Historically we have long cared for “others” and sought the “whosoever.” Even our early manner of dress encouraged a sense of unity, as inexpensive uniforms allowed rich and poor to look the same. And in an effort to seek justice for the oppressed, we have enacted numerous societal reforms around the world. At our worst, we can too easily fall into the traps of seeking power (abuse of rank and appointments), segregating clergy and laity, lauding our most successful members and self-promoting our organization too zealously. In his opening thesis, de Botton suggests that “the hunger for status, like all appetites, can have its uses: spurring us to do justice to our talents, encouraging excellence, restraining us from harmful eccentricities and cementing members of a society around a common value system. But, like all appetites, its excesses can also kill.” As Salvationists, let us not hunger for status, but rather yearn for God’s goodness to permeate every aspect of our society. When God is at the centre of our passions, we will be united and seek to use our talents and abilities for the glory of his kingdom. Salvationist I November 2012 I 23


rally 0814v2.pdf 1 10/2/2012 10:24:06 AM

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November 30, 2012 Yonge-Dundas Square

Join us for an evening of family fun and inspiration as we gather together to launch The Salvation Army Christmas Campaign in Toronto. This event is FREE and features Toronto’s largest bell standing over three stories tall! Free jingle bells, song sheets, hot chocolate, coffee and other treats while quantities last.

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CELEBRATE COMMUNITY

ENROLMENTS AND RECOGNITION

DARTMOUTH, N.S.—Dartmouth CC celebrates the enrolment of Anne MacQuarrie as a senior soldier. With her are Mjr Marilyn and Cpt Sean Furey, then COs; Bob Russell, holding the flag. DARTMOUTH, N.S.—Ken Sanders is the newly commissioned community care ministries secretary at Dartmouth CC. From left, Mjrs Clarence and Karen Ingram, then serving at Maritime DHQ; Bob Russell, holding the flag; Ken Sanders; Mjr Marilyn and Cpt Sean Furey, then COs.

REGINA—To help support their sponsored child and divisional projects, the home league at Haven of Hope Ministries held a cookie-jar fundraiser that resulted in more than $100 being collected.

CALGARY—Glenmore Temple is thrilled to celebrate five new junior soldiers. From left, Mjrs Eddie and Genevera Vincent, then COs; Noah Haskey; Jacob Presley; Lauryn Kranenburg; Annalise Kranenburg; Brittania Taylor; Cpt Pam Goodyear, DSPRD, Alta. and Northern Ttys, who conducted the preparation classes; Cecil Dean, colour sergeant. DEER LAKE, N.L.—Four junior soldiers are enrolled at Deer Lake Corps. From left, Mjr Stephen Hibbs, then AC, N.L. Div; Mjr Elaine Hibbs, then social services director, Corner Brook, N.L. Div; JSS Michelle Spears; Faith Hibbs; Cody Bartlett; Aaron Lush; Kaitlyn Breon; Mjrs Betty Ann and Wayne Pike, COs.

SARNIA, ONT.—Paige Price received a $4,000 scholarship for volunteerism in her community, an amount that was matched for her to give to her chosen charity. Price selected the Army’s community and family services to receive the money and is shown presenting a cheque to Sue Platt, community and family services co-ordinator, and Mjr Drucella Pollard, CO.

LONDON, ONT.—On Rally Day Sunday, Westminster Park celebrates the enrolment of three soldiers: Corey Hinze, Katie Awalt and Paul Bramley. Supporting them are Janice Robinson, holding the flag; Lts Tracy and Jon Savage, COs. Following worship, the congregation continued to celebrate with ice cream.

Be involved in the Army’s present Be part of the Army’s future For the latest news online, visit us at

Salvationist.ca

CORNER BROOK, N.L.—Amy Simmons, Janine Hancock, Leah Forward and Hannah Flight are Corner Brook Temple’s most recent senior soldiers. Supporting them are Dion Durdle, associate pastor; Mjr Calvin Fudge, CO; YPSM Jason Reid. Salvationist I November 2012 I 25


CELEBRATE COMMUNITY

Looking Back and Reaching Forward BUCHANS, N.L— Mjrs Doug and Jean Hefford, DC and DDWM, Maritime Div, led the anniversary celebrations of the corps in Buchans during the town’s come-home year festivities. Jessica Butt, Corner Brook Temple, N.L., was the musical guest. Saturday’s events included a hot dog and hamburger sale, a special dinner for 250 people and a well-attended gospel concert. Sunday’s band reunion was led by Bandmaster Ernest Simmons, and Weldon Pollett and Albert Woodland, former band leaders.

VANCOUVER—The Salvation Army’s War College in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside celebrates the graduation of its ninth session of students, the Dragon Slayers: Morten Andersen, Denmark; Melina and Nicholas Abraham, Alberta; Heiner Helm, Germany; Kristin Ljungholm, Sweden; Jared Braund, Maria Bulk and Chelsea Taschuk, British Columbia. With them (front, centre) are Carla and Jonathan Evans, ministry directors. Audrey Simmons cuts the anniversary cake. With her are Norm and Crystal Porter, then corps leaders; Mjrs Jean and Doug Hefford

A Bottle of Water in Christ’s Name

MISSISSAUGA, ONT.—Three new soldiers and two adherents swell the ranks at Erin Mills CC. From left, Cpt Judi Wickens, CO; John Aguilar; Elizabeth Wickens; Bidemi Adeosun; Ian Robinson; Steven Mann; Cpt Ron Wickens, CO.

CARBONEAR, N.L.—During the opening and closing ceremonies of the Newfoundland and Labrador Summer Games in August, the Army distributed tea, coffee and 850 bottles of water. Approximately 1,300 athletes and coaches attended the games. “At Saturday’s closing event in Harbour Grace, even the stage dignitaries sent us a message for water during the program,” says Wesley Rowe, who served as a volunteer.

St. John’s Rotary Club Supports Wiseman Centre ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—The Naturals Group of the Rotary Club of St. John’s presents $3,000 to help purchase furnishings for the newly developed women’s shelter portion of the Wiseman Centre. Until recently, the shelter was a men’s only facility, but with recent renovations it can accommodate four single homeless women, aged 30 and older. From left, Carla Foote; Ted Rowe; Mjr Wade Budgell, DSPRD, N.L. Div; Mjr Lloyd George, executive director; David Vardy; Bruce Templeman; Phil Wall. Volunteers Roger and Peggy Conway, Eileen and Woodrow Snow, and Elsie and Wesley Rowe served hundreds of bottles of water at the Newfoundland and Labrador Summer Games

26 I November 2012 I Salvationist


CELEBRATE COMMUNITY

GAZETTE

TERRITORIAL Appointments Lt Graciela Arkell, community ministries officer, Cornerstone CC, Mississauga, Ont. CE Div*; Mjr Michael Hoeft, area emergency disaster services director, Prairie West, Prairie Div**; Mjr Patsy Rowe, assistant to the executive director, Regina Grace Haven and Gemma House, Prairie Div *Change in designation; **additional responsibility Retirements Mjrs Harold/Christine Aitkenhead, out of Paris, Ont. Last appointments: executive director, Jackson-Willan Seniors’ Residence and Agape Hospice, and director and chaplain, Jackson-Willan Seniors’ Residence, Calgary, Alta. and Northern Ttys Div Promoted to Glory Mjr Amelia Hobbs, from St. John’s, N.L., Aug 19; Mjr Gordon Grice, from Winnipeg, Sept 4; Mrs General Jean Brown, from Toronto, Sept 20

OWEN SOUND, ONT.—Carol Miriam Barby was born in Moose Jaw, Sask., in 1935 to officer parents, Brigadier and Mrs. Norman Buckley. Commissioned in 1958 in the Courageous Session, Carol’s appointments included Montreal Park Extension and Lunenburg, N.S. After marrying Kenneth Barby, they worshiped at then Hamilton Temple (Meadowlands) where she served as a songster and corps cadet counsellor. Following retirement, Carol managed the Army’s Port Elgin, Ont., food bank and thrift store for several years. At the corps in Owen Sound, she continued ministry as a songster, corps cadet counsellor and contributed to other ministries in the corps. A faithful soldier, Carol’s smile, encouragement and caring ministry are missed. Left with precious memories are Kenneth, husband of 41 years; children Benjamin (Beth), Peter (Cindy), Marion (Gary), James (Mary Kay), Leonard (Denise); 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother, David (Irene); sister, Ruth (Kenneth).

CALENDAR

REGINA—Mrs. Major Joan Gage was born in Moncton, N.B., in 1933. Commissioned in 1955 as a member of the Soul Winners Session, Joan married Lieutenant Reginald Gage in 1957. Early corps appointments in Ontario and Manitoba were followed by ministry as the first officers at Hope Acres, Glencairn, Ont. They also ministered in family services in Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Quebec. Joan retired to Saskatoon with Reg in 1986, and in 2011, moved to Regina to be near family. Missing her are children Lynn (Richard), David (Catherine); three grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Commissioners Brian and Rosalie Peddle Nov 2 officers’ councils and Salvationist’s rally with General Linda Bond, Metro Toronto Convention Centre; Nov 3 Tyndale University College graduation, Toronto; Nov 10-11 130th corps anniversary, Chatham, Ont. GL Div; Nov 11-14 Territorial Executive Conference and Territorial Leaders’ Conference, JPCC; Nov 15-16 personnel consultations, JPCC*; Nov 17 Fall Festival, Scarborough Citadel, Toronto; Nov 18 Santa Claus Parade, Toronto; Nov 22 Hope in the City breakfast, Ottawa; Nov 23 Hope in the City breakfast, Toronto; Nov 24-26 CFOT, Winnipeg *Commissioner Rosalie Peddle only Colonels Floyd and Tracey Tidd Nov 2 officers’ councils and Salvationist’s rally with General Linda Bond, Metro Toronto Convention Centre; Nov 11-14 Territorial Executive Conference and Territorial Leaders’ Conference, JPCC; Nov 23 Hope in the City breakfast, Toronto Canadian Staff Band Nov 17 Fall Festival, Scarborough Citadel, Toronto; Nov 18 Santa Claus Parade, Toronto

TRIBUTES

MONTREAL—Born in 1947, Diane Vanier’s involvement with the Army began three years ago at Montreal Citadel. She and her husband, Robert, participated in one of the corps’ Bible studies and subsequently enrolled in membership classes, becoming senior soldiers in April of this year. Diane is missed by Robert; daughter, Julie (Patrick); grandchildren Christopher and Kevin; her church family and many friends.

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Phone: ____________________ E-mail: ����������������������� (Attach a separate sheet for additional subscriptions) Send a gift card ❏ Yes ❏ No Payment: ❏ Cheque (Payable to The Salvation Army) ❏ Visa ❏ Mastercard Name on card: ������������������������������������������ Card #: ___________________ Expiry date: ������������������ Return to: T he Salvation Army, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto ON M4H 1P4 or contact 416-422-6119; circulation@can.salvationarmy.org; Salvationist.ca/subscribe Salvationist I November 2012 I 27


MEDIA REVIEWS

From Her Heart

Selections from the preaching and teaching of Helen Clifton After General Shaw Clifton (Rtd) and Commissioner Helen Clifton concluded their appointments as world leaders of The Salvation Army, they planned to work together on their autobiography. Unfortunately, Commissioner Clifton died only a few weeks after their retirement. Subsequently, General Clifton compiled From Her Heart, a book of his wife’s public speaking and teaching materials. Included are testimonies and personal insights from her prayer journals while they were stationed in Pakistan and New Zealand. “She had a way of engaging people from the platform that allowed them to feel drawn in,” says General Clifton. From Her Heart includes topics such as discipleship, uniform wearing and the Army’s contribution to women in ministry. ... a remarkable book. Julie Slous combines a careful historian's eye, an ear for compelling and artful preaching ... a heart for a gospel that can often be disturbing ... and offers a a very practical set of methods for preachers today.

—Thomas G. Long, Bandy Professor of Preaching, Candler School of Theology, Atlanta, GA

PREACHING A DISTURBING GOSPEL

Preaching a Disturbing Gospel

PREACHING A

DISTURBING

Julie A. Slous GOSPEL With a careful historian’s eye, an ear for compelling and artful preaching, and a heart for a gospel that can often be disturbing, Major Julie Slous calls for preaching that does more than soothe those who hear it. JULIE A. SLOUS Written in a straightforward and thoughtprovoking way, Preaching a Disturbing Gospel is a practical how-to manual on the art and power of preaching. Filled with historical facts and anecdotes from the Army’s earliest days, this book is a must-read for anyone who desires to preach with intensity and fire. ...a must read for anyone who desires to preach with intensity and

fire ... [A] fascinating, comprehensive, thought-provoking, inspirational how-to manual on the art and power of preaching. —Commissioner William W. Francis, Chairman, International Doctrine Council

Julie Slous is a splendid preacher and teacher who is concerned

about listeners' needs in the postmodern world ... Preachers from any background could benefit from her guidance. —Paul Scott Wilson, Professor of Homiletics, Emmanuel College, University of Toronto

Julie Slous' objective is to teach preachers to disturb their hearers

—this is the intention of the Bible. The theory of this book has been honed by real preaching to real people ... I am better for it.

—James E. Read, Ph.D. Executive Director, The Salvation Army Ethics Centre, Corps Sergeant Major, Heritage Park Temple Major Julie Slous holds a Doctorate of Ministry in Biblical Preaching (Luther Seminary MN),

and practice of preaching, she has also served in numerous congregational appointments, and has become distinguished as both an articulate and gifted expositor of the Word. She is also a well known speaker at Salvation Army conferences and retreats.

Canada and Bermuda Territory

RELIGION / Church & Preaching / Homiletics / Sermon Preparation

cover_CS6_newedit2.indd 1

JULIE A. SLOUS

and has served The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory as an instructor of homiletics for fifteen years. Combining both the theory

ISBN: 978-0-88857-500-5

FOREWORD ROGER J. GREEN

2012-09-14 2:41 PM

What a Difference a Mom Makes

The indelible imprint a mom leaves on her son’s life Dr. Kevin Leman No one has a more powerful impact on boys than their mother, asserts psychologist and humorist Dr. Kevin Leman. This book will help you understand who your son is on the inside, the truth behind sibling squabbles (and how to handle them), a secret for discipline that works every time and how to navigate the critical teen years. You’ll also discover how your parenting style impacts your relationship with your son and how you can respond in a healthy way to his growing interest in sex and relationships.

Dream

Discovering God’s purpose for your life Dutch Sheets In his first new book in more than four years, Dutch Sheets (Intercessory Prayer, Authority in Prayer) paints a picture of God as a dreamer and then skilfully demonstrates that God shared this nature with his children. As believers increase in maturity and friendship with him, they find their life’s purpose in God’s dreams for them. Whether they’re looking 28 I November 2012 I Salvationist

for a new direction or needing assurance they’re on the path God intended, this book is for everyone who wants their life to count and have meaning.

A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider

Words to stimulate the mind and delight the spirit A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider is an inspirational anthology of more than 50 stories by 37 Canadian writers representing a wide variety of viewpoints, writing styles, experiences, ages and backgrounds. Edited by N.J. Lindquist and Wendy Elaine Nelles, the stories will surprise you, make you laugh and inspire you to have a deeper relationship with God.

VeggieTales: The League of Incredible Vegetables

It was a sunny day in Bumblyburg until Dr. Flurry came to town. This chillin’ villain wants to freeze the city in fear. This job is too big for LarryBoy to handle alone, so he turns to the League of Incredible Vegetables for help. Thingamabob (Bob the Tomato), S-Cape (Mr. Lunt), Vogue (Petunia Rhubarb) and Ricochet (Junior Asparagus) are up for the task, but find that their own fears could land them in Dr. Flurry’s deep freeze. Will they remember to turn to the One who is bigger than all their fears before the whole town ends up on ice? Find out in VeggieTales: The League of Incredible Vegetables, the fourth title in a series of DVD releases that stars the popular LarryBoy character. In addition to engaging bonus features, the DVD contains fun music for families and the all-new Silly Song Supper Hero.

Heads Up!

Sports devotions for all-star kids Dave Branon Sports can be tough. Everyone falls down or has a bad game once in a while. Athletes battle temptations, criticism and mental blocks on and off the field. They run hard, fall hard and play hard. All-stars need a tough faith. Heads Up! combines biblical principles with stories of athletes and sporting events, sports trivia, tips and rare facts and figures. This unique devotional is great for reluctant readers and is sure to inspire young players and sports fanatics.

I Couldn’t Love You More

Jason Ingram and Matt Hammitt The powerful message of God’s unconditional love radiates through this heartwarming book. Through the cuddly and colourful illustrations of animals, your child will learn of your love as well as God’s love and protection. The book is based on the song by Matt Hammitt of Sanctus Real and Jason Ingram, I Couldn’t Love You More.


FAITH WORKS

Go Deep

Resonant leaders are attuned to what motivates themselves and others

Photo: © iStockphoto.com/akindo

BY MAJOR KATHIE CHIU

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ne of the most helpful books I’ve read since my leadership journey began is Resonant Lea de rship by R ich a rd Boyatzis and Annie McKee. Resonant leaders are aware of and attuned to the people around them. We can see a difference in their leadership approach. They inspire us with their passion for their work and the compassion they show to others. They know the people they work with; they understand them at a deeper level because they understand what motivates them. No one becomes a resonant leader overnight. It’s a process that takes time and deep self-knowledge.

We cannot possibly begin to know what motivates others until we know what motivates ourselves. This requires self-awareness and a state of mindfulness, which takes work. Many who aspire to leadership, or who are now leaders, fail to understand this. Many are afraid of exploring deep inside themselves and seeing what lurks beneath the solid exterior they’ve built up. Some like to keep a tight control over their emotional lives and this soul-searching activity seems fraught with emotion. It’s messy. It’s a bit scary. It might unlock and release something about ourselves we don’t want to face. However, if we want to

be emotionally intelligent, then we have to go there. Emotional intelligence is emotional maturity. It’s becoming someone who is tuned into what emotions they are experiencing and has the ability to regulate them. It extends to an awareness of the emotions of those around you and then, through empathy and understanding, seeking to maximize this understanding and create great working relationships where mutual respect grows and creativity blossoms. For most of us, this is a work in progress, as is learning to become more like Jesus. However, part of learning to be like Jesus is learning to have emotional intelligence. Jesus knew and understood those that he led. He knew the weaknesses of his disciples. He understood Peter’s impetuousness. He had the sons of Zebedee all figured out. The woman at the well was surprised when Jesus told her he was aware of her personal situation. It was the deep love Jesus had for others that allowed him to know them so well. We are reminded by Peter, “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart” (1 Peter 1:22). This applies to our leadership. Whether or not we work

in ministry, business or are a volunteer coach for our children’s soccer league, we are called to love others with a sincere and deep love—especially those we lead. A health-care supervisor I was studying with told me about a nurse who worked for her that she dreaded having to deal with. “Every shift was difficult as he complained about others and failed to see the faults in himself,” she said. “However, as I was journaling one night and writing about this employee, it occurred to me that I was judging him and complaining about him.” As she grew in her understanding of herself, she was able to begin to deal with the difficult employee by seeing him differently. “I also realized that, as a Christian, I had to learn to love him,” she told me. “I became a different leader that day.” As we seek to know ourselves more deeply, we need to spend time alone with God, seeking to know him and understand why he loves us. As we cultivate a deep understanding of who we are, we will begin to understand others. And then we will begin to lead in ways that create a meaningful experience for those we lead and inspire them to join us on the same journey. Major Kathie Chiu is the corps officer of Victoria’s High Point Community Church.

Delve Deeper

It takes inner strength to look at your real self. Here are some ways to learn more about yourself: • Journal each night, reflecting on the day and how you responded to different situations. Asking yourself “why” is a good way to keep digging deeper. • Do a 360 degree evaluation for yourself, asking people you work with and for whom you work for honest feedback on your strengths and weaknesses. • Find someone you look to for leadership, someone you can trust, and ask him or her to enter into a mentoring or coaching relationship with you. Salvationist I November 2012 I 29


TALKING POINTS

Doubt: Faith’s Friend or Foe?

Many Christians experience times when their beliefs are challenged. Thankfully, God is big enough to handle all our questions

Where is my faith? Even deep down … there is nothing but emptiness and darkness.… If there be God—please forgive me. When I try to raise my thoughts to heaven, there is such convicting emptiness that those very thoughts return like sharp knives and hurt my very soul.… How painful is this unknown pain—I have no faith. – Mother Teresa

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ave you ever felt like that? I’m certain that many Christians have experienced this type of spiritual desert, a period of time in which God and his presence seemed so far from you that you didn’t know whether you would ever experience it again. You wondered if he heard your prayers, if he cared about you or if he even existed at all. Some of you are probably nodding your head as you read this. You’ve been there. Perhaps you’re there right now. I’ve been there. The good news is that you’re not alone. Sometimes Christians will unintentionally make a doubting brother or sister feel worse about themselves and their situation by indicating that doubt has no place in the believer’s life. But many of our Christian heroes struggled with doubt and feelings of desolation. Mother Teresa was not alone. Thomas, one of Jesus’ disciples, comes to mind as a biblical example of someone who experienced doubt. The great reformer, Martin Luther, once asked a woman if she believed the creeds that she recited. She replied affirmatively. His response? “You believe more and better than I do.” Writers from the last 200 years, such as Soren Kierkegaard, C.S. Lewis and Philip Yancey, all document their wavering between faith and doubt. There is some comfort to be taken from our Christian history. We sometimes forget that doubt is not the enemy of our faith, but rather faith is the corollary to our doubt. Let’s face it, if there is no reason to doubt, then of what value is faith? Faith is only genuine if a genuine 30 I November 2012 I Salvationist

choice exists. Christians often make the mistake of thinking that being a person of faith requires being supercilious and mulish about our beliefs. It is an unfortunate byproduct of 20th-century evangelicalism. Do you remember those evangelism seminars we used to have? They were performed on the basis that the people we would encounter would have questions and we were supposed to have the answers. No engaging in meaningful dialogue. You were the doctor and the soul-winning prospect was the patient. There are a lot of problems with that approach. First of all, that type of determination and arrogance won’t get you very far in your “soul-winning” efforts in this century. We’ve got good news to share, not a prescription to shove down someone’s throat. Secondly, it traps many believers in the uncomfortable position of being experts when they clearly are not. We’re not doctors. Admit that we don’t know everything—it’s not the end of the world! Finally, it is disingenuous. There are a lot of Christians, including leaders, who are doubters. Pastors and officers should not be expected to live on some higher platform of doubtlessness. Very candidly, pastors are often exposed to doubt. The average congregation member probably thinks that his or her pastor has been to seminary or university, so they must know everything about the Bible and theology and be doubly sure of their salvation. The real truth for many of them is that exposure to things such as textual criticism, liberal theology and the study of ancient history and philosophy causes them to have grave questions about some of the things they were taught since childhood. Very few of those Christian leaders will share some of the things they learned with their congregants. Fewer of them will admit that it causes doubts in their own mind. I will admit that I have had some serious periods of doubt in my life—even during my officership. Some might say

Photo: © iStockphoto.com/ImagineGolf

BY MAJOR JUAN BURRY

that I should have walked away from my calling when I didn’t know for sure what I believed. Some might say I was a phony. But I believed that if God did exist, then he would appreciate my being honest rather than glibly swallowing something that was irrational to me. I clung to the promise of the Scriptures that declares that even “if we are faithless, he remains faithful” (see 2 Timothy 2:13). I should expect dark clouds of doubt sometimes because others have experienced it. And just as they came through their storms, so, too, can I expect him to see me through. To date, each time my faith has gone through the fire of doubt, it has survived and been stronger and more relevant because of it. Now, when I have questions, I lay them before God and let them take me where they will. It is my doubts and limitations that ultimately lead me to put my faith in God. Major Juan Burry is the executive director of Victoria’s Addictions and Rehabilitation Centre.


enGliSh + Film

Allyna E Ward, PhD

Assistant Professor of English

Before allyna ward Joined Booth’S faculty of english and film Studies in 2009, she taught at universities in the United kingdom. the experience infused her interest in the tragedies and tribulations of tudor history and culture. “My current research investigates the way the tudors used and interpreted lucan’s de Bellum civile. My classical background teaching and researching latin literature and philosophy has shaped my approach to literature. i try to bring all of my experiences into my teaching here at Booth,” allyna explains. having been steeped in classical tradition hasn’t stopped allyna from helping create an atmosphere of innovation at Booth. She created a blog for students enrolled in her early modern literature seminars. it was an effort to eliminate overuse of paper and bring even more interactivity to already lively classes. “the small size of our literature classes is the best way for students to engage with their books and films,” allyna notes. “i give them the space to discuss theories and themes that arise from what they’re reading or watching.”

Education for a better world.


Christmas boxes can’t fill themselves Each Christmas, The Salvation Army distributes thousands of toys and food items to families in need. But before that can happen, every doll, soccer ball, teddy bear, can of peas, box of cereal and bottle of apple juice must be sorted and packed in boxes. And none of that is possible without lots of willing hands to share the work.

some toys. Pack a few boxes. You could even take a turn standing by a Christmas kettle. With your assistance, The Salvation Army can help make this a happy Christmas for every girl and boy.

Take time this year to volunteer at your local Salvation Army corps or community and family services office. Stock some shelves. Sort

For address changes or subscription information contact (416) 422-6119 or circulation@can.salvationarmy.org. Allow 4-6 weeks for changes. PM 40064794


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