Commissioner Clive T Adams on Mission Scotland

Mission Scotland Weekend - Keynote Address (abridged) by Commissioner Clive T. Adams We are about transformation – the sinner to the saint… that is our mission. Mission Scotland is a process, which seeks to examine the practices, procedures, perceptions and parameters allowing the Army to be the ‘Army’. Mission is the reason for our existence. I want to remind you of three aspects of The Salvation Army's missional perspective: It is our Foundation - our heritage for our mission is grounded in our past. It is our Focus - our context for our mission is exercised in our present. It is our Future - our potential for our mission is motivated by a promising future”. 1. Our Foundation We need to value our heritage - our history gives us our grounding in and for mission... A. Our heritage provides us with our identity and, as a consequence, determines our activity, because who we are determines what we do. By all means, get rid of all traditionalism, but hold on tight to the traditions - the essence of whom we are as The Salvation Army. Yes, we are a needs-based movement, we respond to the challenges we see, we readily engage in the fight against sin and against society's evils and ills. Our history is a story of devotion to God and dependence upon God. We are a people of God - he motivates us for mission, he moves us to mission, he ministers through our mission. B. Our heritage gives us our theology. A theology which becomes the impetus for and basis of our mission. I want to remind you of three important elements regarding our theology. Firstly, it informs our values as a movement - Secondly, it affirms us as a sacramental movement. Our history confirms our belief in the immediacy of God's grace in and through the believer - our outstretched hands become his hands whenever we touch, and wash and heal in His name. Thirdly, it confirms the Army's ultimate message (yes, there's salvation for you!) to a world that is falling short of its own standards, a world that is constantly moving the goal-posts because it constantly misses the mark. 2. Our Focus We need to understand our context. We are surrounded by a host of "isms" - humanism, secularism, extremism, consumerism, radicalism, fundamentalism, relativism, post-modernism and post postmodernism. It's a world undergoing constant, and rapid change and it is hard to keep up. We are expected to do mission in a context where intolerance is often disguised as tolerance; where social exclusion and social inclusion occur side-by-side; where the concept of the global village competes with growing feelings of narrow nationalism and xenophobia; a time of open borders and closed minds; of the empowerment and degradation of women; where children have obtained universal rights but continue to be abused; of enormous riches and appalling poverty; of deep spirituality and militant secularism; of humankind's ingenious solutions and its abject failures; a time of peace brokering and warmongering; of unselfish service and deep-seated corruption; where values and morals diminish. "To serve the present age, my calling to fulfill, o may it all my powers engage, to do my Master's will". This is has challenging today as it was in Booth's day. However, our situation is not hopeless, to think so is to deny the very dynamic of that message we bring 3. Our Future At an officer's Councils last year, I heard a lieutenant say, "I wish that, for the Army, out was in!" My heart resonated with that statement on several levels. I wish to highlight three. There's the Geographical element - the fact that we are a sent people for "As the Father has sent me, so I send you", Jesus said (John 20:21b). God is a missionary-God. There's the Cultural element - Paul wrote (Romans 12:2) "Don't let the world squeeze you into its mould". Part of our mission focus must be the witness we should be to our message through transformed lives. There's the Sacrificial element - the fact that this will cost us, "If you choose to follow me, deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow me!" The Army, yielded, doing mission! Where does this leave us? For me, at our core is the ability to do mission. But it starts with me, with you – willing to be out – geographically, culturally and sacrificially, Being, the Army, out there, doing mission”.

Why a Congress?

So the Territorial Congress rolls up to the SECC in Glasgow on November 2/3 2013.

A self indulgent, back slapping, wallowing in dubious success type of event, focused on those on the inside instead of reaching out to those on the outside.

Or is it?

The Salvation Army has held congress' for over 100 years. Initially they were a place for many Salvationists to gather, discuss, decide, then do.

This - and every - congress should be the same. As we worship we place God right in the centre of his movement in the UK. As we listen to people's stories of transformed lives we are reminded that. God is still moving powerfully in the existence of individuals. As we recognise new Soldiers, Junior Soldiers and Adherents we are reminded that God has not finished with us yet and that the army is larger now than it ever has been - globally. As we circulate the marketplace (and please look out for the Mission Scotland Stand and come and say hello) we discover new resources for mission and share with those who are doing mission and committed to the gospel being shared in many different ways.

A congress is a rallying point for the 'troops', to hear God's word in the very depth of our heart so we can do no less than go and tell that Jesus lives, transforms people from what they were into what he makes them and then equips us with His Spirit to share that story with others.

Be transformed into a missionary Salvationist !

Dormobiles, doorkeeping and discipleship.

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. (Psalm 84:10 NIV)

This verse strikes home powerfully as it compares two extremes, lost in the translation into the English language. It has an enormous amount to say about discipleship in just a few words.

The Psalmist offers two states: being a doorkeeper at the temple or being a nomadic, wealthy, oligarch type of tent dweller (think mega 'glamping' not basic backpacking! Even more extravagant than a Dormobile!!!). The tent dwellers here are the wealthy, those that own enormous flocks of sheep, massive caravans of camels carry them and their wealth to the next pitching of the tent. Servants and slaves ensure that the camp is full of luxury and every whim is met.

The doorkeeper is... well, a doorkeeper. One who stands at the entrance of the temple or tabernacle and greets people as they arrive. There is some security duty but little glory, little engagement in the centre of worship, but there is clear, basic service to those who come to worship and especially to God. The doorkeeper is the first person who is met at the place of worship who points the way to go.

Our discipleship is about pointing people the right direction. Even in the most menial task. The washing up in the office kitchen needs doing even though it's not yours. You do it. That's doorkeeping. Someone needs to change the band chairs around to accommodate the parent and toddlers or lunch club. Even though you're not involved you do it. That's doorkeeping. The young people of the fellowship want a bouncy castle in the main worship hall for the community family day. Even though this is a special place personally, you help them put the inflatable up - and move the drum kit to accommodate it. That's doorkeeping.

Even the most trivial, humbling task in Christ's service teaches us more about learning from him than all the grandeur and glory we can imagine.

That's discipleship. That's mission.

When September comes

So, the summer has all but left us but the memories are still fresh for many.

It was a summer when many activities are run at a base level and some cease completely while holidays and a well earned rest are embarked upon. Rest is definitely a part of mission.

Jesus rested, the disciples rested. They waited in anticipation of what would come after the rest.

The Psalmist tells the reader to wait.

Then the waiting ends, with new vigour in mission, renewed focus, the launch of new initiatives and activities, the embracing of autumn as a time for fruitfulness is very missional. The Hebrews regard autumn as being the most fruitful time of the year and the most productive of an individuals life. 

What if our church is in the autumn of it's years? Do we mourn for what is no more, or rejoice for the fruit being borne? What should we see as being drawing to a close so that the resources and energy required to maintain can be shifted into new areas? Or perhaps we want to focus energies on giving the ministry a good send off!

Be renewed, be energised by the Holy Spirit, be focused on Christ and His mission. Be fruitful - in season and out of season.

New General 3

So our young people came up with some interesting ideas for new General, Andre Cox. They come from the "Xplorers" programme for young Salvationists in West Scotland, who are open and willing to follow God's plan for their lives. Who knows, in 40 years time,  one of them may be the newly elected General!

'Solve religious disputes between Christians and Muslims, also with different branches of the church.'

 

'I would have fundraisers to

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Build medical centres in Africa

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Cancer research

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Give the homeless shelter and food

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Do-up all The Salvation Army halls

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For good Sunday School trips

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More youth fellowship meet ups & for the youth in General!

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For Sunday School teachers to be given gifts for teaching us about God'

 

 

 

 

'I would do meetings on a Sunday: 1 for adults & 1 for kids (so kids don’t get bored). Have more youth fellowships but not just for the young for adults too. Have a suggestion box at the front of church. Have meetings on a Sunday for those who do not normally come to church. Have more fundraisers for church and charity. Build more charity shops. Get more seats for people in church to sit it. Buy more Bibles and hand out to people in the streets who don’t know God. Get special people to spread God’s word to other people. Replace all the broken and dirty flags.'

New General 2043 (!)

On this day, when the Salvation Army has elected a new General, a 'General's Manifesto' has been composed by a number of young people who are part of West Scotland's 'Xplorers' programme for those who, appropriately in the circumstances, are open to God's plan for their lives.

Read, enjoy, comment, but most of all be inspired!

"Create more Corps and Drop in Centres for the homeless. Renovate Corps buildings to make them more attractive to people who don’t come to the Army. Encourage Army regulars to speak to the public to create a larger Corps that never stops growing"

"Make a lake of water for the Africans and houses, some food too. Create “me” time"

"Love God and pray to Him everyday."

(More to follow!) 

New General 2

Further comments from young people drawing up their own 'General's Manifesto' for The Salvation Army:

'I would encourage the youth of the world to take up leadership roles. I would make sure that all corps had an officer in it and that we had adequate funds for planting new corps. I would encourage mums and tots because as the general secretary of the Methodist church said “every generation of Christians has the possibility of being the last”. My plans may seem focussed on growth and kids but my main principals are clear. We need to fix our eyes onGod and his plans for our lives, we must constantly pray and read our bible because if we don’t focus on that the whole meaning of the organisation is LOST. Yes! We may be a charity but we are Christianity with our sleeves rolled up, we are a church on a mission. So I will bring more facilities for the community to come closer to God. We must seek souls out of the drowning water and that is my number one priority.'