In the latest ‘The Officer’ magazine, the title of The General’s article is “Transforming Our World: One Message – The Message of Jesus, Bringing Freedom, Hope and Life”.
He starts off by saying; Many of the public respect The Salvation Army in the main because of our work in serving suffering humanity.
In a recent televised interview (The General – Andre Cox) was asked: ‘The Salvation Army is well known for its social services and humanitarian services. How is social work in The Salvation Army enhancing evangelism in Army ministry?’
His immediate response was that the question should have been put round the other way, or perhaps even asked differently: ‘How does our spiritual and God-given calling to preach the message of transformation in Christ impact The Salvation Army’s social work?’
We can never escape the reality that all that we are and all that motivates our service stems from our personal experience of, and relationship with, the risen Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. If we ever deny that, we cease to be The Salvation Army!
Therefore, in all that we do, we will unashamedly communicate Christ.
He goes on to explore the personal encounter that Levi has with Jesus from Mark’s Gospel, Mark 2:13-17. The full article is available to download from here.
In closing the General says the following:
Jesus performed many miracles during his earthly ministry and he still performs miracles today through the transformation of our very human nature, motivations, thoughts and actions. Jesus has the power to change and transform our conscience and our heart. God is still in the business of transforming our world and that is the message that we are called to share faithfully with this generation!
In all we do, I (The General) pray that we will not be primarily concerned about the reputation of The Salvation Army; that we will not preach ourselves but instead work tirelessly to bring about positive change and transformation through the proclamation of the message of Jesus who alone brings freedom, hope and life.
He prays that our lives and actions will be clear signposts, leading people to discover a personal and living relationship with Jesus.
We know this stuff – right! We have territorial goals to remind us of the ‘main thing’, but the challenge is that we would communicate Christ unashamedly in everything that we do – not as an add on, or even when someone asks us. People need to know that we do … … … (you fill in the blanks) because of what He has done. They need to know that this is the predominate reason for our very being. We’ve been very good at the “walk”, we need to “walk and talk” it though.
Many people comment on our walk, they see the great work of The Salvation Army and they love us because of it; they give us sizable donations come Red Shield Appeal. But those I ask: “Do you know why we do what we do?” have no clue – sometimes because we haven’t told them.
Do you know why we do what we do?
The next time someone thanks you for the work that you do, at the Family Store; in Community Ministries; through the Bridge; as you give them a hot drink etc. Why not ask them the above question and then follow it up with another: “would you like to know why?” If they do and you have time, have a conversation, or even book a time with them over coffee and fill them in on the reason for our being…
After-all “We can never escape the reality that all that we are and all that motivates our service stems from our personal experience of, and relationship with, the risen Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. If we ever deny that, we cease to be The Salvation Army!”
The life and times of Perry... 