I wonder have we lost our way (organisationally and individually) as the demands placed on us as Officers have a detrimental affect on us doing what we were called to do…
I was reading Acts 6 this morning and after some time of contemplation I feel that we could well be neglecting the importance of the word in favour of doing good works…
“It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
The New International Version. 2011 (Ac 6:2–4). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
When I look at the responsibilities I have as a Corps Officer: Spiritual Health & Well-being of those attending the Corps; Independent Living Unit’s Referral Officer and ensuring the well-being of those onsite and ensuring that their units are in a good state of repair; Director of Community Ministries in a suburb that has seen a huge spike in the amount of assistance given to clients due to earthquake related issues and general life struggles; Youth Pastor to a growing group of young people who only this week had to come to grips with a major incident at school; Future Planner, as we look to the expected growth of our area in the next few years; Administrative Maestro ensuring that the accounts balance and that the statistical reporting is up to date; Business Entrepreneur – ensuring that our Family Stores are generating enough income to support the local mission to name just a few. And what’s more this is just a small Corps.
I’m just a tad concerned that all of the above responsibilities are taking precedence over my Officer’s Covenant…
MY COVENANT – CALLED BY GOD to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as an officer of The Salvation Army
I BIND MYSELF TO HIM IN THIS SOLEMN COVENANT to love and serve him supremely all my days, to live to win souls and make their salvation the first purpose of my life, to care for the poor, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, love the unlovable, and befriend those who have no friends, to maintain the doctrines and principles of The Salvation Army, and, by God’s grace to prove myself a worthy officer.
Done in the strength of my Lord and Saviour, and in the presence of the Territorial Commander, training college officers and fellow cadets.
All too often there is an expectation placed on us that we need to do all this and more! Yet the Bible is quite clear that we are to pass many of these responsibilities on to others so that they can use the abilities, skills, talents and gifts that God has blessed them with.
Are we in today’s world of “ministry jobs” to loathe to do this or are we afraid of passing on this responsibility to those that are not fully signed up…
The life and times of Perry... 