About six months before he died,
General William Booth wrote a letter to Territorial Commanders around the world
outlining six essential measures for the success of The Salvation Army in each
of their territories. Only recently has
this letter been published, but the principles are as valid today as they ever
were and they are valid for corps officers as they are Territorial Commanders. Here are the six measures.
1.
The absolute necessity of
spiritual life
It is necessary for spiritual life in
both ourselves and in our soldiery. Of
course our soldiers will never be spiritual people if we are not
ourselves. But we should campaign hard
to develop a deep spirituality in our people.
We should aim to grow a corps culture in which soldiers expect a high
level of spirituality from each other and themselves.
2.
Training in the skills that
are necessary for the work of The Salvation Army
Training for training’s sake achieves
nothing, but training that gives skills to our soldiers to do the work of
mission, to lead people to Christ, to nurture newcomers, to help people grow
spiritually, these are the skills that The Salvation Army needs.
3.
Faithful oversight
There are a
number of elements to be a faithful shepherd and leader.
a.
Dealing with rumours and
gossip
Are there
rumours or gossip that a soldier is not being true to the standards of
Salvationism? Then that matter should be
addressed promptly, but lovingly, firmly and discretely. It is often so difficult the right balance in
matters like these. Careful prayer and
thoughtfulness are required. Is there a
person in the corps who is a rumour-monger?
Then that behaviour must also be addressed.
b.
Setting the Direction
Most people
want to be led and they also want to be part of the winning team. Most of our soldiers will follow if we set a
strong direction and help them to maintain commitment to that direction.
c.
Affirming our Soldiers
Our
relationships with our people should be affirming and positive, doing what we
can to build them up, reward them for effort and life them to the next level of
their capacity.
d.
Impartial correction and
discipline
On the
other hand, there are times when we have to correct our people. In these cases we should do so consistently
and fairly.
4.
Encouragement
Encouragement is the key to
motivating our soldiers. Are they
stretching themselves for the sake of God?
Encouragement from the CO will motivate them to continue to give their best
for God. Or, are they just beginning to
respond to what God wants of them?
Encouragement will strengthen their resolve and empower them to take it
to the next level.
5.
Suitable work
Each of our soldiers and other
members of the congregation have unique talents, abilities and spiritual
gifts. When each one is working mostly
in the area of their spiritual gifts and other abilities, the corps is likely
to be at its most effective. When they
are doing the most suitable work for them, they find it easy and they are good
at it. When we put soldiers into
unsuitable positions, perhaps only because a position needs to be filled, we
are causing them to waste a lot of energy and heartache trying to do something
they can never excel in. This is a
recipe for frustration and failure and worst and mediocrity at best.
6.
The Officer’s own example
The example of your life is probably
one of the loudest ways in which you speak to your soldiers.
a.
Your assurance of
salvation: Are you deeply and
passionately sure that you are going to heaven and that you enjoy a deep
personal relationship with Jesus, who is the one and only way to the
Father? Or do you slip into thinking
that probably Jesus is way, and you can’t think of anything better at the
moment? Whichever it is, your soldiers
will pick up on it and will follow your example. Be sure of your salvation, and if you are
not, work to bring the matter to resolution as soon as you can.
b.
Holiness: What is your experience of holiness (Holy
Spirit empowered living)? When you
became an officer you promised to actively pursue the experience. Have you continued in that promise?
c.
Restless passion for
souls: Do your soldiers have a sense of
urgency about the dying souls around them?
Do they see in you a person that will go to any lengths to introduce
members of your community to Jesus? When
they look at you, do they see a person who is passionately concerned about the
eternal fate of those about him/her? Or
do they see someone who just turns up for work every day?
d.
Courage: Do your soldiers see you doing things in the
name of Christ of which you are afraid?
Do they see you doing these things even though you are afraid? Or do they see you shrinking back, because it
makes you feel frightened, nervous, or even embarrassed. Courage is being afraid and still doing what
God wants us to do. Do your soldiers see
this in you?
e.
Zeal: How do your soldiers view your level of
enthusiasm? Does it appear to them you
are just doing a job? Or do they see you
throwing your energy into changing lives?
How universal these principles
are. They apply to every level of
Salvation Army leadership. How are they
working in your ministry?
(This post first appeared in "From the commander's Desk - June 2010, an e-newsletter for officers of the Taiwan Region.)
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