I’ve been following a thread in a Facebook group for Salvation Army officers. The original poster was wondering about the normal working hours for officers. What time do we start in the morning? What time do we knock off? A few officers gave a bit of an idea. Some start early—8:00, 8:30am. Others are responsibleContinue reading “Called: to the office or officership?”
Tag Archives: Salvation Army
Towards a manifesto for Progressive Salvationism
Over the last few months I’ve been involved with a Facebook group called the ‘Progressive Salvationist.’ The aim of the group is simple: “This group is for Salvationists with a liberal/progressive worldview to talk freely about their beliefs without fear of condemnation. We’re not heretics, just heterodox!” I was having a conversation on the groupContinue reading “Towards a manifesto for Progressive Salvationism”
SA101–a quick review
One of the jobs I have as a Salvation Army officer is training people to be Salvation Army soldiers. It’s an important task, and one that I want to get right. Whilst such training continues for the whole time I am involved with the (prospective) soldier, there is a formal element. People who wish toContinue reading “SA101–a quick review”
Of stones and ants
Before I was an officer I went to a church in an area with many ‘halfway houses’ for people who had recently been released from psychiatric institutions. Given that a lot of those institutions had been closed down recently, and the residents just turned out on the street with little thought for their ongoing care,Continue reading “Of stones and ants”
The cost of non-discipleship
One of my themes over Lent are the words of Jesus about discipleship: If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for theContinue reading “The cost of non-discipleship”
Wearing the flag
This post is part of the Australia Day Synchroblog. Australia Day means many things to Australians. For most, it’s a public holiday that marks the end of the holiday season. Christmas and New Year are distant memories and the kids will return to school in the next week or so. Over the years a fewContinue reading “Wearing the flag”
A few interesting links
I don’t have too much to say today, but there’s been a few interesting things going on in the blogosphere. There’s a good discussion at theRubicon about the place of married women officers in the Salvation Army. From its very earliest days women have been able to fill all positions in the organisation, but itContinue reading “A few interesting links”
What do we mean by ‘uniform?’
A few weeks ago I wrote about the place of the uniform within the Salvation Army. I suggested that whilst the uniform is supposed to be a public statement of our intention to take the Gospel to the world, it has become a sign of adherence to Salvation Army culture and an important tool inContinue reading “What do we mean by ‘uniform?’”
Soup, soap and salvation
In those golden days before we all had mission statements the Salvation Army summed up its Raison d’être as ‘soup, soap and salvation.’ The Army’s always preferred pragmatism to deep theology, and I think this is as good a summary of what it is we do as I’ve heard anywhere. In fact, I’ve heard peopleContinue reading “Soup, soap and salvation”
A Generous Orthodoxy (Part 3)
Finally, we get into the book proper! It’s entitled ‘The Seven Jesuses I Have Known’ and is a bit of a summary of McLaren faith journey over the years. McLaren has been influenced by various expressions of Christianity over the years, and each of them have taught something about Jesus or an aspect of followingContinue reading “A Generous Orthodoxy (Part 3)”
Spirit Cry 