The excellent web site ‘Council of war’ has reprinted an intriguing article by Lt. Col Graham Durston see the following link http://www.councilofwar.co.uk/archives/many-voices-one-salvation-army.

By the Colonel's definition I must be a Neo-Salvationist (echoes of the Matrix or skinheads, braces and facism? I hope not!)

However I would also borrow characteristics from some of the other definitions - but I am to all intents and purposes a Neo!

There are one or two points however in the Colonel's article that I would question (as a Neo)
The Colonel suggests that the following comments might be hurtful to a Neo:

"You cannot come to grips with the present post-modern society by going back to a vastly different society. You will be selective with what you bring from the past. The romance of serving the poor is one thing, but what of the discipline and quick-changing mission mentality of that period of Army expansion?"

Not at all, far from hurting me such comments would spur me on! I am not going back to a vastly different society but to a vastly different approach. Railton would have succeeded today with methods quite unlike those he used then. Railton was a ‘natural’ evangelist in that his actions were always reactive to the spirit within. They were never planned, never proactive – they were always responsive. Neos are responsive to ‘calling’ and ‘need’ and will produce an ‘alternative’ but equally effective “discipline and quick-changing mission mentality” which fits our post modern society as well as Railton’s fitted his. Indeed Neos are the only people who can do this.

The Colonel hypothetically quotes the Neo…

“We will focus most of the Army’s ministry and resources on the poor and marginalised, and middle-class, suburban ministry will be seen as secondary. The Army will become increasingly an inner-city mission, influential in social justice issues, but lacking a broad base of support in the suburbs. We are finding it difficult to recruit sufficient workers with the spirit of William Booth. It is taking decades to develop stable leadership from the ranks of the converts. Funding is difficult because of a reduced support base and decreasing involvement of corporations and the general public.”

This is not true because we are ‘natural’ evangelists. We will fish out of the right side of the boat at the right time whether the waters be middle class or poor urban (wherever they are they will always be ‘marginalised’ from the gospel) Funding will never be a problem because ‘God’s work done God’s way will never lack God’s provision’ (This quote is a Neo mantra!)In summary the Colonel says…

“I want to conclude on a completely unspectacular but vitally important note. Wherever we serve in the Army we need to be praying for the Lord’s direction. The God who called us into being as an organisation has not stopped speaking to us. There is abundant evidence that he is still blessing our ministry.”

The Neo responds. This is absolutely ‘spectacular’. For the Neo there can be no other direction. His only motive is Christ. Prayer is a central facet of the PS movement. Perhaps God is blessing TSA is some parts of the world but he is not doing so (collectively) in the west. General Clifton has suggested why, is it because there is ‘sin in the camp’? - The Neo says ‘Yes!’

Therefore our prayer must not just be for direction (that will come naturally, to a Neo as surely as their next breath!). Our prayers must identify and confess and repent of individual and corporate sin. This is the absolute essential if revival is to come.

Read the article and draw your own conclusions.

Thanks to the Colonel for his words.

Love and prayers Andrew