Could do better!

Three quarters of a year at Dartford and things have gone well. However, there is a deep and disturbing dissatisfaction in my heart.

If I’d been appointed here in 1887 instead of 2007 then my nine months here would have been considered a failure – Railton would have sacked me for sure! Where are the new converts, recruits and soldiers? Whe re is the revival?

People have been saved, the Corps has grown, finances have been stabilised, property has been improved, the programme tweaked and good relationships with the lost established – But is my commitment and passion really worthy of Christ’s suffering and death?

It is too easy to judge our achievements by those around us, to measure our performance against the achievements of the contemporary church, but when we set the benchmark as Acts 2 or Whitechapel 1880 our efforts receive their proper score!

I’m quite sure that Dartford has not been disappointed with their new Officers and I’m also confident that the other church leaders in the town are pleased with the new Army incumbents, maybe even those on the edge of society might be prepared (in an odd sober moment) to express gratitude for our arrival. But beyond the expectations of others how do I personally assess my performance since last July?

I’d probably give myself 2 out of 10. Why such a miserly score? The reason is that God looks on the heart and not on the outer man. I’ve certainly worked hard and put in some long hours but my heart still backs away from the ultimate location that God is trying to take it.

Last week at our Divisional Children’s camp the kids were asked to put the following things in order of importance: TV, family, God, Church, bible, prayer, football, leisure time, friends and money. Now if I was going to look at the last nine months and do that exercise honestly then the outcome is shown below. I’ve worked this out on the basis of the time committed to them and the passion that they generate within me (I’m discounting the time I spend working as an Officer because that’s my job):

Football, Family, TV, Prayer, Bible, Friends, Leisure Time, Money, God.

Now some might say that I’m being a bit harsh on myself, but how can I really put God anywhere other than last if I consistently disobey him? God is leading me (or trying to lead me) further along the path of holiness but I am struggling to follow him. If I were happy with a compromised contemporary understanding of holiness and if I were happy to compare my achievements with those around me then perhaps I’d be comfortable putting God first.

I read the following this morning in my personal devotions:

“The LORD your God commands you this day to follow these decrees and laws; carefully observe them with all your heart and with all your soul. You have declared this day that the LORD is your God and that you will walk in his ways, that you will keep his decrees, commands and laws, and that you will obey him. And the LORD has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands. He has declared that he will set you in praise, fame and honour high above all the nations he has made and that you will be a people holy to the LORD your God, as he promised.” (Deuteronomy 26:16-19)

It’s all about covenant – if I keep my part of my covenant then God can do “abundantly more than all I could ever ask for or even imagine” if I don’t then things stay as they are.

I wish I’d been born 150 years ago because then I’d be getting this kind of message three times a week and my spiritual ambitions would be considered normal.

Is this not the personal holiness we need to reclaim if we are to be truly effective again?

Love and prayers

A

Anonymous hits the nail on the head!

In my previous post I mentioned the deliberate sin that is committed by those (Officers and soldiers) who try and serve God with deliberately broken vows.

The comments of 'anonymous' would carry far more weight if he/she were to back up their posting with a name - however the point made is extremely valid and I am grateful to 'anonymous' for the reminder.

One thing, however - like all Salvationists and Officers there have been (and undoubtedly will be) times when I fall short of the promises contained in my covenants but there is a difference between failing, repenting and reconsecrating and deliberately breaking a promise because you think it is no longer valid or because you think the promise is wrong but do not have the courage to renounce it.

I may not always be true to the letter of my holiness manifesto but I am always true to its spirit. What would be really bad would be to attach my name to it whilst actively believing it to be wrong - that would be pointless as well as stupid.

I'm glad I published the manifesto as it will (and already has) increased my acountability.

Thanks anonymous for speaking out.

One last thing - making vows that increase our accountability to God and each other is not the same as legalism - the manifesto 'is not an attempt to earn God’s blessing but is a response to blessings already received, it is not an attempt to win ‘salvation by works’ it is a commitment to see God’s words reflected in my actions.'

Love and prayers

A

Officers and soldiers who 'grieve' God...

'Have I grieved thee with an ill kept vow?'

Every Salvationist publicly states at the time of their enrolment that they ‘believe and will live by the truths of the word of God expressed in The Salvation Army's eleven articles of faith.’ In addition every soldier solemnly declares that they “will be true to the principles and practices of The Salvation Army, loyal to its leaders, they will show the spirit of Salvationism whether in times of popularity or persecution.”

In his well known song “I renew my covenant with thee’ Will Brand asks the question – ‘have I grieved thee with an ill-kept vow?’

TSA in the UK has a hardcore clique of Officers and soldiers who are openly dismissing (in both practice and public preaching) the following Army beliefs:

• Doctrine 5 – Original sin
• Doctrine 9 – The possibility of back sliding
• Doctrine 10 – Holiness
• Doctrine 11 – The general judgment and eternal punishment of the wicked

In addition we have:

• Officers who baptise new converts
• Corps that regularly hold what can only be described as communion services,
• Officers who question our commitment to total abstinence from tobacco and alcohol,
• Officers who only ever wear their uniform when compelled to
• Officers and soldiers who openly rebel against the instructions of their leaders in these particular areas,

Under the guise of post modernism, cultural relevance, free expression and intellectual freedom these Officers and soldiers are all attempting to serve God ‘with an ill kept vow’ for they are living lives completely at odds with the two covenants mentioned above.

Anyone who disagrees with TSA's beliefs and practices to such a degree should feel morally obligated to resign their Officership and ask for their soldiership to be cancelled. Once they are not in disagreement with the covenants they voluntarily made they are then free to fight their revolution. To be so at odds with one (and for Officers two) sacred covenants is deliberate sin and dishonours themselves, the Army and most of all God.

Broken covenants are a serious business – either keep your covenants or cancel them but please don’t compromise them – such sin in the camp merely withholds God’s blessing from the Army.

“Have I ceased from walking close beside thee?
Have I grieved thee with a well kept vow?
In my heart of hearts have I denied thee?
Speak oh speak dear Lord and tell me know.”

Yours set apart by God, for the Lost, IN THE ARMY!

AJB

PS - the photo is a 'stock image' from IHQ and not a renegade Lieut-Colonel weeping over a broken covenant (at least not as far as I know!)

'Tis done the great transaction's done!

Today I was reinstated as a Captain in The Salvation Army by my Divisional Commander Major Anthony Cotterill.

Our little hall was full to capacity.

We sang the following songs:

Army of Salvation, Army of the Lord!

I have no claim on grace.

All my work is for the Master.

I believe we shall win!

By the love that never ceased to hold me.

I'll go in the strength of the Lord!

Anthony presented me with a new Commission signed by John Matear (TC) and a new covenant which I signed at the penitent form. My Father in law offered a prayer, as did Paul du Plessis and Carol Young shared a bible reading.

My 8 year old daughter Bethany prayed the prayer that everybody else wanted to (but didn't have the courage to) when she said "Dear God please make sure my Daddy doesn't walk away from you again!"

I preached on Zechariah 3:1-7 - the reinstatement of the fallen priest Joshua.

Commissioner Denis Hunter (British Commissioner when I was a Cadet 25 years ago) was the first to come to the penitent form in reconsecration, then Majors Alan & Carol Young (sessional mates of mine) followed by my eldest daughter Caitlin (20). Then our Corps Secretary came forward, then my older sister, then my two sister-in-laws (who were reconciled at the conclusion of the meeting after two years of not speaking to each other).

God was glorified and the angels rejoiced in heaven!

We had 60 people stay for dinner after the meeting.

On the way out of the hall Comissioner Hunter said "Sock it to 'em when you get to Dartford Andrew!" - By God's grace we will.

Tomorrow I'm off to Sunbury Court for a 4 day conference and then next Sunday (Pentecost!) my first duty as a new Captain will be to enroll two new soldiers (and their not transfers from the YP Corps!)

God bless The Salvation Army!