Tuesday 27 October 2009

Higgins on Promises and Faithfulness

"It has been said that we make too many promises in the Salvation Army. To which I reply: No, not one too many! The more promises we enter into with God, the better will it be for us all. Such promises are a great strength in hours of temptation. They become bulwarks to protect us from both the assaults of the Evil One and those which arise within ourselves."

Higgins cites the following things to which he believes the Salvationist should be faithful

1. To Army principles

Our methods may change because times alter and conditions become different but our principles remain the same for ever. What is truth today will be truth in a hundred years to come. What is pure today will be pure then.

2. To anti-worldliness

Worldliness is not seen in the choise of our attire only it manifests itself in a thousand and one ways. Everything that is contrary to the spirit and purpose and character of Jesus Christ we must resist with all our might.

3. To fighting for the Salvation of the world

I am afraid the idea has sometimes got abroad that Officers are intended to be like parsons and preach sermons whole the people they are supposed to lead in fighting do nothing. What sort of military warfare would that be in which the fighting was left entirely to the officers, the very persons who are on the spot to lead their soldiers in fighting?

4. To the penitent form

We must be true to the principles of demanding from sinners a public acknowledgement of their need of salvation and urging them to come out and declare before all men their determination to give up sin and serve the Lord Jesus Christ.

5. To the government of the Army

That government has proved itself to be strong and effective by securing and developing great forces of thousands of men and women who are willing to be directed by those place in authority over them.

6. To the Gospel

I urge you to be faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ. In your hands are to a great extent the eternal destinies of men and women.

7. To our duties

Bear in mind that the Army has given us opportunities we should never have had elsewhere. It has place us on a platform where we can influence men and women for God. Surely then it has a claim upon our service and devotion which must take first place. If we are going to have satisfaction at the end of life's journey, we must so live that we shall be ab le to look back with full assurance that all our duty has been faithfully performed.

Is he right?

What do you think?

More tomorrow

God bless

Carol
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1 comment:

Eleanor Burne-Jones said...

What makes it seem so 'out of kilter' is that it describes a 'state' of mind/attitude/behaviour he expects people to be in (modernity thinking) rather than encouraging people to make a journey towards being someplace that celebrates covenant, that is further from consumerism, trusting of religious institutions etc. And I would respond that the problem of Christendom-shaped 'clergy' dominated church is far more the responsibility of leaders than of the lay people. In a hierarchical church that has traditionally not invested in and developed lay people you can't blame people for sitting around leaving 'ministry' to the professionals. It's a huge issue involving prevailing culture, people putting numerical growth over the original vision, and a church system tolerating and rewarding leaders who gather people in rather than send people out.
What might be useful here and now is a 'translation' of what he is trying to say into the language of a culture that understands that coming to have even a working relationship with institutional religion is a major challenge of trust today. People need recognition of the critical issues we face, including trustbuilding inside and outside the church, and journey language and journey encouragement, rather than being told to be someplace we are not. I think we can fearlessly encourage people in making promises, in entering covenants, in looking to and learning to trust one another in (at least) mutual accountability, and in being courageous enough to own our need for conversion, our need for forgiveness and renewed commitment, and our need for renewal. It's possible, and there's a hunger to encounter hope in the midst of cynicism and despair, which surprises me when I speak with people 'outside' the church whom I would assume to be alienated. They are listening, as are those inside our congregations.

28 October 2009 at 02:20

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