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General's Pastoral Letter #8

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:46:37 GMT

CADETS

Dear Fellow Salvationists,

I offer warmest Christian greetings to you all from London.

In this eighth Pastoral Letter it has been laid upon my heart to speak to you about cadets.

There are about 1,130 Salvation Army cadets today across the world undergoing training to become officers of the Army. Their ages range from 19 up to the mid-50s. Their backgrounds are as varied as you can imagine. Some become cadets with a modest educational experience, while others have university degrees including postgraduate degrees. Most of the cadets are in residence in a training college, with others being trained in off-campus settings. However, the one thing all cadets have in common is that all have been called by God to leave their secular walk in life to devote themselves full time to the ministry of an officer of The Salvation Army. It is a privileged calling.

Unless that divine calling has been experienced no person should offer to be trained as an officer. The life of an officer, whilst immensely rewarding, is also demanding and often stressful. At certain times of challenge and difficulty your abiding, settled sense of a sacred calling is all that will hold you secure and keep you pressing forward in your officer service.

That is why much emphasis is placed upon the testing of callings. Each candidate applying to become a cadet in training is invited to submit, in appropriate humility, to the process of having his or her claim to a divine calling gently but clearly tested through the screening process for candidates. It is a wonderful privilege to encounter candidates in this way and to learn from their accounts of God whispering into their hearts and minds. He speaks so graciously, so gently, but also so clearly until that first fleeting thought of officership grows and grows to become an abiding, settled conviction that you simply must obey if you are to have peace of spirit deep within.

I want to share with you lots of good news from around the Army world about candidates and cadets. In July 200 7 we were in Hershey in the USA Eastern Territory and when we called for those offering for future service as officers to come to the platform 140 people came forward. It was breathtaking. The THQ is now processing 95 formal application cases. Praise God! In Sri Lanka, where the Army is far from great in number, 33 came forward in a similar manner. It was thrilling. In the USA Central Territory recently 40 stepped forward for officership. Wonderful! In the Australia Southern Territory it began to seem as though the next intake of cadets would be numerically tiny, but suddenly there were 20 to make up the next training session. God still calls, still speaks into the lives of those he has chosen in this way.

In the India Northern Territory there are 40 ready to enter training, but the capacity of the college cannot hold them all. In the USA Western Territory the territorial commander tells me that there are 300 candidates ready for application and possible acceptance in the next few years. The United Kingdom Territory has received 44 cadets into the latest session, a huge rise on recent years. The USA Southern Territory has received no fewer than 59 cadets in late 2007. Spain has five cadets, the first for some years. Marvelous! Japan anticipated having no first-year cadets at all this year, but suddenly three fine young people have stepped forward for acceptance. God is good!

I have a dream that the total number of cadets in the world will increase from 1,130 to 1,500 in the next few years. Leaders are needed. Is God calling you?

Please make time to offer up a sincere prayer for the cadets of future training college sessions, whose members are as yet unknown except to God. In 2008 the sessional name is 'Prayer Warriors'; in 2009 it will be 'Ambassadors of Holiness'; in 2010 'Friends of Christ'; in 2011 'Proclaimers of the Resurrection'; and in 2012 'Disciples of the Cross'. I have faith to believe some reading this Pastoral Letter will be part of these sessions in obedience to Christ's call.

God bless the cadets! God bless the candidates! God bless those involved in screening and training them!

God bless you all!

I commend you once again to the perfect love of Christ.

Shaw Clifton
General

Farewell Xangaland...

Sun, 18 May 2008 21:37:12 GMT

Well, it is now official - after five years as NWDYS, I am being farewelled from this fantastic division. Amy and I will take on new appointments at NHQ in Alexandria, VA as of July 16, 2008.

As for this site, I will be shutting it down permanently sometime during June. I won't be leaving the blogosphere, though. You can catch Captain's bLog at http://rob-reardon.blogspot.com

It's been fun communicating and debating here on Xanga for the past few years. I wish you all the best!

Rob

My boys of Spring...

Tue, 06 May 2008 23:10:17 GMT

NEED A SUMMER JOB?

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:44:34 GMT

More thoughts on the uniform

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 17:12:44 GMT

I love The Salvation Army uniform. I don't care if people presume that I'm an airline pilot when walking through an airport, or if I'm mistaken for a bellhop at a hotel. Plain and simply, the uniform is an outward sign to society that I'm SAVED by the blood of Jesus Christ and I'm available to whomever is in need physically, emotionally or spiritually. Along the same line of thought, wearing the uniform in a privilege. Not a privilege similar to "club" membership or preferential treatment, but a privilege to be used by God to minister to all of humanity.

When I wear my uniform, I'm making a statement that carries with it simultaneous messages of integrity, commitment and accessibility. If any of those areas are lacking, then the uniform simply becomes a costume of sorts. The wearer is playing "dress-up" and is not standing beside the message conveyed by the garment. 2 Timothy is clear in 2:3-5: "Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs; rather, they try to please their commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor's crown except by competing according to the rules." The Salvation Army has for its own good and the good of others certain rules and expectations for those wearing the uniform. If those rules aren't lived and followed, then it's simple - take the uniform off.

A friend of mine once said, "If I worked at Wendy's I wouldn't sell you Taco Bell!" The same is true as soldiers of The Salvation Army. If you call yourself a Salvationist and you wear the uniform, don't try to sell me anything else! Any other doctrine or theology or any other belief or standard. If the soldier wearing the uniform isn't following the rules of not only The Salvation Army, but of what the Bible clearly sets out as godly living, then step aside until you're ready to do so!

Now there will be those who will say that rules are to be lived by, yes, but grace ought to reign supreme. I agree, but not to the detriment of the Christian witness and integrity of Biblical standards. Just before that passage above from 2 Timothy 2, we read that we are to "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 2:1). Grace is free-flowing, but it also has it's expectations doesn't it? This is covered in Romans 6:1-2 - "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" Grace doesn't give us license to live lives peppered with sin, but it provides the means to overcome sin and live lives of holiness and integrity.

This is what the uniform represents. It is not just another Sunday suit. It is not a "costume" by which we dress-up when necessary to feed the poor. It is a cloak of holiness and a means by which we can communicate to this dying world that there is hope in Christ. Wear it well!

The uniform isn't relevant...oh really?!

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:12:06 GMT

Reflections on a roadtrip

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 10:15:48 GMT

So, I'm here sitting in a hotel room in Helena, Montana trying to psych myself up to get up and at 'em. Yesterday was a busy day. On Friday, we left Seattle early in the morning to drive here with our SAY (Salvation Army Youth) Rally team, comprised of four young people, and three of us from the Youth Department. After a long day of driving, we pulled in and got into our rooms. When we woke up yesterday, we were greeted with about 4 inches of snow. And it was COLD, too! We made our way to the corps only to find out that only two of the expected 6 corps showed up for the Rally. So, while we prepared ourselves for upwards of 70 kids and leaders, only 23 showed up. The team could have been discouraged and given in to the temptation to only give a half-hearted effort, but Amy and I were thrilled to watch both the team and the participants give everything, which made for a great day.

Of all the kids that came, one stuck out in my mind. During my teaching time, we were talking about early SA history and I was explaining William Booth's childhood. I asked if anyone could tell me what an apprentice was. This exceptional young man raised his hand and gave a brilliant answer and then concluded with something along the lines of: "...and as a Jr. Soldier, I am apprentice to my corps officer to learn all I can about being an officer in The Salvation Army and telling people about Jesus and how they can get saved." Isn't that incredible? I am encouraged that this little guy has corps officers that are passionate about discipleship and getting everyone involved in battle.

My hopes for the future of The Salvation Army are strong, most of the time. But after yesterday's SAY Rally in Montana, I'm excited about the potential that is found in our youngest soldiers!

Call to Prayer

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 09:26:10 GMT

"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven" (James 5:13-15).

Many of you will have read the bulletin out of IHQ from the Chief of Staff concerning the General issued yesterday. In it, Commissioner Dunster reveals that General Clifton will be undergoing surgery this Saturday, April 5, 2008 as part of his cancer treatment. I believe that it is only reasonable that the Army world should observe that day as a day of prayer and fasting for our General. I am aware that there are many others who are struggling with physical ailments at this time. So, as always we should remember them in prayer. But on Saturday, I feel that it would be appropriate to commit to a day of intercession on behalf of General Shaw Clifton.

Here is the bulletin from the Chief of the Staff:

Dear Comrades,

General Shaw Clifton

The General and Commissioner Helen Clifton have been deeply appreciative of the many assurances of prayerful support they have received in recent months. Such messages have been a source of tremendous strength to them.

I am pleased to tell you that the General's chemotherapy treatment concluded last month, and the latest tests and consultations have confirmed that his doctors are pleased with the progress he has made to date. During and since the chemotherapy the General has been able to continue to carry out his administrative duties as normal.

The next stage of the treatment now approaches, and the General will be entering hospital on Saturday 5 April, for surgery on the same day. After a few days in intensive care following surgery, the General expects to be hospitalized for a further ten days or so. Close contact with his office and with the office of the Chief of the Staff will be maintained.

Please continue to pray for the General, Commissioner Helen Clifton and the family during the coming days. We thank God for answered prayer thus far, and continue to believe for complete healing for our General.

Blessings!

Yours in service,

Robin Dunster
CHIEF OF THE STAFF

General's Pastoral Letter

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 01:39:17 GMT

PASTORAL LETTER SEVEN

CHILDREN

Dear Fellow Salvationists,

In this seventh Pastoral Letter I feel led to think aloud with you about the children of the Army and the children of the world. In doing so I send you warm greetings from London where Spring has come early and is now in full bloom. God's handiwork is matchless. So is God's love, a love that extends in a very special way to embrace our children and children everywhere.

We know from the words and teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ that there is a special place for children in the heart of God. That is why we too as individuals and as an Army must also hold the children in high esteem and look to their wellbeing at all times. Jesus had harsh words for any person harming a child. Also he made time and space for children, letting them come to him even when those around him tried to prevent it. He prioritized the children.

We must do so too. General William Booth visited India twice and published a clear-headed strategy for winning India for Christ. A key part of the strategy addressed our attitude to the children of India. Booth said that for India to be won for Christ we must pay, not just 1,000 times more attention to the children than to the adults, but 10,000 times more attention! This was a bold statement but it applies still today and not only to India. It would break the Founder's heart to visit corps that have no work for children and where throughout a whole Sunday you will not meet a single child. What a tragedy!

Our Junior Soldiers are infinitely precious. Every child is a gem for Christ. A child who loves the Lord with a simple childlike heart can be used by God in turn to win the parents for the Kingdom. Also, the children are our role-models in simplicity and trust, just as we are their role-models in loving and caring for one another. As I write I offer up an earnest prayer for all who teach the children of the Army, for theirs is a very great and privileged responsibility.

In today's world we must protect the children from all kinds of evil and harm: impure literature, the temptations of the internet, drugs and alcohol, those who would prey upon them seeking to damage and abuse them, materialism, low self-esteem, peer pressures of every kind, premature sexualization - the list could go on and on. Every Army center in the world is expected to have clear and effective child protection procedures in place. These procedures are not an optional extra.

Let us take a step back and ask ourselves if we are fulfilling our duties to the children within our influence. Do they sense that we respect them? Are we supportive of their family life? Do we teach them, at a suitable age, about the importance of marriage and fidelity? Do we have imaginative, effective programmes for them? Is our teaching for the children sound and true? Are we settling merely for entertaining them or are we intentional about leading them to Christ?

I know that the Lord speaks into the lives of children because he spoke to me when I was only 12 years old. He told me what he wanted from me for the rest of my life. No one else knew what he had said to me, until I was ready to share it. So today this still happens and we who are adults have no idea what God is whispering into the souls of our children. For this reason we must respect them as tender plants growing up for Christ to do his holy will in the world.

God bless the children! Thank you for looking after the children! They are beyond price in the eyes of their Creator.

This comes to you all with my strong love in Jesus Christ and my ceaseless encouragement in the great Salvation War.

I commit you to the perfect love of Christ.

Shaw Clifton
General
April 2008

Bible Bowl Reflections..

Sat, 29 Mar 2008 20:24:08 GMT

Another Divisional Bible Bowl Tournament is (almost) in the books. What a day! Six teams from seven corps in our Division faced off against each other in a double elimination tournament that began early this morning. Actually, it began a lot earlier in that the teams have been practicing for months. Some of them have scrimmaged other teams and at least one team scrimmages against a team of adults each year. Needless to say, the kids smoke the adults. It never ceases to amaze me with how much scripture these kids pour into their minds and how much of it gets regurgitated during the Bible Bowl matches. And lest you think that it rarely goes further than that, I've heard testimony recently from several who have participated in Bible Bowl in the past that the retention of the scripture keeps coming back at key points in their lives and helps them immensely. Isn't that what Psalm 119:11 is all about?

In a world where so many of our kids are facing desperate times and circumstances, it is perplexing to me as to why we're not engaging them in things like Bible Bowl and challenging them to hide God's Word in their hearts on a regular basis. This year's material for Bible Bowl were the entire books of Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians & Philemon. I watched kids give answers and quotes from these books all day. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the words they recited today will become cornerstones in their lives in the very near future. God's Word DOES NOT return void. I truly hope that we never give up on giving our kids the opportunity to participate in Bible Bowl. It must be a mainstay in our programming and discipleship planning.

Shout out to everyone who participated today:

- Bellingham
- Bremerton/Puyallup
- Seattle White Center
- Spokane
- Wenatchee
- Vancouver

Incidentally, Wenatchee and Vancouver will be facing each other in the Divisional Finals which will be held during Youth Councils n Saturday, April 26, 2008. And I'll let you in on a little secret - we're planning something special to coincide with that event in a few weeks...you'd better come to see what it is...