My Thoughts about your Thoughts
Thanks for the responses. I am glad to see that you are concerned as I am for the "image" that the Army is setting forth. I believe this is a conversation that we should be having with each other. One responder left this Railton quote that is fitting:
"I intend carefully to instruct my children that if at any time they see The Salvation Army a wealthy, respectable concern, the majority of whose "soldiers" simply go where they please to attend its' "ministrations," leaving the godless undisturbed to perish; and if they see another set of people, however they may be clothed or despised, who really give up all to go for the lost, then they must not for a moment hesitate to learn the concern their poor old dad helped to make, and go out amongst those who most faithfully carry out what the founder of the Army laid down in his writings and acts. May God preserve them from such a day by keeping the Army free from the love of money and ease."
The Army in its purest and I would say most effective state was able to move freely in the direction of Holy Spirit because as the Founder said, "we have no reputation to protect." That is not true today. This is a reputation protector.
I would add a response to my friend Aaron (I mean that in a sincere way, I consider Aaron a friend and am glad that he is standing and defending the Army in this and in other situations) in a separate email. I would only add and agree with the Cadet that "We are The Salvation Army." That is what they keep telling and teaching us. The problem is that the Army makes us say that, all the while making us add the lines "I do not submit this on behalf of The Salvation Army, Evangeline Booth College, The School for Officer Training, or any other person or entity other than myself, a Salvation Army soldier. This should not be consider by anyone as an official statement it is merely an opinion of one individual."
We (The Salvation Army as we keep saying we are) might need to ask NHQ to add similar disclaimers to the end of their thoughts. This may be the most minor of issues that we have to stand up for. The bigger ones are coming. Just ask the Anglican and Catholic Church.
I will steal this closing from another responder, Kelly Pope. As a soldier of The Salvation Army, I DO submit this opinion representing not only myself but the movement to which I am affiliated anyone reading this should take this as an official opinion of Cory Harrison, soldier of the Salvation Army.
posted by primitive salvo @ 6:45 PM
10 comments
10 Comments:
why is it that I'm most excited by discussion that observes "the hierachy" as self preserving or acting out of a fear evading conservatism? I don't think I'm alone in this sentiment...
WHAM BAM !!! As a low wrung member of the heirarchy (and an insider trying to make serious changes within it) I take exception to the statements. The problem is not the heirarchy, it is all of us a whole who are not on fire for God. The fire of the Holy Spirit is not in its people, not just its leaders. We need change from the ground up. Get the plank out of our own eye before we take the splinter out of......
Let me add one more comment. The Army is the greatest concept ministry on the planet (quote from Doc. Ed McKinley). The lack of Holy living is not just a TSA thing, it is world wide. We all have prayed for the forgiveness of God but I dare say that not many have prayed "Lord, send me the fire of the Holy Spirit." WE JUST HAVE TO ASK FOR IT !!
As I read all of these thoughts, I kept thinking of the words of Oswald Chambers - My Utmost for His Highest.
We have a problem that extends farther than whether or not we are doing the most good.
We have soldiers and officers whose hearts are not completely to God and whose hands are not completely to man. They are neither completely saved to save nor are they completely saved to serve.
The question is: where are we and who are we as a "Salvation" Army?
We must first make sure we have not forgotten our first love. Just as Booth said that there is heaven in east london, there must be heaven in Greenwood, MS and DC and everywhere else. We must be Christ to those who have no hope and who have not felt the love of God.
As long as there are soldiers and officers (who are soldiers first) who forsake their articles of war, their international mission statement, and their first love then debating a brand might be premature.
I'll use the brand or a slogan or walk on my hands while playing a tambourine with my feet if it means bringing one more soul to Christ or meeting one more human need in His name.
This discussion is most helpful because it forces people to consider the direction and future course of The Salvation Army. In all of this, let us not forget our origin and primary purpose for existence.
PL, said " As long as there are soldiers and officers (who are soldiers first) who forsake their articles of war, their international mission statement, and their first love then debating a brand might be premature."
That statement brings this question to my mind: If there are "soldiers and officers (who are soldiers first) who forsake their articles of war, their international mission statement, and their first love," then isn't any discussion of a even having a brand pointless? Shouldn't we focus on reviving our love for our first love instead of how we present ourselves to others, from a PR standpoint? As God has done before, He will provide what we need (not what we think we need) to reach those He has ordained for us to reach...
PL said this, also "I'll use the brand or a slogan or walk on my hands while playing a tambourine with my feet if it means bringing one more soul to Christ or meeting one more human need in His name."
To that, all I can say is AMEN - except for the fact that we don't even need a "brand" ubless we don't believe that God will provide.....
Would someone tell me then what it is we should say.......?
A logo is an image, is not the uniform an image?????
Did you see the shield in that logo, people know that......
Let's switch to the crest, I mean after all, nobody knows what it is when they see it, that's why we have the shield isn't it.
What could we accomplish in the time we debate this brand that has been voted on, adopted, and approved and won't be changed no matter how long we gripe and complain about it.
All you have to concern yourself with, as I do, is to get my job done.... I DON'T CARE WHAT THE BRAND OF THE WHOLE ARMY IS, THE BRAND OF AARON ABRAM'S PART OF THE ARMY IS TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST AT ANY COST REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY MAY MEAN OR REQUIRE.
Once we all get back to doing that, it won't matter what our brand, motto, slogan, logo, manifesto, or anything else is. And I submit that perhaps we could even get rid of it altogether because we won't have to sell ourselves so to speak.
But, it seems to me you have all said that we just aren't doing that, so less time blasting the brand, more time fixing things on the grassroots......
Works for me!
Under the Flag,
Cadet Aaron Abram
Heralds of the Good News
(I do not submit this on behalf of The Salvation Army, Evangeline Booth College, The School for Officer Training, or any other person or entity other than myself, Aaron Abram, a Salvation Army soldier.)
(This should not be consider by anyone as an official statement it is merely an opinion of one individual.)
Hey Cory, I'm really enjoying the blogging going on. Here's a little fuel for the fire I suppose and something that I can't yet figure out. I learned this morning that The Salvation Army shield, with its new brand and the disaster number are being place on lottery tickets. For the life of me I can't get the fact that we are committing a blatant sin out of my mind or my heart. Perhaps I'm overreacting. Just a little angry though.
Joy
I appreciate this discussion. We cannot speak as freely in the west on these matters. It is thought that these sites are monitored because some individuals have gotten in trouble for their posts in the west and in the east. If I am to participate in this discussion, I must hide my identity.
There are some who give such thoughts such as Chick Yuill and Geof Ryan and are published by the Army. There are others who are not part of this group and are chastised for it.
just a thought - but I believe that the shield is older than the crest. Remember the badges worn by the early salvos?
good post.
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