18 November 2017 NZFT War Cry

FAITH IN ACTION 18 NOVEMBER 2017 | Issue 6680 | $1.50

Are We to Blame for #MeToo?

Transforming Society—White Ribbon Day Leaving Marriage in Midlife

Breaking Cycles of Violence in South Auckland The Reformation for Beginners

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WAR CRY The Salvation Army

Te Ope Whakaora New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory TERRITORIAL LEADERS Commissioners Andy & Yvonne Westrupp | GENERAL André Cox | FOUNDERS William

& Catherine Booth

The Salvation Army’s message is based on the Bible. Our ministry is motivated by love for God. Our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human need in his name without discrimination. War Cry exists to support and advance The Salvation Army’s message, ministry and mission.

EDITOR Major Christina Tyson | GRAPHIC DESIGN Sam Coates, Lauren Millington | STAFF WRITERS Ingrid Barratt, Major Shar Davis, Robin Raymond | PROOF READING Major Jill Gainsford | COVER David Ware of Hillsong Church,

Photography: Sabrina David

OFFICE Territorial Headquarters, 204 Cuba Street, PO Box

6015, Marion Square, Wellington 6141, Phone (04) 384 5649, Fax (04) 382 0716, Email warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org, www.salvationarmy.org.nz/warcry SUBSCRIPTIONS Salvationist Resources Department, Phone

(04) 382 0768, Email mailorder@nzf.salvationarmy.org, $75 per year within NZ

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is an environmentally responsible paper produced using Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) FSC® certified Mixed Source pulp from responsible sources and manufactured under the strict ISO14001 Environmental Management System.

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Not just a day for the boys Saturday 25 November is White Ribbon Day. White Ribbon aims to end men’s violence toward women by encouraging men to lead by example and talk to other men about respectful relationships. Often we think of White Ribbon Day as being about helping males better manage their anger so it doesn’t spill over into harsh words or hurtful actions. But women can also struggle to manage their anger.

Anger isn’t a bad thing. Anger is a normal human emotion that helps us process what’s happening around us and in us so we can choose to respond wisely.

Anger can be a helpful response when we see injustice. It gives us the passion to fight for what is right. Jesus got angry when he went to the temple and saw people using it as a place to make money. He got so angry he chased those people out!

Sometimes females can feel it’s not appropriate for us to express our anger and that we instead need to be ‘nice Christian women’ all the time. Doormats who smile politely no matter how often we get trampled on. That’s certainly not the case!

But choosing not to be a doormat doesn’t give us free licence to attack others.

According to the Bible, the key thing to remember is that we aren’t to let the way in which we express our anger become dishonouring of God or damaging to relationships. That’s why Ephesians 4:26 says, ‘In your anger, do not sin.’ (The CEV version says, ‘Don’t get so angry that you sin.’)

If you’re struggling to break bad habits of anger but want to make a change, be honest with your friends and family about that. Ask them to support you as you seek to bring your anger under God’s control.

Christina Tyson Editor

All Bible references from the Holy Bible, New International Version, unless otherwise stated.

Articles are copyrighted to The Salvation Army, except where indicated, and may be reprinted only with permission.

Publishing for 134 years | Issue 6680 ISSN 0043-0242 (print), ISSN 2537-7442 (online) Please pass on or recycle this magazine Read online www.issuu.com/salvationarmynzftwarcry

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Let us not look back in anger, nor forward in fear, but around in awareness.

James Thurber

2 Timothy 1:7 (Contemporary English Version) God’s Spirit doesn’t make cowards out of us.

The Spirit gives us power, love and self-control.

2 Timoti 1:7 Kāhore hoki i hōmai e te Atua ki a tātou te wairua o te wehi; engari tō te kaha, tō te aroha, tō te ngakau mahara.

T

here was a time when we’d watch a TV programme and spend ages talking about it the next day. A time when we waited a whole week (or an entire off-season) to find out what happened next. Not so today.

Now we can binge-watch an entire series in one hit.

In the 1990s and 2000s, ER was a must-see TV drama. Episode after episode we wondered if Dr Doug Ross (George Clooney, deep sigh!) would ever commit to Nurse Carol Hathaway. We wondered if Dr John Carter would live after he was stabbed.

We wondered what could possibly happen next after that helicopter fell off the roof to land on Dr Romano (awful luck when you consider his surgical career had already ended when his arm was sliced off by a rotor blade in the previous season).

But today we can avoid this whole problem of extended suspense. At the moment I’m watching Stranger Things 2, having become a huge fan of its sci-fi quirkiness and ’80s nostalgia. Twenty-four hours after the show was on Netflix, I’d already watched three episodes back to back.

Which brings me to a more problematic downside: it’s so easy to waste time watching episode after episode, or even series after series.

Yes, I suppose I could watch and iron (although that does make it hard to reach the chips and dip).

I could watch just one episode, and then read an

uplifting book (my Bible, perhaps?) or simply get an early night. It’s so tempting to keep watching, yet I freely confess the couch potato life is not good for either my body or my soul.

Today’s watch-what-and-when-we-like culture also means we have to be careful not to say too much. I can’t share my excitement, my enthusiasm or my speculation with people about what’s going on in Stranger Things 2 because I might spoil it for them—or them for me.

TV shows used to be connection points that got us talking. (Did you see: Hill Street Blues, Star Trek, Twin Peaks, The West Wing, Gilmore Girls, Lost last night?) Today’s TV viewing is more individualised and privatised (it’s almost like the olden days when people read books). So … just what are we going to talk about now?!

Here’s a thought: maybe this is an opportunity to move on from talking about trivia and go deeper.

Rather than talking about who killed JR (or Mr Burns), perhaps we can move on to finding out what is killing people’s purpose in life. Rather than talking about whether Ross and Rachel will ever get together, we can talk about how knowing Jesus helps us keep the important stuff of life together.

In other words, let’s talk about life. Real life!

BY CHRISTINA TYSON 18 NOVEMBER 2017 WarCry 3

Homeless Helping Themselves Like many people, IT project manager Simon Dodd felt appalled as he walked past the homeless in Wellington every day. But he decided to do something about it. Regenerate magazine will be launched on 26 November. It follows a similar business model to the famous Big Issue magazine in the UK, which is bought by homeless people and then onsold for a profit.

GOODSTUFF

Actor Nick Offerman is best known for portraying the ultimate man’s man in the comedy series Parks and Recreation. In real life he is a passionate carpenter who started his own woodworking line. This is what he told Men’s Health magazine about being considered ‘manly’: ‘You know, it’s a funny thing. I’m careful about the definition of manly …

We’ve been sold this weird John Wayne mentality that fistfights and violence are vital to being a man. I’d rather hug than punch. Crying at something that moves you to joy or sadness is just as manly as chopping down a tree.’

‘I’ve got a really good editorial and writers team on board, and also the backing of lots of good people in the community’ says Simon.

People wanting to sell Regenerate will be given two free issues. Once they have been sold, they can then buy further issues for $2.50 and sell them for $5 each.

The enterprise has been received with enthusiasm among many in the homeless community. Sellers will be identified by an official vest they may choose to wear. ‘As a recently homeless person I’d have to say I welcome the project and I think the vest lends an air of “approachable officialness,”’ says Ben Sampsey.

QUIKQUIZ

1 Who is/was New Zealand’s youngest Prime Minister?

2 What does the term ‘DJ’ stand for?

3 In what reality show did Clarke Gayford (Prime Minister’s partner) come runner up?

4 Which mammal has the longest gestation period?

5 Who laughed when she heard she would bear a son in her old age?

Answers on page 22

Action / Adventure Thor: Ragnarok (M, violence) Taika Waititi

It is no exaggeration to say the latest Thor film is the best yet and is already breaking box office records. With Taika Waititi at the helm, this was always going to have a different feel than previous Thor films. His trademark ‘Kiwi humour’ is infused in the film giving it a comic feel that makes Thor, Loki, Hulk and other characters refreshingly funny. Thor must stop Hela, God of Death from conquering Asgard. But first he must find a way to escape an alien gladiator planet ruled by Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum). A great cast is supported by a number of cameo roles and a bunch of familiar Kiwi faces. Don’t forget to stay to the end of all the credits.

4 WarCry 18 NOVEMBER 2017

Cookbook 5 Ingredients Jamie Oliver

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, we are featuring some special recipes from Jamie Oliver’s new book 5 Ingredients.

I am not a natural home chef, but I am a Jamie fan—his ‘brand’ (now that we’re referring to people that way) is wholesome but sophisticated, healthy but indulgent, young and fun, but also family-focused. When it comes to Jamie’s actual recipes, though, the drawback has always been that I don’t have ingredients like pancetta or truffle oil lying around in my cupboard. That’s why this is my favourite Jamie book yet—every recipe still presents like a work of art, but is limited to only five ingredients. Yes, there are specialist ingredients, but the overall tone is simplified and accessible. I would even try it at home. (Penguin)

Fear kills more dreams than failure ever will.

Suzy Kassem

Weird of the Week: You are two times more likely to be killed by a vending machine than to be killed by a shark.

ONTHESPOT

Pāora Winitana A former professional basketballer with the Tall Blacks, Pāora is a White Ribbon ambassador. As a young man, he helped his mother escape his father, who is still in The Mongrel Mob. Secret Indulgence: I’m a lollies guy, so anything sweet ...

Celebrity crush: Miss NZ ... my wife, ha, ha!

What I’m watching: The reality TV series Ball in the Family. It inspires me to see what people can achieve when they’re committed, focused and resilient.

One thing I hate: When my sons use the same teaspoon for the Milo and sugar ... argh!

Something surprising about your job: At the end of each week [at the Paul Henare and Pāora Winitana Basketball Academy] we have leftover milk thanks to our sponsor Meadow Fresh.

I drive around areas in the Hawke’s Bay and give it to families in need.

Chicken Pot Pie 2 onions 600g chicken thighs, skin off, bone out 350g mixed mushrooms 1 bunch of fresh thyme (30g) 375g block of all-butter puff pastry (cold)

Preheat the oven to 220ºC/425ºF/gas 7. Place a 30 cm non-stick ovenproof frying pan on a high heat, with a smaller non-stick pan on a medium heat alongside. Pour 1 tablespoon of olive oil into the larger pan. Peel and roughly chop the onions, adding them to the larger pan as you go. Roughly chop two-thirds of the thighs, finely chop the rest, and add to the onion pan. Cook for 6 minutes, or until golden, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, place the mushrooms in the dry pan, tearing up any larger ones. Let them toast and get nutty for 4 minutes, then tip into the chicken pan and strip in half the thyme leaves.

Remove the pan from the heat, add a pinch of sea salt and black pepper, then stir in 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar and 150 ml of water. Working quickly, roll out the pastry so it’s 2 cm bigger than the pan, then place it over the filling, using a wooden spoon to push it into the edges. Very lightly criss-cross the pastry, then brush with 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Poke the remaining thyme sprigs into the middle of the pie. Bake at the bottom of the oven for 15 minutes, or until golden and puffed up. Easy!

Calories

Fat

Sat Fat

Protein

Carbs

Sugar

Salt

683kcal

19.8g

36.7g

42g

7.2g

1.2g

4.3g

5 Ingredients by Jamie Oliver is published by Penguin Random House © 2017 Jamie Oliver Enterprises Limited Photographer: David Loftus

18 NOVEMBER 2017 WarCry 5

Transforming So

Marcelle and Kobe, Kaitaia Intermediate School’s valedictorians, marked White Ribbon Day in 2015. Photography: Peter de Graaf, Northland Age.

ociety

Guys, we need to talk. And we need to take a stand. If we do that, we can transform New Zealand society, so says Garth Baker from White Ribbon.

BY ROBIN RAYMOND

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ew Zealand has one of the highest rates of domestic violence in the developed world. Police here are called to a domestic violence case every five minutes, one-in-three women experience physical and/or sexual abuse from a partner in their lifetime, and possibly up to 80 per cent of domestic violence goes unreported. But with a bit of respect and by having a conversation, we can change this, says Garth.

Garth is at the forefront of programmes in New Zealand to help stop and prevent domestic violence. He designed six behaviour change programmes used by the justice system—every person who gets a protection order taken out against them is required to complete one of Garth’s courses as part of the order.

He also writes for White Ribbon’s Tool Box, which provides practical tips for living out and modelling violence-free relationships, and researches violence by men against women.

Growing up in the Methodist church, Garth says he was raised with a strong sense of social awareness that he took into his working life. Among a range of jobs he was the first male educator for Family Planning, worked with The Salvation Army in the 1980s as a supervisor for a training programme with unemployed people, and was a life skills tutor at a polytechnic.

After researching and designing violence prevention projects for 11 years, Garth says it’s a great opportunity to make change in an area linked to a whole range of other social problems, including issues of mental health. Preventing domestic violence is a cause he’s passionate about and where there are both huge challenges and huge positives, he says.

‘This is a long-term social problem that can be changed—I think that’s quite clear. I might not live to see the change, but if I can spend the last of my working life on this I feel I have made a contribution, and doing something is a hell of a lot better than doing nothing.’

The root of the problem The key driver of domestic violence is in our culture; what we expect of men and the way men are supposed to behave, Garth says. If the driver is culture, the main risk factors for that turning into violence are when men believe they’ve got the power over women, and they stick to a rigid division between men’s and women’s roles, which they then enforce using violence, he says.

‘The other aspects are when men get a sense that it’s only acceptable to express anger with violence, not their full range of emotions.’

There’s also an expectation among some men in Kiwi culture about how they 18 NOVEMBER 2017 WarCry 7

have to behave and what their mates think. ‘We talk about the social norm—what individual men think other men tolerate or support. We’re pretty crap at it. If you talk to an individual man, typically he will overestimate how many other men are using violence or would support violence.’

Fortunately, Garth says, change is not about always saying no or looking at the negatives, but in saying yes. Positive, practical steps work best to make change and it’s something White Ribbon is encouraging men to get on board with: to say yes to respectful, healthy relationships where each party gets the best out of it, yes to walking the talk and yes to being a leader for a culture that doesn’t tolerate violence.

The good news This is where men who aren’t violent can help make a change, Garth says. The good news is that’s most of us—and we can change our culture.

One of the strongest studies around violence in New Zealand found that 21 per cent of men had used physical violence against their partner in the previous year, he says, but that means 79 per cent didn’t.

‘A lot more men are appalled by violence and support gender equality [than are violent]—but what people believe is different to how they act with their mates. Respect is a majority behaviour, but it’s a silent majority.’

That’s why men need to talk more and take a stand through things like wearing the white ribbon or making the White Ribbon pledge, which are both positive steps that work to help change the attitudes of society and of New Zealand culture, to say violence is not okay.

The change to people speaking up about violence really started in the past 10 years—that’s where we have seen the start of big changes in New Zealand, Garth says. ‘The key development in the past 10 years is public awareness that this is an issue. A lot of those early campaigns were around breaking the silence, and now we’ve moved to what we do about it.’

There’s been more reporting of violence and an increase in behaviour-change programmes. Although initially run for men referred by the courts, these programmes have seen a growing number of men from the general public asking to come along as they recognise their own issues and seek help to change.

Garth welcomes the new government’s move to appoint an under-secretary to the Minister of Justice to focus specifically 8 WarCry 18 NOVEMBER 2017

SAY YES TO RESPECTFUL, HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS ...

YES TO WALKING THE TALK AND YES TO BEING A LEADER FOR A CULTURE THAT DOESN’T TOLERATE VIOLENCE. on domestic and sexual violence issues as another shift in the right direction.

Work encouraging the silent majority to set the tone for all of New Zealand needs to continue, but work also needs to be stepped up with teenagers and young dads. These are the areas where research shows people can make the most change, and where men can be change makers, he says.

That’s where this year’s White Ribbon campaign is focused, encouraging people to model and teach respectful behaviour to boys and young men. For this year’s campaign, White Ribbon has launched a video called ‘Raising Our Men’ (available on its website) and they’re challenging men to step up and commit to something which is going to be a long-term change for our society. ‘We have been working on family violence seriously for about 12 years—we’re only at the beginning,’ Garth says.

How it works A White Ribbon weekend at a local marae inspired Gore Corps Mission Team Leader Andrew Dunlop and a group of other men in the community to get together and help make that change, he says. ‘[The weekend] was a real eye-opener about the increasing violence in the community. It was a big time of sharing and there was a group of guys that said, “There’s nothing in Gore for guys.” Guys that realised they had an issue, they’d get the phonebook, but where do you look to go and get help?’

What the group decided was to start something where men who had been through court or jail, or recognised they had a problem, could share and help each other.

‘It’s an issue that’s not talked about with men. Often with Women’s Refuge, the wife or partner and kids are removed, but the issue is with the man often and that’s not talked about. So

it was a support process, we’d meet and talk about what they were struggling with.’

They’d talk together about the origins of someone’s anger and violence, what triggered them, and healthy ways of expressing anger. But the group also went further, Andrew says. ‘It was helping men to live with a healthy family life.

Violence in the family was a centre point, but we encompassed life really.’

While a professional counsellor helped lead the group, if someone needed further help they would refer them on for professional support. ‘Our biggest thing with the group is it’s person-to-person, man-to-man; a place where they feel safe to talk.’

Some of the men, particularly those who had grown up with violence, did not realise the way they treated their partner or children was not appropriate, he said, so being part of the group made a huge difference to that awareness.

‘We have guys come in to the group and, after a while they open up about their struggles with not being able to express their anger, hurts, frustrations and disappointments appropriately. Being in the group helps them feel like they aren’t alone, and that a lot of men struggle with these things.

They get to hear other men open up about things that helped them through these struggles, and help each other find safe ways of expressing these feelings.’

The challenge for the church Garth believes the Christian church in New Zealand has a huge opportunity to lead on violence, as a place with a clear identity and culture and where people have a sense of belonging.

‘If the men are respectful, that’s a powerful example.

Leadership is key. The message needs to be consistent: the words in the sermon need to match the action, and you have other leaders who need to be talking about it and walking it.

Women need to be seen as equal and be treated that way.’

Men’s groups and youth groups are good places to start, while taking the White Ribbon pledge would be a good way for men to show their church’s commitment to violence prevention. Discussing the behaviour using resources from the White Ribbon Tool Box is a good place to start, says Garth.

Or watching the ‘Raising Our Men’ video together and talking about what sort of men they want to be.

‘White Ribbon day is a Saturday this year, so [churches could promote these messages] on the Sunday the day after.

White Ribbon Day in Whanganui 2016: Peter Porter asks a school student what White Ribbon Day is about. Her answer: ‘Being responsible and respectful and being nice.’

Photography: Natalie Sixtus, Wanganui Chronicle.

That’s the sort of thing White Ribbon promotions are about: exposing and going public about the behaviour we want, and promoting it as a positive solution.’

Another way was through the accreditation system White Ribbon has set up, where businesses and organisations can become accredited by effectively integrating violence prevention into their work model. The Salvation Army Whangarei Corps and Community Ministries is looking to become accredited, and Positive Lifestyle Community Coordinator Leah Perkins, who is leading that work, says this is a hugely important step to take.

In her work, Leah says about 80 per cent of the women she works with have been victims of physical or sexual violence and there’s a high tolerace of violence in the community. Given The Salvation Army’s values and work in the community, getting accredited is a no-brainer, she says.

‘Why wouldn’t we do it? For me, having had that violence as part of my life growing up, to have had a beacon, an organisation saying that wasn’t okay, would have been huge.

For me, it’s being a light on top of the hill, saying, “This is where we stand and this is a safe place for people to come.” ’ OPEN THE WHITE RIBBON TOOLBOX | whiteribbon.org.nz/toolbox 18 NOVEMBER 2017 WarCry 9

Leaving Marriage in Midlife More men are leaving their marriages in mid-life, but do they find what they are looking for?

Women have traditionally been the initiators of divorce, but men are now bucking this trend. A recent UK study found that 40 per cent of divorces last year were granted to men, and the average duration of a marriage was 12 years. Perhaps most surprising was that the biggest increase was men over 50 initiating divorce.

Our shift towards putting children at the centre of the family has contributed to this trend, marriage therapist Andrew Marshall told the UK’s Telegraph. Once children leave home, the distance between spouses becomes too heavy a burden.

‘Add to that the world of social media and internet dating, and the fact we’re living longer, men will often give up on their marriages, even in mid-life, thinking they have time to find happiness elsewhere.’

I CAN HONESTLY SAY I AM SO HAPPY I STAYED. I LOVE MY WIFE, OUR FAMILY IS STILL TOGETHER, AND THERE IS A NEW DEPTH TO OUR MARRIAGE.

Dom was in this situation.

Although a Christian, he and his wife were living unhappily together after 10 years of marriage. Leaving just seemed easier. He was at a church house group when another guy—a trained psychologist —opened up about his own marriage, saying, ‘There have been times when it has felt like it would be so much easier to break up and start again. But my practice is full of middle-aged men who thought it would be easier to leave their marriages. They are living the single life—going out clubbing and trying to find someone—in their 50s, and they are depressed and miserable and end up on my couch.’

Dom recalls: ‘He had no idea about my own marriage situation, but I never forgot what he said. I realised that as tempting as it is to run away from my current problems, it would just create another set of issues to deal with.’

Instead, Dom and his wife recommitted to their marriage, seeking counselling to deal with the underlying issues and find skills to improve their relationship. ‘It was by no means easy.

It was mainly determination and a desire to make it work, and slowly things got better and better,’ recalls Dom. ‘Today, I can honestly say I am so happy I stayed. I love my wife, our family is still together, and there is a new depth to our marriage.’

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Not everyone has a happy ending like Dom, and it is worth noting that divorce is not always the road to fulfilment. There is much to celebrate in the hard work of restoring a marriage, and the rich shared history that comes with it.

If All Else Fails, Laugh I love being married, it’s so great to find that one special person you can annoy for the rest of your life.

Rita Rudner The most important four words for a successful marriage: ‘I’ll do the dishes.’ Anon Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards. Benjamin Franklin

TESTIFY! Robert Crump says his mental illness has helped him grow closer to God. I was born into a Salvationist family in the small rural town of Te Aroha, in Waikato. My mother was a nurse, my father was panel beater, and I had a brother and a sister.

Things started to change for me in my early teens. I developed a violent temper and would fly into a rage at the smallest thing. I began to hear voices in my head, but I didn’t tell anyone.

I didn’t think my parents would understand, so I kept quiet about the struggles I was facing.

I WAS USED TO HEARING VOICES, BUT WHEN I HEARD GOD SPEAK I KNEW THIS WAS DIFFERENT.

This led to a deep depression and paranoia, and by my late teens I was having suicidal thoughts.

to me. God made me a promise: ‘Robert, you will be a new man!’

I moved to Auckland to get away from everything, but it all followed me there. I finally told someone about the voices and suicidal thoughts and was prescribed anti-depression medication by my doctor.

However, I was soon self-medicating with alcohol and quickly became a very heavy drinker. I banded together with a small group of people who were anti-establishment and very cynical.

Eventually all our negative cynical attitudes tore us apart. I decided to get some help for my drinking and went into a rehab centre in Mount Eden.

After rehab and the ending of a destructive relationship, I began to look at myself and where my life was heading.

The first time I heard God speak was completely out of the blue. I hadn’t been near a church since I was young and I wasn’t even looking for God. I was used to hearing voices in my head, but when I heard God speak in my mind, I knew this was different and I instantly recognised who was speaking

I decided to head along to a church. My brother Stephen is a Salvation Army officer and he suggested I go to Mount Albert Corps.

That was eight or nine years ago. After I moved to my current flat seven years ago, I became a regular at the corps and was soon on the door welcoming people to the church gathering each Sunday. I like to encourage people with positive messages like: ‘It’s a good day to be alive’ or ‘Life is good, life is what you make it.’

Life hasn’t been easy for me and in many respects still isn’t. My schizophrenia means my mind is always at war with itself. But this has also meant I’ve developed an incredibly strong faith in God. I have to daily depend on God and his promises.

I’ve developed a steadfast, desperate trust in God. I hold tight to the promise in Romans 8:28: ‘And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.’

Robert’s advice for interacting with people who have a mental illness …

Remember we are just as human as everyone else and deserve the same respect. Most people who suffer from mental illness are high-functioning people and we should value them as such.

Sometimes a person might seem distracted or angry, but this may have more to do with their own battles.

Never assume the worst— always ask.

Don’t be afraid of us—get to know us.

18 NOVEMBER 2017 WarCry 11

Are We to Blam

BY INGRID BARRATT

Me too, of course. But how much is the church to blame for a culture of toxic masculinity?

Being a writer (and generally nosey), I’m always eavesdropping on strangers’ conversations.

I was walking behind a couple of young women the other day, talking about their night out. One of them said, ‘The gig was cool, I only got groped by two guys, so that was good.’ She wasn’t saying it in a ‘look at me’ way—that was just her reality. Getting harassed by only two guys is a good night out. Many of you women out there will be nodding in agreement.

By now you will have heard about #MeToo —you may have even hashtagged it yourself.

If you did, I applaud you. You are brave. You are strong. I hear you roar.

If you have been totally off the grid, ‘me too’ was a response to the revelations of sexual abuse

by Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.

Women around the world who had experienced harassment hashtagged ‘me too’ on social media to show its extent (another hashtag ‘him too’ was also started—men can also be sexually exploited). Over 48 hours, literally hundreds of thousands of women joined forces to say ‘me too’, it was one of the most phenomenal example of social-media-as-protest that we have seen.

The hashtag did come under fire for potentially re-victimising women, by putting the onus on them to speak up.

But I believe and hope that the women who hashtagged felt empowered and that they—at last—found their voice. In all, the message came through loud and clear: sexual abuse is pervasive. It’s all around us.

TOXIC MASCULINITY I came across the term ‘toxic masculinity’ to describe the culture that allows predatory behaviour, and I think that’s a very apt description. There is nothing wrong with masculinity itself. Masculinity does not equal predator. Masculinity is not inherently dominant.

But when men abuse their strength—both physical and instinctual—it becomes toxic.

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I have heard Christians justify toxic masculinity by arguing that men are inherently dominant. I’m not going to throw Christian men under the bus—in my experience, the vast majority are very respectful to women and concerned with being good men.

However, Christian thinking is—at least in part —to blame. It began with the fall of humanity that we read about in Genesis, where God curses women by saying that their desire will be for their husband. This has widely been interpreted to mean that men will hold power over women. Thus, the thinking developed that male domination was the natural order.

But this is false logic, because the natural order was creation, not the fall. The inequality we see all around us, most recently with #MeToo, was never God’s deal.

When Christ came, he ushered in the Kingdom of Heaven in order to restore creation—including the redemption of the male/female dynamic. Our task as Christians is to continue this work of redemption in the way we live our lives. We should be the loudest voices for equality. And the best role models for mutual respect and honour.

SEXUAL ABUSE IS PERVASIVE. IT’S ALL AROUND US. BIBLICAL FEMINISM But Christian culture failed. We enjoyed our moral dominance in society, but instead of challenging inequality, we entrenched it as part of our value system.

We interpreted the few verses in the Bible that talk about gender roles to suit our own cultural compass.

But what is there to interpret about ‘Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ’? (1 Corinthians 11:3). Well, for a start, we have inherited a Greek model of hierarchy that looks like a ladder—with Christ at the top and women at the bottom.

But Jewish thinking pictured hierarchy as

me for #MeToo? circular—so Christ is connected to men, who are connected to women, who are connected back to God. Paul was also speaking into specific circumstances—he goes on to say that it is a disgrace for men to have their heads covered. This is clearly cultural, and I doubt anyone believes that today.

Finally, there is much in Paul’s writing that—while not setting out universal rules—nudges us in the right direction. If we took Paul’s teaching that there is neither male nor female ‘for you are all one in Christ Jesus’ (Galatians 3:28) as seriously as we have taken the verse above, our society would be a lot closer to the Kingdom of Heaven.

The early church was radical in the roles and respect it gave to women. In fact, the early Jesus followers may have been the first feminists. The modern church should have led the feminist movement. But instead, many saw it as a threat. As a result, the argument was taken out of the church’s hands and became entirely secular. The church lost its place as an ethical leader and influencer. And with it, we lost much of our relevance to modern culture.

The imbedded sexual harassment exposed by #MeToo is the direct result of a toxic belief among some men that power is theirs for the taking. It is also a result of women who have been told to shut up and submit.

I believe when we grasp a truly Kingdom view of gender, there would be no more need for #MeToo. And that would be Heaven.

CAN WE BE REDEEMED?

Patriarchy is an abuse of power, taking from females what God has given them: their dignity, and freedom, their leadership, and often their very lives.

But there is another way. As God’s people we are still in the process of being redeemed and reclaiming our original place in creation. A movement has been growing since the 1980s to offer an alternative Christian view—one that sees patriarchy as the result of sin, and equality as the Christian ideal.

We have the opportunity to bring new freedom to the male–female dynamic. What would this look like?

In The Salvation Army, it is a wonderful opportunity to regain Catherine Booth’s prophetic and empowering vision for women.

Christian equality—also known as egalitarianism— sees the Holy Spirit’s gifts as available to everyone, regardless of sex, race or social status. It sees marriage as the union of two equals. A man does not need to lay down the law. In a healthy marriage, both partners can thrash out their differences like grown-ups.

Women have as much of a voice as men.

A Biblical Manifesto for Gender Equality These are the core values of Christians for Biblical Equality, founded in 1984, which affirms gender equality and provides an alternative to patriarchy: Scripture is our authoritative guide for faith, life, and practice.

Patriarchy (male dominance) is not a biblical ideal but a result of sin.

While the Bible reflects patriarchal culture; the Bible does not teach patriarchy in human relationships.

Christ’s redemptive work frees all people from patriarchy, calling women and men to share authority equally in service and leadership.

The unrestricted use of women’s gifts is integral to the work of the Holy Spirit and essential for the advancement of the gospel in the world.

Followers of Christ are to oppose injustice and patriarchal teachings and practices that marginalise and abuse females and males.

SOURCE | www.cbeinternational.org 18 NOVEMBER 2017 WarCry 13

CALLING THE CHURCH TO CREATIVITY

BY KRIS SINGH (CREATIVE MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT)

If there was one unifying message to those who attended the 2017 Creative Connect Nights, it was this: creativity is not an optional accessory to the human condition; it is in all of us. We are all creative, just as we were all created—by God. And now, more than ever, creativity is essential for The Salvation Army.

Creative Connect Night was born as a reformatting of the Creative Ministries Conference, with three nights held in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch. By reimagining the event this way, we were able to reach over 450 people and directly impact the ground-level local church in a significant way.

Our special guests were the Global Creative Pastors for Hillsong Church, Cass and Rich Langton, alongside worship leader David Ware, Arts and Entertainment Pastor for Hillsong Church. Though all three have significant global platforms, their heart has and always will be for the local church, and the people and stories the local church is built on.

14 WarCry 18 NOVEMBER 2017

Our guests’ heart for the local church was mirrored in the passionate service of every team member who helped make Connect Night happen—from musicians to baristas to production teams, the body of Christ worked beautifully in sync to produce something special and life-changing for those who came. We are thankful to each and every person who contributed their creativity and time to make these nights happen.

But we cannot rest easy in the success of a job well done. The call to action is this—that what God has done before he will do again. When we accept our status as creative beings we must accept that God will use that creativity again, whoever we are and wherever we serve. A new creative renaissance will rise in The Salvation Army—if we are bold enough to believe that God will do it again.

WATCH THE CONNECT NIGHT VIDEO to hear more from Cass and Rich | www.connectnight.co.nz

Photographers: Brandon Lauridsen (Wellington), Sabrina & Kevin David (Auckland), Jessica Keane (Christchurch).

Follow Creative Ministries on Facebook for ideas, inspiration and information on upcoming events | www.facebook.com/cmdnzft

18 NOVEMBER 2017 WarCry 15

Commissioners Andy and Yvonne Westrupp with representatives of Manukau Community Ministries, The New Zealand Police and White Ribbon at the launch of the Ko Te Kitenga Hou programme.

Breaking Cycles of Violence in South Auckland A new vision to help men address domestic violence and anger issues is being piloted by The Salvation Army in South Auckland.

Ko Te Kitenga Hou, or ‘The New Vision’, was established in collaboration between a private philanthropic trust, the New Zealand Police, Oranga Tamariki (Ministry for Children) and The Salvation Army’s Manukau Community Ministries, where it is being piloted.

Manukau Community Ministries Director Pam Hughes said the men’s programme runs over 10 weeks and is an early intervention programme, reaching men before they end up in court or trouble with the police. ‘The point of difference [from similar programmes] is that these men have not been charged with a crime or been court ordered to attend the programme, and it’s a free programme.’ This means men and women wanting to take part in the programme can do so voluntarily, while others will be encouraged to attend by Counties Manukau Police and other external agencies.

As an extra support, a female social worker also works with the men’s partners and children in one-on-one sessions.

The programme challenges participants on their attitudes and behaviours, with a qualified male facilitator working with the men in group discussion sessions and one-on-one sessions. This provides a safe environment where they can gain self-awareness and ownership, and that supports positive change, Pam said.

Dealing with a person’s anger involves ‘getting to the core issue of where it’s rising from’, Pam said. Acknowledging where the anger is coming from and putting this into perspective is a major step forward for the participants, she said. Each person and each problem will be different and so it is important to look at all aspects of a person’s life, including cultural understanding.

A support group has also been established with various 16 WarCry 18 NOVEMBER 2017

community and church leaders to support the men once they have been through the programme, by providing fellowship with other men and ongoing access to responsible male mentors.

‘If we can break the cycle it will be a great thing for our families and extended community,’ Pam said.

Ko Te Kitenga Hou is the latest early intervention work for Manukau Community Ministries in addressing domestic violence. It is also working in South Auckland High Schools, promoting the message of White Ribbon New Zealand through senior social worker Diana Voa, who is chair for the Counties Manukau White Ribbon Campaign, and with involvement from other staff and volunteers.

For the seventh year, Manukau Community Ministries will be leading and supporting a South Auckland White Ribbon High School Breakfast, along with a spoken word speech competition that it has run for the past four years.

A High School White Ribbon Ambassador programme has also been set up with the assistance of Salvation Army Youth Development worker Andy Walker and other passionate youth volunteers. ‘We saw a need for ambassadors in schools and we thought, “What better way than having young people already planted in the schools?”’ Andy said.

A group of 24 young people signed up to be ambassadors at 15 South Auckland High Schools, running events and promoting the White Ribbon message this month.

The idea attracted the interest of the national White Ribbon Committee, which supported the programme with a view to possibly taking it nationwide next year, Andy said.

For more information on Ko Te Kitenga Hou, p: (09) 262 2332 or e: manukau_cm@nzf.salvationarmy.org

Faithfulness Honoured in Thames One hundred and fifty years after the Coromandel gold rush began, the town of Thames is celebrating its goldmining heritage.

As part of these festivities, Thames Corps held its own weekend of celebration from 16 to 17 September. This included a Saturday evening café concert with music from Hamilton City Corps Band and worship on Sunday. Colonels Wilfred and Margaret Arnold were guest leaders for the weekend.

Corps Officer Captain Bruce Tong set the scene: ‘Dust, dirt and rocks are being flung high and wide in search for riches that only fairy tales can suggest. But here at the gateway to the Coromandel stood Salvation Army officer Captain Wright. In this bustling township of Thames, surrounded by pubs and brothels, he held his flag of yellow, red and blue high, and declared the land for the Kingdom of God through The Salvation Army.’

‘On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand’ were the first words sung by local Salvationists, as the sound of stampers crushing rocks for gold echoed in the background, said Bruce. ‘And “On Christ the Solid Rock” we’ve stood over the years since. Our heritage is rich with joys and sorrows, with triumphs and battles lost, and with determination and assuredness that the solid rock we stand on is, indeed, Jesus Christ.’

As the corps celebrated the past and looked forward to a rich future in God, it took time on Sunday morning to recognise

(front, l–r) Capt Bruce Tong, Allen and Maureen Austin, Eunice Dodderll and Bob Pickworth; (back) Flag Sergeant Geoff Palfreyman and Ray Dodderll.

the faithful service of some of its longstanding soldiers. ‘We honoured them for securely placing their feet on the solid rock of Jesus,’ Bruce said. ‘We wanted to bless and thank them for the encouragement they are to us, as we together continue to walk with Christ carrying his flag of salvation.’

Day of the Girl Child The Salvation Army’s International Social Justice Commission (ISJC) played an important role in proceedings at the United Nations (UN) in New York, USA, to mark the fifth annual International Day of the Girl Child.

Held this year on 11 October, the day celebrates the value of girls worldwide and mobilises the global community to empower girls and help them realise their potential. The ISJC’s participation highlighted the vital part played by Salvation Army girls worldwide.

The theme for 2017, ‘EmPOWER Girls: Before, During and After Crises’, included a focus on the distinct challenges girls face during emergencies such as armed conflict and natural disasters when the vulnerability of girls is greatly heightened.

Speakers from the UN and several non-governmental organisations emphasised the importance of strong pre-existing support systems for girls so communities are prepared to protect their girls should a crisis arise.

Major Victoria Edmonds, Senior ISJC Representative to the UN, is co-chair of the UN’s Working Group on

Girls, which organised an event in the UN Economic and Social Council Chamber with the theme ‘Girls Speak Out: Justice for Girls’.

Girls linked to the international Salvation Army had been invited to participate in the day by submitting artwork, photography and video. The ISJC then posted several of the submitted pieces during the day itself.

A collection of ‘God’s Eye’ weavings from the Brazil Territory, several drawings from the India Central Territory, a video about gender inequality in the Pakistan Territory, posters advocating for justice for girls in the USA Western Territory, and a video about valuing girls in the USA Western Territory can all be found on the ISJC Facebook page (facebook.com/ salvationarmyisjc) and on Twitter (@salvarmyisjc).

Subscribe to the International Social Justice Commission’s #UpForJustice newsletter | www.salvationarmy.org/isjc

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Wellington Welcome for New Leaders Colonels Suzanne and Melvin Fincham and Heather Rodwell were welcomed by Territorial Headquarters (THQ) and Central Division staff at a pōwhiri and morning tea on 2 November.

Colonel Suzanne Fincham is the new Chief Secretary (second-in-command) of the New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory, while Colonel Melvin Fincham is the new Territorial Secretary for Programme and, from 11 January 2018, Territorial Communications Secretary also. Colonel Heather Rodwell is the new Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries. She continues in her role as Territorial Secretary for Spiritual Life Development.

Territorial Commander Commissioner Andy Westrupp said he had known Colonel Heather Rodwell since they were in youth group together in the 1970s, while the Finchams, who are from the United Kingdom, he had only recently met. Explaining that the territory was made up of a diversity of people and cultures, Commissioner Westrupp emphasised The Salvation Army’s commitment to biculturalism within Aotearoa New Zealand.

‘Our prayer is that as you travel and minister in the name of Jesus Christ, not only will you be able to impart blessings, but you also will be blessed,’ he said.

It was already clear that God was in the hearts of Salvationists of the territory, said Colonel Suzanne Fincham. ‘Melvin and I, and our two children, are adventurers—and I am reminded daily that God is with us wherever we are. It will be a joy to get to know you!’

Colonel Melvin Fincham said it was a privilege to be in New Zealand and that he was thankful for God’s calling on his and Suzanne’s lives. He was passionate about sharing the love of Christ and hoped that ‘with urgency’, people across the territory would share that passion.

Colonel Heather Rodwell spoke of the unexpected joy of returning to serve at THQ. ‘God is the God of the unexpected,’ she said, ‘but he is never the God who fails!’ She planned to grasp all the opportunities for mission that came with her new role.

Major Glenton Waugh, THQ chaplain, prayed that God’s anointing would be on the territory’s newest leaders—that they would please God and bear fruit for the Kingdom of God.

Tribute: David Jackson Major David Jackson was promoted to Glory on 5 October, from Tauranga, aged 95.

David entered Training College as a cadet in the Warriors Session from Regent Hall Corps, London, and was commissioned in 1948.

Before his marriage to Olive Wild in 1950, he served in corps appointment at Hampstead and Hitchen. After their marriage, David and Olive served together in corps appointments at Easton Bray, Bishops Stortford, Hillingdon, Chesham, Droitwich, Birmingham Aston, Redditch, Willenhall, St. Helier, and St. Ives from 1950 until 1968 when they transferred to the New Zealand Territory, taking up an appointment as Corps Officers, Wellington South Corps.

Appointments to Whangarei and Ōtāhuhu Corps followed in 1970 and 1974 respectively.

In 1976, Majors David and Olive transferred

18 WarCry 18 NOVEMBER 2017

back to the United Kingdom Territory, receiving appointments at Derby Central Corps, then Harpenden in 1977. The couple transferred back to New Zealand in 1979 for their final years of officer service, where they had appointments in Auckland in the Social Services Department; as Managers, Resthaven Eventide Home; and as Court Officers.

David and Olive entered retirement on 1 July 1986, having given 38 years, one month and 11 days of active officer service.

A service of celebration of David’s life was held on 11 October at Tauranga Corps, conducted

by Major Bill Millar. Please uphold David’s children, Paul and Sarah Jackson and Bill and Verna Morris, and other family members in prayer at this time of grief and loss.

Well done, good and faithful servant of Jesus!

DON’T WE ALL WANT A SMOOTH, EASY LIFE FOR OURSELVES AND OUR LOVED ONES?

Welcome to the Family Glenfield Corps recently enrolled Darin Bhana as an adherent. Darin has been attending the corps for a number of years and is a valued member of the corps whānau. He is a willing helper at fundraising events and helps out every week in the Corps’ Family Stores.

Darin says his favourite Bible passage is Ephesians 6:10–20, which is about the importance of putting on the whole armour of God.

Do you have a favourite book in the Bible? For me, it’s the book of James, written by Jesus’s half-brother. James’s letter isn’t long, but it’s full of guidance and wisdom on how Christians should live their lives and interact with others.

James starts by stating his identity as a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

James could have boasted of his family connection to Jesus, but he didn’t. This is a reminder to me—and I hope all who hold leadership positions in The Salvation Army—that our identity is not in the authority we have over people, but in being servants of Jesus. That is the mark of someone ready to lead, when we do the Lord’s will by serving those we are trusted to lead. What a sacred privilege!

James then talks about trials and temptations, saying we are to welcome these with joy. For me, this is counter to how I instinctively want life to be. After all, don’t we all want a smooth, easy life for ourselves and our loved ones? And yet the trials I have experienced have strengthened my faith. They have drawn me closer to Jesus, made me more dependent upon him. As a result, I am better equipped to journey with others as they experience their own trials. Let us not forget that in our darkest times Jesus remains with us, never leaving us.

James goes on to state that ‘everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry’. This reminds me of my father, a quiet unassuming man who didn’t have much to say, but when he did all around him listened. He didn’t get angry often, but when he did, usually the look he gave was enough to understand what was required of us.

When I look back on my life and think of the difficult times, when it was dark and I couldn’t necessarily see a way through, I can without exception see God’s guiding hand leading me and at times carrying me. There were times when I tried to get through in my own strength, but it wasn’t until I humbled myself and let God in that I saw progress. James refers to this in chapter 4, verse 10: ‘Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.’

GAZETTE Appointment: Effective 11 Jan 2018: Mjr Katherine Sonntag, Divisional Children’s and Youth Secretary, Central Division.

Kate Geddes, a soldier of Wellington City Corps, will commence the role of Divisional Children’s and Youth Mission Director, Central Division, effective 8 Jan 2018.

At the heart of James’s letter—and why I love it so much—are the following verses: ‘Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you’ and ‘faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless’. Words to live by!

Captain Gerry Walker Secretary for Personnel

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The Reformation for Beginners We live in the light of the Reformation, which was sparked 500 years ago last month. Here’s an easy-to-understand history of what you need to know … and what it means for us today.

BY ED STETZER

Scripture alone, faith alone, grace alone, Christ alone, to the glory of God alone … Last month marked the 500th anniversary of, arguably, one of the most important events in church history: the Protestant Reformation.

On 31 October 1517, a man named Martin Luther nailed a piece of paper to the doors of the Wittenberg Castle church in what is now the nation of Germany. He may not have realised it then, but this piece of paper—his 95 Theses—was about to change the course of church history around the world.

Reflecting back upon this period, Luther wrote that he had been wrestling with one particular phrase in the first chapter of the Book of Romans for quite some time: ‘the righteousness of God’. With great candour, he admitted in his writings: ‘Not only did I not love, but I actually hated the righteousness of God who punishes sinners.’ Despite his life as a faithful monk, devoted to piety, Luther 20 WarCry 18 NOVEMBER 2017

could never see himself as anything but a sinner before the throne of God. Every religious observance and obedience failed to satisfy a righteous God. Throughout this turmoil, Luther comments that he never left Paul’s writings in Romans, desiring to know what Paul meant by ‘the righteous shall live by faith’. Meditating day and night on Romans 1:17, Luther slowly came to appreciate its theological meaning and application: ‘There I began to understand that the righteousness of God is that by which the righteous lives by a gift of God, namely faith.’

Luther writes of this joyous moment when the veil lifted from his eyes: ‘The merciful God justifies us by faith.’ This conclusion echoed across Europe and has continued to reverberate into the sanctuaries of churches around the world ever since. We take for granted today that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone. But a man like Luther, living in his context, certainly did not.

The fallacy of ‘earning’ forgiveness While the medieval church had its share of problems, Luther’s 95 Theses focused primarily on one major grievance: indulgences.

WE TAKE FOR GRANTED TODAY THAT SALVATION IS

BY GRACE ALONE, THROUGH FAITH ALONE. BUT A MAN LIKE LUTHER, LIVING IN HIS CONTEXT, CERTAINLY DID NOT.

While we think of ‘indulgence’ as overflowing bowls of ice cream or decadent slices of cake, indulgence in Luther’s setting referred to a system of payments made for the pardon of sins. In essence, the indulgence system emphasised earning forgiveness of sins, rather than faith.

To Luther, this was an affront to the gospel and he directed his anger at men like Johann Tetzel, Germany’s commissioner of indulgences. Tetzel’s role was to travel the countryside selling forgiveness. He was well known for his repetition of the warm medieval tune, ‘As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from Purgatory springs.’

Tetzel’s peddling of a false gospel represents one of the lowest points of the church and thankfully, today, most Christians—regardless of where they fall on the denominational spectrum—reject this heresy.

In this we owe a debt to Luther.

We must never lose sight that forgiveness comes to us only through relationship with God, not a donation deposit. Therefore, as we celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, here are some things we should keep in mind: • We should seek to celebrate the very thing Luther first feared: the righteousness of God. In Romans 5:1, Paul tells us that we ‘have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ’ because we have been made righteous through his faithfulness combined with our faith. We do not have to be afraid or cower in fear of God. Instead, we can approach the throne of grace with confidence in the forgiveness we have received in Christ.

• For those of us who feel like we are living in bondage and finding ourselves stuck on the good works treadmill, start where Luther started.

Look at Romans 1 and particularly verse 17. There, Paul speaks of the gift of forgiveness that has been offered to those who believe.

As we read, we can seek to understand the magnitude of this gift and allow the Holy Spirit to speak the same words to us that Jesus said aloud as he gave his life on the cross: ‘It is finished.’

• Finally, while certainly a time of celebration and remembrance, this anniversary of the Reformation should also be a time of careful reflection.

The church (of which we are part) is largely united now on the principle of salvation by grace through faith alone.

Yet we continue to divide in a multitude of other ways.

This risks minimising the importance of unity to God. We are the Body of Christ, who together share the same Lord and faith. Instead of trying to find ways to separate, label and segment ourselves, we need make a way for greater unity within the church.

In a culture that persistently hammers on the need to earn, we need to remember the theme of what Luther hammered on the door: the righteous shall live by faith. Christians of all denominational backgrounds and traditions can come together in celebration of our shared salvation in Jesus—by faith alone, through grace alone.

Reprinted with permission from edstetzer.com.

Ed Stetzer holds the Billy Graham Distinguished Chair of Church, Mission, and Evangelism at Wheaton College and is Executive Director of the Billy Graham Centre.

What Did Luther Actually Say? When Martin Luther wrote nearly 100 points of debate in Latin, he was simply inviting fellow academics to a discussion about ‘indulgences’.

The debate was never held, because the theses were translated into German and distributed widely, creating an uproar—and sparking the Reformation that would forever change the church.

What were ‘indulgences’? Essentially, sin was paid for by purchasing a letter of indulgence. Luther strongly objected to the abuse of indulgences— most recently under the salesmanship of Johann Tetzel (see main story). And in the process, Luther, though probably not fully aware of it, knocked down the pillars supporting many practices in medieval Christianity.

It is hard to overstate how ground-breaking Luther’s statements were, not only in his critique of indulgences, but in his radical argument that every believer can have full forgiveness of sins through Christ alone.

Some of Luther’s key statements • When our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, says, ‘Repent ye’, etc., he means that the entire life of the faithful should be a repentance.

• Every Christian who truly repents has plenary [full] forgiveness both of punishment and guilt bestowed on him, even without letters of indulgence.

• Every true Christian, whether living or dead, has a share in all the benefits of Christ and the church, for God has granted him these, even without letters of indulgence.

• Christians should be taught that whoever sees a person in need and, instead of helping him, uses his money for an indulgence, obtains not an indulgence of the pope but the displeasure of God. • Christians should be taught that the pope ought and would give his own substance to the poor, from whom certain preachers of indulgences extract money, even if he had to sell St. Peter’s Cathedral to do it.

Source: christianhistory.net

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PRAY

Find SALVATION ARMY JOB OPPORTUNITIES online: salvationarmy.org.nz/employment

Timaru, Tokoroa, Upper Hutt, Vaini, Waihi Corps, Vava’u Corps Plant; National Youth Band; The Salvation Army in France and Belgium.

OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS Commissioners Andy (Territorial Commander) and Yvonne Westrupp (Territorial President of Women’s Ministries) 26–27 November: Fiji Divisional Governance visit 6 December: Territorial Executive Council, Wellington 7 December: Covenant Day, Booth College of Mission 8 December: Territorial Executive Council, Wellington 8 December: Booth College of Mission Graduation, Hutt City Corps 9–10 December: Commissioning Meetings, Wellington City Corps Colonel Suzanne Fincham (Chief Secretary) 19 November: Palmerston North Corps 6 December: Territorial Executive Council, Wellington 7 December: Covenant Day, Booth College of Mission 8 December: Territorial Executive Council, Wellington 8 December: Booth College of Mission Graduation, Hutt City Corps 9–10 December: Commissioning Meetings, Wellington City Corps

Want to Know More?

I would like: to learn about who Jesus is information about The Salvation Army The Salvation Army to contact me prayer for the following needs:

Name Email Address Phone Send to: warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org or War Cry, PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wellington 6141

Advancing Christ’s Mission in Today’s World Study Full-time or Part-time at Booth College of Mission The Salvation Army’s Booth College of Mission in Upper Hutt helps men and women develop the knowledge, skills, spirit and character to advance the mission of Christ in today’s world.

personal growth and skills for ministries, pastoral care, worship and preaching, spiritual formation and mission.

Study with us to achieve a Diploma of Christian Studies (DipCS)—a one-year programme (or equivalent part-time) of 120 credits at Level 5 in partnership with Laidlaw College.

Contact Academic Registrar Jehan Fitisemanu: e jehan_fitisemanu@nzf.salvationarmy.org.nz, or p (04) 528 8628.

Talk to us about study options for 2018

www.salvationarmy.org.nz/boothcollege

Select papers from the following fields: biblical studies, Christian thought and history, Quiz Answers: 1 Edward Stafford (37 years 40 days), 2 Disc Jockey, 3 Treasure Island: Series 2, 4 Elephants (22 months), 5 Sarah (Genesis 18:10–12).

22 WarCry 18 NOVEMBER 2017

‘So God created human beings, making them to be like himself.’

picture sudoku Each row across and every column down needs ONE of each image. But there can't be more than one of any image in any row or column.

Genesis 1:27 GNT

d of What kin never n a dress c rn? be wo ress Your add

What has a bottom a t the top?

A leg

What a things re two you c have fo an’t breakf r as t ?

Lunch & dinner

which ninja will reach the castle?

GOAL

Imagine if God had just made everything in the world one colour.

That would be really boring!

Instead, God made a world with all sorts of different colours—just like he made a world with all sorts of different people. We look different and we like different things.

We all have different talents.

That means we can feel awesome about ourselves and all the clever, creative and sporty things we do, knowing God has made us this way. It also means that we can tell other people how awesome they are, because we know God made them to be special too.

ks What brea u o y when say it?

Silence

Wha always t is com but nev ing er arrives ?

Tomorro w

We always want to cheer for our friends when they do something well. We don’t have to feel bad about ourselves or jealous when someone else is better than us at something—because we know everyone is important to God and that we will all have different ways of making our world a better place.

What’s taken be fore you get it ?

Your pictu re

Sudoku Answers

God made us all. He made us to be like him, which makes us SO special!

A

B

START

C

Dear God, thank you for making me and loving me. Thank you for the things that I can do well. Help me to see good things in others and to tell them about how great they are. Amen.

18 NOVEMBER 2017 WarCry 23

Poverty doesn’t take a break at christmas.

This is Christmas for Becky and her family. Your donation will give hope to those who need it most. Thank you.

Call us on 0800 53 00 00 Or give now at salvationarmy.org.nz