20 May 2017 NZFT War Cry

FAITH IN ACTION  20 MAY 2017 | Issue 6667 | $1.50

On the Spot with Bernice Mene

An Ordinary Man, An Extraordinary Life

HOW TO SAVE A LIFE TALKING ABOUT TEEN SUICIDE

The Healthy Way to Selflessness Salvation Army Values:

THINK HOLISTICALLY

New Post-Earthquake Home for Christchurch City Sallies

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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, Tanesha Dahya | STAFF WRITERS Ingrid Barratt, Major Shar Davis, Robin Raymond | PROOF READING Major

Jill Gainsford

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

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

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Talking about teen suicide In our last War Cry we noted the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why. In this edition, we return for a longer look. The Office of Film and Literature Classification has given 13 Reasons Why the new classification of ‘RP18’—under-18s are only supposed to watch with parent or guardian supervision. The series ‘deals with suicide, bullying and depression. Episodes may contain violence, sexual material, drug use, and frequent offensive language. Some episodes contain graphic depictions of suicide and rape’. Reason enough not to watch, for many.

‘Parents should use their judgement about whether their teen is ready to watch this show and then watch it with them,’ said Deputy Chief Censor Jared Mullen. ‘The series raises a lot of issues, but often fails to fully address them, and it’s really important that trusted adults can step in at that point.’ I’m not going to tell you to watch 13 Reasons Why, but I encourage parents and youth workers to at least talk about this series—as we’ve been doing in our home.

Take the time to listen to what your teenager thinks before you jump in though. Proverbs 18:13 says, ‘It’s stupid and embarrassing to give an answer before you listen.’ ‘Stupid and embarrassing’ are labels parents wear from time to time, which is fine when it comes to our opinions on our teenagers’ clothing and music choices. But when it comes to the topic of teen suicide, we don’t want anything to get in the way of really hearing what’s going on for our kids.

This week, we farewell talented designer Tanesha Dahya, who has been with us while Lauren Millington has been on parental leave. While we’re delighted to have Lauren return, we’ve been blessed by Tanesha’s outstanding contribution.

Christina Tyson Editor

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

Publishing for 133 years | Issue 6667 ISSN 0043-0242 (print), ISSN 2537-7442 (online) Please pass on or recycle this magazine Read online www.issuu.com/salvationarmynzftwarcry

www.salvationarmy.org.nz salvationarmynzftwarcry @salvationarmynz salvationarmynzft

2 WarCry 20 MAY 2017

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.

Albert Schweitzer

Galatians 6:2 New International Version Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.

Ngā Waiata 28:7 Pīkaua e tētahi ngā whakataimaha o tētahi, hei whakarite i tā te Karaiti ture.

Illustration: Chloe Ruby ⸀EA ⸀⸀⸀⼀⼀⼀⼀⼀⼀⼀⼀⼀⼀⼀⼀⼀⼀⼀⼀ 䀀䀀䀀䀀䀀䀀䀀䀀䀀䀀䀀

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n 2010, then Chief Coroner Judge Neil MacLean began releasing provisional suicide statistics. His argument was straightforward: we’re not doing enough to prevent suicide, and more information aids our efforts. This was a watershed moment for discussion of suicide in our country. The release of stats lifted the lid on conversations about those who take their own lives ⸀EA ⸀⸀⸀⼀⼀⼀⼀⼀⼀⼀⼀⼀⼀⼀⼀⼀⼀⼀⼀ 䀀䀀䀀䀀䀀䀀䀀䀀䀀䀀䀀 and now sits squarely in the annual news cycle.

October 2017’s release revealed the highest absolute figures since we began keeping records (although the rate—suicides per 100,000—is a little less than 2010/11 due to population growth).

As a rule, the total number of suicides per year sits somewhere in the 500s, near double the road toll.

But suicide statistics don’t tell the whole story. Take the most recent stats on suicidal ideation among high schoolers, released by Auckland University in 2012 (yes, an update is long overdue), which shows one-in-five females and one-in-10 males seriously thought about suicide in the previous 12 months. Cast those percentages across our school population and that’s over 75,000 students who’ve been in such a dark place that they’ve wanted out.

Someone taking their own life is a tragedy.

The number who consider it is massively sobering.

But add to this the untold story of so many ‘unsuccessful attempts’—a phrase that belies the deep grief of friends and family, as well as the person who attempted suicide. As a youth worker, as awful as it is to hear a young person has taken their life, it’s just as heartbreaking to hear someone tried.

It is this more comprehensive frustration that four years ago sparked our organisation Zeal

to innovate in how we support youth mental health.

The result was a project called ‘Live For Tomorrow’ (zeal.nz/livefortomorrow)—an affirmation that whatever you’re going through today, it’s not the end of the story.

We chose the ellipsis as our brandmark —those three dots at an end of a sentence that communicate, in the words of one of our youth founders, ‘to be continued ...’ Our approach is to go to where young people spend the majority of their time—online and in schools—with messages of hope and positive change.

Everyone has mental health, just like we all have physical health, so we need to provide support across the whole spectrum, not just at the acute end.

Recently, we developed a world-first intervention that offers live, interpersonal support to young people disclosing crisis on social media. We carry the burden of action, as opposed to waiting for young people to come to us.

One of our Live For Tomorrow posters, a pair of boxing gloves decorated in flowers, reads, ‘Be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle’. Life is tough no matter who you are. And maybe that can help each of us be a little more vulnerable, a little less prone to facades and hard fronts.

Maybe it can also encourage us to lead with compassion in our relationships. On retiring in 2015, Judge MacLean spoke of one common theme in the suicides he’d investigated: a lack of being able to talk and be listened to. In doing so he unearthed a simple but often overlooked truth. There’s only one way to get through dark times: together.

BY ELLIOT TAYLOR 20 MAY 2017 WarCry 3

Gagana Style The Samoan language—known as gagana Samoa—is the second most spoken language in Auckland, and the third most spoken in New Zealand, after English and Māori. Yet Samoan is used much less in the public sphere than these other two languages. From 28 May to 3 June, we celebrate Samoa Language Week, or Vaiaso o le gagana Sāmoa, and it’s a great chance to try out some of these common words. The vowel sounds are the same as for Māori—but if in doubt, ask a gagana Samoa speaker, most will be delighted to help you out.

Now, try out this simple conversation:

Talofa (Hello) Talofa lava (Greetings indeed) O ā mai oe? (How are you?)

Manuia fa’afetai (Fine, thank you) Tofā soifua (Goodbye) Fa (Bye) Tofā loa (So long)

If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.

Nelson Mandela

A wealth of Pacific languages are spoken in New Zealand, so look out for other Pacific language weeks being celebrated between July to October this year—including Cook Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Fiji, Niue and Tokelau.

4 WarCry 20 MAY 2017

ONTHESPOT Bernice Mene is best known for her decade playing netball for the Silver Ferns. Today, she continues to inspire young Kiwis.

Secret indulgence: My mama’s pineapple pie baked in the roasting dish to feed the whole family.

Celebrity crush: My husband [Dion Nash] for what he has done reinventing himself from cricketer to entrepreneur/ businessman and building his ‘Triumph and Disaster’ brand from scratch.

One thing I love: Baking, travelling and reading a good book.

One thing I hate: My family leaving their shoes in the middle of the doorway or room!

Something that would surprise us about your job: I work at Hyundai NZ managing the Pinnacle Programme, a community teenage mentoring programme. It is inspiring working with talented 15- to 18-year-olds in their chosen fields—be it art, music, business or sport. I often think ‘Wow, these students have packed so much into their lives so far.’

Favourite Samoan tradition: Everything around food and the ceremony of food. I love my children singing the grace ‘Malie pule’ before meals.

QUIKQUIZ 1 Who is the Prime

Minister of Australia?

2 When was Halley's Comet last visible from earth?

3 Who opened the

‘Walled Off Hotel’ in the West Bank?

4 What is a group of giraffes called?

5 Who was the first Christian martyr?

Answers on page 22

Oka I'a If you’ve never tried this delicious raw fish salad, it should be on your bucket list. It is traditional to many Pacific nations (you might even know it by its South American name, ceviche), but in Samoa, it’s known as Oka l’a. Although this is a basic recipe to get you started, everyone has their own spin: add parsley, coriander or whatever veggies you have to hand.

500g fresh tuna or snapper— preferably caught the same day ½ cup lemon or lime juice ¼ onion 2 spring onions 2 medium tomatoes 1 large cucumber 1 cup coconut milk salt to taste Source: samoafood.com

Dice fish into medium-sized pieces.

Cover with lemon or lime juice and set aside for up to an hour. The longer you leave it, the more it will marinate or ‘cook’, and the firmer the fish will become.

Finely dice onions and tomato, slice the spring onion, and chop up cucumber into bite sized pieces.

Drain fish and discard the juice. Add the vegetables and coconut milk to the fish. Mix well, then season with salt to taste.

Refrigerate for at least half an hour to allow the flavours to blend and develop. (Don’t worry if it looks thick, the juice from the vegetables will mix with the coconut milk in the fridge).

Action/Adventure Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 (M, contains violence) James Gunn

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 picks up where its predecessor left off, with Starlord/Peter Quill and his unlikely crew of misfits battling various adversaries of the galaxy at large. Though all Marvel films are known for mixing humour and banter amid scenes of intense action, the Guardians of the Galaxy films have a notably irreverent approach to the superhero film—many of the characters leaning prominently into anti-hero territory.

The Guardians themselves are flawed, with eclectic pasts, personality quirks and issues in their lives yet to be resolved.

It is on this deeper level that we see an overall story of the search for identity and reconciliation, and that it is often the most unexpected parts of what make us as people that point us in the direction of true connection. (Reviewed by Craig Hutson)

20 MAY 2017 WarCry 5

An Ordinary Man, An Extraordinary Life As a plastic surgeon and Salvationist, Australian Dr Malcolm Linsell believes everyone has the right to feel good about themselves and hold their heads high.

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hen Australian Malcolm Linsell was only nine months old, he burned his hands severely, leaving them scarred and immobile. But as a 13-year-old, a skin graft operation restored movement to his hands. Then and there Malcolm resolved to become a plastic surgeon one day.

In his memoirs, he describes the huge impact that his faith has had on his practice. Malcolm’s family have been Salvationists since The Salvation Army first started its work in East London in 1865. His parents were Salvation Army officers, with his father serving as Chief Secretary for the Australia Southern Territory.

‘There are times in my life where there seems to be an invisible, gentle force at work. It is a spiritual presence that I know as God. It is hard to describe, as it is more of a knowing that transcends rational thought and in my experience, God seems to have my best interests at heart,’ writes Malcolm.

In this excerpt from An Ordinary Man, an Extraordinary Life, Malcolm recalls a three-year-old patient he will never forget.

The moment I’ll never forget When I first saw Wesley Koni, I was shocked. He was cradled in his father’s arms, arriving in Melbourne, Australia, late at night, having flown all the way from Onamuga in the Eastern Highlands Provence of Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Photographs had given me some idea of his appearance; however, I was not prepared for just how deformed he was.

Koni was estimated to be three or four years of age. His face appeared to be literally melted to his chest so that his head was rotated 90 degrees to his body.

My first thought was: What the heck am I going to do here? It was 1993, I was 39 and only in my second year of plastic surgical practice. Nothing could have fully prepared me for the task I now faced.

I had been told that without surgical intervention, Wesley would die. For a young surgeon, I felt an enormous responsibility. Yet, this is what I had trained for. At the core of my being is a desire to make a difference and to inspire others.

This is the story of how I came to meet Wesley that night and how his story and mine have been inextricably linked over the ensuing 22 years.

A little boy’s life In 1993, the Australian Salvation Army publication The War Cry asked if I would feature in an article. The headline said, ‘Everybody has the right to walk tall and feel good about themselves.’ The article went on to explain how I loved what I did because, by restoring or improving a person’s physical appearance, confidence was restored, and this was infectious.

I wasn’t to suspect that one reader in the Eastern Highlands province of Papua New Guinea was to have a major impact on the life of a little boy she knew, as well as on my own life. Lorraine Mack was a nurse and Salvation Army captain from Sydney. She was stationed at the medical clinic of a small village in PNG. 20 MAY 2017 WarCry 7

One day, a little boy aged three or four was rushed to the clinic. The story was that he had been ill, lying on a bench and being tended to by his mother in their hut. The fire in the centre of the hut was burning fiercely to keep the little boy warm. The little boy rolled off the bench, straight into the fire.

He was too ill to struggle free. His head, face, chest and right hand caught alight and had burned deeply into his flesh. This was when I met Wesley Koni.

Wesley was treated with the limited facilities available, but his head was now fused with his chest, his right hand was little more than a club and his mouth was attached to the left side of his chest.

Somehow Lorraine got hold of my email address, wrote an impassioned letter and sent photographs of Wesley. I had not seen anything quite like it; however, I thought there might be something I could do. I contacted my brother Derek and showed him the photographs. Without question, he felt the young church of Cranbourne Salvation Army that he was leading should come together to make a difference in this little boy’s life.

Derek contacted Colin Smith, one of the church members, to lead the logistical team. Colin was a big man with an even bigger heart. He is one of the greatest organisers I have ever known and he took on Wesley as a lifelong project.

Meeting Wesley It was an enormous logistical feat for Wesley and his father Koni to travel from their primitive village in PNG to Melbourne. Koni demonstrated enormous courage, determination and love for his son.

Wesley and Koni arrived late at night. Nothing could have prepared me. I communicated with Koni through a translator.

Wesley was terrified and clung to his father, so examining him was not that easy. It was clear Wesley would require multiple surgeries, but the most important and the one that carried the most risk was to separate his head from his chest.

When a movable area of the body is burned then heals with a scar, movement is restricted because the scar tissue is firm and inflexible. The treatment principle is quite simple.

It requires incising the scar tissue and stretching out the movable parts. This leaves a raw area, which requires a skin graft (a thin slice of skin taken from elsewhere on the body) to cover it.

It was this operation when I was 13 that had made me want to become a plastic surgeon. However, the operation 8 WarCry 20 MAY 2017

for Wesley required a great deal more planning and carried a significantly higher risk. There are major blood vessels on each side of the neck carrying blood from the heart to the brain. These are accompanied by major nerves.

A first-class team, including a richly talented surgeon and scrub nurse, volunteered to assist. The Dandenong and District Hospital very generously offered the use of their facilities to look after Wesley. It was time to bring it together.

The first operation On the Saturday morning, the whole team assembled early. I will never forget Wesley’s cry as Dr Bill Shearer, the anaesthetist, carried him into theatre. Put yourself in Wesley’s shoes for a moment.

Surrounded by big white people, none of whom spoke his language, in totally unfamiliar surroundings, separated from his dad perhaps for the first time ever, and knowing that whatever was going to happen was going to hurt like crazy!

Several attempts to insert a tube into his windpipe, even using sophisticated techniques, were unsuccessful. Wesley’s airway was kinked at a 90-degree angle. It is amazing that he was able to breathe by himself when conscious. To proceed with such a large operation without control of the airway was out of the question. An alternative plan was required and it was required immediately.

Michael, Bill and I decided to separate Wesley’s head from his chest under local anaesthetic and sedation. With this done, Bill could then give a general anaesthetic and insert the tube into his windpipe.

Separating Wesley’s head and neck from his chest was always the riskiest part of the operation due to the potential damage to the major blood vessels of his neck. If this occurred there would potentially be a catastrophic bleed.

I made the first incision, the full length of his neck. The scar was thick and firm, more than 5 mm thick in some sections. It took several passes of the knife to get through it but as soon as we did, we reached healthy subcutaneous tissue. With Wesley’s head under stretch, his face started to separate from his chest. It is one of the most startling things I have seen in my surgical career.

We kept going for the scar tissue extended to Wesley’s right shoulder. By the time this was complete, Wesley’s head and neck were now fully extended, leaving a large raw area on the right side of his face, neck and upper part of his chest, about 25 per cent of his body surface.

This required coverage with a skin graft to enable it to heal. A graft heals in the same way a graze on the body heals. For those who have grazed their knee, they will know this is painful.

Imagine all the skin from your lower abdomen and both legs (front and back), taken at the same time. It would be excruciating. Wesley was a small boy, so to find enough skin to cover the raw area that had been made, this is what was required.

WESLEY ROLLED OFF THE BENCH, STRAIGHT INTO THE FIRE … HIS HEAD WAS NOW FUSED WITH HIS CHEST …

Doing what you can do The fact Wesley did so well at the first operation is a tribute to dozens of people, many working behind the scenes, who responded to a little boy’s need and did what they could.

Operation Wesley required several return trips to Australia for Wesley to undergo many more operations. These were all organised by Colin and his superb team and funded by The Salvation Army and the local communities of Cranbourne and Berwick.

People responded with their hearts and a little boy was given the opportunity to embrace a life vastly different to the one he would have otherwise had. This, to me, is one of the greatest facets of human nature. When people give abundantly, in order to make a difference, they receive back far more than they have given.

This edited excerpt is reproduced with permission from An Ordinary Man, An Extraordinary Life by Dr Malcolm Linsell, published by New Holland, $32.99.

Available in all good bookstores.

SPECIAL OFFER | War Cry readers are being offered Dr Linsell’s book for the special discounted price of $26.99, including postage within New Zealand. Search for the title on newhollandpublishers.com and enter the code ‘War Cry discount’ in the shopping cart.

Offer available until 6 June.

My Encounter with Malcolm Commissioner Andy Westrupp, leader of The Salvation Army in New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga, recently led the Army’s work in Papua New Guinea …

I first met Dr Malcolm Linsell in 2015, quite by chance, at Goroka Airport in the Papua New Guinea Highlands. He was travelling with a 60 Minutes film crew who were preparing to feature the story of Wesley Koni.

I met Wesley too. They both recognised my Salvation Army uniform and made their way through the crowd at the tiny terminal to introduce themselves.

Wesley proudly told me how he was working for the Salvos in Australia on a Family Store truck.

Last year, Dr Linsell came back to PNG and spoke at a Red Shield Appeal luncheon in Port Moresby.

Malcolm made himself available, and generously paid for his own travel, to speak to a group of business guests.

The room was electrified by his story, many of the guests in tears, as he related his own story and interweaved Wesley’s journey. Malcolm is an ordinary man, but God has used him in extraordinary ways.

20 MAY 2017 WarCry 9

The Healthy Way to be Selfless How can you be selfless in a relationship, but still maintain a healthy sense of boundaries?

The concept of selfless love is central to Christian faith. Indeed, Jesus asks us to lay our lives down for his sake.

But as Christians, we have sometimes misinterpreted this within our relationships to mean we must lay down our own desires and needs. With good boundaries we can choose to be selfless, rather than selfish, which will help build a loving marriage. But with bad boundaries, we may feel obliged to be selfless, even when our spouse chooses to be selfish. This has caused much pain in marriage, and is not what God intends for us.

BOUNDARIES DEFINE US. THEY DEFINE WHAT IS ME AND WHAT IS NOT ME.

Doctors Henry Cloud and John Townsend, in their classic book Boundaries, explain that every healthy person has boundaries—these are like a fence around us that protects our property, or sense of self. Our boundaries protect what belongs to us—our feelings, thoughts, skin, self-perception, time, and so on. Without healthy boundaries, we will allow people to trample through our property, causing havoc.

We set boundaries in personal relationships with how we communicate. Your words let other people know the rules of your ‘property’. For example, ‘I won’t be shouted at.’ When we set our boundaries, these have to be followed up by actions —this is the biblical concept of reaping and sowing.

For example, if your spouse has an issue with alcohol, that is their problem and they must reap the consequences. So, you might say something like, ‘I can’t stop you drinking, that is your choice, but next time you come home drunk, I am going to stay the night at my sister’s.’ Part of being a loving spouse is to ‘set limits on destructive behaviour. It is not good to rescue someone from the consequences of their sin’.

Henry and Cloud differentiate between our responsibility to our spouse, and responsibility for our spouse. We are never responsible for what belongs to them—their feelings, thoughts, behaviours and so on. But we do have a responsibility to them, to be loving and peaceable (Romans 12:18).

There may be times when you choose selflessness, as a way of loving our spouse. For example, you might do their chores for them, as an act of love. When you do so out of a healthy sense of boundaries, this brings you both joy.

10 WarCry 20 MAY 2017

TYPES OF BOUNDARIES Skin: Our most basic boundary. This is your physical self, and you have the choice of who you allow to touch you.

Consequences: Actions have consequences. If someone trespasses on your boundaries, there must be consequences.

Words: ‘The most boundary setting word is “no”—it shows that you exist apart from them and you are in control of you.

If you begrudgingly say “yes” and resent it, you have a boundary issue.’

Feelings: These should neither be ignored, nor placed in charge. ‘Feelings can tell you if things are going well, or if there is a problem … but feelings are your responsibility and you must own them.’

Eg, if your spouse’s overspending makes you angry, they must own their spending, but you must own your anger.

Time and space: Physically removing yourself helps maintain boundaries. Jesus removed himself when he had reached the limits of his personal boundaries.

Emotional distance: This is a temporary boundary to establish trust if it has been broken.

Attitudes and beliefs: Thoughts, beliefs and attitudes are anything you accept as true. They fall within your ‘fence posts’ so you must take responsibility for them.

TESTIFY! The death of her mother caused Lyndal Subritsky to reach rock bottom, but God had a plan for her to lead her to an amazing new life, she says.

In 2011, my mother passed away. I was not aware that I was an alcoholic, but I was at rock bottom and I went down further—I was petrified of my own shadow.

By the time I walked into AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) I had nothing. I had driven away everyone who loved me.

My body was shutting down, I was a physical and emotional mess, angry and violent. The only thing left was my mind, and that was going insane.

One night I screamed out to Jesus for help. I fell to my knees and screamed that I would do anything to take away the madness. That night, I surrendered my life to him. From there, doors started to open. I got into The Salvation Army Bridge programme and I haven’t looked back.

I was the youngest of seven children and I faced hidings and abuse from when I was very young. At 12 I got in with the wrong crowd and got in with alcohol. I loved my mother and father and they did the best they could by me, but they were broken. They didn’t know about the abuse. To me, ‘God’ meant ‘rape’, because one of the men abusing me was a supposed man of God. Alcohol gave me an effect I had never experienced—of peace. I felt bulletproof and safe. I kept chasing that high, but I never got it back till I met Jesus.

I met my husband at 18, without whom I wouldn’t have been able to raise our four children in a safe environment. He is an amazing man who stood by me.

But I ran. I was still looking for that high and creating havoc for anyone and everyone around me.

I SCREAMED OUT TO JESUS FOR HELP ... DOORS OPENED. When I reached the Bridge, I didn’t know who I was or where I was going.

My mother was Māori and I was brought up to believe my father was Pākehā, but found out later he was part Māori. I was raised with nothing to do with my Māori side—which was that generation trying to protect me.

Part of the Bridge programme was about looking back through your whakapapa. It showed me how the addiction had come down through my family and helped me admit I was an alcoholic. It also helped me connect with who I was.

Salvation Army officer Captain Hana Seddon journeyed with me and invited me to Recovery Church, which helped

me connect with God. Now I know life.

No one told me life could be wonderful, happy, safe and without fear.

Today, I serve in the Whangarei Salvation Army foodbank and I’m a leader in the corps’ Māori Ministry doing anything I can—outreach, hangi, waita groups, discipleship classes—my purpose is to serve the Lord. I am privileged to be able to lead families to the Lord through my work.

My husband, children and grandchildren have joined me at church. We will be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary this year and we’re hoping to renew our wedding vows.

I’m so grateful to God for this day, that God had a plan for me—like it says in Jeremiah 29:11, ‘plans for good and not for evil, for a future and a hope’.

Get help to overcome an alcohol problem | salvationarmy.org.nz/Bridge

20 MAY 2017 WarCry 11

HOW TO SAVE A LIFE The Netflix show 13 Reasons Why doesn’t tell the whole story of teen suicide, but it’s got us talking about keeping each other alive.

BY CHRISTINA TYSON

‘I’m about to tell you the story of my life—more specifically, why my life ended,’ says the voice on the tape. ‘And if you’re listening to this tape, you’re one of the reasons why.’

Netflix’s series 13 Reasons Why is the story of 17-year-old Hannah who leaves a series of tapes behind to explain why she chose to end her life. The tapes make their way to classmate Clay, and the series is told through his and Hannah’s eyes. The show is deliberately in-your-face. It includes scenes of rape, drug use, violence … and suicide.

13 Reasons has been given a brand-new RP18 rating in New Zealand, which means teens are only supposed to watch it with supervision from a parent or guardian. Maybe you’ve already watched this show and maybe your parents know. Or don’t. Perhaps they even watched it with you. Or not. No matter. We still thought it was important to take a deeper look.

(Some spoilers follow.)

SUICIDE IS NOT ROMANTIC'

People have criticised 13 Reasons for ‘romanticising suicide’. And mental health experts say it’s not a good 12 firezone.co.nz 20 MAY 2017

show for young people who’ve thought about suicide in the past—they’ll need strong support to talk through the issues and feelings raised.

The most important positive message is that talking openly about how life is going is one of the most important ways to fight suicide. So if a friend or family member seems troubled, ask what’s going on (see box for ideas).

Suicide is not a simple solution to life’s problems or an inevitable choice. Life is really hard sometimes, with lots of growing pains along the way, but it does gets easier and we will start to enjoy life again.

SUICIDE IS NOT ' REVENGE'

Hannah sent mixed messages about wanting help. She angrily pushed people away, but always hoped and even assumed they’d come back. In her tapes, Hannah put a lot of blame on people for not helping her. This part of 13 Reasons isn’t easy if you’ve lost someone to suicide. But their death is not your fault!

Unfortunately, 13 Reasons paints a picture of suicide as revenge. But what is the point of revenge after you’re gone? Those you loved—and who loved you—won’t find comfort in this sort of ending. Their hurt is going to be deep and long-lasting. Ask anyone who’s lost someone to suicide. They’d give anything to have the one they’ve loved back again!

Taking yourself out of the world to punish others is mainly punishing yourself and those you love. If you’ve been wronged, you deserve to stay alive and to feel good about yourself again!

GET HELP Hannah was bullied as lies were spread about her. And she was raped. None of this is okay! When Hannah did reach out for help, she got told to simply ‘move on’—when what she needed was support and help to tell her story so the person who raped her would be caught, stopped and punished.

The Bible doesn’t tell anyone to just ‘move on’ after they’ve been raped. Deuteronomy 22:25-27 (CEB) says, ‘If the man met up with the engaged woman in a field, grabbing her and having sex with her there, only the man will die [in other words ‘be punished’]. Don’t do anything whatsoever to the young woman. She hasn’t committed any capital crime … the engaged woman may well have called out for help, but there was no one to rescue her.’

It’s clear God puts the blame entirely on the rapist.

If you’ve been raped, know that God loves you, cries with you and stands with you. God is on your side and wants to be your strength even in those times when you feel weak and helpless. Especially then.

Rape is a crime to report to the Police. Just because a TV show makes it look like justice isn’t possible, doesn’t mean that’s how things have to be in real life!

TELL ME YOU HURT! It’s awful to realise New Zealand has the highest rate of teen suicide in the developed world. A television and social media campaign launched recently says Pasifika youth are three times more likely to attempt suicide than Pākehā youth. We’ve got to change this!

‘Why didn’t you say this to me while I was alive?’ is one of the questions Hannah left behind. But the question the living have after someone has taken their life is: ‘Why didn’t you tell me how much you hurt when you were alive?’ Because we would have wanted to help carry that hurt. We would have wanted to save their life.

REACH OUT FOR HELP | Talk to a Salvation Army youth worker or corps officer (church pastor).

Youthline: 0800 376 633. Free text 234, e: talk@youthline.co.nz. The Lowdown: Free txt 5626, team@thelowdown.co.nz. Kidsline for children and teens: 0800 543 754.

Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO). Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757

HOW TO TALK TO YOUR FRIEND Zeal’s ‘Live For Tomorrow’ suggests being guided by the letters A-E-I-O-U. (Use whichever order feels natural.)

A

Ask about their experience: direct is best! The person should be 100% clear what you’re asking.

• ‘Have there ever been times when you’ve thought about killing yourself?’

• ‘Do you mind if I sit and talk with you about it?’

• ‘How recently was the last time you had those thoughts?’

• ‘Are you thinking about ending your life at the moment?’

E

Ensure Safety: if there are current thoughts of suicide.

• ‘This is important, and I think we need some extra help—we could try sending a text to Youthline or The Lowdown together?’

• ‘What can I do to help you keep safe for now?’

• ‘I’ll stay with you until we can find someone else to help.’

I

Identify Issues: explore what might have led to thoughts of suicide, and identify strengths.

• ‘What are some of the things that make you feel that way/like ending your life?’

• ‘Do things feel worse at home or at school, or somewhere else?

• ‘Are there things in your life that give you hope?’

• ‘It sounds like you were showing a lot of care toward the other person, even though they didn’t see it that way.’

0

Observe: look out for changes in activity/personality, and possible anchor points to life.

• ‘So you mentioned you’ve been drinking a lot more recently ... I’ve noticed you not coming around as much ... Sounds like you haven’t had much sleep this week ...

You gave away X—I know that meant a lot to you?’

• ‘Who have been the most important people/places for you so far? What would it take to reconnect with/visit one of them?’

U

Utilise Supports: connect to support people, both personal and professional, identify coping strategies

• ‘What are some things that have helped you keep chill/ brighten your day in the past?’

• ‘Is there anyone in your life you trust to talk about this stuff with?’

• ‘Let’s figure out what you might say to them when you see them next.’

Source: zeal.nz/livefortomorrow

20 MAY 2017 WarCry 13

NEW HOME FOR SALVATION ARMY MISSION IN CHRISTCHURCH CITY The next chapter for Salvationists of Christchurch City Corps launched with the opening of their new building by territorial leaders Commissioners Andy and Yvonne Westrupp. This marked the completion of a process that began with the purchase of land in 2010 before a series of major setbacks after the devastating earthquake in 2011.

The Christchurch City Corps Band, under the leadership of Martin Robertson, provided music as hundreds of people from around New Zealand gathered in the afternoon sun for the official opening of the new multipurpose building on Saturday 29 April.

Ngāi Tahu Kaumatua Peter Mason began with a cultural welcome before Divisional Commander Major Ivan Bezzant spoke, calling it ‘a great and historic day for The Salvation Army and Christchurch’. He welcomed a number of special guests, including Members of Parliament Hon. Nicky Wagner and Hon. Ruth Dyson, as well as the Rev. Lawrence Kimberley, representing the Bishop of Christchurch, Victoria Matthews.

Christchurch City Councilor Phil Clearwater, who chairs the social and community development committee, spoke on behalf of Mayor Lianne Dalziel. He thanked The Salvation Army for the social services made available to the people of Christchurch.

‘Your work is challenging and often not acknowledged, but it is a social outreach that is sincerely appreciated.’ He mentioned the wide variety of activities and services that happen across the city, including vibrant Christian church services. ‘I see this social outreach as Christianity with its sleeves rolled up. The work of The Salvation Army is held in the highest regard and makes a huge contribution to the health of our communities.’

Corps Officer Major Stephanie Herring read a letter from General André Cox that reflected on the impact of the earthquake for the people of Christchurch. ‘This building is a clear metaphor for the transforming power of the gospel. Out of the destruction and devastation caused by sin, God can build something new in our lives.’ The General took the opportunity to remind people that the opening of the building was not the end.

‘The building is here to be a resource for the community—to be the place where the corps is taught, equipped and enabled to engage with the community beyond its walls.’

14 WarCry 20 MAY 2017

Commissioner Andy Westrupp reinforced the General’s words with his own challenge for the corps: to turn outward to the community from their new home. ‘We are here to serve, we are here to offer hope, we are here to be Christ, we are here to preach the gospel message. In short, we are here to be “The Salvation Army”, to care for people, to transform lives and to reform society.’

He spoke of the significant financial investment the building was for the territory and said there was only one justification for this money being spent—that the building gets used. ‘My hope is that it will very quickly lose its very shiny, brand-new feel and that maybe it will suffer a few bumps and bruises going forward because it is being used—not being protected, not being preserved, not being pampered like a palace.’ He and Commissioner Yvonne Westrupp then unveiled the plaque that would be positioned in the front entrance, before cutting the ribbon.

Peter Mason and his wife called people into the building with a karanga. For many visitors, this was their first opportunity to see inside. The official opening was followed by an afternoon tea, including cupcakes in Salvation Army colours of red, yellow and blue.

A dinner was held on Saturday evening, with Corps Officer Major Paul Herring describing it as ‘the breakfast meal’, like the first meal a bride and groom share with family and friends to celebrate their new beginning.

Close to 200 people enjoyed the seated buffet dinner, with pianist Malcolm Bishop playing on the corps’ grand piano that for much of the past six years was in storage awaiting its new home. Barbershop quartet The Vocal Network entertained with a number of items before Yvonne brought a devotional message.

As dessert was served, a video time lapse of the building’s construction was screened, with Paul sharing some interesting

facts. At the time of the opening, 622 contractors had received health and safety inductions for the site, with 65,993 staff hours—and only one hour lost due to an accident.

The weekend’s celebrations continued on Sunday morning with worship that included the enrolment of three soldiers and a focus on the past, the present and the future.

Kevin Bennetts, a long-time soldier of Christchurch City Corps, reflecting on some of the changes, the ministries and the people who had contributed to the corps’ strong past.

Music had always been a strength of Christchurch City Corps, he said, with band, songsters and various musical groups supporting its ministry.

Peter and Patricia Newton and Nick Randall were the first soldiers enrolled in the new complex, and it was a fitting example of the ongoing work of the corps to see how God used the Army to transform the couple’s lives. A video testimony played of Peter and Patricia explaining how they met The Salvation Army, the challenges they had faced, and how vital their faith in Jesus was and is.

The 350-seat auditorium was designed to offer fantastic acoustic sound, evident as band and songsters contributed to the morning’s worship. The songsters, under the leadership of Heather Kench, sang ‘On the Rock’, and it was good to see a growing songster group with a mix of ages.

Yvonne drew people’s attention towards the future. She reminded everyone that there were people striving who didn’t know about God’s love and forgiveness and were not living life in all its fullness. Yvonne shared words of Salvation Army founder William Booth, who said, ‘Some men’s passion is for gold. Some men’s passion is for art. Some men’s passion is for fame. My passion is for souls.’ She called everyone to be people of action, taking the good news to those living in their communities.

‘Make it your life’s work [to share] the good news [of Jesus] that meets the needs of those arounds us.’

Tristan Pattinson, accompanied by the music team, led the congregation in two worship songs, before Andy preached, drawing on General William Booth’s vision of the lost. Andy testified to his own encounter with Christ, which had changed his life forever, saying that The Salvation Army was like a ‘glove that fitted my hand’. ‘I want us to be that Army that understands the urgency to rescue people,’ he said, challenging to soldiers who were perhaps holding back or had gone soft on their covenant. Young people were asked to consider full-time service as officers.

There was a real atmosphere of celebration and thankfulness throughout the weekend. Many corps members said how incredible it was to finally ‘feel at home’ again after so many years of post-earthquake uncertainty and challenge.

The new building was created to be functional and versatile, with both current and future ministries in mind. It is also home to Christchurch City Community Ministries, a place where physical needs are met but that also offers a place to connect and belong.

Corps Sergeant Major Glen Buckner told War Cry, ‘The corps family and leadership team are excited about growing a Christcentred community that connects people to God.’ His highlights from the weekend were ‘seeing the building full and being used for God’s glory, the generations that were connecting and the history that was being talked about, and the excited discussions shared by all about the great space and opportunities’.

20 MAY 2017 WarCry 15

2017 Conference Opportunities Brengle Holiness

Just Holiness 2–5 June (Queen’s Birthday Weekend), Booth College of Mission, Upper Hutt The focus of this year’s Brengle Holiness Institute is on how our Salvation Army heritage of holiness fuels our commitment to social justice. This promises to be a lifetransforming time!

The lineup includes: • Work Stories from Major Campbell Roberts (finalist for this year’s New Zealander of the Year Award) • Biblical Teaching from David Wells (Senior Tutor at Booth College of Mission) • Spiritual Formation with Major Heather Rodwell (Territorial Secretary for Spiritual Life Development) • Spoken Word by Rosy Keane (Territorial Women’s Ministries Social Media and Resources Specialist) • Worship, led by Scott Keane (Youth Leader, Upper Hutt Corps).

Download a registration form from salvationarmy.org.nz/ ShortCourses

Just Action

Creating a Just Future 15-16 September, Auckland City Salvation Army, Mt Wellington, Auckland Just Action is a leading social justice conference organised by The Salvation Army’s Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit. Now in its eighth year, Just Action brings together top-class speakers and has built a reputation as a place of inspiration, learning and challenge for people who want to create a more socially just and equitable society in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The 2017 conference will explore new and creative ways in which New Zealand can build a society and economy which is fair and inclusive for all.

Register online at bit.ly/justaction2017

Creative Ministries Conference

The Earth Moves, His People Move 22–23 September, Auckland City Salvation Army, Mt Wellington, Auckland

Youth and Children’s Leaders Conference 21–23 July, Silverstream Retreat Centre, Wellington

A conference focused on building and maintaining healthy church, leadership and creative culture.

Our keynote speakers, from Hillsong Church, are Cass Langton (Global Creative Director) and Rich Langton (Creative Pastor). They oversee both the music ministry of their church (with an estimated global reach of 50 million people per week) and a worldwide network of creative teams, volunteers and world-class conferences (including the annual Hillsong conference of 25,000—30,000 people).

We are always looking for ways to grow our Salvation Army ministries to not only see improvement but to THRIVE. We value the heart and commitment of our youth and children’s leaders to help bring young people into a relationship with Jesus. THRIVE is aimed at encouraging and supporting you in this. THRIVE will be a time of spiritual refreshment, encouragement, networking and learning. THRIVE is about supporting YOU to THRIVE in your ministry setting.

THRIVE is for anyone involved in youth or children’s ministry in The Salvation Army: full-time or part-time, employed or voluntary.

Dr Duffy Robbins is just one of our guest speakers. He is a Professor of Youth Ministry at Eastern University, St. Davids, Pennsylvania and a 35-year youth ministry veteran.

Other special guests include: • Strahan Coleman, Singer/Songwriter • Libby and Wayne Huirua, Worship Pastors, Equippers Church, Auckland • Joel and Katie Milgate, Senior Pastors, Curate Church (formerly Mosaic), Mount Maunganui • Nathan McLellan, CEO and Senior Teaching Fellow, Venn Foundation • Andy Campbell, Regional Director, Worship Central NZ … with more to come.

This is not a “musician’s conference”; it’s a chance for Salvationists to think creatively about their ministry and how to contribute to a healthy, vibrant church culture that ultimately points people to a relationship with Jesus.

Register online at ThriveConference.co.nz

Register online at CreativeMinistriesConference.com

Thrive

16 WarCry 20 MAY 2017

Thought Matters Hospitality: Engaging the Other 29 September –1 October, Booth College of Mission, Upper Hutt

Hospitality is a strong biblical theme with a radical edge. It implies a willingness to make space and offer kindness, to partner with and to protect.

So what does our willingness (or otherwise) to extend hospitality say about our identity and practice as people of God in an increasingly extreme and selfinterested world? Join us to explore the implications of this hospitality for The Salvation Army in New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific.

For more information, go to salvationarmy.org.nz/ ThoughtMatters

Her Freedom Song Made for Freedom, Fighting for Freedom 6–8 October, Sydenham Salvation Army

A justice conference born to equip and empower people to fight the injustices women are facing worldwide. Women experience gendered oppression in many different ways, and we want to see each woman liberated into freedom and reaching her full potential. Female Genital Mutilation, child brides, discrimination, pay gaps, inadequate maternal healthcare, domestic violence, sexual objectification … injustice!

She is beautiful. She is strong. She is courageous.

She is able. She is gifted. She is valuable. She is a woman. And she deserves better than this!

We will be joined by some incredible speakers, including Sarah Scott-Webb (SIM and Tearfund), Captain Hana Seddon (The Salvation Army), Lucy AitkenRead (author, blogger and activist), with more speakers to be announced.

For more information, like our Facebook page, and to register online go to herfreedomsong. wordpress.com/registrations

National Award for Youth Worker

(l–r) Andy Walker and Princeton Jackson

A Salvation Army youth worker’s radical transformation and passion to give back was honoured with a national award last month.

Princeton Jackson received a Working for Youth Award at the National Youth Awards at Parliament. The awards are run by the Ministry of Youth Development and recognise 50 outstanding young people and organisations.

Princeton is training as a youth worker and has been working at Manukau Community Ministries for the past two years. He runs Aspire groups at two schools, mentoring small groups of at-risk young people. He also helps with Bible studies and youth group meetings at Manukau Corps, and is a White Ribbon volunteer.

Sometimes he helps young people whose families have sought help from the Community Ministries, where he has volunteered for the past five years, says Manukau youth worker Andy Walker.

‘Anything we have on, we say, “Princeton, can you help?” and he says, “Yep.” The day before we went for the award he was helping a family move house—it’s not his job, but he does it.’

It’s a long way from the troublesome teen who joined the youth group with his cousins. ‘We were little thieves, used to steal bikes and stuff, and just generally be disrespectful to anyone and everyone,’ Princeton said.

Princeton’s passion for youth work came from a desire to give other young people the opportunities Andy and others gave him, supporting him through tough times. Like most of his family, Princeton left school as soon as he could in Year 11. He then spent three years studying through Education and Employment.

A cousin who studied youth work recommended it, and the cousins have also inspired another cousin who wants to follow them and become the first member of his family to remain in education beyond Year 11. It was significant to Princeton that people had prophesied about him becoming a youth worker, with God having a massive impact on Princeton’s call to youth ministry, Andy said.

Princeton’s training has been covered by a scholarship from Warehouse Stationery, who fund vocational scholarships for young people through The Salvation Army and offer recipients a job when they’re not studying. He had to turn down the first set of shifts Warehouse Stationery offered as he was already working full time on the Manukau Community Ministries Christmas Toy Drive, but was looking forward to starting the job later in the year.

20 MAY 2017 WarCry 17

General André Cox and Comm Silvia Cox with residents of The Salvation Army’s Dehiwela Child Development Centre, Colombo; Visiting Rajagiriya Elders Home.

Sri Lankan Salvationists Urged to Live According to Christ’s Values General André Cox and Commissioner Silvia Cox (World President of Women’s Ministries) encouraged Salvationists and public alike during their recent visit to Sri Lanka.

In public meetings, leadership conversations, VIP gatherings, media interviews, a holiness meeting and Salvation Army officers councils, the Army’s international leaders focused on living according to the values of integrity, accountability, compassion, love and purity—values found in the heart of God. A last-minute change to the itinerary saw the international leaders visit the scene of a tragic rubbish dump landslide that had claimed the lives of at least 32 people and destroyed more than 140 homes on Good Friday—only four days before their arrival. The General and Commissioner Cox joined a team of Salvation Army officers to distribute much-needed relief items to hundreds of the disaster survivors. They moved freely among survivors and relief workers from many agencies, bringing personal greetings and showing interest to as many as possible.

Speaking on national television following an onsite media interview, the General assured survivors of The Salvation Army’s ongoing support. He also encouraged the government and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) to work towards solving issues that had come to light as a result of the dump’s collapse.

‘We need to work together to build more stable communities where people can live with security,’ he said.

Later, at a public rally held in the capital, Colombo, and attended by up to 2000 Salvationists and friends from across the island nation, the General reminded the crowd, ‘We live in a generation where we believe we can do anything and God will love us anyway. But Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth and the life!” ’ People committing their lives to Christ—some for the first time—and to living by Christ’s values.

The venue, the Anglican Church’s Christ the Living Saviour Cathedral, was filled with the sounds of celebration from the start, in true Salvation Army and Sri Lankan style. The 18 WarCry 20 MAY 2017

international leaders entered to flags waving and drums playing.

They experienced the joy of worship in Sri Lanka, with translators sharing their messages in both Sinhala and Tamil.

The General accepted the covenants of 57 new senior soldiers and 13 new junior soldiers of The Salvation Army in Sri Lanka.

‘We are called to be soldiers in The Salvation Army,’ he challenged the crowd. ‘Soldiers don’t just come and sit in pews. Soldiers are called to fight. The Salvation Army is raised up to fight against sin, injustice, exclusion. We’re not called to be play soldiers.

We are at war against the kingdom of Satan. Our weapons are the Word of God and the Cross of Christ. Those being enrolled declare they will make the standards of the Kingdom of God the standards of their lives.’

Scenes of excitement were found in the ‘Transformation’ women’s rally, where Commissioner Cox focused on the difference women can make in the world when they live in relationship with Christ every day. ‘We believe it is possible to be transformed into God’s image,’ she said.

In the ‘GLOW: Shine Your Light’ youth event, more than 400 young people entered into a powerful worship and rich cultural experience, responding readily to the General’s appeal to follow Christ and his call to consider being an officer in The Salvation Army.

While in Sri Lanka, the General and Commissioner Cox met with government ministers, heads of churches and NGOs, the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, and members of The Salvation Army’s newly established National Advisory Board. They also spent time visiting Salvation Army residential services in Greater Colombo.

Throughout their visit, the General and Commissioner Cox were supported by members of the territorial leadership team.

Worship was supported by Colombo Central Corps Band and Worship Ensemble, specially formed choirs, timbrel brigades, and drama and cultural presentation groups.

GAZETTE Bereaved: Mjr Margaret Medland, of her brother, William (Bill) Skilton, promoted to Glory on 21 April. The funeral service was held at Sydenham Corps on 28 April, conducted by Mjr Charles Prattley. Please remember and support Mjrs Margaret and Ivan Medland and other family members in prayer.

Mjr Wayne Jellyman and Col Wynne Reddish of their father, Bro. Fred Jellyman, promoted to Glory from Hamilton on 1 May, aged 91. The funeral service was held at Hamilton City Corps on 4 May, conducted by Mjr Wayne Jellyman.

Please uphold Fred’s wife, Milba, Mjrs Wayne and Joanne Jellyman, Cols Wynne and Graeme Reddish, and other family members in prayer.

Lt Janet Green of her sister, Marion West, on 4 May from Auckland. The funeral was at Mount Albert Baptist Church on 8 May. Please uphold Lt Janet Green, Janet’s children Lts Andrew and Sarah Green, Matt and Claire Green, Janet’s mother Pat Angove, and other family members in prayer.

Appointment: Effective 13 April: Mjr Wendy Andrews, Divisional Missionary Fellowship Secretary, Southern Division (additional); Effective 27 April: Lts Ameet and Jessica Londhe, Corps Planting Officers, Flatbush Corps Plant (previously Flatbush Outpost).

Appointment in Retirement: Effective 3 July: Mjr Malcolm Herring, Assistant Territorial Candidates Secretary (part-time).

Conclusion of Envoy Service: Geoffry and Jillian Smith conclude their service as envoys and their ministry in Hawera Corps on 30 June. Geoffry and Jillian were Corps Leaders, Cambridge Corps, from 22 Jan 2009. They were warranted as envoys on 11 August 2011. Jillian had an additional appointment as Chaplain, Employment Plus (now Education and Employment) during this time.

In Jan 2016, the couple was appointed as Envoys in Charge, Hawera Corps.

We thank Geoffry and Jillian for their ministry, and pray God’s blessing on them in the future. Midland Divisional Headquarters will assume the oversight of Hawera Corps from 1 July.

400–600 words with one or two captioned photos. Promotion to Glory tributes are approx 300 words. Email reports and large, highquality jpeg images to: warcry@nzf. salvationarmy.org

MADDISON’S BIRTH WAS UNEXPECTED, SHE ARRIVED 13 WEEKS EARLY Our family recently had the joy of receiving a precious little life into our midst—our first grandchild. At just 27 weeks’ gestation, Maddison’s birth was unexpected, she arrived 13 weeks early.

Seven weeks later, Maddison is doing very well. She is out of the incubator and reaching milestones, for which we are very grateful.

It has been a joy to watch her parents get to know Maddison’s little ways, figuring out who she takes after in her looks and mannerisms, and showing her that she is very much loved.

As I cuddled my granddaughter the other day, it took me back to when our own children were born. As tiny Maddison—who is now over 1.8 kg (4 lb)—settled into my arms, she opened her big eyes, saw who it was and then, snuggling into my embrace, closed them again and went back to sleep. There was complete trust and dependence as she snuggled in and rested once more.

As she lay there, it struck me this was an illustration of how we should be in our relationship with the Lord. As Jesus put it: ‘unless you repent [that is, change your inner self—your old way of thinking, live changed lives] and become like children [trusting, humble, and forgiving], you will never enter the kingdom of heaven’ (Matthew 18:3, Amp). If we are living like Jesus, how does that show in our day-today lives as we make contact with and have the opportunity to witness to others?

And what difference does this make?

Recently, we’ve all had the opportunity to consider again the personal significance of the events of Easter—of the Passion Week events leading up to Good Friday, the awful horror of the sacrifice involved in Jesus’ death, and the triumphant power demonstrated in his resurrection. It reminded me anew of Jesus’ complete trust in and obedience to his Father’s will and challenged me about my walk with the Lord.

As we read through the gospels, again and again we are challenged by Jesus’ demonstration of what he said in those words from Matthew 18. As Isaiah 55:8 reminds us, God’s thinking is not the world’s thinking, God’s way is not the world’s way. Throughout his life, Jesus showed us by practical example what it means to completely trust the will of God. That example reached its peak in the events of Easter, but it doesn’t finish there. On 4 June, we celebrate Pentecost, the birthday of the church when God sent his promised Holy Spirit.

My prayer would be that we would each live by the perfect example of Jesus, having compete trust in him—and relying on the power of the Holy Spirit to empower us to live for Christ day by day.

Lieut-Colonel David Bateman Territorial Secretary for Business Administration 20 MAY 2017 WarCry 19

Is holistic

Holy?

The Salvation Army is good at meeting needs—but do we see spirituality as a need, or as a goal? asks Nathan Holt, corps officer at Rolleston Corps Plant, as he examines the Mission Plan value ‘Think Holistically’.

BY NATHAN HOLT

Here at The Salvation Army in Rolleston we are working through the Army’s Mission Plan. For every value we ask ourselves, ‘If we work to implement this value, what would we look like?’

This week we discussed the value ‘think holistically’ and asked: what would it look like for us, as a Salvation Army in Rolleston, to live out this value?

20 WarCry 20 MAY 2017

Is holistic holy?

Eastern or Western

The first question we asked was, ‘What does ‘holistic’ actually mean?’ That’s because ‘holistic’ is a word that evokes many different thoughts, emotions, and even fears.

But, as Christian activist and author Shane Claiborne states, Christianity is an Eastern religion. We Westerners have just tamed it. Therefore, our working definition of the ‘think holistic’ value must be interpreted through an eastern worldview.

The dictionary definition of ‘holistic’ (according to Google) is ‘the belief that the parts of something are intimately interconnected and explicable only by reference to the whole’.

But we also have other definitions that culture applies to this word. For some in our corps, ‘holistic’ was seen as an eastern religious worldview. They related the word to pot smoking and hippies, crystals and incense, robes, dreadlocks, and chanting mediation. They related it to things that they were taught, as Christians, not to mess with. So to them, ‘holistic’ was not a ‘Christian’ word.

The challenge for us is that we are living in the most advanced era of Western thought. I don’t mean ‘advanced’ as in ‘better’; I mean it as something that is fully, deeply ingrained. Everything in our culture in the West is segregated and compartmentalised. You go to school for your mind. You go to the gym or doctor for your body. You go to church for your spirit. You go home for community. You go to a therapist for your emotions. For every need you literally go to a different place. This is how we work in the West.

And this is a big issue when it comes to our ability to think holistically.

But Jesus did not grow up with that understanding. Feeding, growing, nurturing, catering to the mind, body, spirit, and the social needs of humanity, were all interconnected. Jesus taught in a culture that understood the universe as one thing, where every part was intimately interconnected and explicable only when seen in relation to everything else.

Holistic thought is the ability to understand that nothing is separate from anything else. Everything is connected. When it comes to a person, you cannot impact one part and not affect the whole. We need to understand that everything impacts everything else.

‘WE CELEBRATE THE ‘SAVING OF A SOUL’ MUCH MORE THAN WE CELEBRATE THE FEEDING OF A STOMACH. THIS IS OKAY, EXCEPT IT MEANS WE SEE SPIRITUALITY AS A GOAL, NOT A NEED.’ Spirituality as a need As The Salvation Army we do a lot of work to help people who have needs.

We feed people. We help with housing.

We provide spaces for community. We provide social work, and so on. We meet needs. However, I would suggest that we don’t actually see spirituality as a need.

We see it as a pinnacle. This is evident in our language. We celebrate the ‘saving of a soul’ much more than we celebrate the feeding of a stomach. This is okay, except it means we see spirituality as a goal, not a need.

At Rolleston, we discussed the difference it makes when we see spirituality as

a need instead of a goal. We begin to treat our faith community gatherings the same way we treat our social services—and vice versa. We begin to develop plans for helping people with spiritual need. We adopt the Model of Care into our discipleship process. We see all people with physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual needs.

This might not seem like a big shift to some, but it will be. Seeing spirituality as a need could be one of the biggest steps in The Salvation Army’s pursuit of its Mission Plan values.

Everyone has a name and a story To help us stop compartmentalising human beings, we’ve decided to insist that everyone has a name and a story.

Before we provide help or express concern or set up some programme for the meeting of need, we must first learn people’s names and stories.

Jesus, through his actions, taught the value of re-humanisation. He refused to accept the labels people carried. He healed, taught, called, encouraged and celebrated all the ‘wrong’ people. They were all ‘nobodies’. They were all ‘clients’ or ‘beggars’ or ‘sinful’ or ‘poor’ or some other word that was used in place of their names. Jesus looked right through those labels and ministered to the person, who had a name and a story.

In The Salvation Army we run the risk, through our work, of de-humanising those whom God created, Jesus rescued, and the Holy Spirit anointed. If we are to truly think holistically, we must not be tempted to treat people like they are a number in a category. Everyone has a name and a story. It is our job to learn those first. We will not live out the value of thinking holistically until we can re-humanise society.

Open your life Finally, we decided that we cannot be a people that value holistic thinking until we ourselves are willing to de-compartmentalise our lives. Our best strategy for this is living a life of hospitality, where we open up our entire lives to others. The goal of an open life is learning names and stories. We want to get to know, and fall in love with, people in our local community.

WE WILL NOT LIVE OUT THE VALUE OF THINKING HOLISTICALLY UNTIL WE CAN RE-HUMANISE SOCIETY.’ We carry the view that everyone has fallen short of God’s best. Everyone has needs. That includes a need for a spiritual connection with their Creator.

We are not ‘haves’, giving to the ‘have nots’. We are needy people meeting other needy people, and creating mutually beneficial human relationships.

In all of this, we attempt to adopt the worldview that everything is connected to everything else. No one part of a human can be impacted outside of the whole. Our eating together is a spiritual act. Our listening to stories is just as good for the body as it is for the emotions. Our day-to-day life is not a series of categorised interactions that adjust one part of a person at a time.

We are holistic people living among holistic people, all in search of a fullness of life through Jesus Christ—mind, body, spirit, family.

Lieutenant Nathan Holt and his wife, Lieutenant Naomi Holt, lead a relatively new Salvation Army faith community in Rolleston, near Christchurch. For more information, go to salvationarmy.org.nz/Rolleston Learn more about our Mission Plan & Values | salvationarmy. org.nz/ MissionPlan

20 MAY 2017 WarCry 21

CROSSWORD 2

OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS

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Commissioners Andy (Territorial Commander) and Yvonne Westrupp (Territorial President of Women’s Ministries) 23 May: Opening of New Premises, Waikato Bridge Community Programme & Midland Residential Bridge, Hamilton 3–4 June: Levin Corps 125th Anniversary Celebrations 18 June: Upper Hutt Corps 21 June: Spiritual Day, Booth College of Mission Colonels Willis Howell (Chief Secretary) and Barbara Howell (Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries) 21 May: Oamaru Corps 30 May–14 June: Footsteps of Paul Tour

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CHILDREN’S WORKER, WELLINGTON SOUTH CORPS

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God is doing a new thing in the Wellington suburb of Newtown.

Is he calling you to be part of it?

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Across 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 18 20

Look good on Collaborators Chortle Nearly Territory Away from water Elements Two or more Pleasing

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Inexpensive Related to books Every time that Chilled

Down 1 2 3

Restores Absolved from blame Made thin by hammering

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Arrange Kind of instinct Wiping out Plumb line Not absolute It’s another day Cuts through soil Tangled in knots Afire Garrets

PRAY

This newly created role (35 hours/week) involves development and leadership of Sunday ministry to children, support for play group and First Step ministries, and building bridges to link families in corps and centre programmes with our faith community.

Request information and a copy of the job description from Captain Julie Marshall, e: julie_marshall@nzf.salvationarmy.org, p: 027 384 5623. Applications close noon on 2 June 2017.

Find other Salvation Army job opportunities on salvationarmy.org.nz/careers

Dunedin City, East City, Far North (Kaitaia), Feilding and Flaxmere Corps; Community Ministries staff and clients; The Salvation Army in the USA. To advertise your event, email: warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org

Keeping Children Safe Training Monday 24 July, Territorial Headquarters

Are you a Salvation Army officer or a manager in a Salvation Army social service centre?

Do you work with families in The Salvation Army? Does your role involve working with under-18s alone or with primary responsibility in a group setting? This training will give you vital information about how to recognise, respond and report if you suspect a child or young person is being abused or neglected.

‘This training was really good and exceeded my expectations. I didn’t think it would be relevant to my work, but it was and is. Thanks!’

‘Thank you for the session today—the training was thoughtful, informative and sensitive. Well done to the training team! This makes me proud to be part of a church that is taking this so seriously and with great, professional care.’

OR

The Salvation Army is committed to ensuring that all children and youth who engage with our services are protected from abuse while in and outside our care.

Booth College of Mission

To register, go to ‘Training’ on keepingchildrensafe.sarmy.net.nz

Friday 16 June,

22 WarCry 20 MAY 2017

Wellington South Corps is set to enter a new phase of mission and ministry. In preparation for a move into a new building with Wellington Community Ministries, Bridge and Oasis, our Early Childhood Education Centre and Family Store, we are working towards integration to provide holistic outreach to our diverse community.

Quiz Answers: 1 Malcolm Turnbull, 2 1986—next visible sighting will be 2061, 3 Banksy, 4 A tower, 5 Stephen (Acts 6:7-8:2). Crossword Answers: Across: 7 Become, 8 Partners, 9 Laughter, 10 Almost, 11 Province, 12 Inland, 13 Ingredients, 18 Plural, 20 Charming, 22 Budget, 23 Literary, 24 Whenever, 25 Cooled. Down: 1 Repairs, 2 Forgiven, 3 Beaten, 4 Organise, 5 Animal, 6 Erasing, 8 Perpendicular, 14 Relative, 15 Tomorrow, 16 Ploughs, 17 Snarled, 19 Raging, 21 Attics.

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spot 8 differences

A friend loves at all times. They are there to help when trouble comes.

Proverbs 17:17 NIRV

help the sack-racers find their skipping rope friends

find the two matching arrows

Everyone needs friends—we need someone to laugh with and someone who will listen and cheer us up if we feel sad.

Jesus said, ‘Do to others as you want them to do to you.’ In other words, the way to FIND a good friend is to BE a good friend.

Good friends are:

• Faithful. Good friends don’t

break up with each other when things get hard.

• Kind. Good friends look after and help each other.

• Generous. Good friends aren’t selfish—they like to share.

• Forgiving. Good friends

don’t try to get even when they’re hurt.

Good friends don’t tell stories or gossip. But they will tell a wise adult if they are worried their friend is in danger or very sad.

Dear Jesus, thank you for being my friend. Help me to learn from your example about how to be a good and helpful friend to others. Amen.

20 MAY 2017 WarCry 23

Arrows Answers: 8 & 16.