30 November 2019 NZFTS War Cry

FAITH IN ACTION  30 NOVEMBER 2019 | Issue 6731 | $1.50

Lifetime of Opportunity A

Territorial leaders reflect on 40 years of ministry.

04

06

12

14

WAR CRY The Salvation Army

New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory TERRITORIAL LEADERS Commissioners Andy & Yvonne Westrupp | GENERAL Brian Peddle | 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.

ACTING EDITOR Major Shar Davis | GRAPHIC DESIGN Sam Coates, Tanesha Dahya | STAFF WRITERS Captain Jules Badger, Louise Parry, Bethany Slaughter | PROOF READING Vivienne Hill | COVER PHOTO Sarah Pearce Photography OFFICE Territorial Headquarters, 204 Cuba Street, PO Box

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

(04) 382 0768, Email mailorder@salvationarmy.org.nz, $75 per year within NZ PRINT MANAGEMENT www.makeready.nz | PAPER Sumo Offset

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.

Member of the Australasian Religious Press Association.

18

Kittens, puppies and projects The Communications Department looks out onto the carpark at THQ and beyond to a back alley and apartments. Over the past year I have been known to randomly say ‘kitten!’ My team knows this means that either one or both of the kittens from an apartment directly over from us are sitting in the window.

It’s usually first thing in the morning. The curtains remain closed, but the kittens (now cats) appear and soak up some rays, sometimes grooming each other and keeping the Comms team entertained for a few moments.

This week there’s a new furry, four-legged distraction in the back alley. An eightweek-old, golden labrador puppy has arrived, and we’ve added ‘puppy!’ to our list of departmental declarations.

I know this puppy will grow into a dog, but sadly I won’t be around to see the transformation, since I’m moving to Auckland. I have full confidence the team will continue to delight in our four-legged neighbours.

There are other projects that I’m leaving unfinished, preparing them as best I can to hand over to someone else. Very rarely do any of us get to wrap everything up with neat bows when change comes.

I’m sure there are things Andy and Yvonne will hand over to our new territorial leaders that they would have loved to see finished. Our new lieutenants will pick up what someone else started. As cute as kittens and puppies are, they need to keep growing to reach full maturity as do our projects, plans, and mission opportunities—regardless of who gets to be the one to get it across the line.

Shar Davis Assistant Territorial Communications Secretary

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 136 years | Issue 6731 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 SalvationArmyNZFTS @SalvationArmyNZ salvationarmynzfts

2 WarCry 30 NOVEMBER 2019

Celebrate endings—for they precede new beginnings.

Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Luke 4:43 ‘I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.’

Ruka 4:43 Ka mea ia ki a rātou, Me kauwhau e ahau te rangatiratanga o te Atua ki ērā atu pā anō: koia hoki ahau i tonoa mai ai.

C

onsecration. It’s a funny old word. To the uninitiated it sounds very ancient— other worldly—and very holier-thanthou churchy. So what, if anything, does consecration mean for us as 21st century salvationists? Is it just another exclusive paradigm only for the truly holy?

Recently, I was relaying to someone the experience I had at Encounter Congress, whereby I felt compelled by the Holy Spirit to re-consecrate myself to God’s service as an officer. It was a timely, necessary and sacred moment. Something shifted within me as I considered the second half of my life and the ministry that beckons.

However, when asked to explain the meaning of consecration, I struggled to answer succinctly. Which was ironic, given that something so transformative had taken place within me. I found it hard to communicate a definition of consecration that made sense and didn’t just sound—well—other worldly and holier-than-thou churchy, to this person so unfamiliar with the faith tradition and its quirky ways. And yet the ability to testify to an experience of consecration had been so easy.

With the ordination and commissioning of new officers upon us—for whom consecration to God and his service is a key facet—I suspect some family and friends may also require some explanation.

So, I offer this ‘user’s guide to consecration’ as an introduction—albeit a refresher for others.

In a nutshell, to ‘consecrate’ yourself means to set yourself apart from other pursuits and fully dedicate yourself to God. Which sounds straightforward—but that’s not the full story. God has a crucial role to play in calling us to consecration. In fact, the ability to consecrate yourself to God is only made possible by

God. He does the consecrating once we respond to his call and decide to be consecrated. And this decision must be wholehearted—no one can push you into being consecrated, it simply doesn’t work that way.

God doesn’t work that way.

So, perhaps the more important questions are not, ‘What does consecration mean?’, but, ‘Why would anyone want to be consecrated? What’s the purpose of consecration?’

Consecration determines the nature of our relationship with God. And God is holy. So he gently begins the process of transforming us into his likeness so we can enjoy the fullness of relationship with him. The decision to consecrate yourself to God says, ‘Lord I give all of me to you. I trust you with my life. Have your way. Make me holy because I fall so short of your glory. I won’t get it right most of the time. But I know how much I need you. Lead me.’

But consecration is not a single, one-time-only decision. It is a way of living in Christ. God does not require perfection—he simply desires that we continue to follow him, even though we stumble.

And officers are certainly not immune from such stumbling. Thankfully, all believers who choose to consecrate themselves are also privileged to come under God’s wonderful grace—grace that responds to our sincere repentance, by cleansing our sin and calling us forward again into holiness.

This is the consecrated life. And it’s open to anyone—cadets becoming officers, new believers growing into disciples—the priesthood of all believers—generations of salvationists deciding again, and again to dedicate their life to God—Hallelujah!

BY JULES BADGER 30 NOVEMBER 2019 WarCry 3

QUIKQUIZ

1 Where in the world is the Garden of the Sleeping Giant?

2 What is the collective noun for kangaroos?

3 What year was the first international soccer game played?

4 What is the capital of Lebanon?

5 What leader fashioned a brass snake?

Answers on page 22

Pumpkin and Chickpea Curry Curry Mix 2 Tbsp canola oil 1 diced onion 2 cloves garlic, sliced 1 Tbsp freshly grated ginger 3 tsp curry powder

Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan. Sauté the onion until limp, then add the garlic, ginger, curry powder and cumin seed. Cook for 1 minute. Tip into a slow cooker.

Cut the pumpkin into 3cm chunks.

Add to the cooker with the chickpeas, tomatoes and salt. Stir well.

1 tsp cumin seeds

Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3–4 hours.

Vegetables 400g pumpkin

Just before serving, stir in the spinach. Cover and cook until limp.

1 can chickpeas

Serve on rice or with pappadums.

2 cans of chopped tomatoes (800g) 200g spinach leaves, washed and chopped Source: Jan Bilton/eatwell.co.nz

4 WarCry 30 NOVEMBER 2019

Comedy/Drama Fishermen’s Friends (M) Directed by Chris Foggin Modern blockbuster films trade heavily in the visually spectacular—the scale is huge, and the plots extravagant.

One of the frequent gripes about such films, however, is the lack of simple human connection. They seldom get us to truly care about the characters. Fishermen’s Friends has this connection in spades (well, boat-loads). It’s a feel-good tale about smalltown singers discovered by jaded London music manager Danny who—finding himself the butt of a joke played by his friends—discovers an authenticity in their Cornish community he’d initially written off as a disdainful relic of the past. Ultimately, the music moves beyond a money-making venture for Danny, and becomes a vehicle that reminds us (the audience) who we are, and questions our understanding of what’s important in life. The plot hits predictable narrative points, but the heart of the film is the connecting of people who wouldn’t normally have any reason to bond. (Reviewed by Sam Coates)

HONOURING OURFRIEND Major Jill Gainsford, a longstanding volunteer and valued memberof the Communications Team, died in October—or as we say in the Army, she was promoted to Glory. Jill was the proofreader for War Cry long before any of the current team joined the department. She was our guide when it came to deciding when to use ‘practice’ and when to use ‘practise’. She was brilliant with names, ranks and random facts.

Each time she came, she would have a story to tell, and was genuinely interested in each of the team.

We honour Jill for her many years of faithful service to War Cry and you, the readers.

TOPFIVE

Regardless of whether you love or hate a good show tune, we reckon there’s a good chance you’ve heard at least one of these five iconic songs born on Broadway.

4. Defying Gravity—Wicked: The centrepiece song of The Wizard of Oz’s prequel musical was originally recorded by Idina Menzel, whose name you might recognise for lending her voice to a certain Disney character with icy powers …

3. Seasons of Love—Rent: ‘Five hundred, twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes …’ if this sounds familiar, good luck getting it out of your head for the rest of the day!

2. I Dreamed A Dream— Les Misérables: It’s hard to single out one song from what may be the most famous musical in history, but thanks to recordings by Susan Boyle and Anne Hathaway, this lament probably gets the nod.

Photo: Jeff Busby

5. And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going— Dreamgirls: Before it became the go-to audition song for reality TV singing contests, this song was being belted out on Broadway.

Weird of the Week: Elvis’s manager sold badges saying ‘I hate Elvis’ to make money off the people who weren’t buying his merchandise.

1. Memory—Cats: While Andrew Lloyd Webber’s felinethemed show is the definition of a love it or loathe it show, the spine-chilling climax song is musical magic.

WARCRYINHISTORY

When an influenza pandemic struck New Zealand in 1918, the Commissioner made a callout in the 7 December War Cry for temporary housing for children whose parents had passed away or were incapacitated, especially if the children were sick themselves.

Source: Booth College of Mission Heritage and Archives Centre

Salvation Army Plays a Part in Come from Away Musical If you happen to be travelling to Melbourne before the year’s end and enjoy a trip to the theatre, you will hear The Salvation Army’s name mentioned several times in Come from Away.

Based on true events, the musical is set during the aftermath of 9/11, but rather than New York, it’s Newfoundland, Canada.

When the American airspace was closed on 11 September 2001, all airborne planes were redirected to the small island town of Gander. When passengers were eventually allowed off the aircraft, locals embraced, befriended and took care of them until planes were cleared to take off again days later.

The Salvation Army got to work straight away, coordinating food and clothing donations for these ‘Come from Aways’ (the locals’ name for the visitors). The Army and its members opened their churches and homes for shelter and provided counselling, Bibles and pastoral care during a confusing and emotional time.

The show has become a feel-good hit and a hearty reminder that when tragedy strikes, people need companionship just as much as food and shelter.

Come from Away is playing at the Comedy Theatre in Melbourne, Australia until December 22. Tickets begin at $65 and can be purchased online at comefromaway.com.au 30 NOVEMBER 2019 WarCry 5

Lifetime of Opportunity A

As the curtain closes on their active officership, Commissioners Andy and Yvonne Westrupp sat down with War Cry to reflect on the past 40 years of ministry in The Salvation Army.

BY SHAR DAVIS

lot has changed in the 40 years since Andy and Yvonne Westrupp entered training college in 1978 from Dunedin South Corps with their (then only) child Micaela (3 months).

In those days, the training college was located at Aro Street in Wellington, uniforms were highneck and bonnets and caps compulsory attire.

They were commissioned in January 1980 as part of the Joyful Evangelists session and appointed to Papakura Corps, where they stayed for three years before heading south to Tokoroa Corps for four years.

Before Recovery Church was officially ‘a thing’, Andy and Yvonne were the corps officers at Spreydon Corps and the chaplains to the Bridge centre in Christchurch. ‘ … It changed our world … It gave us an understanding of what it’s like for people who have no concept of Christianity or church to interact with The Salvation Army faith community,’ reflects Yvonne.

It made them realise that if the Army was to be the ‘bridge’, connecting people to Jesus, ‘we needed to make every effort to make ourselves relevant and understandable to people’, she says.

In those days every corps had an evening service—the salvation meeting—and Andy believes that the key to the corps’ success was the corps council’s willingness to ‘give up’ ownership of the Sunday night meeting, in particular. ‘I think quite bravely they said, “Let’s orientate the whole evening meeting so that it makes sense for the Bridge clients”—who were coming along voluntarily with Majors Rex and Glenis Cross, the managers of the Bridge at that time,’ says Andy.

It made for interesting days, says Yvonne. ‘It challenged some of the soldiers because of the people going through the programme being so honest and upfront—they would confront people in the corps when they felt they weren’t being straight with them.’

‘The clients were upfront and honest about things that weren’t normally talked about in church,’ adds Andy.

‘When we were appointed there, we were told it was going to close,’ says Andy. ‘This was the last chance for it to go ahead.

I think the key was that the younger people—who had parents or relatives in the corps—we engaged with them, they became the leaders.’

‘ … IF THE ARMY WAS TO BE THE ‘BRIDGE’, CONNECTING PEOPLE TO JESUS, ‘WE NEEDED TO MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO MAKE OURSELVES RELEVANT AND UNDERSTANDABLE TO PEOPLE.’ The eight years spent at Spreydon helped prepare them for their next appointment as corps planting officers in Johnsonville, reflects Yvonne—despite them thinking they didn’t fit the criteria for corps planting. The Salvation Army had asked officers to apply if they could fulfil certain requirements, and it was a persistent Secretary for Programme—Major Barry Pobjie—who convinced them to apply.

‘Johnsonville was a highlight for me, because it was great to be given the opportunity to operate in a space outside of the structure, but still with the security of the structure and the system providing support,’ says Yvonne. ‘To see what new things could grow, and because there was already a group there with a vision, who had been meeting and talking and researching, there was a base to start with.

‘It was amazing to see what God did in terms of a new style of worshipping congregation that was relevant to unchurched people; and to go through the different stages from this initial little group, to growing it to be a large congregation. We learnt we had to change our style of leadership; we had to adjust along the way, so it wasn’t like one appointment, it was like many, because we were changing all the time,’ she says. There were a number of professional people in the corps, and this challenged Andy and Yvonne to grow in themselves and their leadership.

Yvonne’s face lights up as she recalls an atheist who started coming along. ‘She came for many months before she finally said, “You know, I really have changed my view and I think that God is real”, and she started to respond.’ The couple discovered that it was less about a moment of crisis for people when they 30 NOVEMBER 2019 WarCry 7

make a decision and more about a journey of discovery and becoming aware of God. ‘We changed our theology on that,’ says Andy. ‘Instead of thinking people have two crises—one of salvation and one of holiness—we talked in terms of steps. People make tiny steps and they might struggle to actually know which one was the crucial step,’ he explains. ‘We saw that, and we would say: “Are you ready to make another step? Maybe big, maybe small”.’

Being based back in Wellington has given them the opportunity to soldier at Johnsonville Corps, and the corps has evolved since their days at the helm, maturing and changing as the world around it has moved on. ‘It’s fulfilling to feel that we’ve had a part in that journey, to see that it’s still growing, still healthy, still missional, still focussed on people encountering God,’ reflects Yvonne.

A New Season After 10 years at Johnsonville and 25 years as corps officers, a new season dawned with their appointment to Northern Division as Divisional Secretary for Programme (Andy) and Divisional Secretary for Personnel (Yvonne). This would be the beginning of their appointments in headquarters roles. Part way through their second year in these appointments, they received an additional appointment as facilitators for the Territorial Strategic Mission.

After four years in the Northern Division, they were appointed as the divisional leaders of Midland Division, based in Hamilton. This was their shortest appointment, only having two years in the role, then being moved to Territorial Headquarters and the Personnel Department.

They received a phone call in 2014 that would rock their world, but prove to be an incredible opportunity. Their appointment as Territorial Leaders of Papua New Guinea Territory meant leaving elderly parents, children, grandchildren and the familiarity of New Zealand behind and stepping into a completely foreign country and culture.

‘It gave us a greater understanding of other cultures. Living in a different culture we found some transferable concepts of Pacific and Māori culture—living in the less individualistic culture, more community-based and extended family culture,’ says Yvonne. ‘It showed us the richness that there is in that.’

Coming Home Their final appointment as territorial leaders in their home territory commenced in January 2017. ‘It sounds cliché, but it’s 8 WarCry 30 NOVEMBER 2019

a great privilege to lead in your own territory,’ says Andy. The minority of officers will become territorial leaders somewhere in the world and even less of their own territory. ‘With the privilege comes huge responsibility,’ he added.

For Yvonne it wasn’t a natural fit. ‘When I first came into this role, I felt that I was sitting in the wrong chair—that someone was going to put their head in the door and say, “you’re in the wrong office”. I prefer to be hands-on with mission, and so in this role I had to learn a different way of leading and influencing,’ she explains.

A big challenge for the couple was the governance restructure.

‘After 30-plus years of one model, to be looking at “What does the new model look like?” is challenging,’ Yvonne says.

Reflecting on the transition from corps ministry to headquarters, the couple recognise the challenges they faced.

‘Both of us are more hands on, we’re probably more suited to the operational side of the Army,’ Andy explains. ‘The challenge is you have to operate remotely.’

He explains it’s a bit like backing an articulated truck with a trailer. ‘The way you turn the wheel may not necessarily put the trailer where you actually want it. So, you have another go, and some of that has been frustrating, to have to circle back and have another go at getting whatever you’re looking at in the right position.

‘As a corps officer or centre manager, it’s way more direct. You only really have your leadership team that you can influence and work out together what you’re going to do and then actually do it.

Whereas in these [headquarters] roles it takes time and it takes nuancing.’

Yvonne adds: ‘Another challenge is being people who don’t easily fit into a command structure, who like to question things—and both of us like to know why—to look for different ways to do things that might be more effective and efficient.’

Before they became officers, they were told—like many others—that if they wanted to change the system, they needed to be in it. ‘We have been able to contribute to change, but I

‘IT’S BEEN CHALLENGING, BUT IT’S ALSO BEEN A REAL PRIVILEGE TO BE ABLE TO ADVOCATE—WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE A SPACE FOR PEOPLE.’

The wider Westrupp family (Absent: Missy Ditchburn).

think it’s been challenging for us to figure out how to do that—and for other people to deal with us, because we’re just not the natural fit,’ says Yvonne.

Their own experiences of being misunderstood at times, developed in them a desire to see others in similar positions brought back into the fold, so-to-speak.

‘Because we’ve been there, we have the same sense of justice that you can’t put people there [the side-lines],’ explains Yvonne. ‘It’s been challenging, but it’s also been a real privilege to be able to advocate—we’ve been able to make a space for people.’

Family Ties Family has always been extremely important to Andy and Yvonne, and their long stint as corps officers helped their four children to have a really positive outlook on being officers’ kids.

‘It was really flexible, and we could take time to spend time with the kids, going to their school camps and things like that,’ says Yvonne. ‘They learned things that other kids don’t always have the opportunity to learn, like how to speak in public and how to relate to all kinds of people, from every level,’ she adds.

The children were included in corps life and as they got older the family would brainstorm some of the bigger, generic challenges, offering some great ideas. ‘It helped us to stay relevant because they would challenge us and let us know when things were out of date,’ Yvonne says.

Their son Jonathan remembers all the fun opportunities that officership provided them. ‘Having an army of church kids as friends close by, events and meetings with food and parents who were never far away. We grew up close because officership isn’t a standard job, it’s something our whole family was involved in,’ he says. The sense of strong family bond is something that Jonathan attributes in part to the unique experiences of life as an officer family.

Being more available to family is one of the things Andy and Yvonne are looking forward to as they enter retirement.

With a home in New Plymouth awaiting their arrival, they have plans to enjoy some of their interests outside of the Army.

For Andy the list includes woodworking, photography, and spending time on his motorbike and in the caravan.

Yvonne is looking forward to mountain biking, gardening and exploring the Taranaki region, an area of New Zealand they haven’t spent much time in.

Spiritual Lessons Yvonne speaks of God’s faithfulness as an enduring lesson she’s learned. ‘At the beginning of my ministry, I wasn’t a very confident person and the unknown was quite scary for me. To learn that God is faithful and that what he puts in front of me— or what he asks of me—is possible because of his strength and presence with me, is invaluable.’

Andy has learnt that he doesn’t have to do everything on behalf of God. ‘I don’t need to do all his work for him, because he’s quite big enough to do it himself. So, I don’t have to correct everything I think is wrong. If he wants to use me, he can; he can use someone else, or not do anything about it himself,’ Andy explains.

The Future For Andy and Yvonne, the timing of their retirement is bittersweet, with the territory on the cusp of a new level of biculturalism and what happens with Māori ministry going forward. ‘We’re talking way more than waiata and haka, we’re talking in terms of how we share leadership going forward, how we share the resource that is the Army, in order to make a greater impact in Te Ao Māori,’ says Andy.

‘It’s one of the things we regret not being able to be a part of in terms of leadership, as it’s something we’ve strongly advocated,’ add Yvonne.

The curtain may be closing on their active officership, but there will be an encore as they look to take up an appointment in retirement, worked around the less pressured pace that retirement in New Plymouth will offer them.

30 NOVEMBER 2019 WarCry 9

Taking the Stress Out of Technology If you are scrolling through your notifications before getting out of bed, switching your paper diary to an online calendar, and finding yourself talking to Siri more than actual people, you are not alone.

Technology has increasingly overwhelmed our daily routines, with many of us chasing to keep up with new apps, websites, and programs—especially at work.

If that sentence alone rings true and makes your heartbeat quicken, you might be struggling from technostress. The term ‘technostress’ was coined by Craig Brod in 1984 in his book of the same title about the widespread adoption of computers. He defined technostress as the anxiety caused by trying to keep up with new technologies, specifically at work. But technostress is no longer confined to one specific machine. Now, there are too many digital devices and applications to list.

What Does Technostress Look Like?

Causes of technostress can be grouped into five categories.

1. Invasion: the sense that technology is taking over your life.

2. Overload: the inability to keep up with tasks (e.g. an inbox with 100+ emails).

3. Complexity: the struggle to understand intricacies and specific jargon of new technologies upon introduction.

4. Insecurity: the fear that if you fail to adopt the new technology, you will lose your job.

5. Uncertainty: the worry about what your work life will look like in the future.

The irony of technostress is that these technologies are meant to increase productivity within the workplace and make your life easier, but often the opposite occurs. Burnout is the most common symptom, but the following can all be signs of technostress: • Headaches, sore muscles, hypertension • Inability to relax • Increased error rate and reduced productivity • Low morale • Cynicism towards technology • Difficulty concentrating

A New Way Forward Employers have a responsibility to look out for their workers.

Before you introduce a new piece of technology, assess your workplace’s current productivity levels. Know your team’s strengths and weaknesses and ask yourself whether they actually need this new app to do their job(s). If you choose to introduce it, encourage your team to speak up if they are struggling, and make sure they are properly trained to use it. Where possible, reduce unnecessary communications (e.g. emails or chat applications) which can pile up and swamp employees. Most importantly, impress the importance of work/life boundaries and lead by example.

Here are some strategies to combat your own technostress before it turns into burnout: 1. Be self-aware about your technology usage. Limit the number of digital devices in your home, and turn them off completely during mealtimes, sleep, or when you are not actively using them.

2. Reduce multitasking.

3. Set boundaries for your work and home life with your boss.

4. Exercise, meditate, or take up a no-screens-involved hobby— set aside time for yourself.

• Irritability

Technostress does not have to result in a sweeping renunciation of all technology—the world has moved into a time where a certain level of digital engagement is necessary to function. However, by setting the right work/life balances and understanding your own limitations, you can avoid being completely techno-stressed out.

• Work/life imbalance and reduced job satisfaction.

Sources: o nline.king.edu/news/technostress/ & blog.rescuetime.com/technostress/

• Depression • Panic/anxiety attacks • Isolation

10 WarCry 30 NOVEMBER 2019

TESTIFY! Congratulations to Chris and Alanah Moody, who have been accepted as candidates for officer training in 2020. They speak about their faith journey so far …

Chris: My first encounter with God was when I was eight, at the Kelvin Grove Corps. My faith has had its ups and downs, as we all do, but God just keeps showing up at the right time. When he comes through on the other side, it’s brilliant.

I am an officer’s kid; I was born in Wellington, then we shifted around.

I met Alanah when I was nine years old in Palmerston North. We went to school together and have been friends for a long time. We got distant for a few years when I moved away to Hawke’s Bay, but then we started talking on the phone. When Mum and Dad went to Christchurch, I moved back to Palmerston North.

Alanah and I both received calls to ministry at Easter camp, but officership had always been in the back of my mind after watching Mum and Dad do it. It was something I tried to not do for a while, but God pulls you in the direction he wants you to go. One of the big catalysts for Alanah and I, was we both found our lives getting in the way of our ministry time, so what better than to go into full-time ministry?

I’m passionate about everything in corps life. We’re involved with youth group, recovery church, and helping out wherever we can lend a hand. I feel really privileged to be able to speak to young people. The kids come from a lot of different backgrounds and life journeys, yet when we gather, we are all the same people. I see God through that. And seeing older generations of salvationists who are moved by God constantly—that’s awesome.

Alanah: My favourite verse is Isaiah 41:10, ‘So do not fear, for I am with you;

‘GOD FILLS IN OUR GAPS THAT WE CAN’T FILL IN OURSELVES.’ do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand’. That’s the one I hold onto when things are hard, or I don’t understand.

God fills in our gaps that we can’t fill in ourselves. Coming from a nonChristian background and being able to rely on God to fill in those gaps is huge.

I grew up in Christchurch. When I was nine, our family moved to Palmerston North, which is where I went through school and uni, met Chris and got married. When Chris moved back to Palmerston North and we started to date, I went along to a church service with him and never left. I became a Christian after my first Easter camp a couple of months later. I had never gone to a Christian event before, and there was just so much of God there.

Speaking to, hearing from, and being

around other Christians—that really impacted me.

Working with young people is so important to me. I can speak into them when they’re in non-Christian homes, because I can relate to them, and I feel like the impact is beneficial for them. If I had been surrounded by the type of people I have around me now when I was a teenager, my life could have been so different.

For me, The Salvation Army is the people within it. Some people I know are going thirty minutes down the road to make a connection there, but then also putting in the effort at their corps.

For me, that’s what’s going to build and sustain the future army: people going outside of their comfort zone and routine to get to people.

30 NOVEMBER 2019 WarCry 11

Ben Cola Missionary Man Ben Cola first encountered YWAM (Youth with a Mission) through social media.

BY JULES BADGER

‘When I saw what my friend was doing, I thought—that’s me. I want to go and see what God’s doing in other countries. I was so inspired, I just had to apply,’ Ben says with a huge grin.

The 24-year-old Fijian-born son of Salvation Army officers says his time as a participant with YWAM’s Discipleship Training School (DTS) has been life-changing.

or smoked cigarettes?” But I enjoyed helping out at the corps. I saw my parents’ ministry up close and was drawn to service. When Dad was the divisional commander, I had the chance to go with him to many places. I was always excited to see what God was up to in other corps and centres. It was so good for me.’

A BIGGER PICTURE ‘Through my time with YWAM, I’ve seen a much bigger picture of mission,’ Ben reports. ‘Mission is so much more than preaching and sharing the good news. It is those things, of course, but it’s so much more. It’s building a chicken fence or a house for those who don’t have one. It’s getting water for children. It’s spending time with people and sharing the word of God with them.’

Ben comes from a strong salvationist family, and he is both grateful and proud of his roots.

‘I had a solid faith experience growing up—even though we moved around a lot. My story’s different to many young people because I never went out to parties or anything. My friends think I’m weird,’ Ben laughs. ‘They would ask: “What do you mean you’ve never drunk alcohol 12 firezone.co.nz 30 NOVEMBER 2019

GETTING THE PARTY STARTED When Ben finished high school, he headed off to university to do a Bachelor of Education. However, he left suddenly in 2014 because Fiji was poised to have its first election in eight years, having been under military rule since 2006.

FALLING IN LOVE ‘When the Gone Marama Bale na Roko Tui Dreketi (Paramount Chief of the Burebasaga Confederacy) decided to run for election, I was prompted to get involved. I really wanted to help with the campaign because this election was so significant for Fiji.’

Ben may not have been to any parties growing up, but he got involved in helping run a different kind of party when it really mattered to Fiji.

Ben’s party went on to make up the opposition party in parliament. And for Ben the party was just getting started, as he was offered a job as media/research officer—which he accepted. For the next two years Ben got up close and personal with a whole other world to the one he was used to.

‘It was a great experience as I got to meet members of parliament and see how politics works,’ Ben affirms.

However, it wasn’t an easy time as Ben also got to see the uglier side of human nature as well.

‘I left when some of the MPs from our party tried to remove our leader Ro Teimumu Kepa. It was just like the movies with people making false allegations, digging up dirt and releasing it to the media. It was very challenging to be part of. I became disillusioned, so it was time to leave. And that was when YWAM popped up.’

YWAM is based all over the world. Ben went through an application process and joined seven other international participants, including a couple from Brazil, two Austrians, and three other individuals from Sweden, Korea and the USA.

Ben’s group spent three months in class, and then two months on overseas mission to Thailand, Cambodia and—wait for it—Kaitāia here in Aotearoa.

‘I fell in love in Kaitāia,’ Ben enthuses. ‘God has given me a love for Māori people. I will be a Fijian in Māori Ministries,’ he laughs. ‘I learnt so much about the problems faced by Māori and the history of what happened here in New Zealand. That interest grew in me as I learnt about the haka and the culture, and it grew into a deep love. I feel so drawn to work with and serve the Māori people of Aotearoa. I loved Congress this year—seeing Māori Ministries leading and all the cultural elements woven together. It was very special,’ says Ben.

CONFIRMING A CALLING ‘Being an officer’s kid, of course people think it’s good and right for me to become an officer. But I needed to hear from God through someone outside The Salvation Army.’

YWAM has been an important part of the journey of confirmation for Ben. ‘As part of the DTS classes, we had a series on the Holy Spirit. At the end of the course we had a speaker come in who had the gift of prophecy. She prayed over me and said: “Ben I see you as a pastor. You’re called to be a pastor and minister within the church”. That moment was the confirmation I needed because she didn’t know me or my family.’

Ben is now an accepted candidate for officer training.

A WORD FOR OTHER YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN ON A MISSION …

To anyone out there thinking about their future and what service could look like, Ben strongly recommends YWAM. ‘So often God wants to take us out of our comfort zone to grow us spiritually and reveal things to us—that’s certainly what happened for me. So, while we may have our plans for the year ahead and even start making those plans, God will have the final say. Trust him. His plans are what matter the most.’

30 NOVEMBER 2019 WarCry 13

Photo by Trym Nilsen on Unsplash.com

Royal Commission Learnings

At the time of writing, I am in the humbling position of being one of two Salvation Army representatives at the first public hearing of New Zealand’s Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.

BY CHRISTINA TYSON

The reason Murray Houston and I are here is because The Salvation Army has failed in the past to protect everyone in its care from abuse. And so in meeting survivors over the first of two weeks in Auckland, I am deeply grateful for their gracious acceptance of us in their midst.

There will be important lessons to learn for The Salvation Army and all faith-based organisations from this inquiry, which is set down for four years. And although focused on the years 1950–1999, there is scope to look outside this timeframe—with the Commission’s final recommendations expected to reflect on what is happening today.

Implementing good policies In reassurance, I would say that in the past 16 or so years, I’ve seen The Salvation Army significantly strengthen its policies around the care of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Despite this, I’ll be doing my best to amplify a message offered on the first day of these Royal Commission hearings: ‘Practice MUST follow policy!’ That’s because, as one witness pointed out, New Zealand seems to excel at writing policy, but stumbles at implementing it.

14 WarCry 30 NOVEMBER 2019

That may be acceptable in some areas, but the consequences of failing to protect people from abuse is enduring physical, emotional and spiritual pain. Often intergenerational.

As churches put systems in place to minimise the space for abuse within their organisations, we must remember Jesus’ warning that those who allow children to be harmed would be better off having a millstone tied around their necks and drowned in the sea.

Listening to survivors Above all else, this inquiry is about ensuring justice for abuse survivors, which makes it crucial to hear their voices. And what they have had to say is horrific.

Imagine what it is like to find yourself in institutional care after simply wagging school, not knowing how long you will be in State care and being virtually cut off from the family that loves you as a result.

You learn in your new environment that the values of empathy, kindness and helpfulness you were brought up with are now weaknesses that expose you to bullying. And so, you gradually adopt toughness and violence as your new protective armour.

As others put into homes as NUPCs (‘Not Under Proper Control’) also discovered, you soon realise education is set to take a back seat for the rest of your childhood. You don’t yet appreciate how severely this will affect your future, likely ensuring that you (your children and even your grandchildren) become trapped in poverty with all its associated hazards.

Imagine striking back against one of those adult bullies, leading to your transfer to a psychiatric institution where you are exposed to horrors your child’s mind could never have been prepared for.

When power turns toxic This week I heard that for too many, going into care became a pipeline to prison, as children—trapped in some savage ‘Lord of the Flies’ world—succumbed to the pressure to adopt the values of this new world: violence, crime and abuse. Growing up to victimise others, as they were victimised.

For some, this victimisation included rapes that even when witnessed or reported, were not punished and therefore continued. Such experiences are appalling at any age, but especially so when we remember that these were children and young teenagers entirely at the mercy of those with all the power.

I heard about the drug and ECT ‘treatments’ meted out in psychiatric hospitals as mechanisms for punishment and control. Again, violence and rape—sometimes patient against patient—were reportedly ignored by staff.

… GOING INTO CARE BECAME A PIPELINE TO PRISON, AS CHILDREN—TRAPPED IN SOME SAVAGE ‘LORD OF THE FLIES’ WORLD …

I heard about the voiceless victims, those with disabilities (often learning disabilities), who suffered from the influence of race and fear-focused eugenics from this country’s legislation in the first half of the 20th century. Removed from their families into institutional ‘colonies’ where some suffered neglect, physical restraint, isolation and lack of meaningful stimulation, they experienced what Scottish disability researcher Fiona Kumari Campbell describes as the discrimination of ‘ableism’, where ‘disability is cast as a diminished state of being human’.

I heard about the stigmatisation of unmarried mothers, which led many to believe the only sensible and loving thing to do for their babies was to hand them over for adoption. This significantly impacted Māori offspring, cutting them off from their whakapapa.

be everywhere increased and spread, that the health of souls be cared for and that barbarous nations be overthrown and brought to the faith itself’. That Christianity has been so misunderstood and mis-represented is scandalous.

I heard witnesses testify to the traumatic impact of this colonisation on successive Māori generations. Māori have been marginalised, trapped in poverty and their mana trampled. When there have been challenges and risk of harm within families, rather than working within Māori cultural norms and reaching out to the wider collective to identify solutions, predominantly Pākēhā responses have been applied, with children removed not only from their parents but also their wider family in high numbers. For some Māori, this has led to loss of language, loss of culture and, consequently, loss of identity.

As criminal justice advocate Sir Kim Workman told the Royal Commission, ‘We are a racist, unforgiving and even punitive country.’ I cannot dispute this.

He urged New Zealand to look beyond the rhetoric of government and be prepared to analyse what is actually happening in our country, to ‘start to develop a whole new paradigm’.

It is clear we must do far more than tinker around the edges of policy—a new direction, perhaps even a new constitutional partnership approach, is necessary if our nation is to finally honour the Treaty of Waitangi, our central covenantal document.

In putting racism behind us, Sir Kim—a Christian—pointed the Royal Commission to Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan, which calls us to consider that most important of questions: ‘Who is my neighbour?’ The answer to that question is that our neighbour is not just the one who is ‘like us’. And, as Sir Kim concluded: ‘If justice is not relational, it is not justice’.

I have already acknowledged that The Salvation Army’s hands are not entirely clean. There were instances when, in acting as agents of the State, some of us seemed to forget we were also agents of Christ who calls his followers to ‘do to others as you would have them do to you’, and to ‘love God’ but also ‘love your neighbour as yourself’. As much as we helped many, we also left a legacy of damage in some lives where there should only have been help and hope.

In the wake of this, as an organisation, we have endeavoured to hear and respond to survivors, to make restitution, and to learn from past mistakes so we do not repeat them.

As the end of the two-week Contextual Hearing for the Royal Commission came to a close, the phrase ‘in care’ had already become a haunting one. Because it is already far clearer to me than it ever was, that ‘care’ is what far too many children did not receive in New Zealand.

Colonisation and racism For the first time, I heard about the disturbing Doctrine of Discovery, invoked after Pope Alexander VI issued his Papal Bull ‘Inter Caetera’ in 1493 as justification to colonise nonChristian lands. The Bill stated that any land not already inhabited by Christians was able to be ‘discovered’ so that ‘the Catholic faith and the Christian religion be exalted and 30 NOVEMBER 2019 WarCry 15

Midland Division Corps Members Recognised with Community Awards Tauranga Community Ministries Manager Davina Plummer was recently recognised with a medal at the Kiwibank Local Hero Awards.

Tauranga Corps Officer Lieutenant Francis Vemoa says that although Davina credited the award to the work of her team, her leadership and compassion towards her staff and clients speaks for itself.

‘She’s just authentic in the way she comes across; she’ll pretty much drop everything and be there for her staff and the clients.’

Earlier this year, Alison McVicar received a Pride of Workmanship Award from Lake Taupō Rotary.

Taupō Corps Officer Major Denise Crump says that Lake Taupō Rotary was impressed by Alison’s dedication to volunteering at their club, in addition to her role as Taupō Community Services Coordinator.

‘They said that she always showed up and went above and beyond.’

‘She’s very caring, and an example of Jesus to others.’

Taupō Corps members Rex and

Davina with her husband Jacob

Colleen Crenfeldt also received awards for Services to the Community.

‘They’ve been doing the annual appeal, organising it for over forty years … they’re go-to people.’

Out with the old and in with the … old

Friday Night Live from Auckland City

The Salvation Army’s Northern Divisional Headquarters has had an office makeover, but rather than spending thousands on shiny new furniture, the fit-out was done for free thanks to FIL Furniture, and used upcycled office furniture.

The Salvation Army in Auckland is committed to reducing waste, and FIL transformed the ‘bull pit’—the open plan centre of the Auckland office—into a much lighter and flowing area.

Previously, high partition walls made the area dark and enclosed. FIL sales manager Rhiannon Sims said the new work stations were easier to navigate and helped the team at Royal Oak to feel like they were part of the wider office, instead of being shut off with high wall dividers.

Divisional Commander Captain Ian Gainsford says The Salvation Army’s commitment to providing frontline services to people who need it most meant FIL’s free office fit-out was gratefully accepted.

‘That’s why the offer from FIL Furniture to donate upcycled office work stations for the regional office here has been so fantastic.’

FIL’s General Manager, Aaron Temperton said, ‘The FIL team were honoured and privileged to be able to assist in a small way to the incredible work that The Salvation Army undertakes on behalf of the disadvantaged in our communities, and likewise to support the wonderful people within The Salvation Army that do so much for so many’.

A creative twist on Friday night kids club has proved a hit at the Auckland City Corps.

‘Friday Night Live’ draws a crowd from both the church and wider community. The night begins with a family dinner, which is cooked by church volunteers. The children then get to choose two electives over the course of a term, from options such as brass, percussion, art, woodwork, dance, sports and cooking. At the end of each term, there is a concert where the kids display what they have learned. ‘[Our daughters] have been really lucky that we can afford to give them things like piano lessons or creative things,’ says Family Ministries Coordinator Raewyn Christiansen.

‘There are lots of kids out there that can’t do that.’

While Raewyn gives a short devotion at dinnertime, the bigger focus is on giving these kids a chance to try creative pursuits they might not otherwise get to do and building relationships with the families.

The programme has been a hit with the parents too, who often stay after dinner to play table tennis.

‘We’ve had some parents from the community and some from our church ... who were chatting away and now they play in the same social rugby team.’

Raewyn says the most rewarding part has been seeing some of the children go on to attend camps and give their heart to Jesus.

‘Building those relationships, seeing them flourish, and seeing it work from an idea that God put into my head,’ she reflects, ‘that’s the cool thing.’

16 WarCry 30 NOVEMBER 2019

Just Brass on Song with Local Schools The Palmerston North Corps’ Just Brass programme has received outstanding feedback from one of the schools involved.

Jon Clark, a Music Teacher at Monrad Intermediate, wrote to the corps to rave about the progress his students have made both in and out of the music room since joining the programme.

‘Their lessons on Wednesdays and Thursdays are something they really look forward to. When they forget their instruments, they are genuinely disappointed in themselves for missing out.

‘A lot of this comes down to the patient and positive nature of the tutors who have encouraged all of our students to make the most of their opportunities and immerse themselves in music at every opportunity,’ Jon writes.

‘I can’t stress enough how much Just Brass has done for us this year.’

Music tutors visit Somerset Crescent School on a Tuesday, followed by Monrad Intermediate on a Wednesday. They teach in groups of two or three students each half hour.

On Thursdays, the students are picked up by bus to travel to the corps centre. They enjoy supper, followed by a short

devotional lesson, and then get stuck into group band training.

The evening concludes with a games session.

Palmerston North Corps Officer Captain Stewart Lee agrees that the development from the students’ first concert to their most recent one has been phenomenal.

‘As the parents were leaving, they’ve not only commented on the musical improvement, but also … the improvement of their school work.’

Stewart is pleased to see the flow-on effects of connecting with the local students, such as one family which turned up at their Sunday morning church service, as well as these positive reports from the schools.

He remembers Somerset Crescent’s principal reporting back to him early on in the programme about the students playing their instruments together out on the school field.

‘They didn’t quite know how to play; they were still proud as punch to give it a go.

‘Seeing these kids transform and to hear the difference it’s making in their lives, it’s just incredible.’

Wellington Family Store Partners with Eco-Friendly Student Business For their Year 12 Business Studies course, Wellington High School students Sienna and Sierra Williamson wanted to do their part to combat clothing waste.

Remixxed Bags (with two x’s to represent the two sisters) create tote bags out of upcycled op-shop jeans, which the duo purchased at $2 a bag from the Willis Street Family Store.

‘Most of the donations that we receive are fine, high quality. Some of them have barely been worn,’ Sienna says. ‘You start to see how it piles up and how it impacts the environment.’

Sienna is the whiz behind the sewing machine, while Sierra handles the prep work. They have made in excess of 100 bags, which were sold at markets throughout the year and are now stocked at the Hopper Home Eco Shop in Wellington.

Remixxed Bags were regional finalists at the Young Enterprise Awards and

won the Financial Management Award for the Wellington region.

Most importantly, the pair saved over 80 kilograms of denim from landfill, instead ‘it’s all in our room in boxes,’ Sierra grins.

‘It was a lot of work, but we put it in and we’re pretty proud of what we achieved.’

Wellington City Corps Officer Captain Annette Bray says, in the scheme of what gets thrown away each year, every bit makes a difference.

‘One of the values of The Salvation Army is caring for people and trying to make things different … there was an opportunity for us to be a little bit mindful of how we deal with what can’t be sold in the store.

‘We loved the chance to help support young students in learning new skills

that will help them in the future— another of our Salvation Army values.’

Sienna and Sierra donated 10 percent of their profits back to the Family Store as a thank you.

‘We wouldn’t be a business without The Salvation Army, and we want to make sure that we’re giving back to our community,’ Sierra says.

‘They were our first supporter and our number one supporter,’ Sienna agrees.

You can follow Remixxed Bags on Instagram at @remixxedbags or on Facebook at ‘Remixxed Bags’ for updates and upcoming market dates.

30 NOVEMBER 2019 WarCry 17

Royal Oak Opening There was a real buzz around the opening of Te Hononga Tāngata in Auckland’s Royal Oak on November 8.

Dignitaries, including the Prime Minister and Tāmaki Makaurau Mayor Phil Goff, were welcomed onto the marae by mana whenua as the fifty-unit block in Royal Oak was officially opened.

Equally important were the tenants who attended. For many, the one and two bedroom units will be the first home of their own.

Commissioner Andy Westrupp told the gathering that creating housing was ‘entirely within’ the Army’s mission, and thanked all of those who had worked hard for the past four years to bring the project to fruition.

‘William Booth, one of our Founders, once said, “You cannot warm the hearts of people with God’s love if they have an empty stomach and cold feet”— meaning caring for people and offering a transformative holistic pathway must go together.

‘Many of the people who will move into this facility have, or are, courageously recovering their lives, sometimes from emotional, social, relational, spiritual turmoil. Their stories are real, some very raw and confronting, but also miraculous. We will continue to provide wraparound support for our tenants, without discrimination.’

The Salvation Army received $4m in capital funding from the Government when it became a registered Community Housing Provider in 2015. The development cost $28m, financed by The Salvation Army loans.

Since then Government policy has changed, and these days, rather than putting up capital lump sums, the funding comes in the form of operational supplements.

The Salvation Army was one of the last NGOs to receive capital funding and was also eligible for a Government operating grant of $10.5m.

The Salvation Army National Housing Director Greg Foster told the gathering that the Army was compelled to take action when the magnitude of the housing crisis began to emerge.

18 WarCry 30 NOVEMBER 2019

Top right: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaking during the ceremony.

Bottom: Commissioner Andy Westrupp addresses the guests at the opening.

‘The idea for the housing came from the policy unit who was making a lot of noise around the housing crisis. The Salvation Army decided to match its words with actions,’ he said.

He hoped its successful partnership with The Salvation Army would give the Government growing confidence over such projects in the future.

Phil Goff paid tribute to The Salvation Army, and spoke of first Labour Prime Minister, Michael Joseph Savage, who, on the night he was elected, spoke of his aim of ‘applied Christianity’.

‘I can’t think of any group who better does this than The Salvation Army,’ Mr Goff said.

He praised ‘former employee and now PM’ Jacinda Ardern’s ‘ambition to reduce and ultimately eliminate poverty

and child poverty’, and said the Army was furthering its commitment to social housing with developments in Westgate and Flatbush.

‘Housing is one of the most fundamental of human rights for all,’ Mr Goff said.

‘Meeting our housing need is what we are here to celebrate today. We cannot rest until we have removed the blight of homelessness from our city.’

‘The Salvation Army was among those who recognised the housing crisis before anyone saw it in the faces of those you worked with,’ said Jacinda Ardern, adding that while fundamental for good health and welfare outcomes, a stable home was also a place to create memories.

‘If you as a child don’t have the stability and comfort of a home then your memories and security are disrupted as well,’ she said.

All governments recognised the great need for social housing, and it was former Prime Minister Norman Kirk who said all anyone needed was—‘something to do, somewhere to live, someone to love and something to hope for’.

The Prime Minister praised the tenacity of Major Campbell Roberts, who has been involved in the project since the beginning, and the Army’s housing team, who, when told early on MSD’s financial commitment was going to be less than hoped for, ‘didn’t let that hold you back’.

The Army’s commitment to wraparound support would help turn each unit into a home and place of memory and place of respite, she said.

Quoting Prime Minister Michael Joseph Savage as he stood on the veranda of one of the first State houses, Ms Ardern said: ‘We do not claim perfection but we do claim to make a considerable improvement on the way things were before and that’s what we’re doing together, so thank you’.

Tenants will move into the Te Hononga Tāngata housing community over the first week of December.

GAZETTE Birth: Nikau Hoani Grove, born Tuesday 5 November 2019, weighing 8lbs 4oz (3.81kgs), to Lieutenants Sarah-Ann and Adam Gove Corps Officers, Invercargill Corps. May God bless Sarah-Ann, Adam and their children Jonty, Lexi and Aria as they celebrate the birth of Nikau.

Change of Appointment: Effective immediately, ASARS, Epsom Lodge – Supportive Accommodation, Auxiliary Captain Eric Turner—Mission Director, Auxiliary Captain Julie Turner—Director.

Bereavement: Major Betty Taylor, of her brother Bruce Taylor, on Monday 11 November, from Whanganui. Please uphold Major Betty Taylor in your prayers during this time of grief and loss.

‘THROUGHOUT MY LIFE, GOD HAS PLACED PEOPLE WHO HAVE PASSED THE TORCH TO ME.’ Recently I visited Ōamaru Corps and was delighted to meet several soldiers who had been in the Sunday School when my great grandfather Ernest Austin (Ernie) was the Young Peoples Sergeant Major. They told me some of their memories of Ernie who, along with his wife Catherine, was a local officer in the Ōamaru Corps for many years—having previously been an officer working in The Salvation Army Māori War (as it was known in the 1880s) up the Whanganui River.

Ernie and Catherine are just some of those who passed the torch of faith and mission to me. People who lived for God, found their place of ministry in The Salvation Army and gave their energy and passion to sharing God’s love and serving people. They are part of my heritage.

Throughout my life, God has placed people who have passed the torch to me—they have passed on wisdom, knowledge from their experience, and their heart and passion for mission. They have shared their life with me, encouraged me, shared scripture and prayer with me, seen potential in me and cheered me on. Some of those people trusted me as a teenager to take responsibility as a local officer and gave me opportunities to lead. They saw potential in me that I did not see.

The idea of passing the torch is associated with the Olympic Games, where right at the beginning runners pass the torch from one to the other. Historically, this is related to the Torch Relay which is centred on passing the sacred flame from one torch to the next. The flame which symbolises the light of spirit, knowledge and life—passing the fire from generation to generation.

This is such a good picture of discipleship. Passing the sacred flame—the light of the Holy Spirit, the knowledge of God and the life that comes from Jesus Christ on to others. Investing in others for eternity. Being keepers of the flame and passers of the torch.

I am grateful for my Christian heritage—family who have passed the torch to me.

My parents who taught me the Bible, the importance of prayer and showed me how to live a life focused on others. How to serve and care for people.

I am thankful for people who have mentored me, challenged me and passed on wisdom, such as life is a book of chapters and at times God will close one chapter and open another. You may not know what’s going to be in that new chapter but you know God goes ahead of you, he’s writing the chapter.

My hope is that I have been able to pass the torch—the sacred flame—to others, and that I will continue to look for ways to do this. That I will be a keeper of the sacred flame and a passer of the torch … and that you will too.

Commissioner Yvonne Westrupp Territorial President of Women’s Ministries 30 NOVEMBER 2019 WarCry 19

Stopping

SIN in its tracks Real love holds us accountable

20 WarCry 30 NOVEMBER 2019

A couple of years ago, my husband said to me, ‘You complain a lot’.

You may think that was insulting. It wasn’t. It was revelatory. Frankly, it was life-changing. I am grateful to him for telling me that, even though it wasn’t my favourite thing he’s ever said to me.

BY AMY REARDON

I didn’t realise I complained a lot. I have a deep inner drive to be honest and reflective, never trite or flippant. So if someone asks me how I am, it’s hard for me to say the socially acceptable thing: ‘Fine. How are you?’ I might exult about what a great day I’m having, or how I appreciated the purpleness of the pansies I just passed. I’m also prone to reveal that I just stubbed my toe, or that I’ve had a cough for a few days. Not the answer people expect.

But I can’t really blame the virtue of honesty for the malady of grumpiness.

It may be connected to my desire to be truthful, but let’s face it: the truthful mouth utters what lies in the heart. My tendency to complain was coming from a heart that was apt to be dissatisfied.

An often selfish heart. I complained because things weren’t the way I wanted them to be.

A CRANKY HEART AND A COMPLAINING MOUTH ARE DISHONOURING TO GOD, AND I’M NOT GOING TO MAKE EXCUSES FOR IT. I’ve come a long way in overcoming this, but only because it was brought to my attention.

It’s almost comical how surprised I was at my husband’s observation. I’d been a Christian for decades and yet I was unaware of this sin in my life.

Not mistake, not shortcoming, not potential area of growth—sin. A cranky heart and a complaining mouth are dishonouring to God, and I’m not going to make excuses for it. I’m glad my husband called me out on it, and I’m glad I asked the Holy Spirit to help me rid this sin from my life.

I’m convinced that God is displeased with how often we Christians let each other off the hook. Don’t misunderstand me: we must be gracious in our speech to each other and we must be loving and forgiving.

But we also need to hold each other accountable. It is far more loving to say, ‘You seem to voice a lot of dissatisfaction—can we pray about it together? Is there anything you need to work through, and can I help?’, than it is to say, ‘Girl, you go ahead.

Nothing wrong with letting off a little steam’. Both expressions are meant to be supportive, but the first expression exhibits real love—the kind of love that is ready to go deep and get messy. It is the kind of love that expects the best from the other person. The kind of love that says, ‘I believe you can be better than this’. If my husband didn’t believe I could do better than sit around and complain all the time, then I guess he wouldn’t have a very high opinion of me. His gentle admonishment showed that he believed in me. He put me on the hook, and I’m glad he did.

According to my observation, Christians let each other off the hook through the vehicle of social media.

Don’t get me wrong: social media does play a worthy role within the church.

It gives us many opportunities to encourage each other and it keeps us in one another’s lives. These are wins. But I find that we often use it to support and applaud our friends for bad behaviour. We also affirm the conduct of individuals when we’ve only heard one side of the story. A couple of weeks ago, someone I know was on Facebook, comforting a person who had done something outrageously wrong, but had painted himself as the victim. The wellmeaning person told the ‘victim’ how justified he was and how wrong others had been in correcting his behaviour.

a sin a sin, rather than using some gentle euphemism. Not turning a blind eye when a fellow believer is walking outside God’s will.

I recently read that members of Generation Z may want to live good and virtuous lives, but if they see others around them doing immoral things, they figure it’s not their business—even if the offenders are friends of theirs.

They stay in their own lane, I guess.

Confronting others with their spiritual missteps, though, is difficult for anyone at any age. Still, we are commanded to do it. The Word says, ‘Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives’ (Colossians 3:16, NLT). It is our duty.

Of course, all this assumes you aren’t pulling specks out of someone’s eye when there’s a log in your own. The task is for those who are in step with Christ to ‘teach and counsel’ those who are in need of correction or guidance.

A friend of mine once said to me, ‘I respect and love you and give you permission to call me out on my stuff’.

That’s the space I want to live in. I want godly, real friends who can lovingly tell

... ‘I RESPECT AND LOVE YOU AND GIVE YOU PERMISSION TO CALL ME OUT ON MY STUFF.’ THAT’S THE SPACE I WANT TO LIVE IN. A little more Spirit-guided discernment should have come into play here. It is rarely wise to offer spiritual counsel or consolation based on the onesided explanation of a situation that obviously has another side.

But we feel so good about ourselves when we can offer affirming words. We like offering them, and the recipient likes hearing them. Really, though, do good feelings equal love? Real love has the other person’s best interest in mind.

And that means saying the hard things when they need to be said. Calling

me what’s wrong with me. Why? So I can be more like Christ. It is a very vulnerable place to be—writhing on the hook when a ‘fisher of people’ has caught you in your sin. But if we can get past our anger and embarrassment and see the love it took to hook us, we can humble ourselves and get one step closer to the person we really want to be.

Major Amy Reardon is the corps officer at Seattle Temple in the U.S.A. Western Territory.

30 NOVEMBER 2019 WarCry 21

NY Marathon 2020

Run the New York Marathon 2020

and raise money for The Salvation Army's Aspire Youth Development Programme. email pr@salvationarmy.org.nz

OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS Commissioners Andy (Territorial Commander) and Yvonne Westrupp (Territorial President of Women’s Ministries) 28 Nov–2 Dec: Fiji Division TGB Review 7 Dec: Commissioning, Silver Star and long service 8 Dec: Commissioning—celebration service, retirement and farewell Colonels Suzanne (Chief Secretary) and Melvin Fincham (Territorial Secretary for Programme & Communications) 29 Nov–1 Dec: Samoa visit with International Secretary & Zonal Secretary for Women's Ministry (Suzanne) 7 Dec: Commissioning, Silver Star and long service 8 Dec: Commissioning—celebration service, retirement and farewell Colonel Heather Rodwell (Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries and Spiritual Life Development) 28 Nov–2 Dec: Fiji Division TGB Review 7 Dec: Commissioning, Silver Star and long service 8 Dec: Commissioning—celebration service, retirement and farewell

INTERESTED IN SOCIAL JUSTICE? For reports, regular newsletters, challenging articles and Salvation Army government submissions: salvationarmy.org.nz/socialpolicy

Shop online at

Find SALVATION ARMY JOB OPPORTUNITIES:

salvationarmy.org.nz/shop

salvationarmy.org.nz/ employment

Subscribe today!

War Cry … DIRECT to your door Annual subscription (including p&p) $75 (within NZ).

To subscribe, contact Salvationist Resources, p: (04) 382 0740, e: mailorder@salvationarmy.org.nz

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@salvationarmy.org.nz or War Cry, PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wellington 6141

PRAY Child Sponsorship, Children’s Mission, Christchurch City Corps; The Salvation Army in Russia,

Rwanda and Burundi, Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar.

Quiz Answers: 1 Fiji, 2 A troop or mob, 3 1872, Scotland v England (0-0) in Glasgow, 4 Beirut, 5 Jubal (Genesis 4:21).

22 WarCry 30 NOVEMBER 2019

Q&A WITH SAMUEL, SHILOH AND CJ HENDERSON

CJ

KIDS OF COMMISSIONING Favourite colour?

Samuel: Green Shiloh: Mint Green CJ: I like all the colours (but orange is the colour of the Prader-Willi Syndrome awareness ribbon)!

SHILOH

Meet Samuel (5), Shiloh (8) and CJ (3) Henderson. Their mum, Lieutenant Cass Henderson, is being commissioned as Mission Director of Bridge Recovery Church in Auckland. War Cry caught up with the boys to ask them all about life at Booth College, moving up north, and the best pets—real or fictional!

SAMUEL

Favourite food?

Samuel: McDonalds Shiloh: Dad’s Nachos CJ: Tomatoes Best thing about school/kindy?

Samuel: Playing with my friends and swimming Shiloh: Learning new things CJ: My teachers and friends, and the bike track for my walking frame.

What has been your highlight from your family’s time while your mum has been at Booth College?

Samuel: Going to Educare and playing with my friends.

Shiloh: Playing with the kids there, carnival day and going to the zoo, and living in House 30—the only house with a deck.

CJ: Educare, hitting milestones, and In-Sundays.

Sarah Pearce Photography

Who and what are you going to miss when you move?

Samuel: Christian Metotisi and Cody Tong, because they are fun to play with, and I will miss Lexee and Andy (Dunlop).

Shiloh: My friends, my brother who is staying in Wellington, the guinea pigs at Educare, and riding around the teardrop on my scooter.

CJ: Educare, my brother Neihana, Cadets Andy and Lexee, EDUCARE!

If you could have any pet—real or fictional creature— what would you choose and why?

Are you excited about moving to Auckland?

If you had the choice, would you rather spend a whole day watching TV or reading a book?

Samuel: Yes, because my new house has stairs!

Shiloh: Yes, I can’t wait to see my new house and my new school.

Favourite Bible story?

Samuel: A little dog, because they are so cute. I like little dogs and little cats.

Shiloh: Can I have multiple? I want a tiger that breathes fire, a dragon and a magma dog.

CJ: Tiger!

Samuel: TV–Paw Patrol.

Shiloh: Neither, I’d spend the whole day playing Xbox.

CJ: I happily spend hours and hours reading books

Samuel: Jesus dying on the cross—it’s my favourite because I have a cross necklace.

Shiloh: Noah’s Ark, because he has a bunch of pet animals, including a lion and a tiger.

CJ: I like all the stories in my picture Bible, especially the ones with animals.

30 NOVEMBER 2019 WarCry 23

O HOLY NIGHT THE STARS ARE BRIGHTLY SHINING IT IS THE NIGHT OF OUR DEAR SAVIOUR'S BIRTH