Letters

A STRETCH TOO FAR

WITH reference to ‘Stretching myself spiritually’ (Salvationist 1 January), I would add a word of caution for several reasons. The article began by saying yoga in Christian circles is like Marmite – you either love it or hate it. Marmite is a savoury food made from yeast extract. In the New Testament, Jesus warns of the ‘yeast’ that could infiltrate the great truths of the gospel and change its purity. There is all we need in the Scriptures to feed us and sustain us. Our faith in Christ and his work covers all our faults, feelings and sins. The Holy Spirit infills us, interprets the word of God to our hearts, convicts us, enables us and strengthens us to fulfil his purpose on Earth. All this is more than enough.

Yes, some people may feel they might benefit from exercise. However, what if their interest is drawn away from Christian values to the teachings of yoga and they move away from Christian truth? That is, new believers, enquirers and the curious, who might move in the other direction.

Christian meditation is an entirely different matter. Peter reminds his readers: ‘His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires’ (2 Peter 1:3 and 4).

Yes, exercise is good for the body and we should also feed our minds, but please be careful what you feed your souls.

Ray Hobbins Major Aberystwyth

LETTERS

Many years ago General Frederick Coutts said letters in the Army’s press should be ‘carefully thought out and charitably expressed’. Letters may be edited and should ideally be no more than 300 words.

WHAT HAPPENED TO WATCHNIGHT?

THE last time I attended a watchnight service was on 31 December 1999. It seems that what was an important meeting has dropped out of our calendar. The reasoning seems to be that we have a ‘watchnight’ on Christmas Eve, but that is not the same kind of meeting at all.

The New Year’s Eve watchnight service goes back to the Moravian tradition, was taken up by Charles Wesley in the Methodist Church and our Founder brought it with him into The Christian Mission. In days gone by, people came in from the pubs and got soundly converted in this meeting. It has always been a time for celebration, reflection and commitment.

The time was when there would be a corps event, followed by the watchnight service. This year I have seen how many people celebrate the end of the old year and welcome the new and it led me to wonder why we do not gather together as Christians in a similar way when we really have something to celebrate.

May I suggest that the watchnight service be re-entered into corps diaries now, ready for 31 December?

Russell King Major Reading

NON NOBIS, DOMINE

I WAS interested in the article by Major John Waters in his series of reflections on classic prayers (Salvationist 8 January). I, too, remember singing this anthem in school assembly in the 1950s. I agree entirely with his sentiments and, as far as the music to which he refers is concerned, this was composed by Roger Quilter. I am sure it can be purchased from Boosey and Hawkes.

John Laverick Bedlington

CHANGING GOD’S WORD

I WAS saddened to read in a recent Salvationist (8 January) a comment that ‘God continues to reveal himself and his written word needs to be creatively interpreted by each generation’. However, I was heartened as I read another in a series of reflections by Brian Colley entitled ‘Taking the test’, in which Brian set this issue on a firm biblical basis by saying: ‘Too many people today are seeking to change God’s word to match the times, when the times need changing to match God’s word.’

I remember Brian Colley as corps sergeant-major at Castleford when I was first saved in 1977. His encouragement and advice were instrumental in setting my faith on a firm foundation and that continues to this day. Thanks, Brian, for your insights.

Derick Sutton Shildon

Real estate matters

Territorial Property Director Peter Grant tells Salvationist about himself, his role and the work of the Property Department

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THIS ROLE?

I became territorial property director on an interim basis early last year, then went through a formal process to be appointed on a permanent basis. I was thrilled to be made permanent at the beginning of November.

WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE THAT?

I am a chartered surveyor and have worked on the client side for property occupiers throughout my career – initially in the retail sector with Allied Carpets and B&Q, then in the office sector with HMRC and insurance company Aviva. I have led property teams at director level for about 25 years, and with Aviva I was responsible for strategy for all their offices globally, making sure they had the right space for employees to do their work.

WHY DID YOU WANT TO WORK FOR THE ARMY?

I have primarily worked in organisations that were highly focused on profit generation – driving financial gain for shareholders and board members’ bonus schemes. That’s fine to a degree, and it’s true that I have enjoyed a few bonuses along the way too. However, this objective alone became less of a motivator for me personally. I developed a growing desire to work for an organisation with which I could have a strong connection. It wasn’t necessarily going to be faith-based, it could have been socially based, but it needed to be more than just a job. I am a member and trustee of King’s Community Church in Southampton. My Christian faith and restlessness with the commercial world were catalysts to my change in mindset.

When this role came up I didn’t initially know it was with The Salvation Army because the headhunter who sent me the details didn’t identify the employer. The work itself looked interesting, in terms of the breadth and diversity of the portfolio. When I did establish it was The Salvation Army I became very excited about the opportunity particularly as I had only recently finished reading GS Railton’s biography of William Booth.

The chance to apply my experiences and expertise gathered over many years for a far greater purpose is hugely motivational. There can’t be anything bigger than working for an organisation that is seeking to further God’s Kingdom and relieve human suffering.

WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE?

I am accountable for the territory’s property team, which covers all aspects of property: acquisition, construction, fit-out, operational maintenance and disposal. The team provides property expertise across approximately 3,000 properties, including headquarters, corps halls, charity shops, Lifehouses, care homes, officers’ quarters, retired officers’ houses, William Booth College and Hadleigh Farm.