Salvationist - January 2015

Hundreds Gather for Social Services Conference

Committee Examines Army’s Relationship with LGBT+ Persons

What Does It Mean to Love Our Muslim Neighbours?

Salvationist The Voice of the Army

January 2015

One Family’s Adoption Journey From South Africa to Canada, the Hammonds share a special bond with their daughter

October 22-25, 2015

BOOTH BOUND 2015

In October, we set aside a special weekend for young Salvationists to visit our campus and experience what life as a Booth UC student is all about. From attending classes and participating in a service learning project (part of a Service Learning program unique to Booth UC) to exploring Winnipeg, enjoying the great food and shopping, and experiencing the culture – Booth Bound 2015 is an experience you don’t want to miss!

THE SALVATION ARMY'S ONLY UNIVERSITY COLLEGE Located in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada), Booth University College offers seven degree programs: Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Social Work, and five Bachelor of Arts programs (Behavioural Sciences, English and Film, General Studies, Psychology, and Religion).

Future Leader Scholarships /Travel Grants If eligible, you will receive an all-expenses-paid Booth Bound weekend in Winnipeg! Visit BoothBound.com for details and to apply!

Learn more. Explore your future at

BoothUC.ca

19mm

than is required.

Inside This Issue Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX

January 2015 Volume 10, Number 1 www.salvationist.ca E-mail: salvationist@can.salvationarmy.org

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Features 8 Just for Kids

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New and improved publication supports territorial priority of ministry to children and youth by Pamela Richardson Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX

9 All in the Family

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Photo: Tiffany Walde Photography

Adopted as a child, Major Karen Hammond shares a special bond with her own adopted daughter by Kristin Ostensen PRODUCT LABELING GUIDE

12 Breaking Through

FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL

A single mother learns to trust again at The Salvation Army

by Kristin Ostensen

14 Responsible for Ministry, Committed to Mission

Territorial Social Services Conference equips workers to bring comfort, hope and dignity by Pamela Richardson

Departments 4 Editorial Family Matters

by Geoff Moulton

5 Around the Territory 17 Perspectives

It’s Not About Me

by Lt-Colonel Jamie Braund

20 Just Cause

The Common Good

by James Read and Don Posterski

21 Leading Edge

23 Cross Culture 24 Celebrate Community

Enrolments and Recognition, Tributes, Gazette, Calendar

27 Convictions Matter

The Whole World Redeeming

by Major Ray Harris

Divine Design

Salvationist Karoline Pritchett’s faith infuses every aspect of her work as a designer

28

Beyond Belief

by Major Juan Burry

Patriot’s Game

For people who call a hotel room home, Salvation Army volunteers provide support

As a corps in Kingston, Ont., showed, The Daniel Plan can transform body and soul by Ken Ramstead

30 Talking Points

Inside Faith & Friends

Sandwiches That Save

22 40 Days to Health

Loving Our Muslim Neighbours

by Major Kathie Chiu

Cover: Timothy Cheng

TV castaway Dawn Wells proves that nice girls finish first

Social Issues Committee examines Army’s relationship with LGBT+ community by Kristin Ostensen

28 Ties That Bind

Leaping Up the Ladder

by Major Gail Winsor

Island Girl

18 Open to Question

Kyle Arrington had the talent to play in the big leagues, but did he have the confidence?

Share Your Faith When you finish reading Faith & Friends, FAITH & frıends pull it out and give it to someone who needs to hear about Christ’s lifeLife After Gilligan’s Island changing Sandwiches That Save power  January 2015

faithandfriends.ca

Inspiration for Living

Dawn Wells Proves That Nice Girls Finish First

Karoline Pritchett’s Divine Designs

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The Whole World Reading

Beginning on January 5, Salvationists and friends around the world are challenged to read through the New Testament in one year— together. Looking ahead to the Boundless 2015 International Congress taking place this July in London, England, each week participants in the

challenge will read five chapters of Scripture and take time to consider discussion questions relating to the text.

Quality resources will also be provided for children. A printed study booklet outlining the reading plan is available in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese. Additional commentaries and expanded resources are available online.

Visit boundless2015.org for details.

Salvationist • January 2015 • 3

EDITORIAL

L

Family Matters

ast month, I had my debut performance in the Cowbell Lane Band, the children’s brass group at North Toronto Community Church.

Yes, I know—I’m a little old for junior band. But my son is at the age where he’s learning to play and I want to encourage him. So when Bandmaster Jeremy Smith invited me to help, I decided to come out of retirement.

I grew up playing in the band, but it had been about 20 years since I’d picked up my cornet. As you can imagine, there were a few funny notes at first, and my lips felt like two pieces of floppy pasta by the end of the night. But it was inspiring to see the young people develop their skills.

Ministry to children and youth is a top priority for our territory. It’s no secret that we are losing our young people.

Twenty years ago, there were on average 14,025 children in Sunday school and other children’s programs each week, and 6,359 junior soldiers. As of last year, numbers had dwindled to an average 3,280 weekly attendees and 2,395 junior soldiers. In the face of that, we have to ask some tough questions: How are we nurturing the next generation? From where are they getting their knowledge of the Bible, the Army and its mission?

We want to be part of the solution.

This month the editorial department launches our revamped children’s publication, Just for Kids (page 8). As a tool for reaching young people, Just for Kids is high quality, cost effective and Army specific. It works just about anywhere that the Army comes in contact with children.

But we need your help. We’re offering a free t hree-mont h trial of five copies of Just for Kids in addition to your regular order. After that, we hope you’ll Cowbell Lane Band—that’s me in the back!

4 • January 2015 • Salvationist

Salvationist

keep your order intact—or increase it. At less than 16 cents per copy, it’s a small price to pay for reaching the next generation for Christ.

Speaking of children, this issue of Salvationist considers the changing definitions of family and the church’s response. You’ll delight in our cover story on the Hammonds, who have discovered the joy of adoption over the span of two generations (page 9). Single mom Jamie Johnstone tells how she found a new sense of family at The Salvation Army (page 12). And you’ll learn how the Ethics Centre’s Social Issues Committee is opening up the conversation with people who identify as lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender and queer or questioning (page 18). It’s a difficult discussion, but a necessary one.

The new year also brings new columns. Major Juan Burry revives his Talking Points series, examining how social issues impact our faith. In Leading Edge, we explore what it takes to be a leader from the viewpoint of those in the field. And members of Cabinet—the territorial commander’s chief advisory group—will find a voice through a new column entitled Perspectives.

As I write this, the song that’s ringing in my head is: “I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God.” It may sound sentimental, but it’s true. The miracle of faith is that we have been adopted as “sons [and daughters] of the Most High” (Psalm 82:6). Let’s embrace one another as family.

GEOFF MOULTON Editor-in-Chief

is a monthly publication of The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory André Cox General Commissioner Susan McMillan Territorial Commander Lt-Colonel Jim Champ Secretary for Communications Geoff Moulton Editor-in-Chief Giselle Randall Features Editor (416-467-3185) Pamela Richardson News Editor, Production Co-ordinator, Copy Editor (416-422-6112) Kristin Ostensen Associate Editor and Staff Writer Timothy Cheng Senior Graphic Designer Brandon Laird Design and Media Specialist Ada Leung Circulation Co-ordinator Ken Ramstead Contributor Agreement No. 40064794, ISSN 1718-5769.

Member, The Canadian Church Press. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, Today’s New International Version (TNIV) © 2001, 2005 International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

All rights reserved worldwide. All articles are copyright The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory and can be reprinted only with written permission.

Subscriptions

Annual: Canada $30 (includes GST/HST); U.S. $36; foreign $41. Available from: The Salvation Army, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto ON M4H 1P4.

Phone: 416-422-6119; fax: 416-422-6120; e-mail: circulation@can.salvationarmy.org.

Advertising

Inquire by e-mail for rates at salvationist@ can.salvationarmy.org.

News, Events and Submissions

Editorial lead time is seven weeks prior to an issue’s publication date. No responsibility is assumed to publish, preserve or return unsolicited material. Write to salvationist@ can.salvationarmy.org or Salvationist, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto ON M4H 1P4.

Mission

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world. Salvationist informs readers about the mission and ministry of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda. salvationist.ca salvationist@can.salvationarmy.org facebook.com/salvationistmagazine twitter.com/salvationist

AROUND THE TERRITORY

Salvation Army Provides Support After Ottawa Shooting ON OCTOBER 22, a gunman opened fire in Ottawa at the National War Memorial and Parliament, killing one soldier, Cpl. Nathan Cirillo. With military and law-enforcement personnel mobilized to secure the area, The Salvation Army’s wellestablished Emergency and Disaster Services (EDS) provided fast, efficient service to first responders.

Requested at the police Incident Command Post, The Salvation Army’s EDS canteen supplied emergency personnel with food service support. Approximately 500 meals were served, along with water, coffee, cold drinks and snacks, to the Ottawa Police Service, RCMP, Ontario Provincial Police, Canadian Forces, Ottawa paramedics and various supporting agencies.

Throughout the day and into the evening, Salvation Army personnel remained on the scene to assist with response efforts.

The Salvation Army’s EDS team in Hamilton, Ont., also supported first responders at Cirillo’s funeral on October 28.

The Salvation Army serves first responders after a shooting in Ottawa

Donors “Give a Night” in Quebec THE SALVATION ARMY in Quebec City held its second annual “Give a Night” campaign at Les Galeries de la Capitale in October in support of its two local homeless shelters. People were encouraged to give a $10 donation, which represents a hot meal and shelter for one person for one night. Funds raised will also be used to buy furniture and make improvements to the facility. A total of 455 nights were given by the public. In honour of their generosity, donors pinned their names on a giant bed, representing overnight stays in shelters.

For this fundraising campaign, The Salvation Army joined forces with Sleep Country, which will donate 54 new mattresses, fitted with mattress protectors, to the Army’s shelters.

Sarah Lefebvre-Cloutier, director of marketing and communications for The Salvation Army in Quebec City, and Lynn Martel of Sleep Country, encourage donors to “give a night”

Halifax Breakfast Program Expands FOR THE PAST four years, Halifax’s Spryfield Community Church has offered a hot breakfast on Thursday mornings, and has seen a steady increase in attendance. This fall, they began a new project offering a continental breakfast each of the remaining weekdays.

In addition to nourishing the body, the program also helps people connect with their community.

“I think programs like this are important,” says Major Sharon MacLeod, assistant corps officer and community ministries director. “It’s not just about the physical need of the food. It’s also beneficial for the emotional and spiritual needs. We have many people come and talk to us about their home life, how they’re struggling and how they’re very thankful for what we can provide.”

In October, a food drive was held at the local No Frills, in co-operation with radio station The Wave 89.9, to support the breakfast program. Customers received a flyer with a shopping list of items required for the program and they quickly went to work collecting them. In the end, shoppers donated more

than 300 items to the program.

“We received more than we expected,” says Major MacLeod.

“Seeing a lot of people drop off food and be interested in the program was amazing.”

A food drive supports Spryfield CC’s breakfast program Salvationist • January 2015 • 5

AROUND THE TERRITORY

Territorial Commander Welcomed in Ontario SALVATIONISTS AND FRIENDS from the Ontario Great Lakes and the Ontario Central-East divisions gathered at Guelph Citadel, Ont., for the welcome service for Commissioner Susan McMillan, territorial commander, in November.

Major Morris Vincent, divisional commander, Ontario Great Lakes Division, welcomed the capacity crowd, while Ella Donkersgoed and Tyler Jones presented flowers to Commissioner McMillan and Colonel Sharon Tillsley, territorial secretary for women’s ministries. Colonel Mark Tillsley, chief secretary, introduced Commissioner McMillan as a person of integrity with a passion for the mission of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda, and around the world. He noted that she is a gifted individual who speaks three languages and displays the heart of an evangelist.

In her response, Commissioner McMillan shared that it is a joy and blessing to be “home” again, after many years abroad, and that she has always been conscious of God’s leading and provision in all of the places and circumstances

where she has served over the years. “Do what God wants you to do with your life and it will be a wonderful adventure,” she instructed the congregation.

The service included words of welcome from Sarah Burford of Chatham Corps, Ont., and Lieutenant Graciela Arkell, community ministries officer, Cornerstone Community Church, Mississauga, Ont., and presentations from Joyful Noise, a choir from Toronto’s Cedarbrae Community Church, and the Guelph Citadel Band and Songsters.

Ella Donkersgoed and Tyler Jones from Guelph Citadel present flowers to Commissioner Susan McMillan and Colonel Sharon Tillsley

Youth Gather at Camp Mountainview

6 • January 2015 • Salvationist

from these nations at the retreat.

“I believe that God is going to use us all to strengthen The Salvation Army in the future years,” adds Major Hoeft. “As we hear the stories of the past and share in both the beauty and the pain of our history together, these youth represent the future that we can co-author with God to bring healing and peace to our nations.”

THE SALVATION ARMY in Abbotsford, B.C., launched a pilot project for a petfriendly shelter in September, in an effort to reduce the barriers to homeless people coming into the Centre of Hope shelter.

At a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Nate McCready, community ministries director, said that not being a pet-friendly shelter kept some people from accessing services and shelter at The Salvation Army. He said that for some homeless people, their pets keep them going.

“You shouldn’t have to give your pet up to sleep inside,” he said.

McCready said that to their knowledge, it is the first pet-friendly pilot project for Salvation Army facilities in Canada. He explained that it took five months from the idea to getting the project launched, and he hopes if it goes well, it may be encouraged in other Salvation Army locations.

McCready said that by allowing people with pets to come inside, staff are able to connect with both the pets and owners.

The Centre of Hope received many donations for the project, including a kennel, a dog house and supplies from the SPCA to help provide care for the animals. McCready added that the animals will also be able to stay alongside their owners in the shelter.

The centre will have an ongoing partnership with the SPCA, as well as assistance from a local veterinarian.

Photo and story: Alex Butler, Abbotsford News

MORE THAN 60 youth and chaperones came together at Camp Mountainview in northern British Columbia for a retreat in October. Activities included an Amazing Race-style competition around the camp’s 125 acres of land, as well as worship and devotional time.

Cheryl Bear, an Indigenous speaker and recording artist, was a guest for the weekend, sharing stories, Scripture and songs with those gathered. Teaching during the weekend focused on finding one’s identity in Christ.

“We were all challenged to hear the stories of our elders, understand the history that we face in our country and walk together into the future in love and respect,” says Major Karen Hoeft, area program and youth ministries coordinator, British Columbia Division.

Major Hoeft notes that The Salvation Army in northern British Columbia has deep roots in the Gitxsan and Nisga’a First Nations, with more than 20 youth

Army’s First Pet-Friendly Shelter

Cheryl Bear performs at Camp Mountainview

A dog tries out a new kennel and dog house at the Army’s Centre of Hope in Abbotsford, B.C.

AROUND THE TERRITORY

B.C. Army Gives Auxiliary Awards

Information Weekend Encourages Candidates

THE SALVATION ARMY in British Columbia honoured two of its long-time supporters at Vancouver’s annual William Booth Society Luncheon in October.

Lt-Colonel Larry Martin, divisional commander, British Columbia Division, conferred the Order of Distinguished Auxiliary Service on George Hungerford and Tom Skidmore, who have been members of the division’s advisory board for 30 and 20 years, respectively.

Among many other initiatives, in 2002, Hungerford and Skidmore started the now annual Hope in the City Breakfast, which raised more than $330,000 in 2013. Hope in the City events have since spread to other major cities across Canada.

This award is the highest and most prestigious award that The Salvation Army can bestow, and is given in recognition of meritorious service rendered in support of our mission and programs. This award can only be granted by the General upon the recommendation of the territorial commander.

This year’s William Booth Society Luncheon also featured a presentation from the Honourable Judith Guichon, lieutenantgovernor of British Columbia. She expressed her appreciation for the work of the Army by saying, “All of our communities would be far sadder places and a lot less safe for many vulnerable people without you.”

MORE THAN 50 delegates joined officers and cadets at the College for Officer Training (CFOT) in Winnipeg for an officership information weekend in October. Over the course of three days, delegates attended information sessions offering an overview of Salvation Army officership and the application process, as well as insight into the current training model at CFOT. As delegates participated in interviews, tours and conversation, they were encouraged to prayerfully consider the question: “Is God calling me to be an officer?”

The weekend concluded with a covenant service led by Commissioner Susan McMillan, territorial commander, where delegates were reminded that God uses ordinary people to accomplish great things for his kingdom. Delegate Fernando Gamero shared how, after many ups and downs, God led him and his family to The Salvation Army. At first they came seeking food for their table, but God provided them with food for their souls and a community of believers who embraced them.

Now he and his wife are pursuing officership.

Commissioner McMillan spoke about needing the Holy Spirit’s help to respond to whatever God calls us to do. She reminded those in attendance that when we love Jesus, we will do whatever it takes to do what he says, even if it seems impossible. Delegates responded by signing covenant cards, committing themselves to be obedient to God’s will for their lives.

Lt-Col Larry Martin bestows the Order of Distinguished Auxiliary Service on George Hungerford and Tom Skidmore, with support from Lt-Col Velma Martin, DDWM, B.C. Div

DID YOU KNOW?

… The Salvation Army provided support in downtown Calgary after a massive power outage in October affected more than 5,000 residents and tens of thousands of workers? The Army’s community response unit was on duty for 16 hours a day, serving more than 500 evacuees, business owners and volunteers … Salvation Army thrift stores across the territory encouraged patrons to remember veterans in November? In the lead up to Remembrance Day, stores put up signs, created themed displays and observed two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. on November 11 … last year, 3,586 children were helped through The Salvation Army’s Brighter Futures sponsorship program? … Edmonton’s 21st annual Harvest Brunch and Auction raised

Delegates join officers and cadets at CFOT in Winnipeg for an officership information weekend

$80,000, more than double the amount raised the previous year?

The funds will go to The Salvation Army’s Grace Manor seniors’ residence for their Walking Path Project … the Army’s thrift store in Ajax, Ont., provided support after a fire broke out at a nursing and retirement home in Whitby, Ont.?

The store provided toiletries, bedding, clothing and other items to the home’s 192 residents, many of whom lost everything … The Salvation Army served 2.8 million free meals last year across the territory? … more than 1,700 warm winter coats were collected last fall as part of Operation Cover-Up, a joint project of the United Way and The Salvation Army in Chatham, Ont.?

Salvationist • January 2015 • 7

one-sheet activity paper, freshly redesigned to engage children through stories and puzzles, present Army culture and distinctives in ways they can understand, and inspire them to apply their faith every day.

A number of new features will be included, such as a monthly social justice-driven challenge, Just Do It!, to encourage corps and families to get involved with their communities.

“These challenges can be done by any corps, of any size,” says Kristin Ostensen, editor of Just for Kids. “They will give kids ways they can live the mission of the Army in their daily lives.”

The corps that best completes the challenge each quarter will be eligible to win a prize, including DVDs or a pizza party.

Other new elements will include a contemporary logo incorporating the Salvation Army Red Shield, reader profiles and an appealing avatar of Ostensen who will connect with readers through a brief message in each issue.

New and improved children’s publication supports territorial priority of ministry to children and youth

T

BY PAMELA RICHARDSON, NEWS EDITOR

his month, the Canada and Bermuda Territory launches Just for Kids, a new and improved publication aimed at children aged 5-12. An updated version of Edge for Kids, the territory’s former children’s publication, Just for Kids will offer a weekly self-contained Bible lesson that incorporates Salvation Army teaching and doctrine.

“The name Edge for Kids was associated with the teen publication The Edge,” says Geoff Moulton, editor-inchief and literary secretary. When The Edge was re-launched as the sendtheO fire.ca website a number of years ago, the name lost its significance. “The new name releases ties to the magazine while maintaining continuity so as not to alienate the current audience,” he continues, “but more importantly, it has that ring of exclusivity about it that kids love. This is a magazine made ‘just’ for them.”

Hi kids!

time es have a hard Do you sometim s? following direction baking ginger When I was s cookies for Christma I misread last month, ally ns. I accident the instructio molasses amount of doubled the Oops! The cookies in the cookies. that I let’s just say were … well, over. had plenty left was on earth, When Jesus followers many He gave His friends Jesus had 12 . instructions. closest followers who were His “disciples” or His were They can be “apostles.” We we Jesus, too, if disciples of ns. You follow His instructio being a more about can find out for Kids.

Just issue of disciple in this

Your friend,

ISSU

E

5

Why rest?

How do you rest?

The Bible tells us that after God created the world, He rested (see Genesis 2:1-3). God didn’t rest because He was tired, but to set an example for us. God wants us to rest from our busy lives and be grateful for all that we have.

Having a day of rest doesn’t mean you have to spend the whole day in bed or you cannot have any fun. The Sabbath commandment is more about slowing down from our busy lives and thinking about God. This might mean going to church and worshipping God, having meals with your family or enjoying God’s creation by going for a walk in the park.

Kristin

Join the Just for Kids Birthday Club Today!

Fits the Bill Traditionally, Salvation Army publications for children, such as Edge for Kids and its predecessor, The Young Soldier, were used almost exclusively as giveaways to children who attended Sunday school. Salvationists are now encouraged to use Just for Kids as a supplement to a variety of children’s ministries and programs, such as after-school programs, and in community and family services offices, food banks or anywhere there is an opportunity to share the message of Jesus Christ with children.

“With the territory’s identification of ministry to children and youth as a top priority, children’s leaders are looking for biblically based, Salvation Army-specific material,” says Moulton, “and Just for Kids fits the bill.”

Commissioner Susan McMillan, territorial commander, agrees. “I am inviting corps across the territory to renew their commitment to children’s ministry,” she says. “To corps who are not currently using Edge for Kids, I challenge you to consider H how Just for Kids can be used as an outreach tool.

Together, we can reach the children of our communities and further the kingdom of God.” To assist J c or p s i n expanding their use of Just for Kids, those already receiving Edge for Kids will be given five additional copies of Just for Kids each week for the first quarter of 2015, at no additional charge. Following this period, increased orders will automatically be renewed unless contact is made with the editorial department.

“The editorial department aims to share the gospel through the printed word and online,” concludes Ostensen. “With its appealing format and solid teaching, Just for Kids can help bring the next generation to Christ.” apostle? He was about John, the chosen to ave you heard old when he was less than 20 years world about Jesus. to tell the be an apostle death, John put table before Jesus’ At the supper comfortable and chest. He felt his head on Jesus’ Jesus. at accepted by apostles present only one of the John to love and John was the trusted Jesus and the Crucifixion Mary. protect His mother, a gentle, loving John how to be Jesus taught lot about love John spoke a and receive and kind man. how to give love GANDER, N.L.— because he knew others.

Congratulations to and love from God the newest junior that in John 13:35 soldiers at Gander Jesus tells us e other, everyon Corps. They are, if we love each are from left, Elliott we will know that Stryde, Kennedy Harris and Steven His followers.

Adams.

Just for Kids wants to wish YOU a Happy Birthday! Join our birthday club and get a message on your special day. Just fill in the coupon below and mail it to Just for Kids, 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto, ON, Canada M4H 1P4. Or you can e-mail justforkids@can.salvationarmy.org

The Apostles Word Scramble

Read Mark 3:16-19 and find the names of the Twelve Apostles by unscrambling these words. Who are the two with the same name?

Name: ___________________________________________________________ Corps/church attending: ____________________ Birth date: ______________

Mailing address: ___________________________________________________

too?

need God knows that we to rest. That’s why He commanded us to take of a Sabbath day, a day one of rest, every week. It’s ts God’s Ten Commandmen (see Exodus 20). Many as Christians take Sunday their day of rest.

COMMANDMENT?

__________________________

How Do You Spend Your Sabbath?

Signed: __________________________________________________________

Draw a picture of your church or something you enjoy doing on the Sabbath day. If you send it to Just for Kids at 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto ON M4H 1P4, we’ll send you something in return!

(So remember to write your name and address on the envelope.)

__________________________

__________________________

it already seem like Is it just me, or does time ago?

Christmas was a long my Christmas tree This past week, I put goodbye to back in its box and said Joseph as I packed Baby Jesus, Mary and up my Nativity set. a wonderful time of I miss Christmas. It’s life could be like joy and giving—if only that all year. issue of Just for Maybe it can be. In this Just Do It! Kids, you’ll find the monthly we’re challenging challenge. This month, spirit of giving alive theget to keep Help James to church. everyone in need. Check it out, by donating to those and be sure to get your friends involved

__________________________

__________________________

__________________________

__________________________

How can you take time to rest this week?

__________________________

Your friend, Kristin

__________________________

__________________________

E

1

Your friend, Kristin

ISSU

Hi kids!

My name is Kristin Ostensen and I’m the editor of Just for Kids.

“Wait a minute,” you might be thinking. “Doesn’t she mean Edge for Kids?”

Starting with this issue, Edge for Kids will now be called Just for Kids. The new Just for Kids will have all the content you love, plus some great new features, including:

• a monthly social justice challenge/ contest called “Just Do It!” The corps who best complete the challenges will be rewarded with prizes, such as a pizza party, t-shirts, DVDs and more!

• a monthly reader profile. Fill out our questionnaire at salvationist.ca/justforkids to be featured in an upcoming issue of Just for Kids.

To find out more about the new Just for Kids, write me at justforkids@can.salvationarmy.org.

I’d love to hear from you.

Your friend, Kristin

8 • January 2015 • Salvationist

11. HTASOM _________________ 12. JEMAS __________________

E

Four in a Row

ne day Jesus was teaching. Some men came carrying a man who could not walk. They tried to take him into the house to place him in front of Jesus. They could not find a way to do this because of the crowd.

So they went up on the roof. Then they lowered the man on his mat through the opening in the roof tiles, right in front of Jesus.

Jesus spoke to the man who could not walk. “Get up. Take your mat and go home.”

Right away, the man stood up in front of them. He took his mat and went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God.

Just Do It! In 2012, divisional youth secretaries, corps officers, children’s workers and children from across the territory were asked what they would like to see in a children’s publication. As a result of their feedback, Just for Kids will continue as a weekly

10. TAMTHEW _______________

5. DRANEW_________________

6. LIHIPP ___________________

2

Congratulations!

ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—Congratulations to Kailey Loveless on her recent completion of the junior action program at St. John’s West Corps. Celebrating with her are Majors Terry and Roxann Feltham, corps officers; Laura Rowsell, youth director; Captain Julia Butler-Tarnue, then divisional youth secretary, Newfoundland and Labrador Division; and Hillary From Luke 5:17-26 Coombs, acting junior soldier sergeant.

9. DASUJ ___________________

4. TEPER ___________________

“What I’m about to tell you is true,” Jesus said. “That poor widow has put in more than all the others. All of those other people gave a lot because they are rich.

But even though she is poor, she put in everything. She has nothing left to live on.”

enter our contest.

ISSU

3. MAESJ ___________________

esus was in the temple in Jerusalem, answering the hard questions some people had asked Him. While He was speaking to His disciples, He saw rich people putting their gifts into the temple offering boxes.

He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.

A-MAZE-ING

__________________________

7. DATHDAUSE ______________

8. NISOM ___________________

Luke 21:1-4

Hi kids!

__________________________

1. HOJN ____________________ 2. THAROBMOLEW __________

Answers: 1. John; 2. Bartholomew; 3. James; 4. Peter; 5. Andrew; 6. Philip; 7. Thaddaeus; 8. Simon; 9. Judas; 10. Matthew; 11. Thomas; 12. James

Life can be so busy. my Sometimes I feel like schedule is too jampacked with work and activities. Do you ever feel that way,

How many words can you make from the letters in

Find these four pictures, in their correct order, seven times in the puzzle.

E

4

Congratulations!

_________________________________________________________________

Hi kids!

ISSU

All in the Family Adopted as a child, Major Karen Hammond shares a special bond with her own adopted daughter

S

BY KRISTIN OSTENSEN, STAFF WRITER

God’s Calling Through adoption, Marlie Joy Nomcebo Hammond is the fifth and youngest child of Majors Doug and Karen Hammond, corps officers at Toronto’s Bloor Central Corps. When Marlie was found in 2001, the Hammonds were serving at a tuberculosis-AIDS hospital in Vryheid in the province of Kwa Zulu Natal. Because of their work in the health-care system, the Hammonds were well aware of the impact of the AIDS epidemic, with more than 200,000 AIDS orphans in their province alone.

“We both really wanted to do something in response, but we didn’t know what that meant,” explains Major Karen.

It was after attending a Salvation Army AIDS conference in 2002 that Major Doug felt God clearly telling him that it was time to adopt a child.

“Karen and I had spoken of adopting many years earlier,” he says. “My wife had been adopted by a wonderful family and thought she should do the same thing. However, we’d not spoken of it in many years. She was already

Photo: Timothy Cheng

he was found on a cold July evening, wrapped in a blanket and lying under a tree in a white neighbourhood in Vryheid, South Africa. The family who discovered her searched the area for someone who might have placed the child there, but there was no sign of anyone.

Despite having been abandoned, this infant, barely three months old, was clean, wrapped carefully, and placed beside a car where she was sure to be discovered. It was obvious that she had been cared for. The family called two local pastors, who had just started a home for babies in response to the AIDS epidemic, and the child was brought to safety.

“They gave her the name ‘Nomcebo,’ which is Zulu for ‘treasure,’ ” explains Major Karen Hammond, “because treasures are found.”

Marlie and her parents, Mjrs Karen and Doug Hammond

homeschooling four high-energy kids.

The thought of adopting seemed ridiculous.”

But when the topic of adoption came up at dinner, seemingly by chance, three

months later, the Hammonds realized that this was God’s will. “When we added things up it seems God was speaking to both of us about the same thing, at the same time,” says Major Doug.

Salvationist • January 2015 • 9

“As if She Were Born to You” The Hammonds contacted their pastor friends, Dannie and Darlene van Tonder, at the Inkuleko Babies Home and began the adoption process, via a Christian adoption agency. At this time, the Hammond children—Matthew, Lucas, James and Monica—were volunteering at Inkuleko, where they met Marlie, who was then known as Mary Nomcebo Zulu.

“Everyone was so excited when we told them we were adopting, and almost instantly they all said, ‘We have to get Mary—she is the one we’ll take!’ ” remembers Major Doug. “We had to settle them down and explain that it’s not the way it works.”

In the end, however, the adoption agency decided that Marlie was the right child for the Hammonds.

“Considering there were 200,000 orphans in our province alone, and we could have been placed with anyone nationally, I was confident this was divine confirmation,” says Major Doug.

Marlie came to live w ith the Hammonds on May 19, 2002, which the family celebrates every year as “Marlie Day” with a big party. Majors Doug and Karen gave her the name Marlie Joy as a nod to their own mothers, Margaret and Joyce, “because we wanted her to feel part of the family,” explains Major Karen.

Though the adoption was not yet final in May, the Hammonds were able to take Marlie in sooner because they were legally registered as a “place of safety,” and had taken in children before. Yet as the weeks turned into months, the Hammonds began to feel anxious.

“Our children were getting attached to Marlie,” says Major Doug. “We were afraid that someone might step forward and claim Marlie as their child.”

The Hammonds faced some hostility from the African community, who did not want white families adopting their children. “Many from the traditional Zulu backgrounds felt we were cutting them off from the ancestral roots,” he says. “There were times we wondered if she might be snatched from us.”

Relief finally came in December 2002 when they received their adoption papers.

“I realized, during that waiting period, that my attachment to Marlie was exactly the same as with my other children,” says Major Doug. “It wasn’t biological, but emotionally, everything was there. She’s very much ours. On the 10 • January 2015 • Salvationist

A scrapbook, created by Marlie’s caregivers at the babies home, chronicles her early life in South Africa

“At that time in South Africa, some orphans were simply abandoned and left to die” adoption paper it says, ‘as if she were born to you,’ and that’s exactly what it is for me.”

Like Mother, Like Daughter Marlie may look different from her siblings, but she feels no less part of the family.

“We all have our bickering moments, but we all have so much fun together,” Marlie says with a smile.

Marlie adds that it helps having a mother who is also adopted.

“Me and my mom are close,” she says.

“It’s nice knowing that she knows what I’m feeling. We can talk about how she went through stuff when she was a kid, where she had the same experiences as me.”

“My own experience made it easier to adopt because it worked out well with me and my family,” says Major Karen, who was adopted by a Salvation Army

family in Guelph, Ont., in 1964.

Given her own adoption, Major Karen knows how adoption can impact a child psychologically.

“Even though I had a great upbringing, I think any child who has been adopted deals with some sort of insecurity or abandonment issues,” she says.

“There is that sense of, Why was I given away?”

Because Marlie was abandoned, the Hammonds know almost nothing about her background. However, they do know that she initially tested positive for HIV, though the following tests showed her to be negative.

“That means it was her mom’s antibodies in her body—her mom was HIVpositive,” explains Major Karen. “So we assume that either the mom was sick or the mom had died and the family didn’t feel that they could look after her anymore. But we really stressed to Marlie that her family loved her enough to put her where she’d be found. At that time in South Africa, some orphans were simply abandoned and left to die.”

Marlie admits that she has struggled with the question of why her biological family decided to give her away. But, now 13, she says that it doesn’t cross her mind as much anymore.

“I’m very secure with everything now,” she says. “When I was left in front of that tree, it was for my safety, health and well-being. It was about me having a better life going forward.”

Major Karen flew down to Texas to meet him and her half-sister, who is 10 years younger than her. She was surprised to discover that she and her half-sister share more than the same father—they have the same birthday.

“I know a lot of reunions don’t turn out like that, but I have two birth parents who adore me and are so glad to have a relationship with me, and a half-sister that I get along with very well,” says Major Karen.

“They’ve loved me for 50 years,” she continues. “My birth father would talk about playing hockey and, whatever arena he was in, not a game went by that he wouldn’t look up into the crowd and think, I wonder if she’s there. It’s fabulous to know that I was loved and wanted.”

The Hammond children: Lucas, Marlie, Matthew, James and Monica

Family Reunion Major Karen says she made peace with questions surrounding her own adoption many years ago. She doesn’t remember her parents, Reg and Joyce Broughton, ever specifically telling her that she was adopted, as it was always talked about openly in her family. Her brother, who is two years older, is also adopted.

“From a Christian standpoint, I fully believe in God’s master design so I have no trouble accepting and believing that adoption was part of his plan for me,” she says.

While many adopted children want to meet their birth parents, this was not a priority for Major Karen—until recently.

“I never had a desire to look for my birth parents until several years ago,” she says. “I wanted to know some of the medical history, and I had a desire to let them know, ‘Hey, it turned out OK,’ and share my faith with them.”

About eight years ago, Major Karen decided to put her name into an adoption registry to see if any information was available. Nothing came of it until a year and a half later, when she received a phone call from a woman at the registry.

“She said to me, ‘Karen, I was just speaking to your birth mom. She would like to speak with you.’ And I said, ‘What?!’ ” she remembers. That first conversation with her birth mother took place in November 2008.

Major Karen found out that her

“I see God’s hand in our family and there’s no doubt in my mind that God has a plan for Marlie” mother had been 16 years old when she became pregnant, and her family felt that the best thing to do was to put the baby up for adoption. After her mother gave birth, the child was taken to a separate nursery, but her mother snuck down to the nursery to see what her child looked like.

“She never got to hold me. That was the only time she saw me, and then I was gone,” says Major Karen.

When the two women met, Major Karen’s mother told her the name of her birth father, a semi-professional hockey player who was 19 years old when she was born. Major Karen ran an Internet search, found an e-mail address for him and sent him a message, explaining who she was.

“I got an e-mail back from him saying that this was the best day of his life,” she recalls.

God’s Family Understanding adoption from the perspective of both a child and a parent, the Hammonds have a deep appreciation for the amazing impact it can have on the lives of those it touches.

“It is not our story, or Marlie’s, but God’s story of the miracle of adoption,” says Major Doug.

“Thirty-eight years after Reg and Joyce picked up Karen from a hospital in Kitchener, Ont., their decision to adopt changed the life of a little baby left under a tree,” he continues. “Because of what they did, Marlie Joy Nomcebo lives in a different country, speaks a different language, carries a different citizenship and has countless opportunity for the future—because of adoption.”

Major Karen notes that when the pastors prayed over Marlie at the babies home, they gave her the verse Jeremiah 29:11: “ ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ ” “That is a very special verse for her to this day,” she notes. “I see God’s hand in our family and there’s no doubt in my mind that God has a plan for Marlie.”

In terms of their own faith, both Major Doug and Major Karen feel that their experience of adoption has helped them better understand what it means to be a part of God’s family.

“It’s a tangible expression in my connection with God,” says Major Doug.

“My relationship with Marlie is just as authentic as it is with any of my other kids and that’s the same relationship that God has with us as well. It’s been a really powerful experience.”

Salvationist • January 2015 • 11

Breaking Through A single mother learns to trust again at The Salvation Army

J

BY KRISTIN OSTENSEN, STAFF WRITER

A Happy Christmas In spring 2008, Johnstone found herself in crisis. Just as her marriage was falling apart, her newborn son, Noah, became seriously ill with a respiratory infection. “He was really sick,” she says.

“We almost lost him when he was born.”

When Johnstone left her husband due to physical abuse, she suddenly found herself homeless. For five months, she and her two sons found shelter in a friend’s motorhome.

“It was awful,” she recalls. “I couldn’t tell my sons that we didn’t have a home.

I just called it camping.”

Though Johnstone spent the year trying to get back on her feet, she found herself in need at Christmastime and came to The Salvation Army for the hamper program. Signing up for the program helped her realize that she was not alone.

“There were lots of people there who needed help like me,” she says. “I felt cared for.”

Looking back, she says watching her sons enjoy their gifts on Christmas morning was an “amazing experience.”

“I just felt so blessed that they wouldn’t have to pay for their dad’s 12 • January 2015 • Salvationist

Photo: Tiffany Walde Photography

amie Johnstone had never felt so low in her life. In a matter of months, she had gone from having a home and a husband to being a single mother, barely managing to keep herself and her two children off the streets.

“I’d never been in a place where I needed so much help,” she remembers.

“When I went to a food bank for the first time, it was the worst I’d ever felt.”

She turned to The Salvation Army for assistance at Christmas six years ago, a decision that changed her life. Today, Johnstone attends Kelowna Community Church, B.C., with her two sons. She also works at the corps, where she coordinates Breakthrough, the program that helped her to deepen her faith and know Christ in a very personal way.

Jamie Johnstone and sons Noah, seven, and Casey, nine, feel loved and supported at Kelowna CC

mistake,” she says. “They could still have a good Christmas.”

Honest Community The following August, Johnstone received a phone call from the church’s Connie Cristall, director of evangelism and discipleship, inviting her to Breakthrough, a program for single mothers that was starting at the corps.

“I was so excited—I was just praying for something like that,” she says.

“Breakthrough was an important part of being able to engage in my own life again after everything that I had been through.”

Being a part of Breakthrough helped Johnstone develop an empowering support network.

“My whole life, I was disconnected from other women,” she says. “My mom left when I was 10 and I didn’t feel that I could trust my stepmom. Meeting women at Breakthrough, I realized that

we’re all the same and there’s incredible value that comes with sharing our life experiences and perspectives.”

Breakthrough is a program for those needing support in overcoming obstacles in their lives. Spanning a 10-month period, the program involves classroom learning, mentoring and volunteer opportunities.

It was during her time in the program that Johnstone began attending the church. She was providing childcare at Breakthrough and became close friends with Cristall. At the time, Johnstone was attending another church.

“I started to have questions about the church I was going to and I was able to talk about that with Connie,” she says.

After attending the corps occasionally for a year or so, Johnstone decided to make The Salvation Army her church home.

“It was an honest community,” she says. “I could be myself here, without any judgments.”

Thanks to Breakthrough, Johnstone already knew many of the people at the corps and knew that they cared about her.

“At Breakthrough, the church invested in us and believed in us, so it was natural to come here,” she says.

Children’s Church The corps has also been a welcoming community for Johnstone’s sons, Noah and Casey.

“It feels like a family I didn’t know I had,” says Casey, nine.

Noah, seven, agrees. “It’s like a family but better because everyone knows God and has him in their family.”

Casey became a junior soldier in 2013, while Noah is being enrolled this month.

“Casey takes it very seriously,” says Johnstone. “He likes to teach me and

his little brother.”

“The thing about being any kind of soldier is that you need to do a certain thing the best that you can in order to do your job,” says Casey. “I like that I have a job to do at church. And it helps me love God and respect myself.”

Noah hopes to follow in his brother’s footsteps. “I will do my job by loving God the best I can and making sure other people know I love him by helping them.”

Having the support of the church has been particularly important for Noah, who struggles with ADHD and other developmental difficulties.

“He acts out sometimes, but people

“I have experienced such an incredible and profound sense of freedom since coming here” have stuck by him so he feels like he’s OK, he’s accepted,” she says. “He can be loved even though he has these outbursts.”

Casey has also felt like the church is a safe place for him.

“He asks serious questions like ‘Is God even real?’ ” Johnstone says. “I was able to bring that to my pastor who said he could come to the adult Bible study to see if he could get some answers. Because of that class, Casey has a stronger testimony now.”

Total Transformation Becoming a stronger Christian has also helped Johnstone overcome barriers in

her own life.

“I have experienced such an incredible and profound sense of freedom since coming here,” she says. “My whole life, I struggled with crippling anxiety—anxiety that made me stay in my house for two years as an adolescent. I was very sick, but now I can say that I have been completely, miraculously healed.”

Coming to Kelowna Community Church has also given Johnstone the opportunity to take her career in a new direction. After doing childcare at the Breakthrough program for a year, she became the assistant to the program’s co-ordinator.

“The co-ordinator went on a medical leave and they asked me to step into his role,” she says. “I did that with lots of support from many people in leadership at The Salvation Army.”

When the co-ordinator decided not to come back, Johnstone assumed the role and has been leading the program for more than a year.

“I was always a manager of some kind, but after having my kids I wasn’t sure if I had that in me anymore,” she says. “I thought it might have died and so it took me a while to get back into the swing of things. But people had trust in me. They were saying, ‘You can do this’ and ‘We believe in you.’

“The way that I am valued here as an employee—I see my leaders investing in me,” she continues. “It’s great that I am trusted with some of the things that make this church amazing.”

But more than a job, the corps has provided a community of faith, where Johnstone knows she will always be welcome.

“I have friends that I can count on because The Salvation Army has taught me how to trust,” she concludes, “and learning to trust people has changed my life.”

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Contact (416) 422-6119; circulation@can.salvationarmy.org or visit salvationist.ca/subscribe to order Salvationist • January 2015 • 13

underpinnings of The Salvation Army.

A wide range of musical presentations included Crusaders—a festival march

by Dean Goffin—and Kevin Larsson’s Boundless.

On Sunday morning, the band led a service of praise and worship. “We need the Lord to give us the spiritual resources to help us with our ministry and mission,” shared Major Kevin Metcalf, territorial secretary for music and gospel arts, and corps officer at Ontario’s London Citadel, as he invited the congregation to worship.

Trombone soloist Craig Lewis’ moving rendition of Somebody Prayed for Me was followed by prayer from Major Ken Smith, assistant territorial music secretary. “I pray for your servants who have gathered from across the territory,” he said. “Equip them as they bring comfort, hope and dignity in sometimes very trying circumstances.”

In her message, Commissioner McMillan challenged the congregation to follow the example of Jesus Christ as they engage in ministry and mission.

Sharing from the story of the healing of the blind man recorded in John 9, she reminded delegates that people in need were always important to Jesus, and they must be important to us as well.

“All ministries are responsible to carry out the holistic mission of The Salvation Army,” she said. “God help us to be open and inclusive to all so they can come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.”

Territorial Social Services Conference equips workers to bring comfort, hope and dignity

M

BY PAMELA RICHARDSON, NEWS EDITOR

ore than 300 people gathered October 18-21 at the Delta Meadowvale Hotel and Conference Centre in Mississauga, Ont., for the 2014 Territorial Social Services Conference.

Meeting under the theme Responsible for Ministry, Committed to Mission, delegates had opportunities to learn, network and receive spiritual refreshment.

Guests for the conference included Commissioner Susan McMillan, territorial commander, Colonel Geanette Seymour, director of The Salvation 14 • January 2015 • Salvationist

Army’s International Social Justice Commission (ISJC), Major Dean Pallant, international health services co-ordinator for The Salvation Army, and the Canadian Staff Band (CSB). Lt-Colonel Ann Braund, territorial secretary for spiritual life development, led delegates in devotions on Monday and Tuesday mornings.

Musical Kick-Off Following Saturday’s welcome banquet, a concert by the CSB initiated people in the musical traditions and spiritual

Workshops On Sunday afternoon and on Monday, delegates attended workshops and networking opportunities of their choosing from more than 30 available sessions. For Anita Andreen, who works at the New Frontier Halfway House in Saskatoon, these sessions were the highlight of the conference as she shared one-on-one with people from across the territory and learned about the ministries in which they serve. “It was good to get together with people from other facilities,” she says. “They didn’t know what we do and we didn’t know what they do, but now we all know that we work together as a group.”

A wide variety of topics were included, from specific social services components (e.g. chaplaincy, community and family services, human trafficking, accreditation training) to employee relations issues (e.g. diversity in the workplace, workplace accommodation

for people with physical and mental disabilities) to the financial aspects of social services ministries (e.g. interpreting financial statements, internal controls and audits). Workshop leaders and facilitators included territorial social services consultants, members of the territorial employee relations and finance departments, faculty from Winnipeg’s Booth University College and executive

directors from social services facilities across the territory.

A number of delegates were also involved in a pre-conference addictions foundations workshop and an area commander development day. “The highlight of the conference for me was the addictions course,” says Paul Fredriksen of Barrie Bayside Mission, Ont. As the food services manager, he engages with cli-

ents on a regular basis and appreciates the opportunity to learn more about addictions services.

Cpt Michael Ramsay, CO, The Salvation Army CC, Swift Current, Sask., meets with delegates during a corrections networking session

From left, Mjr Dean Pallant, Col Geanette Seymour, Mary Ellen Eberlin and Colonel Mark Tillsley, chief secretary

Photos: Pamela Richardson

Final Words Following the evening meals on Sunday and Monday, delegates gathered to hear Major Dean Pallant and Colonel Geanette Seymour, respectively, as they spoke on their experiences in their

The Socially Just Life

Advocating for the world’s oppressed begins with you, says Colonel Geanette Seymour The International Social Justice Commission (ISJC) is The Salvation Army’s strategic voice to advocate for human dignity and social justice with the world’s poor and oppressed. As its director, Colonel Geanette Seymour is the Army’s senior advocate on international affairs and guides the work of the ISJC around its five goals: advocating with the world’s poor and oppressed, researching issues of global social justice, developing like-minded partnerships and raising awareness, determining social justice policies and practices for the Army, and living the principles of social justice and encouraging others to do likewise.

What are the most pressing social justice issues in our world?

We fall into a trap if we break it down into issues, because there are so many of them. We talk about anti-trafficking, poverty, lack of clean water, girls’ education, maternal and child health, climate issues, war—it’s just so overwhelming. I think we’re a world out of sync and balance. Our job is to practise love, grace and mercy, and respond to people in need—Christian elements that are lacking—in a world where greed supersedes and egocentric behaviour drives people.

Is there one area where the Army’s efforts are making a difference?

Col Geanette Seymour

The Salvation Army has always played a significant role in bringing awareness to women’s issues. We engage strongly in a response to poverty, and women’s issues are endemic in poverty issues. We have a phenomenal number of primary schools that educate young children, including girls, in places where girls aren’t always Salvationist • January 2015 • 15

current leadership roles within The Salvation Army.

Major Pallant shared his experiences as international health services co-ordinator and discussed faith-based facilitation, a Salvation Army theology of accountability. “Faith-based facilitation is not a theory or project,” he said. “It is a way of working, of helping people think, talk, explore and respond to issues.”

“When we talk about social justice at the ISJC,” said Colonel Seymour, “we’re actually talking about holiness and the way we live. You don’t do social justice— you live a socially just life.”

On the fourth and final day of the conference, delegates joined together to hear Mary Ellen Eberlin, territorial social services secretary, as she brought the event to a close. “The Army was birthed because William Booth wanted to make the gospel of Jesus Christ accessible to persons who were unacceptable and unwelcome in the churches of his day.

We are continuing Booth’s vision,” she said. “On any given day, we are present in hundreds of communities and we minister to thousands of people. It’s great to see that we are together in this and that we will, together, share the love of Christ and transform the communities of our world.”

From left, Joyce Kristjannson, executive director and director of care at Winnipeg’s Golden West Centennial Lodge, and Mjr Brenda Critch, DDWM, Prairie Div

included in education. Those girls will grow up to be the women who are helping to influence and shape society.

How can Salvationists engage with social justice issues?

Often when we talk about social justice, we tend to talk about the external— the people over there, the situations out there, the scenes that are so big and so overwhelming that we feel we can’t do much. I can send money, I can pray, but I still feel vaguely disengaged from it.

The ISJC teaches that a social justice response is actually the practice of Salvationist holiness, living a life that is socially just and encouraging others to do likewise. It’s about how I live. So, am I an inclusive person?

Are our congregations inclusive or do we exclude people, the very ones with whom we should engage the strongest?

What am I doing with my purchasing power? This is not about wealth versus poverty, but about making social decisions based on ethical behaviour, and simplicity of life that enables me 16 • January 2015 • Salvationist

Representatives from the Army’s centres and programs in Saskatoon share a moment during the conference. Front, from left, Caroleen Wright and Linda Beddow, Mumford House; Shannon Johnson, Bethany Home. Back, from left, Albert Brown, correctional services, Saskatoon Community Services; Veronica Chelack and Shanda Pollard, Bethany Home

to engage more strongly.

There are many places I can’t go and things I can’t do, but I can start in my own home and advocate for things that need to be challenged in my community, my family, my congregation. I can get involved in social justice where I am, as well as sending my money off to do something overseas.

What has been your most rewarding experience as ISJC director?

I am amazed, encouraged and challenged by human resilience. I go to places with strong cultural limitations, and yet I see amongst the people a commitment, wisdom and a desire, so that when we partner together, we all win. It has been a privilege to walk with some amazing people, to learn from them and then bring them what the Army can provide in resourcing, encouragement or training. It’s always a two-way street, because that’s what social justice is all about.

Illustration: © iStock.com/s-cphoto

PERSPECTIVES

It’s Not About Me Leadership is a journey of faith

BY LT-COLONEL JAMIE BRAUND

I

’ve always had trouble with metaphors.

I memorized the periodic table in chemistry class, but poetry stumped me. Being analytical and literal by nature is sometimes problematic during worship singing; every so often I get stuck on the lyrics of a song. When a line is declarative, I wonder if what I’m saying is really true. A friend used to say, “Mean what you say and say what you mean.” So when I recently found myself prayerfully singing to the Lord, “Make me what you want me to be,” I got stuck.

Did I really mean that? Do I even believe it to be possible? And what is it that God wants me to be?

Our territory’s strategic initiatives include leadership development—the idea that continuous learning is a critical component of our present and our future.

As we continue to learn, we develop our capacity to impact the world around us.

But is it about me and my leadership or is it about the one who makes me what he wants me to be? Many of us who find ourselves in leadership are not naturalborn leaders who enjoyed talking and directing others from a young age; rather, we tended to blend into the background.

Interestingly, God chooses many different types of people for leadership—and I don’t think anyone will ever be able to

understand that mystery in earthly terms.

So how do we reconcile asking God to “remake” us if we’re not sure it’s possible or if we’re not comfortable with the outcome? I think the answer comes from understanding that true leadership isn’t about the leader. I need to pursue continuous learning, goals and leadership development, but the outcomes are not about me at all. This is increasingly being acknowledged even in the secular world of leadership studies. Author Simon Sinek presents this seemingly countercultural idea when he states, “The true price of leadership is the willingness to place the needs of others above your own. Great leaders truly care about those they are privileged to lead and understand that the true cost of the leadership privilege comes at the expense of self-interest.” So when I yield to the future of what God wants me to be, I’m acknowledging that this isn’t really about me; it is much more about the people I am asked to lead.

This is a huge shift in thinking even for those who lead within a faith-based culture. Who benefits from my continuous leadership development? We are so affected by our individualistic culture that we can start to believe that everything, including our leadership, is all

about us. Pastor Andy Stanley states, “If your leadership isn’t all about you, it will live beyond you.” Kingdom leadership recognizes that the impact of our lives is measured in our own growth but also in the development of others.

Our capacity to become what God wants us to be is not static. That’s why we pray, “Make me more like thee, Jesus!”

I believe the challenge for all Salvation Army personnel is a matter of faith. Will we have the faith to believe in what is possible? And am I willing to admit that the person God wants me to be is a better option than what I can come up with on my own? One of our organizational objectives states that we will “identify and invest in leaders at all levels with a goal to creating clear growth and development plans.” As we develop new performance-evaluation processes and explore new ways of encouraging training for officers and employees, we do so with the hope that values-based goals and objectives will be embraced that will increase our capacity to lead and serve.

I now have the incredible privilege of thinking not only about my personal learning journey, but also assisting Salvation Army personnel across the territory on their leadership journeys.

There are many days when I wonder “How did I get here?” That usually leads to reflection, prayer and the hope that God knows what he is doing. Lord, make me what you want me to be!

Lt-Colonel Jamie Braund is the Canada and Bermuda Territory’s secretary for personnel.

Salvationist • January 2015 • 17

Open to Question

Social Issues Committee examines Army’s relationship with LGBT+ community

Photo: © iStock.com/Rawpixel

BY KRISTIN OSTENSEN, STAFF WRITER

C

an a person who is openly gay become a senior soldier? What should an officer do if she is asked to conduct a baby dedication for a same-sex couple?

Questions such as these are likely to spark debate in any Salvation Army congregation. And that’s why the Canada and Bermuda Territory’s Social Issues Committee (SIC) has embarked on a year-long project to study the Army’s relationship with the LGBT+ community.

“I think it’s a discussion that’s long overdue—it’s not a distant or abstract thing anymore,” says Aimee Patterson, 18 • January 2015 • Salvationist

Christian ethics consultant at the Army’s Ethics Centre in Winnipeg and staff support person for the SIC. “We are looking into various perspectives on Scripture and theology. But what drives this conversation are living, breathing relationships, and how certain people have been shamed, neglected and excluded.”

A Place for Discussion The SIC was formed in 1968 and is a sub-committee of The Salvation Army’s Ethics Centre Board. The SIC exists to identify, study and respond to moral and social issues affecting the lives of people

in Canada and Bermuda and requiring action on the part of The Salvation Army.

The SIC operates in an advisory capacity, studying an issue and developing recommendations for Army leadership.

“We don’t just create position statements,” explains Estee Lau, chair of the SIC. “Usually it’s at the request of the territorial leaders. If they see that we need to explore a certain issue, they ask the SIC to work on that.” Any position statements that are drafted and approved by the territorial Cabinet must go to International Headquarters for approval before they can be adopted.

Though Lau notes that changes to the Army’s position on social issues typically are not major, there is room for evolution. For example, in 2002, the territory’s position statement on gay and lesbian sexuality included the following sentence: “We do not believe that samesex attraction is necessarily blameworthy and we oppose the vilification and mistreatment of gays and lesbians.” In 2009, the position statement was revised.

“The result was the omission of a single word, yet it was far from insignificant,” notes Patterson. The statement now reads: “We do not believe that samesex attraction is blameworthy and we oppose the vilification and mistreatment of gays and lesbians.” This statement is again under discussion.

Having a committee like the SIC is essential, Patterson says, because “it’s important to provide an environment to encourage critical thinking about social issues. It’s not enough to say, ‘This is the way we’ve always done it.’ It’s important to allow for some innovation and to be faithful to the Christian call at the same time.”

“These issues often get lost in real life because they’re such heavy, complex questions,” says Lindsay Colley, a senior soldier at Toronto’s Yorkminster Citadel and a member of the SIC. “So instead of skipping over them and saying, ‘We’ll deal with this later,’ or making a decision in a hasty way, the SIC provides a place to examine these problems.”

The Army and the LGBT+ Community The committee’s current study of the Army’s relationship with LGBT+ persons officially began in June 2014 but had been in development for months prior to that.

“In May 2013, the SIC, through the secretary for program services, sent out a survey to all divisional commanders asking them what are the top three social and moral issues affecting their ministry and requiring action by The Salvation Army,” says Lau. “The LGBT+ issue was in the top three for most divisions. We thought it would be helpful if the territory could give some guidelines to help the officers solve some of those sensitive issues.”

The committee’s task is not necessarily to amend or rescind the Army’s position statement, but to start by creating a safe and welcoming conversation through which to examine this topic.

“As divisive as the topic is, nobody

knows how to address it,” Patterson says.

“We see people addressing it as a debate between two sides, and that’s one way to do it, but we wanted to make sure that the various perspectives on this topic— which include two extreme sides, but also include views in the middle—are heard and respected.”

To achieve this, the committee is hearing from various people within and outside the Army, representing theological and experiential perspectives on Christian sexuality that are not already represented around the SIC table.

These people will have the opportunity to speak with the SIC not only during their presentation but also at every subsequent meeting.

“We want to engage others, not just hear from them,” says Patterson. “We want people to speak for themselves and not put words in their mouths.”

The Ethics Centre has also provided relevant reading material for the SIC members. “Each member is encouraged to read and learn more so that we can have a more valuable conversation and discussion when we meet,” Lau notes.

Person to Person With the approval of the chief secretary, the SIC began to organize a series of meetings and invite guests to talk to the committee about this topic. Their June 2014 meeting focused on stories of people who have a personal connection with the topic.

The committee invited two Salvation Army officers from the United States who have a son who is gay to share their experience.

“It was a very emotional journey for them and when they shared that with us, it really opened our eyes to what they have faced as officers having a gay son and how they accepted that fact and how they ‘came out’ as a family,” says Lau. “The main message is that they love their son very much and walk along that journey with him.”

The committee also heard from a gay man who grew up in The Salvation Army in Canada and how he struggled with his sexual identity.

“He prayed and asked God to do anything that he could to change him from gay to straight, but he could not change,” Lau shares. “He was devastated and cried and asked God to take his life because he didn’t want to kill himself. He has now come to terms with his sexual identity and is no longer suicidal.”

“One thing that meeting confirmed for us is that there are people who have been hurt and continue to hurt within our territory over this issue,” says Patterson. “It’s become clear to us that we need to be engaging people and learning from them, rather than scrutinizing or condemning them.”

The SIC has also received written testimonies from Salvationists in Canada and abroad via a number of channels.

“In reviewing all these testimonies, I realized that there are quite a number of gay Christians, including Salvationists, among us. They just haven’t come out and told us because they’re waiting for a safe and welcoming conversation,” says Lau. “So we need to find a way to move this forward peacefully with respect and dignity, and we need to give them a sense of safety if they voice their opinion.”

Moving Forward The committee held meetings for this project in September and October. The group heard presentations from Major Ray Harris, who examined biblical and doctrinal perspectives on the issue. In November, Major Phil Davisson spoke about finding a balance between past understandings of Scripture and contemporary insight and experience into these matters.

In the months to come, the committee also expects to hear from people engaged in relevant pastoral, educational and scientific work.

When the SIC concludes its study next June, it will submit a report to the Ethics Centre Board and the territorial Cabinet sharing how the committee grew in the key areas of experiential, exegetical and theological knowledge.

It is hoped that this will produce a safe and welcoming conversation model that can be used by ministry units facing all kinds of sensitive issues.

“Even within the SIC, there are very different views on this topic,” says Colley. “That has been a real learning experience for us and a challenge. And as we work through that, I’m hoping that we come up with a set of best practices that we can then share with the wider Army on how we pose these kinds of questions and have these discussions.”

Any Salvationists who are interested in contributing to this project can contact the Social Issues Committee via e-mail at social_issues@can.salvationarmy.org.

Salvationist • January 2015 • 19

JUST CAUSE

The Common Good Can religion and politics work together?

hy are we so ready to criticize and complain about gover n ment s a nd t hei r le ader s?

Broken promises? Vote buying? Waste?

Incompetence? Cronyism? Corruption?

Abuse of power? There are lots of reasons for dissent, even disillusionment.

Fussing and fuming about governments may be fashionable but, like it or not, governments are indispensable for creating societies that provide opportunities for equity and fairness. And unless political decision-makers are guided by social justice consciences, developing a more just society is impossible.

Consider the importance of the work of our governments. Our “social contract” includes: Provision: education, health care, transportation Protection: police and courts, fire, safety standards, social security Policy: immigration, employment, taxation, economic development Every society has some kind of governance structure. Leadership may be vested in dictators, monarchs, theocrats, democratically elected representatives or Marxist ideologues. Some lean to the right and others to the left. The pendulum can swing between too much government and too little. But wherever there is a country or a collective social structure, political leaders wield power.

So what are our choices? More criticism? Giving up? Or is it possible to envision governments and their power as allies in achieving God’s vision for creation? Can The Salvation Army find points of connection and use its organizational collateral to influence government leaders to adopt policies that lead to the common good?

Salvation Army leaders in New Zealand have acted on the challenge.

They have a track record of advocat20 • January 2015 • Salvationist

ing with their government to achieve a shared vision.

Over his 30 years of ministry, Major Campbell Roberts dreamed of finding effective ways to connected the gospel with social and economic policies impacting New Zealand’s most vulnerable people. In 2003, the dream became reality with his appointment to establish a unit to engage public policy. Over the past 10 years, the Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit, housed in New Zealand’s most-deprived neighbourhood, has engaged influential leaders and organizations to change the social and economic agenda of the nation.

A key publication of the unit is the annual Salvation Army State of the Nation. The report examines crucial areas of public policy: the state of New Zealand’s children, the fairness of work and incomes policies, the adequate provision of housing, improving criminal justice policies and national progress in reducing social hazards.

State of the Nation has become a cornerstone document in New Zealand.

Influential with political leaders and parties, the analysis is widely reported in the media and distributed to deci-

sion-makers. In a number of instances, issues raised in the report have resulted in effective government action.

The changed policies have resulted in improvements for the poorest and most vulnerable across the nation.

The New Zealand experience shows us there can be alignment between the vision of a Christian church and social service agency and the responsibility of the state.

The resolve here is not to be naive.

There are times to oppose a government’s policies and practices. However, there are also times when the well-being of a society and its citizens can be best served when the affairs of the state and the affairs of faith intersect. Everyone benefits when they augment each other for the sake of the common good.

There is more collaboration to pursue.

Consider the massive realm of climate change and concern for the environment.

God’s first creation command was to be stewards of the environment. The moral responsibility of government includes passing on a sustainable world to future generations. Here’s a case where religious questions can lead to political answers and political questions can lead to religious answers. Across the globe, we have work to do together that is still unfinished.

We think about these things and try to do something about them. What do you think?

Dr. James Read and Dr. Don Posterski work for the International Social Justice Commission, The Salvation Army’s strategic voice to advocate for human dignity and social justice with the world’s poor and oppressed. Visit salvationarmy.org/isjc for more information. Their new book, When Justice is the Measure, is available at store. salvationarmy.ca, 416-422-6100, orderdesk@ can.salvationarmy.org. For the e-book, visit amazon.ca.

Photo: © iStock.com/jswinborne

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BY JAMES READ AND DON POSTERSKI

LEADING EDGE

Leaping Up the Ladder

Before you jump to conclusions, test your assumptions This series of leadership articles, offered by the Territorial Training and Education Council (TTEC), focuses on individuals who reflect The Salvation Army’s commitment to models of leadership that are collaborative, support innovation and achieve accountability.

For this article, Major Gail Winsor, leadership development officer, spoke with Beverly Daniels, executive director, community services in the Bermuda Division, about her experience with the ladder of inference.

I

n 2002, Beverly Daniels was the principal of a primary school in Bermuda.

One Friday evening, close to midnight, she was sound asleep when the phone rang. It was the fire department.

The roof of the school was on fire. She arrived at the scene quickly, where firefighters were working to put out the blaze. Her mind raced—it was only February. How would they get through the rest of the school year? In the next few days, there were many decisions to make as 300 students were relocated.

With school underway once again, attention turned to the cause of the fire.

Police discovered that two teenaged boys, members of the Boy Scout group that met at the school on Fridays, were responsible. They were from wealthy families and attended private schools.

“Because our school was a public institution with students from lowincome neighbourhoods, the parents and the community were outraged,” says Daniels. “When you’re angry, you just want revenge. You want somebody to be punished. Many people wanted to see them put in prison.”

During the court case, Daniels was asked to give a victim impact statement and for her opinion on what the punishment should be. “It was a big decision.

I wanted to make sure I considered the whole story, and didn’t jump to conclusions.”

In leadership circles, the thinking process behind jumping to conclusions is known as the ladder of inference.

Understanding this ladder—how we get from a fact to a decision or action,

usually without realizing it—can help us identify errors in our thinking.

Each stage of the process can be seen as rungs on a ladder. The first rung is observable data—hard facts. From there, we select data, based on our beliefs and past experience. Then we interpret the data, imposing meaning—once again based on our perspective. Next we condense our interpretations into mental shortcuts, or assumptions. Finally, we draw conclusions and take action.

Each step up the ladder takes us away from the concrete and toward the abstract, with the potential for important information to be lost along the way. We jump up the ladder to a conclusion that may not be based in reality. Not only that, but our assumptions and beliefs influence the data we select the next time, creating a vicious circle.

Has this happened in your corps or social service ministry? Consider the following scenario. You are presenting a fundraising idea to the leadership team.

They all seem interested, except for the

corps officer, who seems bored and impatient. She doesn’t make eye contact or ask any questions. Finally she says, “Can you put this in writing?” Everyone shuffles their papers. The meeting is over. Upset, you think about her comment. She was obviously dismissing your idea. Come to think of it, she’s never liked your ideas. Obviously, she doesn’t like you. It’s time to leave the corps.

This is a simple example, but it shows the leaps in thinking we often make.

Using the ladder of inference can help us slow down and examine each step, so we can test our conclusions. First, identify where you are on the ladder and then work backwards. What conclusion have you drawn? What assumptions led to that conclusion? Are those assumptions valid? What data are you using? How did you select it? Is there other data?

In the example above, you could test your conclusion—the corps officer doesn’t like you—by testing the observable data (“You were quiet in the meeting.”), testing your assumptions (“Were you bored?”) or asking for more data (“What was your reaction to my idea?”).

You might discover that the corps officer simply wanted to bring your idea forward to the area commander. The ladder of inference can help us remain objective, draw better conclusions and reach a shared conclusion without conflict.

When the school in Bermuda was destroyed, many people in the community thought the boys were troublemakers who should be punished to the full extent of the law. But Daniels considered all of the data. “Looking at their distraught faces, I concluded that their behaviour—which was foolish at best—was in alignment with the flawed thinking and daredevil behaviour that sometimes plagues adolescents,” she says.

Believing that the prison system would do more harm than good, she suggested they be given community service, which was granted, along with visits with her to understand the impact of their actions. “This weighty decision was frowned upon by many, but is one that I have not regretted,” she says.

Salvationist • January 2015 • 21

40 Days to Health

As a corps in Kingston, Ont., showed, The Daniel Plan can transform body and soul

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BY KEN RAMSTEAD, EDITOR, FAITH & FRIENDS AND FOI & VIE

ow! Everybody’s fat!

That one thought reverberated through acclaimed pastor Rick Warren’s mind that day as he baptized 827 adults at his Saddleback Church in southern California.

The megachurch, the largest in the United States, baptizes the traditional way, by lowering people into a pool of water and lifting them back out. Warren quickly calculated he had lifted more than 145,000 pounds that day. Everyone he baptized had been overweight.

He then came to a second realization that hit closer to home.

But I’m fat, too! I’m as out of shape as everyone else is!

North American Phenomenon That epiphany galvanized Warren to consider his own health issues as well as those of his congregation.

In his research, Wa r r e n l e a r n e d t h e following startling facts: •• For the first time in history, while millions of people suffer from not having enough to eat, as many millions are struggling with the effects of being overweight.

•• Seven in 10 North Americans are overweight.

•• Diabetes, heart disease and other “lifestyle-based diseases” kill more people than infectious diseases worldwide.

In consultation with three nationally known doctors—Daniel Amen, Mark Hyman and Mehmet Oz—Warren developed The Daniel Plan, a lifestyle program based on biblical principles and five essential components: food, fitness, focus, faith and friends.

Named after the Old Testament’s biblical account of Daniel, who refused to eat the rich foods from the king’s table and challenged the ruler to a 10-day 22 • January 2015 • Salvationist

health contest, the plan was phenomenally successful at Saddleback, where the congregation lost a collective 250,000 pounds. Encouraged by its success, Warren developed The Daniel Plan into an eponymous book, study plan, journal, DVD and even a Daniel Plan cookbook.

“The Father made your body, Jesus paid for your body, the Spirit lives in your body,” Warren recently said to CNN. “You’d better take care of it.”

Life-Changing Plan When a church study group at Ontario’s Kingston Citadel were looking for a follow-up

to their series based on Rick Warren’s Transformed, one of the members came across his Daniel Plan.

“The 12 of us come in all different sizes and shapes,” smiles Colin Laird, a member of the corps. “Some of us wanted to lose weight, others wanted to get healthier and still others simply wanted more energy in their lives. The Daniel Plan fit all our criteria.”

Over the course of six weeks, the group met every Sunday evening for about two hours. During the week, the members worked with the study guide

and Laird created a Facebook group where members could share success, commiserate with temporary setbacks, and share tips and recipes.

“That also gave us all a place to connect with the whole group regarding any prayer requests or concerns,” says Laird.

For Laird, The Daniel Plan meant eating healthier, avoiding trans fats, MSG and junk food. “My grocery list changed from being mostly junk to mostly fruits and vegetables.”

By the end of

the si x weeks, the group declared The Daniel Plan an unqualified succe s s. One member lost 17 pounds as a result.

But weight loss was only a small part of the collective victory. Lifestyle changes were also in evidence. Laird started giving the church youth group he leads healthier snack options, for instance.

The week after, the group reconvened for a celebratory potluck, where everyone brought their favourite Daniel Plan dish.

“The Daniel Plan can be looked upon as simply a weight-loss plan at first glance,” concludes Laird, “but it’s really a knowledge- and Scripture-based program for a healthier life. Without exaggeration, it’s changed all of our lives.”

CROSS CULTURE

IN REVIEW When the Game Stands Tall

Directed by Thomas Carter The De La Salle High School Spartans are an average team when Coach Bob Ladouceur (Jim Caviezel) comes to them.

But with his inspiring leadership and risk-taking ability, the team becomes the greatest team in high-school football history, with a 151-game winning streak. When the Game Stands Tall (now on DVD) may sound like a typical sports story, but it also happens to be a true story that features a devout Christian as the team’s coach. Ladouceur also teaches religious studies at De La Salle, a Catholic school, and lives out his faith on and off the field. Though friendship alone will not help the team win games, Ladouceur emphasizes the importance of teamwork, saying, “We’re not just a football team. We’re a family, a brotherhood, which is based on love. And love means you can count on me, in good times and bad.”

While When the Game Stands Tall is not a “Christian” film, it demonstrates the importance of faith, family and friendship. As the real Ladouceur says in a video promo for the film, “There’s a lot of gospel values to base our actions on and our motives from. I do believe you have to live the gospel, too. If you’re going to be in front of kids, you have to be examples.”

IN THE NEWS Three Arrested for Feeding Homeless

Florida town passes ordinance forbidding public food sharing Two pastors and a 90-year-old man were arrested for feeding homeless people in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in November.

Their arrest came after the city passed an ordinance essentially forbidding public food sharing. Homeless advocate Arnold Abbott and pastors Dwayne Black and Mark Sims face up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine for breaking the ordinance.

“One of the police officers said, ‘Drop that plate right now,’ as if I were carrying a weapon,” Abbott told Local 10 News.

“It’s man’s inhumanity to man is all it is.”

This is not Abbott’s first run-in with the city. In 1999, Fort Lauderdale tried to stop him from feeding homeless people on the beach, but Abbott took the city to court and won. He says he will sue the city again, if necessary, to win the right to continue feeding the poor.

Prayer

Experiencing awe and intimacy with God

by Timothy Keller Prayer is a fundamental part of living the Christian faith. Yet few Christians receive instruction or guidance in how to make prayer genuinely meaningful. In Prayer, pastor Timothy Keller delves into the many facets of this important spiritual discipline.

Keller offers biblical guidance as well as specific prayers for certain situations, such as dealing with grief, loss, love and forgiveness. He discusses ways to make prayers more personal and powerful, and how to establish a practice of prayer that works for each reader. “Prayer is how God gives us so many of the unimaginable things,” Keller writes. “It is the way we know God, the way we finally treat God as God. Prayer is simply the key to everything we need to do and be in life.”

Calvary

Directed by John Michael McDonagh At the beginning of Calvary (now on DVD), Father James (Brendan Gleeson), an Irish priest, is told his life is in direct danger as part of a revenge plot from a man who was sexually abused by a different priest as a child. Though Father James himself is innocent, he is left in a quandary as he is forced to deal with the Catholic Church and current moral issues in his community. At the same time, he tries to provide pastoral care to his parishioners, an assortment of interesting and sometimes comical individuals. Meanwhile, in his own family, he is confronted by his daughter, Fiona (Kelly Reilly), who is upset that he abandoned her after her mother’s death to become a priest.

In many ways, Calvary is a dark film, dealing with difficult issues such as abuse and suicide. Though Father James tries to live a faithful life, he makes mistakes as he often bears the brunt of people’s anger toward God. But the film also points to bigger questions: Is redemption possible for everyone? Can forgiveness prevail even when deep wounds have been caused?

(Note: The film is rated R for sexual references, language, brief violence and some drug use).

Banning “Barbaric Cultural Practices”

New bill would prohibit polygamy, underage marriage The Government of Canada has introduced legislation in Parliament that would criminalize certain cultural practices deemed to be “barbaric.” The Zero Tolerance for Barbaric Cultural Practices Act would establish a new national minimum age for marriage of 16, and make removing a child from Canada for the purposes of arranged marriage a crime. The new law would also prevent polygamists from immigrating to Canada and could be used to deport polygamists already living in the country.

Further, the legislation would remove the defence of “provocation,” which currently allows a person who has committed murder to seek a conviction of manslaughter instead. This defence has been raised in several so-called “honour” killing cases in Canada.

Chris Alexander, minister of citizenship and immigration, says this new law would “show quite clearly that our Canadian values do not extend to barbaric acts.”

Salvationist • January 2015 • 23

CELEBRATE COMMUNITY

ENROLMENTS AND RECOGNITION

SUSSEX, N.B.—Sussex CC rejoices in the enrolment of five adherents and five senior soldiers.

From left, Mjr Stan Folkins, CO; Ernie Nelson, Jessica Virtue, Brenda Kennedy, Brenda Roth,

Joyce Virtue, adherents; Wendy Virtue, holding the flag; Alison Lockett, Jan Shufelt, Amanda Nelson, Joyce Smith, Ivan Smith, senior soldiers; and Mjr Judy Folkins, CO. In the past four years,

TORONTO—Three senior soldiers are enrolled at the Korean CC. From left, Mjr Kang, Jeong-gil, CO; Kun Lee, Jinju Jang, Youseung Ji, senior soldiers; and CSM Hyung-jung Kim. LIVERPOOL , N . S.— The Salvation Army’s Christmas assistance campaign at Liverpool CC receives an amazing show of support from the Brotherhood of Bikers’ first annual toy run. Eighty-nine motorcycles and their passengers, including Santa Claus himself, joined together for the ride and donated stuffed animals and toys, and raised more than $1,600.

LIVERPOOL, N.S.—Liverpool CC enrols three senior soldiers and two adherents. Celebrating the occasion are, from left, Lt Rose Campbell, CO; Reta Powers, Crystal Wamboldt, Randy Wamboldt, senior soldiers; Bonny Burns, Ann Sperry, adherents; and Lt Larry Campbell, CO. 24 • January 2015 • Salvationist

the corps has enrolled 24 senior soldiers, 20 adherents and five junior soldiers.

JACKSON’S POINT, ONT.—Salvationists from Georgina CC are ready for a disaster situation. Jeff Noel, director of emergency disaster services, Ont. CE Div, led the training course in the handling and delivery of food services. Front, from left, Sally Hill; Evelyn Wells; Anne Wilson; Mjr Barbara Pearce, CO. Back, from left, John Morris; Paul Snelgrove; Tom Duncan; Maggie Baerg; Ken Brash; Steve Wells; Mjr William Pearce, CO; and Jeff Noel.

MILTON, ONT.—Six young people take a stand for Christ as they are enrolled as junior soldiers at Khi—A Community Church of The Salvation Army.

Supported by their corps officers, Mjrs Steve and Leslie Wiseman, are, from left, Julia Norris, Shayna Samuels, Aliyah Manning, Caleb Samuels, Néomie Carter and Ashleigh Manning.

MILTON, ONT.—The corps family at Khi—A Community Church of The Salvation Army welcomes four new adherents. From left, Mjr Steve Wiseman, CO; Laura Sprenger; Victor Sprenger; Jennifer Carter; David Carter; and Mjr Leslie Wiseman, CO.

GRANDE PRAIRIE, ALTA.—Kerrin and Tim Fraser are the newest senior soldiers at Grande Prairie CC. From left, Mjr Daniel Roode, CO; Kerrin Fraser; Cpt Glen Fraser, Tim’s father and CO, Yorkton, Sask., holding the flag; Tim Fraser; Cpt Rosanne Fraser, Tim’s mother and CO, Yorkton, Sask.; and Mjr Glenda Roode, CO.

OTTAWA—Commissioner Susan McMillan, territorial commander, visits Rideau Hall in Ottawa for the annual first poppy ceremony, at which the Governor General of Canada receives the symbolic first poppy of the 2014 National Poppy Campaign. From left, Lt-Col Jim Champ, territorial secretary for communications; Commissioner McMillan; Gov. Gen. David Johnston; and Sean Maddox, area director for public relations and development, Ottawa, Ont. CE Div.

SYDNEY, N.S.—Celebrating the enrolment of Sydney CC’s newest senior soldiers and adherent are, from left, Mjr Kent Hepditch, CO; Marion Hoare, senior soldier; Debbie Butler, adherent; Eileen Head, senior soldier; and Mjr Dena Hepditch, CO. GANDER, N.L.—Proudly displaying their certificates as they are enrolled as junior soldiers at Gander Corps are, from left, Elliott Stryde, Kennedy Harris and Steven Adams. Supporting them are, from left, Cpts Cory and Pamela Pinksen, COs, and YPSM Tina Stryde.

WHAT’S NEW WITH YOU? Share the exciting things happening in your part of the territory. Send us your news and photos highlighting the many ways The Salvation Army is living out its mission.

WORDS OF LIFE JANUARY-APRIL ISSUE NOW AVAILABLE! Take time with the Father daily as you meditate upon his Word.

Ask Jesus to interpret his Word and speak to your heart.

Open yourself to the Spirit as he brings inspiration.

 Set your digital camera at the highest quality/size setting. Photos taken with a camera phone are typically not suitable for printing in the magazine.  Make sure the pictures are in focus and not too dark.  Send the original photo file as an attachment to your e-mail (in TIFF, Photoshop EPS or JPEG format; a resolution of 300 dpi preferred).  Ensure that the people in the photo are aware that their picture may be used in print and/or online. Photo release forms are available.  Identify all persons shown in the photo, including their position or responsibility in your ministry.  When more than one event takes place (i.e. junior soldier enrolment during corps anniversary celebrations), gather everyone together in one photo.

Be creative and add some originality to your photos.  E-mail salvationist@can.salvationarmy.org today!

In 2015, The Salvation Army marks 150 years of ministry. Its tricolour flag now flies in more than 125 countries—red symbolizing Jesus’ blood; blue signifying the holiness of God; yellow representing the fire of the Holy Spirit. The Trinity—our theme for Words of Life this year.

This edition focuses on Jesus, God’s Son, and various titles of Jesus will be explored, giving significance for today. Old Testament readings look at the beginning of Genesis as well as Exodus—including reflections on the Ten Commandments—and opening chapters in Deuteronomy. Guest writers Commissioners Massimo and Jane Paone lead us into Easter.

May God help us to daily uphold Jesus—name above all names! $6.99 plus shipping and handling The Salvation Army Supplies and Purchasing • 416-422-6100 orderdesk@can.salvationarmy.org • SalvationArmy.ca/Store

Salvationist • January 2015 • 25

Photo: MCpl Vincent Carbonneau, Rideau Hall, 2014

CELEBRATE COMMUNITY

CELEBRATE COMMUNITY

TRIBUTES BADGER’S QUAY, N.L.—Josephine Kean (nee Stratton) was born in 1926 and enrolled as a senior soldier at Wesleyville Corps, N.L., in her earlier years. Moving to Mount Pearl, N.L., in 1973, she continued to be an active soldier of The Salvation Army and a regular member of the home league. In 1986 following retirement, Josephine and her husband, Lester, returned home to Badger’s Quay where she was a soldier of New Wes Valley Corps. Josephine had many gifts and used them to glorify her Lord. God blessed her with 13 children, which made her a busy woman as she joyfully ministered to their needs. Since August 2013, Josephine resided at Bonnews Lodge in Badger’s Quay from where she was peacefully promoted to glory.

Remembered as a wonderful mother and grandmother, she will be missed by sons George, Kevin, Major William, Major Robert, Tony, Glenn; daughters Marie Parsons, Nellie King, Roselyn Parsons, Fern Penny, Judy Blackwood, Pamela Kean, Peggie Brace; their spouses and families; and extended family members and friends.

PORT ALBERNI, B.C.—Columbine Thompson was promoted to glory at the age of 83 with family at her side. Born on a farm in rural Saskatchewan in 1931, Columbine gave her life to the Lord at a young age and became a lifelong member of The Salvation Army. She was commissioned as a Salvation Army officer, along with her husband, Jack, as a Sword Bearer in 1956. They served together in Clovis, New Mexico, and Prescott, Arizona. After Jack’s promotion to glory in 1964, she served as the corps officer at Phoenix Temple, Arizona, and in Ontario at Mississauga Lakeview Corps and Peterborough South Corps. Over the years, Columbine was a soldier at Regina Northside Corps, Regina Citadel, Victoria Citadel, Peterborough Temple, Ont., Saskatoon Temple and finally at Alberni Valley Corps, Port Alberni, B.C. She worked at the Eventide Home in Regina, taught corps cadets and sang in the songsters for many years. She is lovingly remembered by her children Tim (Rena), Ted, Kevin (Nancy), Darla; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brother, Paul (Carol) Remlinger; nieces; nephews; and friends.

BLOOMFIELD, N.L.—Captain Ernest Chaulk was born in 1953 in Deadman’s Bay, N.L., to Cyril and Martha Chaulk.

In 1983, Ernest gave his life to Jesus and became involved in Musgravetown Corps, N.L., where he served as corps treasurer, youth leader and in many other areas. In 1986, Ernest and his wife, Shirley, entered the College for Officer Training in St. John’s, N.L., as cadets in the Messengers of Joy Session. After commissioning in 1988, they were appointed as corps officers in Bridgeport, Dover and Woodstock, N.L., and Thompson, Man. Appointments followed to the Harbour Light in Kingston, Ont., and family services in Moncton, N.B. Ernest is lovingly remembered by his wife of 40 years, Captain Shirley Chaulk; son, Jody (Rebecca); daughters Corinne (Jamie), Jodine; grandchildren Makayla, Alaina, Madison, Nickolas, Deserae, Layla, Landon; and extended family and friends.

CAMBRIDGE, ONT.—Herbert A. French was promoted to glory following a brief hospital stay, shortly before his 100th birthday. Born in Oshawa, Ont., in 1914, Bert grew up in Peterborough, Ont. He accepted the Lord at a young age and was a lifelong and faithful Salvationist. Music was always an important part of Bert’s life. He learned to play the cornet at the age of six, was an Army bandsman and served many years as the bandmaster and songster leader in Galt, Ont. (later Cambridge). Once he retired from the corps band, Bert was involved with Gospel Brass, an Army seniors’ band that ministers in nursing homes.

He was a founding member of ACSAL, participated in corps and divisional committees, and was the divisional bandmaster for the then Ontario South Division. Bert was active in his community as a member of the Kiwanis and Probus clubs, the latter which he continued until his promotion to glory. Bert is lovingly remembered by his son, Gary (Mary); daughter, Major Glenda (Bob) Mac Kenzie; four grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; stepson, Glen (Joan) Lavender; three step-grandchildren; seven stepgreat-grandchildren; and extended family, corps friends and community.

26 • January 2015 • Salvationist

FREDERICTON—Hazel McDonald was born in Port Dufferin, N.S., in 1937, in humble surroundings, and lost her mother at a young age. Later moving to Ontario with her family, where she lived for 20 years, Hazel returned to the Maritimes at the age of 50 to live in New Brunswick.

She was known for her hearty laugh and excellent work ethics. Hazel loved her family, grandchildren and pets, and enjoyed knitting, crocheting, reading and travelling throughout Canada with her husband, Larry. Enrolled as a senior soldier in 2012, she proudly wore her Salvation Army uniform and felt at home with her corps family.

Hazel was a prayer warrior who was strong in her faith and leaned on the Lord for strength in the last few years when her health was not good.

Hazel’s favourite portion of Scripture was Psalm 121. Hosting women’s retreats at her home, she provided a great time of fun and fellowship for those in attendance. Hazel is lovingly remembered by her husband, Larry; daughters Cathy, Anita, and their families; sons Brian, Tim, and their families; grandchildren; and many friends.

EDMONTON—Major George T. Barber was born in 1936 in Paris, Ont., where his parents attended The Salvation Army. George was a fun-loving, hard-working but troublesome teenager, who, at the age of 17, left Paris to join the Royal Canadian Navy. Following his naval service, George felt the call to officership. In 1957, he entered the training college as a cadet in the Courageous Session and met his future wife and life partner, Deanna May Cole. Together they served in Belize and the Bahamas, and as corps officers in Ontario. Appointed to the Army’s correctional services, George and Deanna served in various parts of Canada, including in Prince Albert, Sask., Edmonton and Victoria.

George was a member of the Kiwanis Club and the Royal Canadian Legion, where he served as chaplain and conducted Remembrance Day services.

Retired in Edmonton, George cherished time spent with his children and grandchildren. A dedicated officer with a steadfast Christian witness and an outgoing personality, George is lovingly remembered by his wife, Deanna; daughter, Heather Paluck; sons George Jr., Wayne Thomas; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and many friends.

Guidelines for Tributes

Tributes should be received within two months of the promotion to glory and include: community where the person resided; conversion to Christ; corps involvement; Christian ministry; survivors. We reserve the right to edit all submissions. High-resolution digital photos or clear, original photos are acceptable (original photos will be returned).

GAZETTE

TERRITORIAL Appointment Cpt Linda Daley, family tracing officer, community and family services, Kitchener/Waterloo, Ont. GL Div (additional responsibility) Retirement Mjr Roy Perry Promoted to glory Mjr George Barber, from Edmonton, Oct 15; Mrs Aux-Cpt Lily Ludlow, from Leamington, Ont., Oct 25; Cpt Evelyn Sutherland, from Campbell River, B.C., Nov 1

CALENDAR

Commissioner Susan McMillan Jan 15-16 National Advisory Board, Toronto; Jan 19-25 divisional retreat and welcome as territorial leader, Alta. & N.T. Div Colonels Mark and Sharon Tillsley Jan 11 corps retreat, Oshawa Temple, Ont.; Jan 13-16 divisional retreat, B.C. Div; Jan 18-19 CFOT, Winnipeg; Jan 23-24 Booth University College board of trustees, Toronto; Jan 26-29 divisional retreat, N.L. Div

Photo: © iStock.com/Cimmerian

CONVICTIONS MATTER

The Whole World Redeeming How our seventh doctrine expresses the richness of salvation

BY MAJOR RAY HARRIS

G

The Salvation Army has been shaped by its core convictions,

called doctrines. But what difference do they make to the life of

Salvationists in the 21st century? This book explores the relevance and contribution of these historic doctrines for the present age. It argues that each doctrine has something vital to contribute to the Army’s understanding and practice of holiness. These convictions matter!

“In articulating and reflecting on the core convictions that guide the work of The Salvation Army and hold its communal life together,

Ray Harris has achieved that elusive but essential balance between accessibility and depth. He has put the doctrines of the Army in

conversation with the Salvationist understanding of holiness for the purpose of engaging the future.”

—The Rev. Dr. Karen Hamilton, General Secretary, The Canadian Council of Churches

“Doctrines are not monuments to the past, but living testimonies to

Major Ray Harris is a retired Salvation Army officer who lives in Winnipeg. He grew up in Hamilton, Ont., where he learned to play football and march in Salvation Army bands.

CONVICTIONS MATTER

reat. Full. Immense. Boundless. This is the language of salvation at the heart of The Salvation Army’s identity.

We are a community of salvation. And our doctrines shape our understanding of what that means. Beginning with the seventh doctrine, these core convictions point to different aspects of salvation. This particular affirmation of faith states: We believe that repentance towards God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and regeneration by the Holy Spirit, are necessary to salvation. Let’s explore salvation’s meaning and significance for our times.

Luke’s Gospel is a good place to begin. In the Christmas story, shepherds keep watch over their flock by night, when an angel blindsides them with the proclamation, “to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour” (Luke 2:11 NRSV).

Luke’s Gospel then unfolds what it means for Jesus to be the Saviour of the world. For instance, an unnamed woman crashes a men’s banquet and anoints the feet of Jesus. His host is shocked by this gesture, but Jesus turns to the woman with his forgiveness and benediction, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace” (Luke 7:50 NRSV; italics mine).

Another anonymous woman reaches through a crowd to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment. Her hemorrhaging body made her unclean and unwelcome in the community. But Jesus called

her “daughter” and welcomed her back into the community: “Your faith has healed (saved) you, go in peace” (Luke 8:48).

As he enters the town of Jericho for the final time, Jesus invites himself into the home of the despised Zacchaeus, chief tax collector. At the end of the meal Zacchaeus indicates his intention to restore finances to anyone he has defrauded.

Jesus responds, “Today salvation has come to this house” (Luke 19:9 NRSV).

Luke summarizes this section of his Gospel: “For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10 NRSV). The Gospel of Luke is shaped by his understanding of salvation. It expresses healing of the body, mind, relationships, financial integrity and more. In his life, death and Resurrection, Jesus announced and embodied salvation to all the people.

For this reason, the Army’s seventh doctrine articulates the need for repentance and faith as necessary responses to God’s saving acts in Christ. Repentance, because humanity has chosen to go its own way and needs to turn around in order to face God’s outstretched arms. Faith, because trust is needed to learn the love of a God who will not coerce. This core conviction also points to the essential need of regeneration by the Holy Spirit. The Christian gospel is about life—renewing, regenerating life. And the triune God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—offers this life to all who believe.

We live in a world that needs healing in the deepest sense of the word. This past year we have been faced with wounds in the Ukraine and West Africa. Salvationists have engaged in ministry in both places, bringing hygiene supplies to the people of Donetsk, and medical supplies to Ebola victims in Liberia. These are gestures of healing, of salvation.

Last October, Canada was wounded when two soldiers were horrifically killed, one while standing guard at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. Just as these deaths occurred, the National Arts Centre Orchestra embarked on a tour of the United Kingdom. The tour’s purpose was to let music’s “healing power” commemorate the beginning of the First World War in 1914. Little did the orchestra know that the tragic shooting would add to the tour’s significance. But from the opening performance in Edinburgh to the final concert in Bristol, music helped to heal—perhaps even the musicians themselves.

Our understanding of salvation will determine the scope of The Salvation Army’s mission. Embrace an immense salvation and we will forge an immense mission in our world. A congregation’s role with those suffering dementia reflects our understanding of salvation. A division’s role in holding camps for young people expresses what we mean by salvation. A territory’s response to addiction helps the nation to understand our view of God’s saving grace. The global Salvation Army’s response to human trafficking reflects our grasp of a boundless salvation. Let us embody God’s great salvation in our times.

the present and hopeful signs of the future. Ray Harris adeptly looks at the formation of our doctrines [and] speaks about those doctrines with clarity and purpose [using] a wide range of sources, which

will enrich the doctrinal conversation of the Army with the broader theological world.”

—Dr. Roger J. Green, Professor and Chair of Biblical Studies and Christian Ministries, Terrelle B. Crum Chair of Humanities, Gordon College, Wenham, Massachusetts

Canada and Bermuda Territory

9 780888 575081

RELIGION / The Salvation Army / Church & Doctrine

cover_final_newblue.indd 1

The Function of Salvation Army Doctrines RAY HARRIS

ISBN: 978-0-88857-508-1

Ray Harris is a Salvation Army officer in the Canada and Bermuda Territory. He and his wife, Cathie, have served across Canada in various congregational, college and administrative appointments. In the course of his officership, Ray received the Doctor of Ministry degree from Regis College, Toronto School of Theology, with an emphasis on curriculum design in theological education. He lives in Winnipeg where he enjoys family, baking muffins, singing Charles Wesley hymns and running in a prairie winter.

RAY HARRIS FOREWORD JOHN LARSSON

2014-04-08 8:54 AM

Convictions Matter, Major Ray Harris’ new book, is available at store. salvationarmy.ca, 416-422-6100, orderdesk@can.salvationarmy.org.

For the e-book, visit amazon.ca.

Salvationist • January 2015 • 27

TIES THAT BIND

Loving Our Muslim Neighbours Do we stand up for people of different faiths?

BY MAJOR KATHIE CHIU

28 • January 2015 • Salvationist

Illustration: © iStock.com/MaryLB

M

ake coffee and boiled egg.

Put on shoes and jacket. Grab keys, purse and cellphone.

Out the door. Start the car, turn out of the driveway, drive to work. The car seems to know the way. Arrive at work, greet people, take off your coat and put your purse away. Sit at your desk.

If you’re like me, you like the stability of the rituals we make for ourselves.

We go about our daily routines, safe in the knowledge that life is peaceful and predictable.

Then shots are fired. A soldier is dead. Our careful routines are disrupted and we join with the rest of the country, eyes transfixed on the screen, waiting to find out what happened.

When we’re shaken by events like the tragic death of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, we are filled with questions that don’t seem to have any answers.

Are we still safe? Can we trust our Muslim neighbours? Is the world going crazy?

It’s easy to climb on board with all the knee-jerk reactions on TV and in the blogosphere: “We need to stop immigration from these countries.” “There’s something wrong with a religion that inspires terrorists.” “They’re going to come here and impose their way of life on us!”

My son noticed a conversation I had on Facebook about this. Someone posted a verse from the Quran about killing infidels and used it to argue that the problem was Islam itself. I tried to explain that blaming an entire religion because some distort it for their own selfish and evil gains is counterproductive.

However, sometimes people are stuck in ignorance. This person called himself a Christian and he and his wife were arguing with me that I was wrong and Islam is not a peaceful religion.

I knew it was going downhill when the wife started saying that I should know it was completely out of God’s will for me, a woman, to be ordained, and that I didn’t seem to be able to read Scripture clearly.

That’s when my son started to do his research. He looked up the verse from the Quran and posted a comment, explaining it was a call to arms at the battle of Badr, encouraging 300 Muslim fighters facing an impossible situation.

Then he compared it to verses in our Bible where God instructs the Israelites to kill every man, woman and child while taking a city.

“How are they different?” he asked.

He knows the answer. He knows they’re both ancient books, telling stories from ancient times and distant cultures, and so easily taken out of context to justify all kinds of evil deeds by people thirsting for power and control.

Then he posted a definition of the word Islam, noting that the root word means peace. They ignored that and became condescending, citing his youthful ignorance. One day, they said, he’ll figure it out.

Not to be swept aside, he posted: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).

I am so proud of him.

I’m thankful my son has this attitude. He stood up for people of a different faith. He was shouted down, but he knows the truth. He will stand up for his Muslim neighbours and friends at school. He won’t resort to knee-jerk reactions. He won’t let fear lead him to act differently.

I love Canada. I love our unique and diverse communities that welcome people from around the world. They represent different countries, cultures and religions, and they are all welcome here.

Our Christian faith teaches us to live in peace, be humble before God, to love mercy and justice. Above all, the unmerited grace of God we receive inspires us to offer that grace to others, no matter what faith they practise. Let’s remember that, not just in our daily lives, but on social media as well.

Major Kathie Chiu grew up in The Salvation Army and has been an officer for 22 years. She has five children, including two teenaged boys still living at home, and eight grandchildren.

She is the corps officer in Richmond, B.C.

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TALKING POINTS

Beyond Belief

Are we willing to change our minds?

BY MAJOR JUAN BURRY Men never commit evil so fully and joyfully as when they do it for religious convictions.—Blaise Pascal

30 • January 2015 • Salvationist

Illustration: © iStock.com/akindo

I

t seems like an oxymoron to speak of religion as initiating evil. Most of us live peaceably and do our best to help our neighbours. But are we sometimes guilty of acts of injustice due to misguided religious beliefs? Increasingly I notice that religion is coming under scrutiny in our society. People are questioning whether civilization would be better off if religion vanished or, at the very least, they think that religions need substantial modification.

This topic came into view in early October during an episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, with author Sam Harris as the guest. The discussion turned toward Islam and whether or not it was acceptable to critique Islamic beliefs, particularly beliefs that were inconsistent with western values of dignity and respect. Harris and Maher, both atheists, argued that it should be acceptable to criticize aspects of the Islamic faith (or any faith for that matter) and that such critique should not be understood as hatred or bigotry toward Muslims.

Others on the panel thought their comments were “racist” and “gross.” Harris argued that his opinions were not spurred by contempt for the people who believe, but rather for the beliefs themselves. He referred to Islam as the “motherlode of bad ideas.” Immediately, social media was aflame with opinions both for and against Harris.

Harris’ remarks raised an important question: Are people of faith open to encountering criticism of their beliefs? It’s not uncommon to hear some of Christianity’s mouthpieces raise the warning flags of “intolerance” and “persecution” the moment someone outside of the church calls us out on some of our less-sophisticated beliefs. Can we withstand such external evaluations and receive constructive criticism? Even more importantly, do we have the courage to critique ourselves?

While it’s easy for me to offer Muslims ideas about how to advance their belief system, any real change, if it is needed, will only happen through reform efforts from within the Muslim community. Likewise, real change within Christianity, if it is needed, can best be achieved through the efforts of its own adherents.

Undoubtedly, there will be people who scoff at any suggestion that change is needed, especially if the suggestion comes from someone outside of the faith. Christians are some of the toughest people to convince that they don’t have everything right—doctrinally or pragmatically. The Protestant church grew up (and into) the belief that absolute knowledge could be obtained. And why not? We worship the source of all truth and live according to a book that is believed to be the very words of that source. We assume that absolute truth is accessible and knowable. Therefore, how could anyone suggest that we may be wrong? We are followers of “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6).

We forget, however, that while God may be perfect, humanity isn’t. And if humanity isn’t perfect, it follows that our theology isn’t either. While God’s nature is absolute, it doesn’t mean that our version of Christianity is as well. Consider the example of women in ministry and leadership. Ever since Catherine Booth stood to “say a word” at Gateshead chapel in 1860, women have been preachers and leaders in The Salvation Army. However, a large number of Christian denominations believe our position on this is in error. They point to a number of Bible verses that speak about “female submission” and “male headship” and say the case is closed. In this regard, The Salvation Army’s position is more in line with the societal norms of gender equality, while other denominations could be seen as lagging behind. It’s not that The Salvation Army acquiesced to cultural values in this matter; it just so happens that our views coincide with those of our culture and maybe even influenced them. From our vantage point, we might think that other denominations are in error. However, on other important issues, we may be the laggards, while other churches and our culture have surpassed us.

Can you think of what some of those issues may be? Is this a time for religious people, including Salvationists, to open our minds and be willing to evaluate some of our opinions and beliefs? The Holy Spirit is at work in the entire world, not just our own little piece of it. Perhaps we can see him working through the lives of those we might not expect. We may even find ourselves representing Christ better as a result.

Major Juan Burry is the executive director of Rotary Hospice House in Richmond, B.C.

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Introducing …

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Ideal for reaching children through:  Corps or Sunday school programs  After-school programs  Community and family services offices  Food banks  Anywhere there is an opportunity!

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