Super Weekend...A Good Call?
I am resisting comment on the Super Bowl. Many of my blog buddies have gone crazy blogging on this. Other than to say I watched the game with my family and friends (about 15 of us) and that we had too much food and a good time of just hanging out, there is not much else for me to say. Bless you Steelers fans.
There were a couple of times in the game when instant replay was used by the officials to see whether or not a call was right. I know at least one call that was made as a certainty was overturned "after further review." One controversial touchdown call was not overturned. Interesting what you see "after further review."
The weekend was "super" in another way. It was the annual pilgrimage of people looking for a refining of God's call on their lives to come to The School for Officer Training and Project 1:17 and see these ministry options first hand. The topic of calling was couched in a thematic setting entitled, "Take Your Stand." (Some of us had some fun with this theme. I might talk about my love hate relationship with themes for weekends in another blog.) It was super to see so many exploring the nature of the calling of God vocationally on their lives.
I confess I was amazed at the moving of the Spirit on Sunday morning. I must also confess that the cynic in me comes out at such times. I often think that we have become very good in evangelicalism at evoking a grand emotional response, with little meat to it in many cases. We know how to, in the words of one of my former partners in ministry as he was laying out the program for a weekend event, give "an industrial strength altar call." You can imagine my reaction after that planning meeting when I had a private conversation with him.
This was different. There was no big emotional call for prayer or the altar. There was, however, a spontaneity of response that was undeniable. Although, not completely sure of the reasoning behind the response (other than the Holy Spirit prompting people), I am sure that people were wrestling with this idea and thought of calling. I was glad to see this happening. I must say, however, I was not moved in the same way as others of my colleagues were. I was joyful to see people move at what they believed was the prompting of the Spirit. I did not experience a deep emotional response as others did.
I have over recent years thought much about the term "calling." I believe that I am called of God to be in ministry. I believe the idea of Salvation Army officership appealed to me at the time I entered ministry because, it was THE avenue of service that I could take. I am not saying that I would have chosen anything else, or that I have been living in denial for 25 years. I am thinking though that I might have examined other options. I am convinced that I would have returned to this avenue after exploration. I have a quiet assurance and peace that this is where God wants me.
I differ from some of my comrades in officership on the issue of calling. Some believe officership to be the highest calling in the Salvation Army. They see it as being more fully committed to the cause because we are willing to drop everything to rush where the Army needs us at a moment's notice. In fact, often at weekends such as this, I believe this is strongly suggested, if it is not openly said.
I believe that officership is a high and very holy calling. I do not believe it to be higher than others. I believe it to be different. I am strongly convicted that there must be strong leadership from the lay ranks in order for The Salvation Army to be effective in its mission. I might even go as far as to suggest that we tend to be a bit too officer-centric in our model in the States, sometimes to the detriment of the establishment of strong communities of faith and mission, because too much falls on the direct shoulders of officers.
Many of you have already read my blog on the young adult. You will know that my great hope is that the leadership structure of this movement (I am showing my emerging church tendencies here) will become more flattened and that the opportunities for laity to participate in the deep decision making process, not just the recommendation phase of changes in the way we execute our mission will become frequent even normal. I know someone eventually must make the ultimate decision, but I am thinking our structure could be a bit more democratic.
I also believe that emerging generations are ripe for new methodologies of implementing God's mission through The Salvation Army, which may not be fully embodied in our current officership model. I believe that God is still calling people to ministry in The Salvation Army, not necessarily to be officers. I believe that is a good call. I want as many people as possible to be called to mission and ministry through The Army.
After further review of the weekend, I pray that people were called to ministry. Do I hope that many were called to be officers, whatever calling might mean to you or me, or them? YES. Do I pray that some who came in thinking they were called had that call changed or, maybe more appropriately, clarified after further review? YES. I am especially hoping that for people who take officership as the only way they can fulfill calling. Too many follow that path because they do not try exploring all their options. They may later become disillusioned because they have limited the options God may have for them. Better to have the right call determined before game time.
I know some of you will see this as anti-officer. Please do not take it that way. I love being an officer. I do not see it as the ultimate calling, just my ultimate calling. Do I think that the idea and model of officership needs to change and become different in a postmodern paradigm? You bet! In fact, I think the product needs some big refinement.
So I continue to walk through this idea of calling. On a weekend when the Spirit was super, I have some questions.
What do you see as the real sign of calling in people?
Am I wrong? Is officership the highest calling in The Salvation Army?
Is there a real and greater role for the laity in our movement in the States? Or do we think only officers can do the real heavy lifting of decision making?
What about this idea of calling? What are the ramifications to our movement if we really see the laity as equal partners in ministry?
What do you think?
There were a couple of times in the game when instant replay was used by the officials to see whether or not a call was right. I know at least one call that was made as a certainty was overturned "after further review." One controversial touchdown call was not overturned. Interesting what you see "after further review."
The weekend was "super" in another way. It was the annual pilgrimage of people looking for a refining of God's call on their lives to come to The School for Officer Training and Project 1:17 and see these ministry options first hand. The topic of calling was couched in a thematic setting entitled, "Take Your Stand." (Some of us had some fun with this theme. I might talk about my love hate relationship with themes for weekends in another blog.) It was super to see so many exploring the nature of the calling of God vocationally on their lives.
I confess I was amazed at the moving of the Spirit on Sunday morning. I must also confess that the cynic in me comes out at such times. I often think that we have become very good in evangelicalism at evoking a grand emotional response, with little meat to it in many cases. We know how to, in the words of one of my former partners in ministry as he was laying out the program for a weekend event, give "an industrial strength altar call." You can imagine my reaction after that planning meeting when I had a private conversation with him.
This was different. There was no big emotional call for prayer or the altar. There was, however, a spontaneity of response that was undeniable. Although, not completely sure of the reasoning behind the response (other than the Holy Spirit prompting people), I am sure that people were wrestling with this idea and thought of calling. I was glad to see this happening. I must say, however, I was not moved in the same way as others of my colleagues were. I was joyful to see people move at what they believed was the prompting of the Spirit. I did not experience a deep emotional response as others did.
I have over recent years thought much about the term "calling." I believe that I am called of God to be in ministry. I believe the idea of Salvation Army officership appealed to me at the time I entered ministry because, it was THE avenue of service that I could take. I am not saying that I would have chosen anything else, or that I have been living in denial for 25 years. I am thinking though that I might have examined other options. I am convinced that I would have returned to this avenue after exploration. I have a quiet assurance and peace that this is where God wants me.
I differ from some of my comrades in officership on the issue of calling. Some believe officership to be the highest calling in the Salvation Army. They see it as being more fully committed to the cause because we are willing to drop everything to rush where the Army needs us at a moment's notice. In fact, often at weekends such as this, I believe this is strongly suggested, if it is not openly said.
I believe that officership is a high and very holy calling. I do not believe it to be higher than others. I believe it to be different. I am strongly convicted that there must be strong leadership from the lay ranks in order for The Salvation Army to be effective in its mission. I might even go as far as to suggest that we tend to be a bit too officer-centric in our model in the States, sometimes to the detriment of the establishment of strong communities of faith and mission, because too much falls on the direct shoulders of officers.
Many of you have already read my blog on the young adult. You will know that my great hope is that the leadership structure of this movement (I am showing my emerging church tendencies here) will become more flattened and that the opportunities for laity to participate in the deep decision making process, not just the recommendation phase of changes in the way we execute our mission will become frequent even normal. I know someone eventually must make the ultimate decision, but I am thinking our structure could be a bit more democratic.
I also believe that emerging generations are ripe for new methodologies of implementing God's mission through The Salvation Army, which may not be fully embodied in our current officership model. I believe that God is still calling people to ministry in The Salvation Army, not necessarily to be officers. I believe that is a good call. I want as many people as possible to be called to mission and ministry through The Army.
After further review of the weekend, I pray that people were called to ministry. Do I hope that many were called to be officers, whatever calling might mean to you or me, or them? YES. Do I pray that some who came in thinking they were called had that call changed or, maybe more appropriately, clarified after further review? YES. I am especially hoping that for people who take officership as the only way they can fulfill calling. Too many follow that path because they do not try exploring all their options. They may later become disillusioned because they have limited the options God may have for them. Better to have the right call determined before game time.
I know some of you will see this as anti-officer. Please do not take it that way. I love being an officer. I do not see it as the ultimate calling, just my ultimate calling. Do I think that the idea and model of officership needs to change and become different in a postmodern paradigm? You bet! In fact, I think the product needs some big refinement.
So I continue to walk through this idea of calling. On a weekend when the Spirit was super, I have some questions.
What do you see as the real sign of calling in people?
Am I wrong? Is officership the highest calling in The Salvation Army?
Is there a real and greater role for the laity in our movement in the States? Or do we think only officers can do the real heavy lifting of decision making?
What about this idea of calling? What are the ramifications to our movement if we really see the laity as equal partners in ministry?
What do you think?
posted by Larry at 11:06 AM
24 Comments:
Hey Larry,
In response to your final questions:
"What do you see as the real sign of calling in people? Am I wrong? Is officership the highest calling in The Salvation Army? Is there a real and greater role for the laity in our movement in the States? Or do we think only officers can do the real heavy lifting of decision making?"
I think that the book "Roaring Lambs" best describes how people should respond to their paticular calling. Everyone is called to something different...it may be officership, outh ministry, young adult ministry, steelworker, pilot, waiter, etc...
No calling is higher than another, except to the person who is called. I feel called to officership in The Salvation Army because I cannot see myself doing anything else with my life.
Well, those are my 2.5 cents.
In His Grip,
Dave
I agree with the past two comments that there is no calling higher than another. It depends on the individual and what God wants them to do. Not EVERYONE is going to be called to be an officer.
I don't think that decisions should be left up to just officers. I think it should include them but not be limited to just them.
Susan brought up a good point about the Youth Councils alter call. I really have a problem with the call to officership. Maybe it's just me but it makes me feel that if your not called to be an officer your almost not worthy. I think the best alter calls are the ones that aren't "forced" on the congregation. At the Youth Holiness advance the Sunday morning meeting was done as little stations. Sure they mentioned the alter but it was a at your own free will, not a whole 15 minute call to the alter. And by the end of the meeting most of the people there were on the knees confessing and rekinling their relationships with God and some even giving their lives to God for the first time. It was amazing. Now that's my kind of alter call.
I personally am still trying to figure out what God wants me to do. Although I am extremely anxious I know God will reveal it to me in His time and I will be willing to do whatever it is He wants me to do!
Just some thoughts, I love your blog by the way!
much love and prayers,
Allison
Susan,
Are you saying that the call of God changes? Would you expand on that a bit?
L
Larry:
so here's my piece - and before I goany further I will apologize for being as opinionated as I am, I am trying to bring it down a couple of notches!
I thought we believed in the priesthood! Doesn't that mean that we are all equal? I must say that I have to agree with the Wee Allison. I too am greatly perturbed by the possibility of not being quite good enough if I am not called to Officership. Maybe that is something for my ego to wrestle with - maybe there is supposed to be a heirarchy that imposes a class system for Christians. However, how are we going to encourage those who are lower classes to stay fired up and raring to go - I think we do struggle with that.
At times it feels like the Army exists purely for the Officer - is that what we are about? Is that all we want to do? Are they the lives that we are content with having an impact with? I hope not! I intend in doing more damage, to tear down the other kingdoms of this world, so that the light may shine more purely and brilliantly on His Kingdom, with or without red on my shoulders.
Mhairi,
We love you. Your passion is great. I know you are not anti-officer.
How do you think you will have the most influence for the Kingdom? Is it officership or as a soldier?
Remember, power does not always give us influence.
Susan (zanalice),
Your take on calling is different from many, but one that is worth considering. Have you discussed this with others?
I am wondering how does one really determine calling?
Allison,
Your wisdom is certainly greater than many your age. Thanks for your willingness to do whatever God wants!
Dave,
Do I take it that by your comment you would not believe that people can feel that and reach their ultimate destiny in one calling?
Just wondering.
I’ve been thinking about this question for several days now Larry. This is such a hot topic for me that it’s hard to condense my thoughts into a simple “comment”. But I’ll give it my best shot.
I’ve always believed that we are all called to serve God through the laying down of our own lives, and the taking up of Christ’s cross. That we all have a calling to impact lives, wherever we are. But I also believe that God sets some people apart for something more.
I believe that God calls some people to sacrifice more. I believe that God calls some people to live according to a higher standard (1 Timothy 3). I believe that God calls some people to lead and shepherd others. All throughout the Bible, there are stories of people who served God. And then there are stories of people whom God set apart and, when they ran from that calling, they got to spend a few nights in the belly of a fish to think about it. I don’t know if I would use the term “higher calling” if only for the fact that I believe these people are called to be lower, not higher. But I would say that God sets them apart.
But for me, therein lies the problem. I grew up in the Baptist church where I surrendered to fulltime ministry, studied ministry at a Baptist University, and was eventually licensed and ordained through the Southern Baptist Convention. From the time I was a child, I knew that God was calling me into fulltime ministry. And, when I eventually surrendered to it, I believed that I was surrendering to living my life under a microscope, of setting my own selfish desires and ambitions aside, to serving whomever God put in my path, and to ministering to anybody God asked me to minister to. I in no way saw this calling as a coronation giving me the rights and privileges to sit on stage during the service, or to drive a big fancy car, or to own expensive suits and sit behind an expensive desk. Yet these are all things that I’ve seen others do and, in some cases, things that I’ve been asked to do myself.
Now, as somebody who came to the Army through the Baptist church, let me be the first to say that I am often annoyed at the arrogance of some officers who see Officership as the only legitimate calling. My own ordination means nothing in The Salvation Army. It is as if I bought the ordination certificate at Walmart, and printed it off on my home computer. The fact that I had more schooling, and studied longer for my ordination, doesn’t mean a thing. But, while this can bruise my ego pretty good sometimes, I also have always been the first to say that an Officer’s calling is different than mine.
Paul’s calling was different than Peter’s calling. Paul (evidently) was called to be celibate and to completely set his life aside for the church. But Peter was a married man, with family responsibilities. I believe that some ministers are called to take a vow of poverty. I believe that some ministers are called to give up their own culture and to embrace and be adopted by a different culture. And, while I don’t believe their calling to be “higher” than mine, I do believe that those people have been set even further apart than I have. And that’s what I believe about officership. In addition to all that I’ve been called to do as a minister, I believe that officers are called to go even beyond that by being pastors, social workers, to stretching budgets that seemingly cannot be stretched, to serving the poorest of the poor, to offering a word of encouragement to the homeless, every time they see one, and (and this may be the hardest of them all) to surrendering completely to the authority of The Salvation Army.
I don’t know about the rest of you ministers out there, but that last one always stops me in my tracks. I have a pretty specific gifting and passion and I can’t imagine handing over the rights to my home and family life, passions and happiness, to somebody else who has the right to move me around the world if they want to. To me, that is special and very specific calling, and I’m glad that God has not called me to it. I am happy to follow God where He leads me. But I am not happy to trust him to lead me through the “best intentions” of others. That’s a tough calling.
But, and this must be said, for too many officers, their calling isn’t any different than mine. They gripe about having to be a social worker. They gripe about only making $20k a year. They gripe about having to drive the Corps van as their family car. They gripe about their building. They gripe about their quarters. They gripe about being moved around. They don’t minister to the poor. They don’t wash the feet of their congregation. They don’t fulfil the special calling of a Salvation Army Officer. They got in it for the security (house, car, and very little chance of being fired) and for the authority that they perceive (and sometimes rightly so) comes with rank. And to them I would say, you are not called to be a Salvation Army Officer. Go join the Methodist church, or the Baptist church, or the Presbyterian church. There’s nothing wrong with being a minister in one of these churches. A lot of great men have come from these traditions (Billy Graham…and me of course!). But the call of a Salvation Army officer is different. Please do not taint it because many of us are looking to you to remind us of how Christ called us to serve the least of these. And we’re watching and we’re learning to do what you do.
And it appears that I have failed in my attempt to keep this concise. Sorry.
I like your question: "Is there a real and greater role for the laity in our movement in the States?"
My answer is “yes.” However, I don’t believe that will ever happen. The Army is structured from the top down. In a system where leaders can only do what leaders allow them makes the mobilization of laity very difficult. The laity have no power. Until the Army somehow changes its structure and gives laity ownership, they will continue to be limited in the role and importance they play in the church.
Check out my blog at armytalk.blogspot.com
Blessings,
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Dave,
To answer your post...To retire is not to stop serving as an officer. It may be serving in a different way. It is still serving. My parents and most other retired officers I know are still very active in ministry until they cannot physically do it any more. Then they are active through prayer and counsel. Ever heard of Cliff Sipley. 90 and still "active." So you comment about retirement is not a good analogy, in my humble opinion.
Tim,
No one in their right mind can deny that you are in ministry. Problem is....we have a lot of people not in their right mind ;) I may be chief among them.
You are probably in the only place in the SA Western World where you can participate in a place where you really feel is the place you are specifically called to.
There have been some times when I have thought "What am I doing here?" The answer has not always been clear. But there has been assurance. By the way, I am not one who complains about the creature comforts. All this from a guy who just had some major work done at his home. But I had it done because not to have it done would have put the property in some serious disrepair and it would not have been good stewardship on my part. But I digress. You are right the call of God is beyond that. It must be one of real commitmet to the cause of Christ and His mission to the poor.
Finally,thanks for the reminder of our need to be role models, even when our lives are under the control of others. We do, however, need to place faith into the equation. I need to believe that God who called me has my "best intentions" in mind when he calls me.
Bret,
I don't believe that the hierarchy of the SA is the sole problem. It could start on a local level. How many CO's lead in a pattern that mimics the one of the hierarchy of which they complain?
I saw on a blog recently as I was scanning through that a CO says "Leaders serve God not people." That is a non-biblical statement at best. What did Jesus say to the Sons Of Thunder? HMMMMM.
Dave,
If you ask them, they will tell you that their call to officership has never stopped. It is on them for life. That's why they don't stop. They feel they have specific calling to fulfill the ministry of officership
First, I don't know any who have chosen other careers (which by the way the etymology of the word career has to do with horses running around a track). Vocationally, those who choose to do something else in retirement still consider themselves retired officers. I would suggest that calling is very individualized. Your view seems to be sweeping. You leave no room for the God to work outside the norm.
I would not say that those people who do something else abandon their call or commitment. They are still involved in ministry as officers. They are also involved in other ministries. As a retired you get to be bi-vocational.
I am called to both
You have some great discussions happening! In response to your comment: “It could start at a local level. How many CO's lead in a pattern that mimics the one of the hierarchy of which they complain?”
This is true. It frustrates me. There are many who struggle with some of the very issues Barna discusses in “Revolution.” In the South, our Commissioner is putting a lot of emphasis on “grassroots” ministry. The Army is opening up to new ideas and positive change is happening all around us.
Blessings!
WOW! Quite a conversation! There are so many points to comment on I don't know where to start. In my humble opinion: God's calling on one's life is individual and God can change His calling on your life (or change it as far as you know, maybe His plan all along). I think we try so hard to find ways to make God's ways humanly understandable (if that makes any sense). We try to wrap our minds around the way God thinks, and it's just not possible. He works in mysterious ways...noone is to stand in judgement of the way God works in our lives... it goes against everything we believe...
ps. And frankly, how much does an officer really sacrifice? honestly....
Hil,
Long time no hear from. Glad you are still on the planet. Hope you are well.
The points you raise have validity. Still noone has answered the whole partnership and equality question or for that matter even attempted to think what it would be if all were equal.
Your question about sacrifice is an interesting one as well. I have blogged early about being middle class. It was in January. However, I do not think about sacrifices in just financial terms. I have had to sacrifice control over where I will live, who I will work with and frankly over the area of work in which I am assigned. I really never wanted a THQ appointment. It happened.
There are a myriad of family sacrifices that happen as well. Maybe as an officer's kid you would be better at articulating some of those. These are unfortunate and not godly sometimes. Which means often that then there is a sacrifice of control and power by officers, which is godly.
There are officers outside the North American context who sacrifice greatly. I have a couple in my family and know many others around the world who live in less than modern convenience.
So, my response is simply this: sacrifice is not always financial or living standard. It is often control of life choices. In our customize your own life, consumer driven culture those can be pretty big sacrifices.
I certainly didn't mean to belittle the sacrifices that those overseas make...certainly their sacrifices are far greater than ours, in our "customize your own life, consumer driven culture" - there just is no comparison. I think I get stuck on the fact that there is no blanket answer for these questions. There are officers I know who do look down on people who are not officers, consider local officership valuable because then they don't have to do the programs. But then there are those who truly value the leaders in their church, the leaders who take time off work, or away from their families to volunteer at the church.
I'm not sure that everyone can be on 'equal footing'. I'm not sure how that would really work. Someone has to be the ultimate decision-maker. I would very much enjoy seeing layleaders in a position to offer input on policy and/or programming. Unfortunately, I've seen this try to happen, and the same situation arrises...the officer 'in charge' sees him/herself as the all knowing, all powerful - and is just doing this for looks. I'm sure I sound bitter and jilted....which I guess I am.
Hil,
I don't mean to sound trite. To quote Bill Clinton, "I feel your pain." It is true that someone has to make the final decision when concensous cannot be reached. I do believe, however, that if the Church in general and our movement in particular becomes less clergy or officer-centric, then people in this postmodern paradigm will leave in large numbers.
Commited believers want to have some ownership in the ministry. It is not about power for a person, it is about being part of the process.
This even happens with policy decisions with officers. Most have little input and the decision making is usually forced (so those in power belive) is top down. This usually makes people who are on the bottom of the food chain either rebellious, cowering in fear or passive aggressive. It is not that they do not want to be a blessing to those in leadership, they feel as if there is no consideration for what they do and experience. I am sure that must be the way you feel.
Unfortunately, many, both lay and officer, feel the only way to survive is often to bide their time until a new leader is installed. That wastes valuable time and giftedness for the Kingdom.
The only way in my opionion to really involve people in meangingful ways is to be collabrative in the decision making process.
Collaborative indeed. We as officers certainly have a responsibility to be less "officer-centric," for the good of the Corps This really seems like a no-brainer. Leadership - formal or otherwise - must come from the core group of people that will be there when the officers inevitably leave. It's easier said than done, but so is everything else worth doing.
To respond to one of Hilary's comments - there is great value in having leadership within the corps so the officer does not have to run the programs. I'm sure you meant those who are not motivated enough to do lead them themselves. Even in that case, though, it seems better for the ministry of the corps for that to be so. I see one of my main responsibilities as a CO to be making my inevitable departure as "trauma-less" as possible. If that means I can get to the point where I do nothing but preach, do a Bible study, visit with people, and participate in other programs, maybe that's not such a bad goal.
It takes a certain amount of self-confidence to let things go; to trust others to do things as well, but maybe differently, than you; to gather people around you who have valid insight and are not afraid to share it; to be willing to be talked out of something; to face the fact that sometimes your plan is far from the best one; to go with the better one. It's a tall order, but our church, I think, demands it from our officers.
There is great value in having leadership in the corps...definitely, yes! My comments were directed more toward those officers who make decision based on what it easiest for them, not necessarily what is best for the corps. It is, in my opinion, better to have corps leaders run the programs and an officer who does just preach, teach and visit. But, in my experience, officers have been less inclined to give over that 'power'...essentially placing him/herself in a position of power and making transition from officer to officer traumatic for the corps. It doesn't happen in every situation, but it does happen in many situations. Also, in encouraging our corps members to take on program responsibilities, also comes your responsibility to teach them how. Not everyone is cut out to lead, but many want to help any way they can. It might not realy be worth all the wonder of a corps full of local leaders, if they themselves do not know how to teach/lead. There is some kind of training involved....well, I guess I'm off point on this one.
Can we ever reach a concensus among us mere humans....now THAT is the $60,000 question.
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