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Looking Back and Facing Forward
Commissioner Todd Bassett
It seems almost presumptuous for someone who is forty years
removed from his last field appointment to be giving words of
council to those just entering their first command.
However, I share the following primarily from the perspective
of thirteen years of divisional leadership.
These thoughts are based on the fundamental belief that there
is nothing more important than a quality prayer life and the
continuous study of God’s Word. Seek first the Kingdom
of God and His righteousness!
As I look back, the five words that I suggest that can be
foundational as you face forward toward your officership are:
Love, Honor, Purpose, Passion, and Humility.
• LOVE - It is easy to mouth the words spoken by Jesus that the
greatest commandment is wrapped up in our love for the Lord
and our love for others. But some people as well as some
appointments are not easy to love! Learn to love!
Your love for life, love for your people, love for your
leaders, love for who you are in Christ and the work that He
has called you to do are essential. Believe in yourself
and believe that the Lord will give you the capacity to love
in each of these areas.
“Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run
for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good.
Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second
fiddle.” Romans 12:9, 10 The Message
• HONOR - Self-will is one of the greatest challenges in the
life of a Christian regardless of the calling. The willingness
to be submissive to the Lord and those that He has allowed to
be placed over you as a result of your calling will not always
be easy. This is especially true if you are a free thinker.
This is not an urging for you to be an ‘institutional
thinker’, but to be a person who respects and honors those
over you. You will always want to conduct yourself in an
honorable fashion. Honor yourself as you honor others.
“Submit yourself for the Lord’s sake to every human
institution… for such is the will of God that by doing right
you may silence the ignorance of the foolish man.” 2
Peter 2:13, 14 NAS
• PASSION - ‘Give it all you’ve got!’ Don’t hold back and wait
for a more convenient opportunity. Whether it is preaching the
Word, collecting for Christmas, doing the janitorial work or
the most demeaning task required, do it like Christ would do
it! People will be watching to see if you are authentic
and if you are genuine. Zeal and enthusiasm are
contagious and will abound in your corps or institution if you
show that you are really committed to your calling. You will
attract others to follow you and the Lord! Be positive
in how you lead your people.
“...looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the
glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave
Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to
purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous
for good deeds.” Titus 2:13, 14 NASB
• PURPOSE - Understand what your management and leadership
styles are. Then get yourself organized. Establish clear
priorities and direction for your life and ministry. The
Lord has you where you are for a purpose and you are
responsible to discover it and make sure you fulfill God’s
purpose. There are consequences for every action and
there will be times when you will fail. But that hardly
matters as much as how you handle the failure and if you learn
by that situation. We are not perfect and the Lord certainly
understands that; and He even extends His grace and
forgiveness to us. “Live life, then, with a due sense of
responsibility, not as men who do not know the meaning and
purpose of life but as those who do. … firmly grasp what you
know to be the will of the Lord.” Ephesians 5: 15-17 J.
B. Phillips
• HUMILITY - Let no man think more highly of himself than he
ought. We are to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with
the Lord. It is certainly possible to be confident and yet be
humble, realizing that what we are able to do and who we are
is a gift from the Lord. We are entrusted with the awesome
task of being personal representatives of our Lord Jesus
Christ. In this work we work together with God. It is He who
calls and equips and we are never to become proud of the
places He will take us or the wisdom that may flow from our
lips. Our uniform and the name The Salvation Army will open
doors and opportunities you never dreamed of, and you are to
be Christ’s ambassador! “And so, as those who have been chosen
of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;” Colossians
3:12 NIV
Looking back I can see in each of these areas where I have
succeeded as well as how I failed. However, I know that
throughout the forty-two years of active officership and in
the four years of active retirement, the Lord has never failed
to provide and sustain me as His servant. It is great to
be a Salvation Army Officer! May the Holy One be your guide
and strength as you look forward to the coming days of
ministry and service.
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