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Halftime
by Major Stephen Court
Back in the day
THE OFFICER magazine was gracious enough to print a
long-forgotten article I wrote just before my commissioning,
called KICK-OFF!
Though precise
math is difficult in light of the recent random service
extensions given to officers and the increase in the
retirement age in my home territory’s country, I’m at about
halfway through my active service. (draw your own conclusions
about the first half based on the periodical in which this
sequel is running)
It is as good a
time as any for some reflection.
In 18+ years of officership I’ve fought under seven
DCs, 10 TCs, and seven generals in nine appointments (though
only eight consecutive).
Over that time
there have been all kinds of highlights and some of it even
sounds impressive, including participating in people being
saved and sanctified, opening corps, extraordinary prayer,
preaching in 14 countries and more than 100 cities, publishing
14 books, starting a number of initiatives, and fighting
alongside some excellent people. Here’s one highlight.
The One Mission conference close to a decade ago in
Adelaide Australia closed with a long, fervent meeting with
the mighty band Soteria leading worship, distinct intimacy
with God, results in terms of conversion, sanctification,
deliverance, healing, calling, and more.
Glory to God for the privilege of those experiences.
Let's live up to what we have already attained.
There have been
all kinds of lowlights, too.
There have been disciples who have fallen, momentum
that has petered out, decisions that haven’t advanced the
salvation war, projects that have failed, efforts that have
missed the mark, opportunities that have been missed, good
intentions that haven’t come to fruition, and more. Here’s
one. We tried to
organize a network of small groups throughout corps around the
world called ‘The Hub’.
Not heard of it?
Exactly. No discredit to God for any of those lows.
There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ
Jesus!
There have been
all kinds of challenges.
Here’s one.
At the Administrative Leaders Training Course in
Melbourne, one of the delegates had a short brochure
introducing him in English to hosts and other delegates.
Featured in it was his life’s goal of a billion souls.
A billion souls.
A billions souls.
I had to meet Major ST Dula.
Let's be always on the lookout for people who could say
to us, 'imitate me as I imitate Christ'.
There have been
all kinds of struggles.
Here’s one.
It is so tempting to settle, and to be distracted from
the Multiplication Mandate of 2 Timothy 2:2.
You remember it.
Paul instructs Timothy, “And the things you have heard
me say in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to
reliable men who will be qualified to teach others also.”
It is so easy to be consumed with the status quo.
It is easy to search for quick ‘results’ rather than go
deep with a few disciples.
God is gracious with reminders, though.
And His grace is sufficient for us.
Hallelujah.
The original
KICK-OFF article of which this is the sequel was focused on
persuading readers that our mission is to win the world for
Jesus. I’m still convinced of that aim and, with God’s help,
will more effectively advance the salvation war on my front(s)
toward that end.
How?
In the second half of my officership, toward winning
the world for Jesus, with God's help, here are six emphases to
which I‘m committed:
. discipling.
(see Multiplication Mandate above!) On some fronts this
is the Year of DISCO – discipleship covenant groups.
These groups started January 1 of 2012 and have spread
to several continents and many countries and dozens of cities.
You might want to start and multiply some, too (more
information at
http://www.armybarmy.com/JAC/article2-77.html
).
With God's help, William Booth's vision of 100,000
officers and 'millions and millions' of soldiers is possible!
. evangelising.
We go for souls and we go for the worst.
We don’t settle with rehabilitating or domesticating or
educating or or sobering or employing or housing or feeding.
We are Saved to Save. This is part of the salvo modus
operandi – capture, train, deploy
(try out
http://sacrossroads.com/sacrossroads.com/how_to_find_God.html
).
. praying
extraordinarily.
About 2/9 of my active service has been connected with
non-stop praying.
May God grace me to continue to be involved in such
foundational spiritual exercise and to help spread it around
the world to fuel the spiritual war on every front (see
http://www.saglobal247.org/
for resources).
. multiplying cells and outposts.
The old Salvo Ward System provides an effective
template for explosive Salvationism.
God give us the vision and strategy to see cells and
outposts in every nation in this generation!
William Booth commanded us to get a barracks on the
corner of every street.
And there are a lot of streets in this world...
. spreading the
Holiness Gospel.
Holiness is the solution to every problem.
‘Jesus came to save us from our sins, not in them’
(Catherine Booth).
Holiness and covenant most precisely and succinctly
characterise Salvationism.
Salvationists truly ‘love to fight and fight with
love.’
(here's a salvo holiness resource page:
http://sacrossroads.com/sacrossroads.com/Holiness.html
)
. fighting for
justice, particularly that The Salvation Army become pro-life,
without any exceptions.
This might seem, at first glance, out of place with
these transcendent emphases.
But I wonder what kind of priority God will give it
come judgement day.
It will help us advance the salvation war in
immeasurable ways.
(see
www.justsalvos.com
for great ideas).
The mission
remains to win the world for Jesus.
Hallelujah.
We shall win if we fight in the strength of the King.
To what are you
committing your remaining days?
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