I guess that most people's image of the Salvation Army is the traditional uniformed Officers serving in soup kitchens, helping in places of need (like the Doncaster floods!), selling War Cry on the street corner or in local pubs, and brass bands playing at Christmas in the town centre.
The image was so different after today's visit to the Doncaster Salvation Army Citadel. We had hardly locked the car in the car park before the welcomes and greetings began. Walking through the door we were greeted by Majors Stuart and Anne (now how many Methodist Ministers would be found doing this?). The greetings continued right up to the start of the meeting as one after another officer welcomed us and enquired who we were and why we were there!
The officers' choir led us into worship in song with the 1st congregational hymn being "Ye servants of God" "in honour of the Methodists here"! We were then led further into an awareness of the presence of God with songs, readings and meditations (including the use of a sea shell as a "focus" to the reading of John 1). The sermon was built around the story of Jesus' visit to the home of Mary and Martha, making the point that we need to be willing to invite God into the place where we are (home), to ensure that we don't get distracted from being with him, and a reminder that serving is also important but that the "service begins when the meeting ends"!
A final "altar call" offered the opportunity to show a renewed commitment to practising the presence of God in our lives and our service.
Aidan's comment "can we come again" probably says more than all my words, and although it was clear that there is still some tension between old and new, traditional and contemporary in the Citadel, these do not detract from Spirit of the God moving and working through these wonderful people. The experience only reinforced my often quoted comment about the Salvation Army being the place I would end up at if I was ever expelled from the Methodist Church, despite the absence of Holy Communion!
Today we experienced the presence of God in the welcome we received and the worship we joined with and were well reminded of the need to continue to seek his presence everyday and in everything we do.
Monday, 27 August 2007
Monday, 20 August 2007
2nd helpings, not always as good as the 1st!
Today we returned to somewhere we had worshipped before and enjoyed, but not so much this time (so you will understand the lack of identification).
I really felt for the musicians who, despite the absence of the singers who normally lead the congregation into worship with songs, tried to set the scene by playing the tunes to very well known songs. But did the congregational chatter hush or people sing? Not a hope, nor even when I started singing on my own, much to my daughter's embarrassment!
The (lay) preacher started by entertaining us with stories and questions which kept you on the edge of your seat, if only to see if you were the one he was going to pounce on next with a question. It was a very good example of communicating well with a congregation, no time to switch off or let the concentration lapse, and despite there being nothing specific for the younger generations present it certainly kept their attention. Alas, this was the limit of the good things one could say about this one hour forty minutes long service.
In all the prayers (several slots) the whole congregation were invited to take part, and there was a time for testimony. Though God will have heard the prayers, some we missed because people won't speak up! Alas, the readings were read in a very matter of fact style but then not referred to again in the service. And as for the sermon? Well it didn't start until an hour had elapsed, and I guess it was one day (which we all have) where the plot and message just got lost in rambling encouragement to be better Christians (not a bad theme in itself - but it was a bit circular!). Though I know that I have had my fair share of services that have not gone well, one thing I have learnt is that when it happens you cut your losses - most people won't notice and those that do will be more grateful - rather than trying to keep going in an attempt to recover the situation!
Towards the end of the service during a period of quiet and meditation to respond to the word we had heard a message delivered in tongues but with no interpretation, just the speakers prayer, "Well I hope the person that message was for understands it" - perhaps some of Paul's epistles should be studied to help people understand how tongues should be used in worship!
I really felt for the musicians who, despite the absence of the singers who normally lead the congregation into worship with songs, tried to set the scene by playing the tunes to very well known songs. But did the congregational chatter hush or people sing? Not a hope, nor even when I started singing on my own, much to my daughter's embarrassment!
The (lay) preacher started by entertaining us with stories and questions which kept you on the edge of your seat, if only to see if you were the one he was going to pounce on next with a question. It was a very good example of communicating well with a congregation, no time to switch off or let the concentration lapse, and despite there being nothing specific for the younger generations present it certainly kept their attention. Alas, this was the limit of the good things one could say about this one hour forty minutes long service.
In all the prayers (several slots) the whole congregation were invited to take part, and there was a time for testimony. Though God will have heard the prayers, some we missed because people won't speak up! Alas, the readings were read in a very matter of fact style but then not referred to again in the service. And as for the sermon? Well it didn't start until an hour had elapsed, and I guess it was one day (which we all have) where the plot and message just got lost in rambling encouragement to be better Christians (not a bad theme in itself - but it was a bit circular!). Though I know that I have had my fair share of services that have not gone well, one thing I have learnt is that when it happens you cut your losses - most people won't notice and those that do will be more grateful - rather than trying to keep going in an attempt to recover the situation!
Towards the end of the service during a period of quiet and meditation to respond to the word we had heard a message delivered in tongues but with no interpretation, just the speakers prayer, "Well I hope the person that message was for understands it" - perhaps some of Paul's epistles should be studied to help people understand how tongues should be used in worship!
Back on line!
Sorry if you have been waiting with bated breath for our next post! We were away for a while and didn't really want to advertise the fact our home was empty. There will be a catch-up period this week as posts written while we were away are uploaded. Bear with us, please.
Walked the dog this afternon at Wiston woods. Felt totally "chilled out" but questioned why Sabbaticals are so long. Following this morning's service I was just fired up to get back into the pulpit and help folk find something to change themselves and the world around them. Perhaps I have learnt today of the need for space to be inspired and hopefully, by the grace of God, to inspire.
Walked the dog this afternon at Wiston woods. Felt totally "chilled out" but questioned why Sabbaticals are so long. Following this morning's service I was just fired up to get back into the pulpit and help folk find something to change themselves and the world around them. Perhaps I have learnt today of the need for space to be inspired and hopefully, by the grace of God, to inspire.
Tuesday, 14 August 2007
Strength gained through hardship
We watched the back end of Billy Elliot, that great film about a lad growing up in Co Durham in the midst of the miners strike, who discovered his talent for ballet dancing. The initial suspicion and mockery from family, friends and the community in general eventually turns to support after he wins a scholarship to the premier dancing college in London.
It reminded me about the ex-mining communities of Rossington and Edlington which I am to lose this summer in the next re-shuffle of the Circuit sections. Over the years I have found something very special about these communities, not always the easiest places to be a Christian, but warm, genuine and down-to earth. I will really miss the contact with the people as well as the love and support of those in the Churches there.
13 Aug
It reminded me about the ex-mining communities of Rossington and Edlington which I am to lose this summer in the next re-shuffle of the Circuit sections. Over the years I have found something very special about these communities, not always the easiest places to be a Christian, but warm, genuine and down-to earth. I will really miss the contact with the people as well as the love and support of those in the Churches there.
13 Aug
Friday, 3 August 2007
Sealed, signed and ... committed to 2 yrs hard labour!
The deed is done, the cheque in the post, the commitment confirmed! Two years (probably nearer three actually) hard labour starts now as I commence the MA course in Leadership, Renewal and Mission as a pat-time course at Cliff College.
I have been besieged by doubts in the last few weeks (am I up to it?/will I find the 15 hrs a week to study?) but I feel better for sealing the envelope. Only three books to read before 8th Sept and I guess I won't even get hold of them until we return from Scotland at the end of this month! Nothing like starting as you mean to got on, eh?
I have been besieged by doubts in the last few weeks (am I up to it?/will I find the 15 hrs a week to study?) but I feel better for sealing the envelope. Only three books to read before 8th Sept and I guess I won't even get hold of them until we return from Scotland at the end of this month! Nothing like starting as you mean to got on, eh?
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