I was intrigued with a recent web poll appearing on Salvationist.ca. The question was: “To what extent does the Salvation Army in your area (your corps) equip you to learn and think about your faith?”

The response may have been limited and not a fair sampling from across the country, but most responded, “NOT AT ALL”. This is a sad commentary which got me thinking. There are two sides to this issue.
Their part (spiritual leaders and administrative teams)
In our home we have a 30” x 43” framed print of an eagle in flight, soaring through mountainside tree tops depicting confidence, strength, magnificence and power. The caption beneath reads: “They shall mount up with wings as eagles.” Isaiah 40:31

I believe our churches, my life, should be in soaring mode. If not, we’re going to be addicted to mediocrity which can lead to a chronic, if not fatal, disease. ‘Mediocrity’ is neither good nor bad, but ordinary.

To attract newcomers to our community churches with a holistic Christian faith, biblically based, relevant and attractive ministry, and to keep and disciple the saints already within our church family, we have to be more than ‘ordinary’. We don’t have to compete with the entertainment world, but we must strive toward the ‘best for the Highest’ rather than settle for ‘anything for Jesus’.

Church should be an experience rather than a duty. A place where we meet, greet, bless, challenge and encourage one another. Every aspect of that experience must be prayerfully thought out and meticulously prepared, rehearsed and presented in a God-glorifying manner so that we can leave to face daily challenges with renewed vigor, enthusiasm and confidence in a God who loves us unconditionally.

Keeping in mind the uniqueness of the congregation and the community, what should Church leadership teams be offering you and me? Let me suggest some things which may already be in existence to a greater or lesser degree in your faith community.

PREACHING: -Word based and anchored
-The whole counsel of God, not fragments
-Topical
-Life application
-Encouragement
-Challenge
-Current affairs and responses
-Sermon outlines-handouts, visual aids

TEACHING: -Bible studies
-Cell groups
-Pastor’s classes- i.e. Salvationism 101,102,103 etc., teaching doctrines and S.A. distinctives
-Bulletin inserts on issues

WORSHIP: -Interactive
-Responsive
-Music and Drama
-Audio/Visual

PROGRAM: -Men’s and women’s events
-Youth
-Seniors
-Community events i.e. BBQs, fairs, seminars, recitals, concerts
-Family ministries
-Parenting skills
-Opportunities for service, linking soul care with
-Social care allowing people to enter our church at their own pace.

COMMUNICATION: -Newsletters
-Bulletins
-Flyers

LEADERSHIP: -Relational, Change agent
-Enabler
-Encourager
-Visionary
-Communicator
-Processor
-Mediator
-Supporter
-Motivator
-Mentor

The foregoing is not exhaustive but all has excellence in mind requiring PLANNING, PREPARATION, PRESENTATION.

Our part (my part)
William Booth said,” A Salvation Army corps is a band of people united together to attack and Christianize an entire town or neighborhood.”

The existing group is responsible for this task. All of us are mutually charged to convert, sanctify, enlist and disciple within our community.

The officer (pastor) and administrative team cannot be expected to do it all. We all have a part to play using whatever spiritual gifts God has given us as individuals and to our church as a whole. We can’t say, “Here am I Lord, send him”. The saints gathered together in the church at (put your church name here) are challenged to make a corps and to work a corps.

If we state that our Church does not equip us to learn and think about our faith, perhaps the first question we have to ask ourselves is, “Am I availing myself of the opportunities already existing in my church for learning and developing?
Do I attend Bible study or a cell group?
Do I encourage pastoral visits?
Am I just a consumer in worship?
Do I diligently conduct my own personal devotions?
At sermon time do I sit back, cross my arms and silently think,” Bless me if you can”?

Growing up I learned that, in the school yard and on the street, the only way I could learn to fight was to wade in and fight. I also learned that if I took a ball and bat to the park looking for a pick up game and wasn’t happy with the way I was picked or to what position I was assigned on the field it wasn’t appropriate take that bat and ball and go home. I paraphrase the late JFK and say, ‘Ask not what your Church can do for you but what can you do for your Church”

If we want to see our Church develop and grow and provide for us a chance to develop our faith, perhaps we ourselves need to get in the game, play our positions to the best of our abilities and fight to win the world for God. Even Wal Mart employees know that effective customer service is everyone’s job.

By Lt-Colonel Merv Leach