Covenant renewals, fresh commitments to Christ and transformed thinking were among the results coming out of the 2007 Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Congress held at Corner Brook June 22-24. Salvationists gathered from around the province at two venues: Corner Brook Temple and the Pepsi Centre to worship, fellowship and learn what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. The theme, Discipleship: From Sandals to Cyberspace was presented through a variety of worship events, plenary sessions and breakout workshops. The integrated approach incorporated people of all age groups.

With the cadet commissioning and ordination no longer a component, the congress took on a different approach - a forum for Salvationists to participate in intense worship and in-depth learning. CSM Howard Bridger of Triton Corps summed up the change. “The usual excitement and celebration that came with the commissioning of young officers was replaced with a unique focus on a more concentrated preparation of all Salvationists for ministry through the teaching of discipleship” and “there was something for everyone, young and old. This congress had a good balance of music types, a variety of singing styles and a great focus on teaching, all centered around one theme.” added BM Rex Piercey of Lower Trinity Corps

Alvin Wiseman, a soldier of Corner Brook Citadel and a third-generation Salvationist, reflected the feelings of most participants when he spoke about the misgivings he had prior to the congress. “I awaited Congress 2007 with cautious optimism,” he said, “somewhat fearful of what to expect of a congress without a commissioning. But our fears were all for naught. In spite of them the Lord blessed us. Weekends like this give me the assurance that The Salvation Army is marching along.”

The event began Friday night with a session for officers and lay leaders on the importance of covenant for disciples of Jesus Christ. The meeting culminated with the signing of officer and leader covenants during deeply-moving and sensitive moments around the place of prayer. The worship team lead the congregation into praise and worship, interspersed by times of individual and corporate prayer.

The evening also featured a tribute to Commissioner M. Christine MacMillan, territorial commander for Canada and Bermuda for the past four years, and a farewell in anticipation of her new appointment as an international officer in the realm of social justice. The Chief Secretary, Colonel Glen Shepherd, in presenting the commissioner, reflected on how intensely she loves life, how much she loves people and how much she loves God. He described her as a deeply spiritual woman with great leadership qualities that are not only inherent but ones that she had cultivated during the years of her life.

Major Loretta Fudge, representing the officers, and CSM Howard Bridger, representing the laity, spoke glowingly of her personality, her servant leadership and her expertise in developing social programs to meet the needs of marginalized people in a wounded world. “Her life documents the truth of servant leadership,” said CSM Bridger. “And her commitment has been to serve those on the fringes of society.” Major Fudge pointed to the commissioner’s “great passion, enthusiasm, sincerity, humility and her keen interest in the individual”.

Noting, in her response, that she would be preaching her last sermon in Newfoundland before leaving the territory, the commissioner pointed out her personal connection with Corner Brook, having spent time in the city where her grandfather, Major Jesse Lodge, a Salvation Army officer, lived in retirement. She spoke of her brief involvement as a teenager in a youth event at the corps at that time, and concluded about her life that “it is God who carries me and God who inspires me all along the way.”

The roll call of Salvation Army officers promoted to Glory during the previous 12 months was followed by a brief focus on reinforcement personnel, including the presentation of a missionary offering. A stirring vocal solo by Captain Weldon Hayward appropriately set the atmosphere for the territorial commander’s message based on the meaning of covenant relationship and the importance of cross bearing in the Christian life. During the appeal period, most of those in attendance - active officers, retired officers and lay leaders - moved forward to kneel and sign covenants that had been handed out in advance or placed on the Mercy Seat.

Saturday morning began with a plenary session that explored the theme, “The Call to Discipleship” through special music, congregational singing, video presentations and the preaching of the Word by guest speaker, Lt.-Colonel Wayne Pritchett. “We share a lot in common,” the colonel said, “conversion, calling and commitment.” Pointing out that the essence of the call to discipleship is crisis and process, he suggested Salvationists are good at facilitating the crisis but not so good at the process. The Army needs to be a preaching and teaching church, he said.

Following the plenary session, delegates dispersed to a number of breakout sessions that further explored the theme of discipleship in its various forms. The workshops covered such topics as worship, prayer, witnessing, mentoring, living with tragedy and integrated mission. While the workshops were in progress at Corner Brook Temple, small groups of Salvationists moved to nearby Margaret Bowater Park for a prayer walk.

On Saturday afternoon, a family outing, originally planned for the park, was forced inside by rain. Based on the theme “God Loves You”, the program included face painting, bracelet making and a ring toss game. A giant jumping castle was a hit for everyone as was the music of Grounded, a Christian rock group from Halifax, Nova Scotia, and magician, Major Brian Wheeler of DHQ in Gander. The Canadian Bible Society gave away Bibles and balloons with a special message. Men’s Fellowship members served hot dogs, hamburgers and cold drinks. Jane Ash, youth director at Corner Brook Temple, described the event as “a great afternoon of fun, food and fellowship” that led to several inquiries about Sunday school and Vacation Bible School.

Saturday evening’s praise and celebration session at the Pepsi Centre focused on the “Cost of Discipleship” and featured a variety of worship components, including video features, contemporary and traditional music, narration, a dramatic Scripture presentation and preaching. Music leadership was shared by the Corner Brook Temple Band, the Deer Lake Worship Team, the Congress Youth Choir, the rock group, Grounded, and vocalist, Irene Bridger. Words of welcome to congress delegates were expressed on behalf of city council by Councillor Charles Renouf, who commended The Salvation Army for its active involvement in the church and the community. Three cadets from the College for Officer Training were interviewed by Commissioner MacMillan, who posed various questions about their calling and their training. In his message, Colonel Pritchett spoke about the claims of Jesus upon His disciples and pointed out that there are no “cheap crosses” in the Christian life.

The Saturday night praise and celebration session was followed by a youth bash at the Temple gymnasium and an outreach ministry on the streets of Corner Brook. Nicole Butler of Corner Brook Citadel described the youth bash as “an awesome get-together of young Christians.” She praised the music of Grounded, the guest music group, and pointed out the significance of fellowship among the youth. “We saw God’s mighty hand at work and young lives caught on fire for God.” Major Robert Kean, who led the evangelistic thrust entitled, “Taking it to the Streets”, said it was “a tremendous night of presenting Christ one-on-one to the people we met. The response was overwhelming both by the young and the old.”

Two meetings were held on Sunday - a morning holiness session on the theme, “The Christlikeness of Discipleship” and an afternoon “sending out session,” with the theme, “The Challenge to Disciples”. Both sessions featured music, video, narration, prayer and preaching. Added to the music roster on Sunday was Dante Hiscock, 9, who sang in both meetings. Following Colonel Pritchett’s messages, many Salvationists came forward to sign covenant renewal cards, make commitments or renewed commitments to Christ or to pray for unsaved loved ones. The Mercy Seat, set up in the shape of a large cross, was used extensively throughout the weekend. The evening culminated with a “sending out of the disciples” by Commissioner MacMillan followed by words of farewell and presentations. The territorial commander closed by leading the congregation in singing “I’ll Go in the Strength of the Lord.”

Reflecting on Congress 2007, Major Junior Hynes, divisional commander for the host division, said, “Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude to God for his outpoured blessings upon the preaching and teaching of the Word of God and upon all our planning efforts to do with this Congress. In several ways this was a history-making and record-breaking Congress for this province. Except during the war years, Newfoundland provincial congresses have always included the commissioning of cadets. So in that respect this was a first. It was also record-breaking in the area of finances. Officers and Salvationists gave exceptional donations and offerings to help cover the costs of this event. We have been inspired and challenged to drill down deeper with this matter of “Discipleship” and follow-through with more intentional emphasis on this study as well as its practical applications in our corps during the coming fall and winter. Having been “re-fitted” by the Spirit and so challenged by the Word we should think of this event as “a port from which we set sail rather than just a harbor in which we have anchored”.

by Major Marvin Youden