Sitting in the Melbourne Airport waiting for my flight, I was thinking today about the incredible realities of travel. How the world is shrinking in this generation. Word has it that young people called to Officership in The Salvation Army are applying all around the world.. trying to pick the country that they feel 'called to'. It's evidence of a new generation meeting an older system when the current structure doesn't really know how to process or how to attract in this way. I know it challenges some of our existing processes - but I think it could be an amazing opportunity. It could help us use the existing 'smallness' of the world to spread the gospel, train up a generation of globe trotting leaders and advance God's Kingdom on earth.
It would force us to abandon the 'territory' model that insists on direct benefit or no deposit.. it would widen our scope to be thinking about World impact rather than plugging holes in an existing system. I don't know - I'm just thinking here... but what would be the possibilities of a global training system - connected virtually and physically by the 'pilgrim generation'... ?? nice to dream about.
6 comments:
it'd definately be interesting...
and probably very cool...
it's an interesting thought especialy when lots of officers in this territory you and i currently serve in, think they are doing missionary service if they are appointed to Western Australia!!
Here am I, my Lord, send me.....anywhere...I'll put my hand up for Italy or France or Canada
L
I find it intriguing that people would apply where they 'feel called'!
I am currently appointed in the Philippines, I felt I was being called to Africa but God knew better and I LOVE my second home! I doubt many people would want to put their hand up to train here though, not because the training is any less... the OTC is fantastic, intense training from qualified leaders and there are many incredible opportunities for service!
Yet, when Commissioned you would be one of the lucky ones to live on $35 a week, you could possibly be given an appointment where you only receive 50% of that allowance and you could have a home smaller than your current bedroom with no bathroom, electricity or running water... I wonder if anyone is feeling 'called' to study here and become and officer in this country (or many others with similar circumstances)?
I have a question based on your blog entry. What places are people feeling called to train and serve in, if not their own country? Are they the 'comfy' countries where all the grants and allowances are available? I may be totally 'off base', this is purely a question of interest.
I am humbled daily by the sacrifices of my fellow officers, I am challenged over and over by the commitment of those I serve alongside, I don't write these words to lessen the commitment of anyone in ANY country, but just wonder if we are really willing to give up basic needs so we can serve where we 'are called'?
Debbie
i know what year ive been called into the training college. But i never really thought about after.. hmm. But im up for going wherever God sends me!
They are mobile like the wind, they belong to the nations. They need no passport.. People write their addresses in pencil and wonder at their strange existence.
They are free yet they are slaves of the hurting and dirty and dying.
How awesome it would be -- perhaps! -- if there were a worldwide SFOT "territory" (sort of like how the ARC functions as its own division or command but is geographical in every division in USA East). Imagine the financial and personnel and know-how resources of New York being pooled with those in Helsinki and Moscow and ...
Equality for all cadets across the board. Those in New York would have to give up A LOT; those elsewhere would gain a lot. (And of course, the "gain" goes both ways -- and is not only monetary!!)
It really sucks that USA East is so rich that it basically steals people from all over the world. I've seen it in other places too.
Yes, to get rid of this idea that the territory that trains you "owns" you -- which means, for example, that a Russian woman is "owned" by USA West. But to have ALL officers really ready and willing to serve anywhere in the world that they are needed. Cool.
Universal standards, too -- for acceptance and for training. Excellent.
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