I've been spending the day trying to work out positional statements for The Salvation Army in Aus.
Abortion, Prostitution, Environment, Gambling, social justice and so on... it's a tricky business sometimes... I am reminded of Andrew Marin's book Love is An Orientation where he talks about love being more about a posture than a position. Often positions themselves hem us into boxes and make judgements on principles instead of on people. I spoke about putting people over principles as a lifestyle being one way to combat pharisaical living. On the other hand without guidance people falter... and come up with their own 'positions' that can damage even more.
So, living in the tension as Marin so beautifully calls it is trying together to use Godly wisdom and collective understanding and experience to offer some guidance in our positional statements. Look forward to some study guides coming soon.
1 comment:
Hey Danielle
I've become interested in the subtle differences in various Salvation Army Territories to "positions" on various big questions, and have been struggling with the notion of whether there should be closer correlation or greater emphasis should be placed on context and culture of the respective Territories.
Also, the question needs to be asked, because positional statements on moral issues are hugely sensitive; are those charged with the responsibility of outlining such positions for The Salvation Army in various places equally well informed and engaged as each other.
A lot of the grief the SA gets online stems from situations that occur at a local level in the US (employment and discrimination issues/officer marriage etc) that are deemed unacceptable by certain groups in society. Should those aggrieved parties get on the web to vent their spleen, (rightly or wrongly) a huge online battering for the whole SA can often ensue, a deal of which is based on regurgitated and uninformed postings, most usually by non-Salvationists.
Rarely do I see sensitive, informed and reasoned response from us as a global movement, and sometimes the responses have come from Officers at a local level, and made scenarios worse.
Now, it could be that a gracious silence is the most appropriate response to some criticism, but I wonder too if lack of engagement and guidance at SA International level is a failing we are guilty of.
I suppose I’m tending towards desire for a more global and consistent perspective, and most of all a desire that grace is given due priority.
Any thoughts?
J
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