Summer Assignment 2010

Yesterday was the announcement of annual moves in The Salvation Army in the Canada & Bermuda Territory. A number of officers received phone calls informing them that at the start of July they are expected to relocate and commence service in a new location or role.

It was also a very exciting day around the College for Officer Training in Winnipeg, where Second Year Cadets received their very first appointments as Salvation Army officers. After 22 months of training these individuals and families are being given responsibility for leading a Salvation Army unit. You can see a list of where the cadets are going on the College's website.

Also announced at CFOT were the summer assignments for the First Year Cadets - a group that I belong to. While the Second Years were given private visits in their apartments to break the news, we were summoned to the College for a light lunch and told in front of the entire College community where we would spend the summer. When my name was called it was announced that I was spending the summer in Bay Roberts, Newfoundland.

I am looking forward to the summer and the time I am going to spend in Bay Roberts. Summer assignments are an opportunity for cadets to gain experience in ministry under the supervision of a more experienced officer. Going to Newfoundland will also give me the opportunity to experience a different culture and expression of the Army from what I have grown up with. Of course I've been to Newfoundland a few times since Susan is from the island, but two months doing ministry within that context will be a new experience and fantastic opportunity.

You can check out the full list of summer assignments here.

I leave you with a picture of me and some friends taken in Bay Roberts when I was there in 2001 on a band trip.

Acts 29

Over the past 4 Sundays, Edmonton Temple has been privileged to have three distinguished guest speakers visiting. The first was Dr. Ron Powell, a local youth ministry instructor. He came to us to speak specifically to the problem of bullying that faces so many people in our society, both children and adults. Second was Dr. Don Burke, President of Booth University College. And today we were blessed by the teaching of Dr. Paul Magnus, who is a member of the faculty at Briercrest College and Seminary.

Dr. Magnus challenged us to be a church of Irresistible Influence. I would invite you to listen to his challenge online.

Another brief conversation that I found interesting today came just before the Sunday morning service. Last Sunday I was presented with my Candidate pin, indicating that I have been granted acceptance to enter into the College for Officer Training, which I wear on my uniform. While I was in the church office waiting for something I needed for the service one of the other members of the church commented on the significant level of commitment that this little pin indicates.

This person made the comment that they believe that people's desire to avoid making commitments is a serious problem in our society. I would have to agree that there is a general tendency by people to avoid long-term commitments.

As a high school student I was told by educators that, statistically speaking, I would likely hold not only multiple jobs but would most probably change careers several times. People just don't stay with the same employers for 40 or more years very often any more.

In my previous position with The Salvation Army I attended a couple of volunteer management seminars and workshops. During each of these, as part of the teaching given on attracting volunteers, we were told that volunteers are often not looking for ongoing opportunities, but rather prefer to commit to one-time events.

As I listened to Dr. Magnus' challenge to be a church of irresistible influence, I wondered how much more significant and effective our witness would be if our level of commitment to the faith we claim wasn't hindered by the evasion of commitment that is so common in our society.

I sincerely believe that God has a calling for each person's life. I know full well that not all are called to vocational ministry such as Salvation Army Officership, but God does still call some to this lifestyle. It can be a difficult thing to commit to, but I am confident that God equips those who are willing to surrender to this calling. I know for myself that part of this equipping has been a change of attitude. I was extremely resistant to my own calling to Officership, but since I decided that I wanted the best that Christ had in store for my life God has given me a new enthusiasm for the life that lies ahead of me.

While commitment is something that we resist, it seems obvious to me that those things that require of us the greatest level of commitment are the things that provide the greatest return on our investment.