Bells keep ringing despite trouble at Salvation Army
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
By Richard N. Ostling
The Associated Press
Renowned for Christmastime bell-ringers with red kettles, thrift shops, skid-row missions and efficient canteens that served 4.8 million meals after Hurricane Katrina, the Salvation Army enjoys a kind of respect accorded few American charities.
Yet the Army isn't a charity. It's a small, conservative Protestant denomination that sponsors a massive and expanding philanthropic empire even as its membership ebbs.
Last year, the organization spent $2.6 billion and aided 34.5 million people through every imaginable form of social service; about 11 percent of its income came from the government. One day, the Army's impact will be enhanced by 30-some community centers funded by America's biggest one-time charity gift — $1.5 billion from the estate of McDonald's heiress Joan Kroc.
While the fact that devout evangelicals are managing social services partly with government money has provoked protests from civil libertarians and gay activists, it hasn't undercut public support. Last December's kettle proceeds set a record and contributions to Katrina relief, the Army's biggest disaster effort ever, were triple those after Sept. 11.
Still, the Army faces internal trouble. Its 62,000 employees and 3.5 million volunteers are led by a mere 3,684 "officers" (the clergy) whose ranks have declined nearly a third the past five years. "Cadets" enrolled at the four U.S. officer-training schools are down 18 percent since 1997, to 284, and membership is also sliding.
National Commander W. Todd Bassett of Alexandria, Va., said that the Army has been hit with a cultural undertow that has hurt other churches and that officer careers require "dedicated devotion." That includes financial sacrifice. For example, 42-year veteran Bassett and his wife, Carol, (all officers' spouses must also be officers) together receive a $33,000 stipend plus housing, expenses and benefits.
"I'm a man of faith, so I know we can turn it around," Bassett said, speaking about the decline in officers. "Our recruiting in the past has been within our own ranks. We're reaching beyond that" to more non-Salvationist youths.
A product of its time
The Army originated in 19th-century England with founder William Booth's mission to help the downtrodden. Its doctrines are orthodox Christian with one oddity: no baptism or communion.
In many ways a product of its time, the Army is saturated with Victorian traditions: brass bands, distinctive uniforms and military metaphors.
Today, it is an international organization based in London with 1.4 million followers in 109 countries. The U.S. has the largest contingent, but the growth is in Africa and India.
The 113,500 U.S. "soldiers," the core among 427,000 members, have taken covenant vows, once called "Articles of War," covering doctrine, loyalty, generosity, willingness to evangelize and help the needy, and clean living (no alcohol, tobacco, drugs, gambling, pornography or profanity).
Ongoing dispute
The Army's belief that "the full expression of sexual love" should be restricted to heterosexual marriage caused dustups in recent years with cities that required charities receiving public funds to provide benefits to employees' unmarried domestic partners.
And an ongoing dispute involves l9 current and former employees, backed by the New York Civil Liberties Union, who alleged discrimination in employment. This fall, a federal judge ruled that the Army has the legal right to use religious criteria in hiring but let other allegations proceed.
Executive Director Donna Lieberman said the civil-liberties union will appeal on the hiring issue.
The Army lawyer said the organization obeys federal, state and city employment rules in social-service contracts and doesn't use public funds for religious activities.
Bassett says that the Army doesn't discriminate in hiring but believes its social-service employees should not "act or promote something contrary" to what it stands for.
R. David Rightmire, a fifth-generation Salvationist and faculty adviser to Army youths at Kentucky's Asbury College, thinks such problems will only increase as the Army seeks closer ties between its religious and charitable operations, ties that are already politically sensitive.
Diane Winston, author of the Army history "Red-Hot and Righteous," says that despite conflicts, the Army's operations are "exemplary" when it comes to those it helps.
"They truly care about people, without regard to sexual orientation or religion or race," she says.
* * * * * * * * * *
A shorter version of this article was printed in Sunday’s Chicago Sun Times.
Posted By: Eric at 9:50 AM : Link : 0 Comments
Progress Updates On The Red Book Sessions
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
-Last Wednesday I met with Bernie Dake, the producer for The Red Book Sessions. He's a great guy: very creative, smart and funny. He's going to make the album sound so much better than it would if we did it on our own. And he puts the whole project into perspective by constantly reminding, “It’s all about winning souls for the Kingdom.”
-Jon Bukiewicz, Nate Hood and I worked all day (12 hours!) on some more demos for the recording sessions. It was a great time. We’re figuring out how we will record these songs. We ironed out some difficult parts, brainstormed some new ideas, etc.
-Nate Irvine is back from Costa Rica. We finally have our drummer back! Well kind of, he’s in Michigan…
-I’m going to the National Composers Forum the third week of January. Each division sends some of its composers to meet with the Territorial Music Directors and other experts in their fields. I’m going to work with Phil Laeger, who will be my instructor at the conference.
-We are going into the studio in February and hope to have a finished product by the end of March. CD's will be sold at Youth Councils and Congress for around $7.
Historical Note:
Jon Bukiewicz and I first started this project—putting new melodies to Salvation Army Song Book songs—when we were like 15. If I remember correctly our first arrangement was of “God Be With You Till We Meet Again” SASB 954. Unfortunately, Johnny 5 Alive! (our Christian swing band) only lasted two practices.
Keeping you in the loop.
Posted By: Eric at 11:03 PM : Link : 0 Comments
Summer Mission Teams
Monday, December 19, 2005
Hey.
My life has forever been changed because I went to the Ukraine with a Summer Mission Team. I am not exaggerating when I say that I think about the Ukraine every day.
That is why I want to let you know that Summer Mission Team applications should be completed—including references—and submitted to THQ by January 17th, 2006. That is only 35 days from today! If you are interested in being a part of this life-changing experience, start filling out the application today.
They are looking for active, uniform wearing Salvationists (ages 16-28) to assist The Salvation Army in sharing the gospel next summer. They will be sending team members to locations around the world and within the Central Territory. If you want an application talk to your Corps Officer or email me and I will send you one.
Completing the application may be a bit awkward. It’s always hard to “sell yourself” but as someone who has sat on the SMT committee let me stress that appearance counts. So, do yourself a favor and type out your application, put some thought into it and get to the heart of the matter. Your references are also very important, be sure to choose responsible mentors who really know you and will be faithful to submit their recommendation on time. And if you really want to prove how responsible you are TURN YOUR APPLICATION EARLY!
I hope you are well.
Grace,
Eric Himes
Ukraine, Australia, Germany/Lithuania Summer Mission Team Alum (U.A.G/L.S.M.T.A)
P.S. if for whatever reason you are not selected as a Summer Mission Team member, chances are that we would love to have you be a part of Band of Survivors, a month long Missions/Discipleship School. BOS 2K6 runs from June 26 – July 23. Applications will be out in January.
P.P.S. if you are not interested in SMT or Band of Survivors you may want to work at camp. It’s an awesome job and they have a pool. Go to their website to get more information.
Posted By: Eric at 8:51 PM : Link : 0 Comments
Chicago Public School Assembly Letters
Friday, December 16, 2005
On December 5th and 6th thirty-three Salvationists went into thirty-one Chicago Public Schools to provide thirty-six Christmas assembly programs. We were given the opportunity to value, love, and appreciate more than 11,000 children in attendance. The Salvation Army has been given the privilege of ministering to many children in the Chicago area by demonstrating the love and kindness of Christ at these assemblies. We are fortunate to have so many doors open to us and our interaction with these children and their teachers made a positive impact for the Lord.
Today we received a bundle of thank you cards from the kids. These are my favorite ones:
Dear Army Soldiers I love the puppet show. when I grow up I what to be a Army Soldier and fight for the Army. Thank you for the school supplies and the slikers I hope you have a happy christmas.
Dear Salvation Army
Thank you for coming to Monroe School. merry christmas and have a happy Holiday. I liked your show. It was funny, Eric I like your name Eric. I liked. the songs you sanged Eric I liked how you played the Guitar. Thank you DJ and Eric for coming to Monroe School. Sincerely Angel R.
Salvation Army Thankyou for coming on Dec. 5, 2005 to Monroe School. I really like the show and supplies D.J. I really like your name. I can’t wait to grow up and join the Salvation Army! Merry Christmas! To: Salvation Army! From: Sharon D!
Posted By: Eric at 12:15 PM : Link : 0 Comments
UPON CONTINUED OBEDIENT FAITH
Thursday, December 15, 2005
A few weeks ago a Soldier from my corps went to the altar to pray. I consider this Soldier a friend, a true comrade in the fight. He has encouraged and sharpened me many times with his quiet testimony and faith. I was compelled to pray for him so I walked over and knelt and began to quietly solicit the Lord beside him. While I was praying I heard him whisper, “I’m sorry I put down your cross. Please put it back where it belongs. I will carry it again.”
Three years ago, on Easter, he stood before our congregation and publicly claimed Galatians 2:19-20 as his own:
For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
* * *
A few Sunday’s ago we had the most impressive Senior Soldier Enrollment I have ever seen; four men and two women were enrolled underneath the Army flag. What was impressive about the group was the look on their face, a look that publicly proclaimed “I know what I’m getting myself into—and knowing—I make this covenant to seek souls and oppose Satan.” It was a great look. They stood, they smiled, they saluted, they prayed, they signed.
When the ceremony ended my Soldier-friend (who I had prayed with the week before) marched to the front of the chapel. The congregation was stirred with fluttering programs, head turns and whispers. I realized that this was an unexpected change to our usual Sunday worship. He had a golf bag slung around his shoulder.
He told us that he was not giving a testimony but rather sharing a confession. He leaned the golf bag against the altar and pulled out an oversized, aluminum driver. He stared at the club and shared his heart. He told us how much he loved golf, how he obsessed over the sport, how he would stay up until 1am to watch Tiger Woods finish a round somewhere in Asia. He looked at the crowd––as if looking in a mirror––and said that he loved golf more than Jesus. He said that he put down the cross that he publicly claimed three years ago and put a golf bag in its place.
He read 1 John 1:5-10:
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
Then he read the 9th Doctrine of The Salvation Army:
“We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ.”
He gave Glory to God for picking him up a third time and for putting His cross where it belonged.
He looked at the clubs and said, “I am dead to these.”
* * *
This is Primitive Salvationism.
Posted By: Eric at 2:27 PM : Link : 0 Comments
THE VISION
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
So this guy comes up to me and says,
"what's the vision? What's the big idea?"
I open my mouth and words come out like this… The vision?
The vision is JESUS:
obsessively, dangerously, undeniably Jesus.
The vision is an army of young people.
You see bones?
I see an army.
And they are FREE from materialism.
They laugh at 9-5 little prisons.They could eat caviar on Monday and crusts on Tuesday.They wouldn't even notice.They know the meaning of the Matrix,
the way the west was won.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.What is the vision? The vision is holiness that hurts the eyes.
It makes children laugh and adults angry.
It gave up the game of minimum integrity long ago to reach for the stars.
It scorns the good and strains for the best.
It is dangerously pure.
Light flickers
from every secret motive,
every private conversation.It loves people away from their suicide leaps, their Satan games. This is an army
that will lay down its life for the cause.A million times a day
its soldiers choose to loose that they might one day win the great
'Well done' of faithful sons and daughters.
Such heroes are as radical
on Monday morning as Sunday night.
They don't need fame from names.
Instead they grin quietly upwards
and hear the crowds chanting again and again:
"COME ON!"
And this is the sound of the undergroundThe whisper of history in the makingFoundations shakingRevolutionaries dreaming once againMystery is scheming in whispersConspiracy is breathing…This is the sound of the underground
And the army is discipl(in)ed.
Young people who beat their bodies into submission.
Every soldier would take a bullet for his comrade at arms. The tattoo on their back boasts "for me to live is Christ and to die is gain".
Sacrifice fuels the fire
of victory in their upward eyes.
Winners.
Martyrs.
Who can stop them? Can hormones hold them back? Can failure succeed?
Can fear scare them or death kill them?
And the generation prays
like a dying man with groans beyond
talking, with warrior cries,
sulphuric tears andwith great barrow loads of laughter!Waiting.
Watching:
24–7–365.
Whatever it takes they will give:
Breaking the rules.
Shaking mediocrity from its cosy little hide.
Laying down their rights and their precious little wrongs,
laughing at labels,
fasting essentials.
The advertisers cannot mould them.
Hollywood cannot hold them.
Peer-pressure is powerless
to shake their resolve
at late night parties
before the cockerel cries.
They are incredibly cool,
dangerously attractive inside.
On the outside? They hardly care.
They wear clothes like costumes:
to communicate and celebrate but never to hide. Would they surrender their image or their popularity? They would lay down their very lives –
swap seats with the man on death row - guilty as hell.
A throne for an electric chair.
With blood and sweat and many tears, with sleepless nights and fruitless days,
they pray as if it all depends on God and live as if it all depends on them.
Their DNA chooses JESUS.
(He breathes out, they breathe in.)Their subconscious sings.
They had a blood transfusion with Jesus. Their words make demons scream in shopping centres.Don't you hear them coming? Herald the weirdo's!
Summon the losers and the freaks.
Here come the frightened and forgotten
with fire in their eyes.
They walk tall and trees applaud,
skyscrapers bow,
mountains are dwarfed
by these children of another dimension.
Their prayers summon the hounds of heaven and invoke the ancient dream of Eden.
And this vision will be.
It will come to pass;
it will come easily;
it will come soon.How do I know?
Because this is the longing of creation itself, the groaning of the Spirit, the very dream of God. My tomorrow is his today.
My distant hope is his 3D.
And my feeble,
whispered,
faithless prayer
invokes a thunderous,
resounding,
bone-shaking
great 'Amen!'
from countless angels,
from hero's of the faith,
from Christ himself.
And he is the original dreamer,
the ultimate winner.
Guaranteed.
Cory Harrison referenced “The Vision” on Friday night. It is also cited in Stephen Court and Aaron White’s new book “REVOLUTION”.
Read more about it here.
Posted By: Eric at 4:09 PM : Link : 0 Comments
Mission and Purpose Conference Blurb
Monday, December 12, 2005
The next Territorial young adult function is the Mission and Purpose Conference. It will be held February 17-19, 2006 at Camp Wonderland in Wisconsin. At this conference you will have the opportunity to explore God’s will for your future – possibly as a lay professional or as an Officer of The Salvation Army. M.A.P. is a great place to get answers to some of the questions and hard decisions you have to make at this point in your life, as well as enjoy a time of fellowship with others across the Territory. To learn more or to receive a registration form contact your Corps Officer or your DYS Major Renea Smith.
Posted By: Eric at 6:27 PM : Link : 0 Comments
Shout Outs from Hammond Prayer and Praise Night
Sunday, December 11, 2005
I just wanted to give a few shout outs from last nights Prayer and Praise night:
1. To all of you who came. There were over 50! I know that many of you traveled a great distance to come on Friday. Thank you for taking the time and braving the elements. It was great to hear your testimonies, praise the Lord and look into the Articles of War together.
2. To the Hammond Youth Ministry Team. Thank you to the Bukiewicz, Aho, Aldridge and Ross families. You made the night a success, thanks for the pizza, chips and salsa.
3. To Cory Harrison. What can I say? The message you gave was incredible. It was great to refocus on the Articles of War and claim that we are in this fight until we die. You exposed what commitment to the Revolution is, showed what the Revolution looks like and called us to be accountable to the Revolution. Praise God that you drew the line at the bottom of your Articles of War and then signed it!
The next Prayer and Praise Night will be at 7pm on Friday, January 27th at the CFOT (700 W. Brompton Ave. Chicago, IL 60657-1831). If you don’t have anything going on at your Corps that night, it would be great to see you.
Posted By: Eric at 12:09 AM : Link : 0 Comments
New Journal of Aggressive Christianity
Friday, December 09, 2005
The new issue of Journal of Aggressive Christianity is out.You may be interested to know that two writers from the Central Territory (and for that matter, the Metropolitan Division) were published in this edition.If you’re looking for articles about Christmas, souvenirs of Salvationism, papers on a model for social/spiritual marriage and Officership, stuff on community, evangelism and engaging culture, a strong opinion on the sacraments, the power of fasting, insights on covenant and a vision of worship check it out here.
Posted By: Eric at 12:41 PM : Link : 0 Comments
Reminder: Hammond-Munster Prayer and Praise Night THIS FRIDAY!
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
The Hammond-Munster Corps is hosting the Youth Prayer and Praise Night this Friday, December 9th starting at 7pm. Cory Harrison—author of the updated version of Aggressive Christianity—is a special guest speaker.
I know that this is a hectic time of year and you may be hesitant to travel down to Hammond on Friday.
If you haven’t made up your mind about coming let me share four reasons why you may want to make the trip:
1. Cory is a powerful speaker that needs to be heard first hand.
2. It would be great to encourage the Hammond-Munster Corps by coming to their Prayer and Praise Night.
3. It is the last Prayer and Praise Night of 2005!
4. There may or may not be ridiculous prizes given out during the Sword Drill.
Bonus reason:
The Chronicles of Narnia will still be in theatres on Saturday night.
For directions to Hammond-Munster please click here.
Posted By: Eric at 3:34 PM : Link : 0 Comments
Chicago Public School Assemblies Day 2
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Posted By: Eric at 6:37 PM : Link : 0 Comments
Chicago Public School Assemblies
Monday, December 05, 2005
Each year The Salvation Army performs Christmas assemblies and passes out gifts in the Chicago public schools. Today my wife and I went into three elementary schools with a great team of cadets from the CFOT. We had puppets, talked about taking care of the earth and the importance of loyalty, happiness, and love.
We sang X-mas songs about fictitious reindeer and snowmen, about getting 12 days worth of ridiculous gifts and about an old man who knows when you are awake, pouting, crying or asleep. One school greeted us warmly by forbidding us from saying “Merry Christmas” (we were rebels by singing “Feliz Navidad” instead). As stupid as it is that we weren’t able to sing or share about the Lord, I have no doubt that He honored our efforts. The Spirit was in those auditoriums and God’s love shone through us all.
Posted By: Eric at 6:29 PM : Link : 0 Comments
SA Christmas Worship Leaders
Friday, December 02, 2005
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus (SASB #79) is one of my favorite Christmas songs. It is often overlooked (undersung?) during the Christmas season.
During a personal time of worship today I realized that you can sing Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus to the tune that is commonly sung today to Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing (SASB #313). This only works if you sing the verses of Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus with the chorus from Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing ("Glory, glory, Jesus saves me…").
Confused? Look below and see for yourself. It may be cool this season to incorporate this song into worship at your Corps. If you have any questions, email me.
Posted By: Eric at 3:47 PM : Link : 1 Comments
I’m A Blood And Fire Soldier
Yesterday I found the lyrics to a crazy old Army fight song that is not in the song book today. It’s so old it doesn’t even say who wrote it. I love how passionate and reckless it is, I think it may even give “Never Mind, Go On!” a run for its money (not that a song has money or that I even know what that phrase means). I also love that it refers to the devil as both the “skeleton captain of hell” and “dude”. I am proud to present…
I’m A Blood And Fire Soldier
I’m a salvation soldier converted I know,
I am known as a soldier above and below;
For I get of heaven’s fire as forward I go,
To fight in the salvation war.
I delight in the din of the battle;
I glory in sanctified noise;
I was born in the run and the rattle,
Of those jolly salvation boys.
I’m a Blood-and-Fire soldier, from top to toe;
I lick the old devil wherever I go;
I recruit for my Savior; my colors I show,
I fight in the salvation war.
I am clad in full uniform, inside and out,
I am always at home when the devil’s about;
To meet the old dude I ne’er need to scout,
He’s so close on my track in the war.
But with shield and with sword I encounter,
The skeleton captain of hell;
Though he besets and may bully and banter,
I’m a salvation antagonist well.
I get my hot-shot at the foot of the Cross,
From Calvary’s furnace, they come without dross;
And the glory comes down and gives them a gloss,
Just right for the salvation war.
Though the foes in their boasting may revel,
And assail me with fiery darts,
The faith shield is proof to the battle,
It has shielded many glorified hearts.
Now, old men and maidens and mothers agree;
And all you brave fellows do come along with me;
If something heroic and great you would be,
Enlist for the salvation war.
Salvation—immortality—glory!
Are inscribed on our flags in the fray,
And Heaven will re-echo the story
Of the victories we’re gaining today.
Posted By: Eric at 1:58 PM : Link : 0 Comments
12.09.05 Youth Prayer and Praise Night at the Hammond-Munster Corps
Thursday, December 01, 2005
There is a Youth Prayer and Praise Night next Friday, December 9th starting at 7pm at the Hammond-Munster Corps (8225 Columbia Ave. Munster, IN 46321). Cory Harrison—author of the updated version of Aggressive Christianity—will be our special guest speaker.
It will be a night of fellowship, prayer, praise and teaching for the youth of our Division. These nights are a great opportunity for us to worship and pray in a diverse community of our peers. They are not mandatory. If you don’t have anything going on at your Corps that night, it would be great to see you.
Here’s what you should bring:
-Your Bibles; there will be a "sword drill".
-A testimony about what the Lord is doing in your life and at your Corps.
-$2 to help pay for the snack.
Here’s what you should know:
-You may want to car pool or organize transportation in advance if you are interested in coming.
For directions to Hammond-Munster please click here.
See you there?
Posted By: Eric at 1:18 PM : Link : 0 Comments
