The International Staff Songsters - I Surrender All

A NEW OUTREACH INITIATIVE Part One

Dear Friends, 



I thought now that this new blog initiative has been up and running for two weeks it was time for me to introduce myself to you and share with you something of ‘my story’.  

At the moment I find myself in what must be the best appointment in the Salvation Army world;  Divisional Candidates Officer for the North Western Division of the UK Territory.  

I have only been in this appointment for six weeks and have already been excited and blessed to hear some of your stories as you explore as to whether or not Officership is God’s will for your life. 

This is my home division and it is wonderful to be back here working with candidates and prospective candidates in the place my spiritual and ministerial journey began. 

I grew up in the Corps at Southport having been taken to the Salvation Army at the age of five by my grandmother.  Immediately I felt at home and loved all that was going on.  Numerous families within the Corps took this ‘non-Army’ child under their wings, brought, fetched and carried me, and in countless ways showed me Jesus.  

As a seven year old I was encouraged to ‘give my heart to Jesus’.  I remember it clearly, almost as if it was yesterday.  We had about 200 young people in our Sunday School at the time and when the invitation was extended to ‘come and meet Jesus’ many were making their way to the mercy seat to make their prayers of commitment and dedication.  I desperately wanted to do so as well, but being painfully shy couldn’t pluck up the courage to leave my chair and make my way forward. However, after a few nudges from an understanding and compassionate teacher I eventually made my way to the mercy seat; by this time nearly everyone else was back in their seats.  The YPSM of the time came and knelt alongside me.  I have no idea what he said or what he prayed but I knew something very real was happening, something very important that was going to stay with me for the rest of my life.  It was so real that this very shy child couldn’t wait to get home and share what had happened, and then I even ran and told our neighbours who I now imagine were possibly left somewhat bemused by this very excited and enthusiastic child sharing her testimony. 



Sunday School teachers taught and trained me in the ways of God.  They encouraged me to pray and read my Bible daily and really mean it when we sang: 



‘I want to do something for Jesus 


E’en though but a child I may be 


I’d love, yes I’d love to do something 


Because He did so much for me’ 



And so from a very early age I was taught to believe and know that God expected something from me, something special, and everything within me wanted to be what God wanted me to be.

I was told on my Candidate’s farewell Sunday by a little old lady who used to sit on the back row of our hall that even before I was made a Junior Soldier I had told her that, “God wants me to be a Salvation Army Officer and that is what I am going to be”.  It was almost as if hand-in-hand this is what God and I were going to do with my life.  I always ‘knew’ and still know that this is what God requires of me.  There is something deep within me that believes I was born to be a Salvation Army Officer; this is my purpose in life and now 27 years since my Commissioning and Ordination I still firmly believe this is who I am and who I am meant to be.

Saying farewell in Exeter.

Major Glad Ljungholm

DHQ Liverpool

Dear Salvationists:

Very shortly I will commence international travel to Africa, South America East, New York and several countries in Europe. I look forward to seeing the Army around the world. What wonderful opportunities to learn and to minister! I will want to share some insights from these visits with you.  These letters will also keep you informed on what is happening with regards to our international vision and associated action steps as well as soliciting your intercession for specific prayer topics. Of course, the pastoral tone of these letters will continue. To incorporate these emphases, I will in future publish this letter under the caption, Sharing the vision.

When in London, I attend the corps near my home. The congregation is very diverse when it comes to culture, age, economic standing, personal needs and knowledge of the Army.  Sometimes, looking around, you would wonder how such a different group of people could be called a family but we are. The worship service gives quality time to greeting each other, prayer and testimony and is followed by fellowship around a cup of coffee. It is all so authentic, warm and relevant. The preaching is exceptional and the word is not just exhortation but sound teaching. Time is given to the sermon.  Then there is the mercy seat appeal. Again, no rush. Though I have only been able to attend the corps a few times, I have witnessed some very moving responses. The week’s programmes offer an array of ministry for body, mind and soul. The corps carries the needs of the world and the community on its heart. Its intercession and practical service are convincing proof of its dedication. In describing the corps where I soldier, I hope I have described yours. What I have always loved about the Army is that soldiers of all ages are involved in our worship and service. 

Our time together with the family of God is integral to who we are. We are nourished by the worship, the fellowship, the sermon. Yet the personal spiritual journey needs consistent attention as well. Eugene Peterson (translator of The Message) said, ‘The Bible is given to us in the first place simply to invite us to make ourselves at home in the world of God…and become familiar with the way God speaks and the ways in which we answer him with our lives.’

I encourage you to spend time each day entering into his sacred space, through his word and prayer.  Jesus advised us about these private encounters: But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.  (Matthew 6:6) For me, the room is the Scriptures.  Make yourself at home there. Discover him; hear him speak; see the world from his point of view. Jesus goes on to say, ‘Then the Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.’ His greatest reward is the reality of his presence!  May you experience the joy of it this day.

God bless you richly.

Sincerely,

Linda Bond

GENERAL

LATITUDE LATVIA...

Children in Sakarni enjoy a cook out in their new building sponsored by the FSAOF... every child in the village turned out to greet Glad and Sven- their 6th visit! Falling leaves and rain couldn't keep them away from the aroma of shashlik and hotdogs.

Tomorrow we will take this young lad to the doctor to have his badly infected foot looked after and all costs will be covered by the FSAOF.

We met Igor in Seda in June and his badly damaged glasses were adversely affecting rather than helping his sight.  The Wright sisters who were part of the team left money with the Captain to take Igor to an optician and here are the results.  Noteworthy is recognising who Igor thanks.

One of six computers donated by the FSAOF  This is the SA hall renovated and painted by a FSAOF recruited team 2010 and 2011.  Captain Sergei lays a new floor and skirting boards donated by the FSAOF

In addition we delivered a Yamaha keyboard to the Seda outpost donated by the Southport Citadel Corps UK.  And a gift of 200 pounds from the Cwmbran Corps, Wales, UK was donated to be used in hosting Christmas Celebrations in both Sakarni and Seda.

ANOTHER FSAOF VISIT TO LATVIA!

Latvia – August, 2011

At present Sven and I are on board a ship, a Russian freighter, travelling from Travemundi, Germany to Venspels, Latvia.  This is our third visit this year, our sixth in 3 years, having already come very early in the New Year heavy laden with Christmas gifts for ‘our kids’ in time for their Christmas celebrations on the 7th January, in accordance with the Russian Orthodox calendar.  We then returned in June with a team of 14 merry and able co- helpers to accomplish what has now become our annual main ‘Mission to Latvia’ trip during which time we helped renovate SA property, conduct a daily children’s programme for the week, lead worship, and generally help improve the quality of life for the people we have learned to love over the years with practical gifts and practical love expressed in general health care too.

Sven and I now find ourselves returning on something of an unscheduled visit.  Again, our car heaving under the weight of the resources we bring: a promised key board (typical Sven!) for the outpost at Seda for them to use week by week in their worship services and more gifts and toys, to make sure every child has a treasured one in time for Christmas, and not forgetting the rather large quantity of sweets to help replenish what was given earlier in the summer.  We go too, very much looking forward to seeing the children again whom in some ways we have adopted as our own.  Wanting to see …….. in his new glasses … to learn how ……..’s arm has mended … how far ……. is on with her pregnancy and how housebound Signe is getting on with her computer skills with the computer that was gifted her from our last mission trip.

So far, this journey seems to have taken forever.  It started some weeks ago when we travelled from our then temporary accommodation in Coatbridge, near Glasgow, Scotland to Bourne, Lincolnshire with a car full of ‘stuff’ that was going to be shipped out free of charge this week. (10 hours)  We then made a second trip to Bourne last Saturday with a second carload (8 hours) and then again on Thursday evening, only this time to retrieve some of the things we had dropped off as the Baptist Church’s plans to have “our” 40’ container in Latvia by tomorrow, our scheduled unloading date, had fallen through and the shipment is now to be at a later date.

With our ferry crossings booked and our plans made we still needed and wanted to make this journey and so here we find ourselves once again in the middle of the Baltic Sea, anticipating our 4 hour drive and midnight arrival in Sakarni later this evening and meeting with ‘our kids’ in the morning.

Glad Ljungholm
Active UKT
DHQ Liverpool

When You're Undermined

What happens when someone disrespects, undermines, or outright defies your pastoral authority?

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The idea of pastoral authority can seem abstract—until it's challenged. Suddenly its presence or absence is unmistakable. That's why we sought out a diverse group of pastors to tell us about how they responded to being undermined. We wanted to see how authority is exercised in the most crucial circumstance: when it's under fire.

Firm and Balanced

In 35 years of ministry, I've witnessed the extremes of pastoral authority.

On one end of the spectrum is the pastor who has no authority. This pastor functions as a "hired gun" installed by a board that micromanages his message and methodology, leaving him feeling weak and unable to pursue his calling with passion.

The other extreme is the pastor whose authority borders on "monarchial." This kind of pastor controls every detail of his congregants' lives, even what they wear. His control goes far beyond that which is biblical.

What we need is pastoral authority that is biblical and balanced. This type of authority accomplishes what God has called us to do and nothing more. We don't need a vision for all of our parishioners' careers and relationships; they do. We need a vision for the work of God and enough authority to protect that work from derailment.

I have had my authority challenged on occasion. When necessary I have been quite forceful with those seeking to damage what God has entrusted to me.

One time I asked one of our young ministers to decline a preaching invitation elsewhere when I needed him to serve at our home church. The young man responded belligerently, "I don't have time to serve this vision. In two years, I will be where you are."

I confiscated his keys, and we parted ways.

In the ten years since, that impetuous young pastor has not reached the lofty heights he envisioned. Rebellion is not God's way of preparation for effectiveness. He later returned to apologize, having reaped what he had sown.

Pastors are beloved so long as we do what people want us to do. The moment we don't, our authority may be challenged. But remember, we aren't politicians elected to do the will of the people. We are called to do the will and work of God.

We certainly don't need dictator-types leading God's people, but I believe that sheep are comforted and protected by a brave shepherd's staff and rod. We protect the sheep from wolves that would destroy. I wielded the rod when I had to chasten a guest speaker who took more liberty with my congregation than I believed was appropriate, and when I removed a woman who attempted to disrupt our service with her practice of black magic.

Remember, we aren't politicians elected to do the will of the people. We are called to the will and work of God.

Our model is Christ, who knew when to be a lion and when to be the lamb. Some things he accomplished as a lamb that he couldn't achieve as a lion. Yet Jesus could be the roaring lion from the tribe of Judah when he needed to be.

John Stott: home to be with the Lord

The church in the UK and around the world is richer for this man's great life

by Doug Birdsall and Lindsay BrownPosted: Wednesday, July 27, 2011, 23:35 (BST)

John Stott

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For all of us who were together in Cape Town for the Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelisation, we will remember the moving tributes given to the two giants of The Lausanne Movement, Billy Graham and John Stott.

They were personal friends who loved and admired one another, and they were the defining figures of global evangelicalism for the last sixty years.

On July 27, 2011, “Uncle John” went home to be with the Lord. He is now with the One who he served all his life and in whom he had total confidence.

John Stott impacted the church around the world in many ways. Perhaps his greatest contribution was to articulate clearly and to defend robustly the evangelical faith which he always understood to be biblical faith, grounded in the New Testament. Evangelicalism was to Stott an expression of historic, orthodox Christianity.

The Cross of Christ was central to the message. Stott preached the Cross as the sole means by which men and women could be made right with God.

The resurrection of Christ was the great hope of his life, as it is for all mankind, and the hope for life beyond death. This is the great reality he is now experiencing as the reward and vindication for all he preached and for which he lived during the many years of his ministry in London and around the world.

Perhaps more than any other person in the last century, John Stott restored confidence in the authority of God’s Word and in the centrality of biblical preaching and teaching. He inspired many evangelicals around the world to make a robust and clear affirmation of biblical truth while at the same time emphasising that this must be backed up with a distinctive, godly Christian life.

He was able to hold together, in constructive biblical tension, a passionate commitment to evangelism along with a profound commitment to ministering to the needs of people in the context of suffering and brokenness. This is best expressed in The Lausanne Covenant, of which he is the chief author, and which is seen as the defining evangelical document of the 20th Century.

Everywhere John Stott travelled to teach, he encouraged “double listening”. This was a listening to the voice of the Spirit of God through his Word, and listening to the voice and the needs of our broken world.

Stott was known for his love for the majority world and for students. He gave himself tirelessly to assisting and encouraging pastors and students in Africa, Latin America, Asia, the South Pacific and the Middle East. He leaves friends everywhere.

Of course, his friends and his hosts knew that he would also always want to take advantage of bird watching whenever the opportunity presented itself!

The church in the UK and around the world is richer for his great life. His simple lifestyle, his powerful preaching with its precision of thought and expression, his books written with such depth and clarity, have touched thousands and thousands of people around the world.

We are saddened by his departure, but strengthened with the knowledge that his great confidence and his lifelong hope in Christ has now been made real to him, and his life’s work has been vindicated.

Daniel 12:3: “And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above, and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”

We were blessed to be impacted by a man we loved so much.

Let us seek to honour Christ, and also to honour John Stott, through a life that is lived for the glory of God and for the good of the church and the world.