i live in community with a number of Cadets that will tell you that they were not called to officership, but rather to “ministry”.  i remember saying that; when i was younger, single and thinking about other opportunities for ministry in the larger Church Body; before i had a true understanding of my Army Calling. For the most part those of whom i speak are older, presumably wiser members of our community, who come to us from that larger Church Body.  i want to question if theirs then is a uniquely Army Calling?

           i received an email from an old friend just last week, which upon reading up on our Primitive Movement, she wrote, “I don’t believe one can claim to burden the weight of the poor; as [you] claim to try and do, when there is no struggle to change the very systems that trap people in poverty.”  She signed her email, “Your friendly EX-Salvationist”.  As of the writing of this perspective i have yet to respond to her email out of a heavy heart and sadness, perhaps inappropriately so, not at her well taken argument, but rather that she would so boldly make exclamation of her former relationship with The Army i hold so dear.  i want to question the convictions of a soldiery that doesn’t have a ever present confidence, represented in a determination to stay and fight, in our uniquely Army Calling?

           i want to question these statements because they stand in opposition to what i understand an Army Calling to represent.  i want to question these ideas because the reality of what they represent is a betrayal of the uniqueness of our Army Call.  For the uniqueness of an officer calling is NOT the same of that of a minister or pastor of the local Methodist (or Anglican) Church. The uniqueness of the call on our soldiery is not simply one of attendance on Sunday and statement of membership. Truly, we are uniquely gifted and called to so much more.

  Our Irrevocable Gifts and Calling

           i was recently lead to Romans 11:29 where Paul writes, “for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable”; and earlier in Romans 8:28, “…for those who are called according to his purpose.”  We pledge in our Articles of War that we “will be faithful to the purposes for which God raised up The Salvation Army, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, endeavoring to win others to Him, and in His name caring for the needy and the disadvantaged.”  i must believe that our Army Call and the gifts we have been given are irrevocable, and yet i believe General Coutts had it right when he said, “When Christians are untrue to their calling, the initiative passes to other hands.”      

           We need a renewed confidence in our Army Calling from officers an soldiers alike for it comes from Christ, and if for no other reason than that, we must be true to that unique calling.

  Our Mission and Commitment to it, Sealed in Covenant

           Perhaps a renewed confidence begins with a renewed understanding of our mission. William Booth wrote, “I care not what the preaching abilities or other qualifications of a man or woman may be, if he does not succeed – if he does not get the people saved – he proves incontestably that he has missed his vocation, and he ought at once to turn over a new leaf and alter his plans, or inquire for some other walk of life in which he can succeed.” (Salvation Soldiery) 

           My Army Calling is first and foremost to the saving of the lost. Yet, as i look out into the field of officers and soldiery i question our commitment to that.  Is that not what we are covenanted to do?  Yet i see that as officers much of our day to day is spent in the management of appointment rather than the soul restoration of said appointment?  As soldiers, much of our day to day is spent as if we believe an hour or two in uniform on Sunday fulfils the duties of our covenant. 

           Some will argue that there must be a happy medium here; a balance. To this i say, NO!  My Army Calling compels me to seek and save the lost first and foremost. Some will argue that i’m a naïve Cadet who will soon learn the “realities” of Army Officership. To this i say, Amen – if naivety is what this Army needs more of to get us out on the frontlines!

  My Struggle

           i echo here the statement i’ll credit to (and encourage you to read) Matthew Champ’s March 3, 2006 blog post; that our modern Army is daily threatened by a skeleton army from within our midst. 

          i believe my Holy Spirit calling (small “c”) within my greater Army Calling is at present a two-fold leading of the Holy Spirit in my life; a call to arms!

           And yet, the struggle of my calling comes daily not from the world and its critics, for they seem to believe we are “Doing the Most Good” and that is enough.  Rather i struggle against those forces from within our own ranks; officers and soldiers that likewise believe we are doing the most good.  WE ARE NOT!   i want to call into question any idea of a call that does not continually say, in the words of our Founder, “This, and better will do!”  i want to call into question any voice that would rather speak ill-will towards our Primitive Movement rather than say, “Although I might not agree 100% or may not understand my place in an Army such as this, I’d certainly like to see our whole Army fighting with such a passion as theirs against the evil of this world.”

   So Then To Speak of My Army Calling...

          “That sacred call; that glorious hazard of one’s all; that love and devotion to our Lord; that pledge to live and die beneath the flag with that fiery star, are not marketable.  These values are above price; neither bought nor sold, cannot be measured by law or finance, but are known and honored by God.”  (The House of my Pilgrimage – Albert Orsborn)

Learning the unforced rhythms of grace,
Thom Moffitt
Chicago / March 2006