Pilgrim Soldier

A lot of those writing in the Salvation Army blogosphere are expressing the need for a return to the militant attitude of the past. It has to be all or nothing and we must keep up with the best examples to be of any use in this Army of ours. Whilst I have some sympathy for this position I’m growing increasingly worried about the way this must be affecting those faithful soldiers who have fought the fight for many years, yet do not have the same sense of urgency in their expression. Is this their fault or are they simply the innocent victims of the malaise that has affected the Army for decades now?

Something I have understood from my very short time in ministry is that we need to give time for people to grasp the vision of a better discipleship. It is not going to happen overnight for everyone and we have many people in our congregations who are open to learning but who are not going to be transformed in the time that we want them to but instead will be in God’s time!

Taking terms from the theatre of war is common in our Army so here’s another. I wonder how many of our potentially best troops are being injured by ‘friendly fire’ from well intentioned but inconsiderate and careless forces within their colleagues!