I’ll Fight for God’s Mission!

Booth’s declaration of war on sin and suffering and for salvation had to get personal for today’s Salvationists, said Secretary for Programme Lieut-Colonel Lyndon Buckingham. He was speaking at a Council of War in which new Territorial Strategic Mission Plan goals that will focus The Salvation Army’s efforts for the next three years were launched. ‘God helping us, we will be the answer to someone else’s prayers!’ he said.

The Mission 2010 Congress was held in Manukau from 1-3 October. It followed ‘Just Action’, the territory’s largest-ever social justice conference. The 500 Just Action delegates, many of whom work for hope and healing every day, focused on bringing change to their communities, their nations and the world.

During Saturday night’s Council of War, impassioned pleas were given by champions for each of the New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga’s four mission goals: Major Rod Carey for the Army’s ‘blood and fire’ mission of evangelism and discipleship, Major Heather Rodwell for covenanted soldiers in the Army’s fighting force, Major Campbell Roberts for a Salvation Army with a ‘deep and burning love for people’ that battled poverty and injustice, and Lieut-Colonel Lyndon Buckingham on the foundational need for all to work together.

With the four mission goals of the past five years proving their worth, overwhelming response to consultation across the territory was that the goals should remain similar or the same – that the good work begun must continue and that these mission goals were bringing valuable intentional focus to mission advancement.

The new goals are to:

1. Make dynamic disciples of Jesus – this goal now carries an inherent evangelism imperative; it is more inclusive, with a wider focus than only disciples within The Salvation Army, and signals the need to lift high the name of Jesus.
2. Increase the number of soldiers – this goal signals the intention to strengthen soldiership by recruiting new soldiers, ensuring that current soldiers remain strong in their commitments and calling all to ‘live the Kingdom of God’.
3. Take significant steps to eradicate poverty and injustice – this ‘audacious’ goal, which captures the stirring in people’s hearts for justice, has gone global and will see The Salvation Army in New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga target injustice as well as poverty, wherever it exists in the world.
4. Be a connected, streamlined and mission-focused Army – this goal remains unchanged, signalling that while The Salvation Army is more connected than it was five years ago, it is still on a journey that requires all to stand ‘shoulder to shoulder’ to effectively deliver on mission.

Officers and local officers had already had a preview of the goals when they met in councils on Friday. Commissioners Don and Debi Bell reminded the ‘mission leaders’ that they served in a ‘blood and fire Army’; these were words of warfare and they must be people of faith as they stepped forward into the ‘next chapter’ of Salvation Army mission. A number of representative local officers were honoured during the weekend, emphasising the value of those whose long-term dedication helped ensure local mission success.

Friday’s evening’s ‘Salvation Story’ presentation brought together creative arts and multi-media in a powerful reminder that the Army’s God-given mission stretched back to the dawn of creation. It was God’s charge to his people to tell the story of salvation through the cross of Jesus Christ, with William Booth, the Army’s founder, calling for tireless efforts to ‘rescue the perishing’. The debut of a Maori haka of Booth’s famous ‘I’ll fight’ speech was thrilling.

This was followed by the solemn entry of prayer banners that had travelled throughout New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga in the six months leading to the Mission 2010 Congress. The banners were a visual reminder that the weekend was bathed in prayer and that God’s blessing was essential if the Army was to achieve its mission of caring for people, transforming lives and reforming society. Video clips of people who had discovered family and freedom through The Salvation Army reminded everyone of the deep and urgent needs of people outside the arena in which they met. The evening was a credit to the creative vision of its production team.

Over 2000 people were in Sunday morning’s family worship service to hear a strong challenge from the Territorial Commander of fidelity to the God who loved them. Many responded to the call to consecrate themselves to serve God’s great salvation mission.

Early in the worship service, the ‘kids team’ of leaders, which had been busy learning and partying together on Saturday, led children and adults in dance and song to God, their ‘best friend’. ‘You are not only the Army of tomorrow, you are totally the Army of today – and we love you!’ the children were told by one of their young leaders.

In his closing congress address, Commissioner Don Bell urged everyone to ‘serve the Lord with all faithfulness.’ This was God’s call to The Salvation Army today, he said. ‘Not only to serve when it is convenient, but even when it’s tough and alternatives are easiest.’ The Army’s mission could only be achieved in God’s power, he said, by listening to and obeying God’s voice. Many individuals and family groups responded by signing a congress covenant to serve God and advance the Army’s mission.

Throughout the weekend, the National Youth Band, SpiritSong, congress worship group and the behind-the-scene multimedia and technical support team worked together seamlessly, putting their creative talents to God’s service in ministry.