One does feel remotely like Martin Luther with ones thesis pinned to the door…I cannot recant!
However…some positive things about college. Why do I have to search so hard? As I said, there many special times at college, but I must confess that they were usually cadet-run or cadet-inspired. I don’t appologise that I found the college’s spiritual programme dry 99% of the time. Where as Souled Out’s (Cadet-led, cadet-organised worship) were special occassions. The Bible Study and discussions we held until 3am in the morning were the highlights of every week at college…there was a good meeting of likeminded (to an extent) people. Made the whole 9 months worthwhile.
There were a few members of staff who were personally encouraging and were willing to listen. I appreciated the time to read…er…I appreciated the time to relax.
I appreciated that the college were flexile in training with us, some classes were interesting debates…must I really go on thinking of little things? My non-enjoyment of college is of course purely personal as are my observations. It also springs from my tiredness with tame Christianity, of which there was an abundance.
I cannot hide the fact that I was left bewildered by some people…there were some that made you wonder why on earth they wanted to be in The Salvation Army, let alone be officers in it. I find that sad.
Appologies to Gordon, coz you are a good man….its probably because I was not part of your classes that college was a time of “angst.” But then…I guess we separate on a few of issues.
Well…there it is.
yours
Andrew
Andrew S M Clark 
heh – Andrew you don’t need to apologise or recant. (thnaks to the world of blog you don’t even need to travel to Denmark Hill to nail your reflections to the door of the assembly hall!) It was good to read your comments both positive and negative – it is your space and thanks for allowing us all to pop in now and then!I guess you point to something that we all know – WBC is not perfect. In many ways it is what you make it.
Yup…we all know its not perfect, I didn’t really expect it to be. As I said, my problem was the dumbing down of our prophetic relevance and still is, not just at college, but on a wider scale.I guess “college is what you make it” is a good line for staff…I certainly heard it a few times, but to be honest, its not always like that. It often is about what other people make it which makes it difficult…I think of some good people in the Preparers of the Way who struggle very much because of what other people make it in spite of their desire to be kingdom-focussed. You know the people I mean.We did as many positive things that we could to try and provide people what they were looking for, thus the bible studies and discussion until 3am, and honestly, to help me keep sane.I did nail my thesis to the principals door and the TPD and the SPD’s door and really whoever’s door had room for a spare thesis. I did learn to pick my battles, to go for the ones that mattered and thats why we led studies on prayer warfare, spiritual warfare/evangelism, holiness, tongues and baptism in the Holy Spirit (all with a Sally taste) were the key themes for studies and almost every word that came out my mouth…they were battles fought and I know that they were really useful times for all who got involved.So yeah, it was what I made it but that can hardly be the point of the exercise.
‘I guess “college is what you make it” is a good line for staff…’Thing was Andrew it was a lesson I learnt as a cadet – actually not that long ago – and not a staff soundbyte.The lessons didn’t stop there – the biggest was the painful process of being humbled completely. I think Brengle talks about cleaning shoes in the garrison or peeling potatoes. Well it hit me between the eyes when I realised I wasn’t doing God, the SA or anyone else for that matter a favour.”college is what you make it..” isn’t a mandate for getting through the two years and enjoying it because you’ve found a new crowd to go to the pictures with. “College is what you make it..” is using the time to reflect; “College is what you make it..” is watching and learning from each other about leadership;”College is what you make it..” is about identifying those spiritual dry times using them positively – “College is what you make it..” is about allowing yourself to be stretched by the Holy Spirit – sounds to me that worked that one out for yourself with the 3am bible studies – (phew I shudder at the thought – 11pm is late for me these days!!)”College is what you make it..” was about me engaging and feeling commited to the prophetic mission and ministry of TSAThen again I enjoyed college – sorry !! I did have friends that didn’t.Andrew don’t get me wrong on this medium – I’m not being defensive – sorry if it sounds as though I am – I have really enjoyed/enjoying the dialogue.Sorry for hogging your comments at the moment