Let me take a break from visions, hopes dreams, ideals and aspirations to take a reality check. Sixteen years ago on this day, I knelt at a Mercy Seat in a little Salvation Army corps and my new life in Christ began.  From the Christmas of 1994 until October 1995, my interaction with Salvationists at … More Reality

Have you had a chance to read the vision the General presented today?  Have you watched the videos on youtube (2 x 15mins)?  Watch them first then come back to this blog for my take. Part 1:  http://youtu.be/Ab00SGY0vUE Part 2:  http://youtu.be/LkQK9XaGsdc So, for what its worth, my little blog here at Army Renewal wants to … More Exploring the Vision

General Bond has issued the following vision statement.  Great stuff.  I can happily sign my name to that.  A few things I want to comment on…will post them at some point soon.  Here goes for the vision: The Salvation Army’s International Vision ONE ARMY: We see a God-raised, Spirit-filled Army for the 21st century – … More The General’s Vision

We all crave it.  We all crave significant connections at deeper levels…especially when it comes to living out faith.  I mean, there are some who avoid it, but hey, thats a matter of the heart.  In my view, when we connect with God we automatically have the desire to connect with others. But, we’re not … More Why community isn’t enough

I was having a blether with a colleague earlier, talking generally about ‘the will of God’ for our lives and the future of our ministry.  It brought me again to a thought that has been formulating in my mind over this last year or so. I’m coming to believe that to find yourself in the … More Choice

“Prayer brings renewal that the lack of prayer makes necessary.”  Let me say that again… “Prayer brings renewal that the lack of prayer makes necessary.”   You know, the church can ‘live’ without vital prayer.  Many churches have been doing it for an awful long time.  My question is why on earth would you want to?  … More Vital Prayer

So, as The Salvation Army we’re pretty visible…or are we?  Its weird that lots of Salvos doen’t always dig the visibility thing.  I don’t want to judge their motives, but you have to wonder why people, Salvos especially, wouldn’t want to be visible when you have a mission to do.  Lets not get into the … More I can see you!

Remember Phil Wall?  I do.  Used to lead the ‘mission team’ in the UK, also CSM at Raynes Park Corps.   His influence was massive on me in my earlier Army days, particularly through the early Roots conferences at Southport.  Literally changed my life and the flavour of my Jesus following.  He got us all … More Tugboats, Tankers, Cruiseliners and Lifeboats.

I wear soldier eppaulettes these days, so what I’m going to say may seem like something of an anti-officer rant. It isn’t.  Incidentally, I often would say the same thing when I was an officer, so I hope that deals with the issue of ‘biased perspective.’  I’ve written at length here about the unhealthy divide … More Soldiership

Last week, with my Circuit colleagues, we toddled off to the mother house of the Northumbria comunity.  It was a good day ‘alone together’.  Good times of silence, conversation, reflection and talk over food.  God really spoke to me. We were invited to consider the season, autumn (as it is here in the Northern Hemisphere).  … More Falling away