Together In Mission

By Lieut-Colonel Shawn Critch, Divisional Commander

Last week I attended the online RESET Summit by Exponential. It was quite insightful. The focus was leading with confidence in the post-covid church. As I scan my notes from that day there is one question that a speaker posed in the virtual room that has lingered – ‘What do we take away from this moment?’ – and that moment being the pandemic that has challenged us, exhausted us, and invited us to view the mission of the Church through a different lens. I am still processing the learnings from that event. But I am left with the deep conviction that there is a need to discern what must be reset to strengthen the spiritual influence and impact of the Church.

We are a spiritual movement. It is good that we remind ourselves that whether it is corps mission or social mission we journey with people. As it was in the first century church so it is today – it is a relational ministry focused on the gospel of Jesus Christ. We desire to be that transforming influence in community with thousands of people who personally experience the ministry of The Salvation Army every day across Ontario. It is an amazing opportunity. One that reminds us that critical to our future and integral to our mission is our responsibility to represent and introduce Jesus Christ to others. It is at the very core of our mission and our calling as a movement. I was most intrigued with a statement from the RESET Summit – and I paraphrase it for our context – ‘Who is tracing their moment of spiritual transformation and their spiritual journey back to The Salvation Army?’ Something to think about.

As a movement that understands the priority of spiritual health it is vital that we continually ask, ‘What is the temperature of our spiritual vibrancy? Where is our spiritual influence? Who are we discipling, equipping and sending forth in mission? How is the spiritual health of my ministry expression?’

Nothing shaped the development years of Christianity more than the courage and Spirit-reliance. In the book of Acts a picture emerges through 28 chapters and 1,007 verses where a flourishing, vibrant church is established across geographical, societal and racial boundaries. Despite opposition and the realities of first century secularism the Church powerfully advances. That is my prayer for the Army.

I am grateful for everyone who is engaged in the mission of The Salvation Army across Ontario. May we lead and influence all our programs, corps and social, in such a way that our values of service, dignity and stewardship are clearly evident. And of course, the foundational value upon which everything rests is our HOPE through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

On Thursday morning Brenda and I attended the virtual National Prayer Breakfast and were reminded of our ‘certain hope’. Our prayer for you is “…that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NLT). May our confident hope inspire conversations about Jesus Christ that will bring spiritual transformation across the division. Let’s not ask for less, expect less, and be satisfied with less because we are afraid to ask for and expect more. Greater things!