by Lt. Colonel Philip Maxwell, Territorial Secretary for Program
Change is inevitable.
Catherine Booth was recorded to have said, “There is no improving the future without disturbing the present.” The reality we all contend with is that we live and operate in a rapidly changing world, and this extremely fluid and often volatile environment compels us to continually assess and accommodate these shifting dynamics in our ministry.
We need to shift from being responsive to requests from the frontlines to being proactive in underpinning their ministries.
Over recent months that intent for a better future has been the catalyst for changes in the program section at Territorial Headquarters. There has been an emerging understanding across the Program Section team that we need to move beyond simply resourcing to more strategically equipping. We need to shift from being responsive to requests from the frontlines to being proactive in underpinning their ministries.
Intercultural Department
In April the multicultural department morphed into the intercultural department. Territorial leadership’s intention is more than a name change; it wants to broaden and deepen the department’s influence.
The shift in title [Intercultural] emphasizes the unity we have in Christ.
With the new name comes a renewed emphasis in aligning the objectives of the team in serving all people with the gospel in the most embracing manner possible. The shift in title emphasizes the unity we have in Christ and, in that, the standing value of “One Army, One Mission and One Message.” The interpretation of this emphasis locally will be as unique as the individual communities of believers we serve.
Music and Creative Arts Ministries Department
As a direct reflection of their ministry, the music and gospel arts department has migrated into the music and creative arts ministries department. Given the expanding scope of their calling, the team at territorial headquarters, and more broadly the divisions, have a mandate to capitalize on all forms of art to help the Army achieve its mission. Operating with the tagline, “Equip and Inspire,” the department is committed to creatively and constructively enriching life in the Army.
Corps and Community Mission Department
A new corps and community mission department replaces the adult mission advancement department. Missional in its intent, this new department will resource and equip corps and the communities they serve. With the stated mission of The Salvation Army and the needs of our communities in mind, this department continually will assess and evaluate their contribution.
This month Majors Will and Cassandra DeJesus take up the shared responsibility for the department as territorial corps and community mission secretaries. Although their roles and responsibilities are shared, one will have the emphasis of corps revitalization, while the other will give attention to corps planting.
The mandate for corps revitalization will be…addressing barriers and obstacles that have impeded growth…
The mandate for corps revitalization will be to work with divisional headquarters and equip them to partner with corps in identifying and addressing barriers and obstacles that have impeded growth while constructively and creatively bridging the gap to their communities.
The territory’s investment in corps planting has set the challenge to see a minimum of one new corps established in each division within three years and to ignite an ongoing expectation for more corps openings across the territory.
The territory’s investment in corps planting has set the challenge to see a minimum of one new corps established in each division within three years.
We pray as we step out in obedience to God’s direction for the program section that the territory will be stronger, our vision larger and the achievements more tangible—all to God’s glory. Your partnership in prayer would be appreciated.