On October 1, Commissioners Floyd and Tracey Tidd took up appointments as territorial leaders of the Canada and Bermuda Territory. Following their installation on October 6, the Tidds have begun a cross-territory tour (see end of article for details). During their visit to Regina Haven of Hope on October 8, Saskatoon Temple corps sergeant-major Kerri Cryderman gave the following welcome to the Tidds:
Good evening,
For those who don’t know me, my name is Kerri Cryderman and I am the corps sergeant-major from Saskatoon. I was asked to bring greetings on behalf of the Salvationists in Saskatchewan tonight. My question was this: What do you say when bringing greetings? I asked this because I know that this could go a number of ways and I really wanted to make a good impression while addressing our new commissioners. The response went like this: The hopes and dreams you would have for the Tidds as they step into leadership. The commitment of Salvationists as they begin their term. What does the mission of the Army mean to you and those we serve? All in three to five minutes. Wow! That’s not tough at all. So I dressed up for the occasion. Yes, commissioners, you must be special people and I’ll confess that this is the very first time I have ever worn a full uniform.
I have thought long and hard about what to say to you, commissioners, and then I watched the livestream of your installation. Those greetings were amazing, and in that moment, it dawned on me that maybe I should write something down.
I have been doing a lot of learning lately on leadership. I am fascinated about leadership and the impact it has on the culture of an organization. The more I learn, the more I understand I know very little and that every day is an opportunity to build trust and a strong team. I have just a few things that I’d like to share with you about my hopes and dreams for you as you begin to lead this territory.
1. Be a leader of the people. I ask you to be present. See what is happening in your ministry units. I dream that you will identify and communicate purpose by telling compelling stories in which people can see themselves as part of the future. I pray you will work to develop depth of relationships, create a shared understanding and establish trust. And most of all, I want you to care for yourself and build a personal board of directors who will grow you, provide coaching and love you through those difficult moments when you have to make decisions for our territory.
2. Be a leader of the business. I hope that you will be able to help us focus on why we have been raised up as an Army. I pray you will make decisions that support our business of “saving souls” and grow the kingdom through sharing purpose over and over again. I dream you will be bold, innovative and take risks that scare you and others so that we can testify of God’s power and greatness.
3. Synchronize the organization. I dream that you will take time, listen, observe, wait and discern God’s vision for our territory. I pray that you would remain committed to this cause and not get distracted. I hope you express this vision in a way that can captivate others so they dream, too.
4. Provide disciplined execution. I dream that you will coach and develop others so that they can expand their capacity and accomplish more. I pray that you will be able to be clear on what God wants to accomplish and break these down into milestones that show we are going in the right direction.
The Salvation Army has always been built on stories, testimonies of people who found hope in Jesus, of people who fought for those who couldn’t on their own. We have a tremendous responsibility and privilege of carrying on this legacy of the past to bring hope into the future. Who could forget the match factory or the doughnut girls? It’s embedded in our memories. At one time, it was our volunteer army made up of soldiers whose hearts were captured by the love of Jesus and the passion to save souls. Now we have been entrusted with others who have joined us in our cause. They are clothed as volunteers and employees who also see us when we’re the most vulnerable.
You have already laid a foundation of your leadership long before you arrived here and have been appointed as our territorial leaders. You have already captured the hearts of soldiers who have seen you lead boldly, engaging the “grassroots” and encouraging the future of the Army from their vantage point several years ago. That’s how I know you even without knowing you. My parents were a part of the symposiums you led and so you are already valued even before you begin this role. We have trust that you will engage your soldiers and hear our voice.
I am reminded of the account in Exodus 17 where the Israelites defeated the Amalekites. As long as Moses held the staff in the air, the Isrealites were winning, but as soon as his arms got tired and Moses lowered the staff, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other. The significance of this passage relates to something I want to share with you. The beauty of this story in my mind is that it relates to the wonderful picture of how Aaron and Hur supported the leader God appointed to them. So, commissioners, when you get tired, which you will, as long as the Lord is your banner, I believe that your officers will lift you up, just like Aaron and Hur did for Moses. And your soldiers—well, I think we’ll be like Joshua and be on the front lines, day after day, fighting the battle in the name of the Lord.
You will help us write the stories of people who found Jesus through The Salvation Army. Your soldiers want to put the love of Jesus in action in uniform, proclaiming the promise of being “saved to save” or “saved to serve.”
I ask you to engage us, empower us and energize us in the name of Jesus, and I will guarantee that you will have an army of soldiers who are ready and will be ready to fight for lost souls until the very end.
Commissioners Floyd and Tracey Tidd Cross-territory Tour Schedule
October
Oct 7-9 officers’ councils and public meeting, Regina;
Oct 10 officers’ councils and public meeting, Sudbury, Ont.;
Oct 17-19 officers’ councils and public meetings, Calgary and Edmonton;
Oct 19-21 Chilliwack CC, B.C., Harbour Light and Belkin House, Vancouver, and Cariboo Hill Temple, Burnaby, B.C.;
Oct 24-25 5th Year Institute, JPCC;
Oct 26 welcome as territorial leaders, Scarborough Citadel, Toronto;
Oct 28 officers’ councils, Oshawa Temple, Ont.
November
Nov 1-4 officers’ gatherings and public meetings, Corner Brook, Gander and St. John’s, N.L.;
Nov 7-9 officers’ gathering and public meeting, Halifax;
Nov 9-10 officers’ gathering and public meeting, Montreal;
Nov 10-11 public meeting, Ottawa;
Nov 11 National Remembrance Day Service, Ottawa;
Nov 14-15 officers’ gathering and public meeting, Guelph, Ont.;
Nov 16 Fall Festival with the Canadian Staff Band and Impact Brass (divisional youth band, Ont. GL Div), Oshawa Temple, Ont.;
Nov 17 Santa Claus Parade, Toronto;
Nov 17-20 Territorial Executive Conference/Territorial Leaders’ Conference, JPCC;
Nov 22 Hope in the City breakfast, Fairmont Hotel, Toronto;
Nov 24-25 CFOT;
Nov 25 Booth University College;
Nov 28–Dec 1 officers’ gatherings and public meeting, Bermuda
Good evening,
For those who don’t know me, my name is Kerri Cryderman and I am the corps sergeant-major from Saskatoon. I was asked to bring greetings on behalf of the Salvationists in Saskatchewan tonight. My question was this: What do you say when bringing greetings? I asked this because I know that this could go a number of ways and I really wanted to make a good impression while addressing our new commissioners. The response went like this: The hopes and dreams you would have for the Tidds as they step into leadership. The commitment of Salvationists as they begin their term. What does the mission of the Army mean to you and those we serve? All in three to five minutes. Wow! That’s not tough at all. So I dressed up for the occasion. Yes, commissioners, you must be special people and I’ll confess that this is the very first time I have ever worn a full uniform.
I have thought long and hard about what to say to you, commissioners, and then I watched the livestream of your installation. Those greetings were amazing, and in that moment, it dawned on me that maybe I should write something down.
I have been doing a lot of learning lately on leadership. I am fascinated about leadership and the impact it has on the culture of an organization. The more I learn, the more I understand I know very little and that every day is an opportunity to build trust and a strong team. I have just a few things that I’d like to share with you about my hopes and dreams for you as you begin to lead this territory.
1. Be a leader of the people. I ask you to be present. See what is happening in your ministry units. I dream that you will identify and communicate purpose by telling compelling stories in which people can see themselves as part of the future. I pray you will work to develop depth of relationships, create a shared understanding and establish trust. And most of all, I want you to care for yourself and build a personal board of directors who will grow you, provide coaching and love you through those difficult moments when you have to make decisions for our territory.
2. Be a leader of the business. I hope that you will be able to help us focus on why we have been raised up as an Army. I pray you will make decisions that support our business of “saving souls” and grow the kingdom through sharing purpose over and over again. I dream you will be bold, innovative and take risks that scare you and others so that we can testify of God’s power and greatness.
3. Synchronize the organization. I dream that you will take time, listen, observe, wait and discern God’s vision for our territory. I pray that you would remain committed to this cause and not get distracted. I hope you express this vision in a way that can captivate others so they dream, too.
4. Provide disciplined execution. I dream that you will coach and develop others so that they can expand their capacity and accomplish more. I pray that you will be able to be clear on what God wants to accomplish and break these down into milestones that show we are going in the right direction.
The Salvation Army has always been built on stories, testimonies of people who found hope in Jesus, of people who fought for those who couldn’t on their own. We have a tremendous responsibility and privilege of carrying on this legacy of the past to bring hope into the future. Who could forget the match factory or the doughnut girls? It’s embedded in our memories. At one time, it was our volunteer army made up of soldiers whose hearts were captured by the love of Jesus and the passion to save souls. Now we have been entrusted with others who have joined us in our cause. They are clothed as volunteers and employees who also see us when we’re the most vulnerable.
You have already laid a foundation of your leadership long before you arrived here and have been appointed as our territorial leaders. You have already captured the hearts of soldiers who have seen you lead boldly, engaging the “grassroots” and encouraging the future of the Army from their vantage point several years ago. That’s how I know you even without knowing you. My parents were a part of the symposiums you led and so you are already valued even before you begin this role. We have trust that you will engage your soldiers and hear our voice.
I am reminded of the account in Exodus 17 where the Israelites defeated the Amalekites. As long as Moses held the staff in the air, the Isrealites were winning, but as soon as his arms got tired and Moses lowered the staff, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other. The significance of this passage relates to something I want to share with you. The beauty of this story in my mind is that it relates to the wonderful picture of how Aaron and Hur supported the leader God appointed to them. So, commissioners, when you get tired, which you will, as long as the Lord is your banner, I believe that your officers will lift you up, just like Aaron and Hur did for Moses. And your soldiers—well, I think we’ll be like Joshua and be on the front lines, day after day, fighting the battle in the name of the Lord.
You will help us write the stories of people who found Jesus through The Salvation Army. Your soldiers want to put the love of Jesus in action in uniform, proclaiming the promise of being “saved to save” or “saved to serve.”
I ask you to engage us, empower us and energize us in the name of Jesus, and I will guarantee that you will have an army of soldiers who are ready and will be ready to fight for lost souls until the very end.
Commissioners Floyd and Tracey Tidd Cross-territory Tour Schedule
October
Oct 7-9 officers’ councils and public meeting, Regina;
Oct 10 officers’ councils and public meeting, Sudbury, Ont.;
Oct 17-19 officers’ councils and public meetings, Calgary and Edmonton;
Oct 19-21 Chilliwack CC, B.C., Harbour Light and Belkin House, Vancouver, and Cariboo Hill Temple, Burnaby, B.C.;
Oct 24-25 5th Year Institute, JPCC;
Oct 26 welcome as territorial leaders, Scarborough Citadel, Toronto;
Oct 28 officers’ councils, Oshawa Temple, Ont.
November
Nov 1-4 officers’ gatherings and public meetings, Corner Brook, Gander and St. John’s, N.L.;
Nov 7-9 officers’ gathering and public meeting, Halifax;
Nov 9-10 officers’ gathering and public meeting, Montreal;
Nov 10-11 public meeting, Ottawa;
Nov 11 National Remembrance Day Service, Ottawa;
Nov 14-15 officers’ gathering and public meeting, Guelph, Ont.;
Nov 16 Fall Festival with the Canadian Staff Band and Impact Brass (divisional youth band, Ont. GL Div), Oshawa Temple, Ont.;
Nov 17 Santa Claus Parade, Toronto;
Nov 17-20 Territorial Executive Conference/Territorial Leaders’ Conference, JPCC;
Nov 22 Hope in the City breakfast, Fairmont Hotel, Toronto;
Nov 24-25 CFOT;
Nov 25 Booth University College;
Nov 28–Dec 1 officers’ gatherings and public meeting, Bermuda
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