Follow me. These familiar words immediately bring to mind scenes from the life of Jesus: the calling of Simon Peter and Andrew, by the Sea of Galilee (see Matthew 4:19); the calling of Matthew, the tax collector (see Matthew 9:9); and his invitation to the rich young ruler (see Matthew 19:21). And these words, this call, remain as poignant today as when first spoken. If Jesus is speaking to your heart, a response must be made.

In the life of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda, June is especially meaningful as we celebrate the ordination and commissioning of new lieutenants and auxiliary-captains. After prayerfully signing a covenant, they take their place publicly, receive their ordination and are commissioned to their first appointment. First the call, then the covenant, followed by the commissioning.

The Founders of The Salvation Army declared their belief that God raised up our movement to enter partnership with him in his great business of saving the world. That remains our core business: salvation for the whole wide world. I call all Salvationists again to this chief and sacred great purpose, as signified in our name. In his book Called to Be God’s People, Commissioner Robert Street reminds us that “Our mission is God’s mission. Our identification with God in this outward movement of love for the world requires a corresponding inward movement from ourselves toward God.”

As Salvationists, we believe with all our hearts that we are called to live out the Great Commission, to go into all the world and make disciples. Our newly refreshed territorial strategic plan states it another way: “Forward Together—Christ-centred, Others-focused.”

As Salvationists, not only are we called to this great purpose, but we are covenanted to God as soldiers of this great spiritual war. The Soldier’s Covenant puts it this way: “Having accepted Jesus Christ as my Saviour and Lord, and desiring to fulfil my membership of his church on earth as a soldier of The Salvation Army, I now by God’s grace enter into this sacred covenant.”

For soldiers, it’s not about merely being added to the “soldier’s roll.” It is more than opening up the opportunity to be part of Salvation Army activities and service. It is an integral part of our relationship with God and our calling to follow in active discipleship. Our Soldier’s Covenant is a form of agreement or bond that sets out the promises, privileges and responsibilities between God and ourselves. It is a God-initiated covenant, a sign of his grace and blessing.

Some soldiers may be called to ministry with The Salvation Army as employees. Others use their skills and gifts to serve through paid work that supports, resources and enables mission in their everyday lives. We give God grateful thanks.

Still others are called to be officers of The Salvation Army and, as such, they pledge to give themselves to full-time ministry and service. Their obedience to God leads them away from their local corps to ordination and commissioning. The Officer’s Covenant puts it this way:

Called by God to proclaim the gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as an officer of The Salvation Army, 
I bind myself to him in this solemn covenant:
To love and serve him supremely all my days;
To live to win souls and make their salvation the first purpose of my life;
To care for the poor, feed the hungry, clothe the naked,
love the unloved and befriend those who have no friends;
To maintain the doctrines and principles of The Salvation Army
and by God’s grace to prove myself a worthy officer;
Done in the strength of my Lord and Saviour. 

Whether called to be a soldier or an officer, our covenant reminds us of this beautiful relationship we have with the Lord and the deep privilege of the commission that follows.

To be called by Jesus is to be called to Jesus. Jesus’ call to follow him requires immense courage, demanding individuals abandon their comfort and livelihood for a higher purpose. The disciples left their fishing nets instantly, called to radical, compassionate living; called to step into ministry despite feelings of inadequacy; all rooted in trusting his presence.

We celebrate and give the Lord grateful thanks for those past and present who have heeded the call of God, entered a ministry covenant with him and answered the Great Commission to bring others to him. If Jesus is calling you to leave your net, a response must be given. Jesus calls, the Holy Spirit qualifies and the commission is the privilege.

COMMISSIONER LEE GRAVES is the territorial commander of the Canada and Bermuda Territory.

Photo: Steve Nelson

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