Inspired for Mission

It was General Albert Orsborn, sixth international leader of The Salvation Army, who wrote about the key attitude he believed we must adopt as we seek to live out our mission: “We have an obligation to inspire.”

General Orsborn was right—we must inspire others in our witness. But first, we must be inspired by God, by his Spirit. Inspired to catch a fresh vision so we can lead with intent and enthusiasm, pivot to the needs of our community and awaken the core of who we are as Christ followers.

The last few months have been like no other in more than a century. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted everything and everyone on our planet. We’ve all had to adapt, including The Salvation Army. Over these months, we’ve seen the Army respond brilliantly to this new reality and continue to give hope to the communities in which we lead and serve.

If we can shift so effectively and fluidly due to a public health crisis, can we use this moment to reimagine and transform the operations of our territory? We have seen, again, that we can be an unstoppable force, an inspirational influence on Canadians and Bermudians.

In the Book of Ezekiel, we learn that transformation begins with the heart and promotes a revived spirit (see Ezekiel 36:26-27). Transformation can overcome whatever obstacle is put in its way and provide a road map to achieve an ultimate goal (see Ezekiel 37:1- 10). Even in the driest valley, new beginnings can emerge. In the midst of a global pandemic and economic crisis, we can already see traces of a fresh wind of God blowing across our movement.

These biblical promises in Ezekiel confirm that transformation of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda will require a heart open to a fresh wind of God, and a vision inspired by God for his Army and the communities we lead and serve.

This fall, our territory will embark on a new project to build capacity in our movement to take it to a new level. As territorial leaders, we are pleased to announce the launch of Mobilize 2.0—Inspired for Mission, Positioned for Growth. Mobilize 2.0 is a transformation program that leads into the development and implementation of a four-year strategic plan for the territory.

As Salvationists, we have an obligation to inspire. With hearts open to a fresh wind of God’s Spirit, let us be inspired for mission.

Commissioners Floyd and Tracey Tidd

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Positioned for Growth

by Geoff Moulton

Since its inception, The Salvation Army has known how to adapt to meet the times. Flexibility and relevance are built into our DNA as an Army. We can mobilize wherever, whenever, with a wealth of resources and expertise. This has never been truer than during this pandemic as we reach out to serve others in Jesus’ name.

Prior to COVID-19, the territory had already embarked on a journey of discovering what God has in store for us next. From the moment of their arrival, our territorial leaders, Commissioners Floyd and Tracey Tidd, have encouraged a process of discernment. This has included several steps:

• travelling across the territory to listen to different Salvationist voices, particularly the “new thing” that God is doing (see Isaiah 42:19);
• conducting a broad-based territorial survey that asked, “Where is God leading the Army?” (see the results at salvationist.ca/territorialsurvey);
• engaging Salvationists in 100 Days of Unceasing Prayer and Shared Scripture for 100 ministry units across the territory (see salvationist.ca/100Days), including an opportunity for people to share how God is prompting them.

The next stage for the territory will involve a program of organizational transformation under the banner Mobilize 2.0—Inspired for Mission, Positioned for Growth. Led by the territorial commander, this program will build on our seven strategic priorities as highlighted through Mobilize—Upward, Outward, Onward.

This new program will take our planning further to help establish:

1. A new territorial vision statement in the fall of 2020.
2. A strategic plan for the territory to be unveiled in 2021.

Dry Bones Become a Vast Army

As Commissioner Floyd Tidd notes, “Just changing structures does not guarantee changed outcomes. We cannot make our plans in isolation from God.” For this reason, our territorial leaders have chosen Ezekiel 37 as the theme for this new season of planning. This passage of Scripture reveals Ezekiel’s vision of the children of Israel as a pile of dry bones in the desert that are reassembled and reanimated into a vast army.

The order of events is significant. Before the “dry bones” in the desert can live, before there can be renewal and rebirth, God makes a promise: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you” (Ezekiel 36:26). God is clearly the author of this transformation.

Next, the dry bones must be rearranged, and flesh must be put on the bones (see Ezekiel 37:6-8). Transformation requires structural change and the “fleshing out” of concrete strategies and methods.

Lastly, the bones require “the breath of God” (see Ezekiel 37:9-10). Without it, they are still lifeless. Ezekiel’s vision suggests that revival only happens when we get a fresh wind of God’s Spirit.

A Path Forward

“We know what we do and how we do it,” says the territorial commander, “but we need to know where we are going and how to get there. The seven territorial priorities must fit into a strategic plan that gives us a clear path forward to best achieve our new vision and grow our movement.”

These are just the first steps of the journey. Further surveys and opportunity for input are forthcoming. This is a process that will require us to adapt and learn together. A measure of grace is needed to help us discern together what God is saying.

Watch Salvationist magazine and Salvationist.ca in the coming months for more information on the “new thing” that God is doing in our territory. Be a part of the vast Army that God is raising up to fight for his glory.

The Three “Whys”

To help keep the Mobilize 2.0 program focused, the territory has developed a decision-making framework of three principles—the three “whys”—through which all decisions will be filtered.

• A Vision-Aligned Strategy—intentionally developing and implementing a strategy to deliver a vision for the Canada and Bermuda Territory.

• A Holistic Mission-Delivery Model—ensuring a consistent and shared commitment to understanding where and how we deliver mission.

• Mission-Fit Processes—enabling effective support of our mission delivery.