The Salvation Army Chatham

The celebration of Pentecost was shared with our ‘Candidates’ Sunday meetings led by Majors Mark and Linda Herbert who are the Territorial Candidates Director and Assistant respectively.

Majors Linda & Mark Herbert

There are four members of the corps currently preparing for Salvation Army officership (candidate applicants), Steve and Mel Scoulding and Rod and Theresa Tranah.

Steve & Mel

Rod & Theresa

Our morning meeting began with Scripture from Acts 2:1-4 and used songs 203, and 506 from The Salvation Army Song Book together with 511, 1498 and 1184 from Songs of Fellowship. The musical ministry was provided by the Singing Company with ‘Purify my Heart’ and the Songsters with ‘Church on Fire’. The main theme was one of encouragement, both corporately and individually.

Mark made several references to Acts chapters 4 and 9 during his address which followed the life of Barnabas as part of the amazing early church. He asked when you get to heaven, who will you seek out to thank for the influence they have been on your life? More importantly, who is going to seek you out? We are all called to encourage and make an impact by intentional, deliberate and purposeful acts. Barnabas can be called the patron saint of ‘supporters’. He gave help to his new church and encouraged them with no strings attached. Later he introduced the ‘converted’ Paul to the church in Jerusalem and encouraged it to accept him. Who encouraged you? As a result of Barnabas’ actions the church grew and we must ask ‘has this corps grown because of what you have done’? How many people have …………………….. because of your encouragement? There also comes a point when we need to hand over the baton and we must encourage the next generation to take up the challenge. Now is the time to encourage them!

In a period of rededication several people knelt at the Mercy Seat for prayer and commitment.

We understand the a number of our people went to the Priestfield Stadium Conference Suite for the Global Day of Prayer and all reported a meaningfull afternoon at that event.

In the evening we continued with the Pentecost theme using songs 283, 525 and 707 from The Salvation Army Song Book and 1607, 1047 and 894 from Songs of Fellowship. The Band, with ‘In HIs Presence’, and the Songsters, with ‘One Life to Live’, added blessing to the evening and the scripture used was from Joshua 2:2-24. A number of voluntary testimonies were given speaking of ‘amazing things God has done’ in the lives of the speakers.

Mark asked what sort of impossible things can God do? Is it possible for The Salvation Army to grow numerically again as it regains its spiritual awareness? The call to heroic living is not just for men, but for women also. Rahab is seen as a heroin of the faith despite her ‘profession’. She knew about God and what He had done in history. Faith comes from learning about God and Rahab’s was simple despite all her faults. Mark set us this challenge ‘In 100 words, 45 seconds, without jargon, without cliche, what is your testimony?’ The issue of whom God uses to carry out his will is truly amazing. In this context faith that works is the only kind that matters. It is never too late to trust in God. He loves you and will forgive you. Faith, however, takes time and we must learn to wait for God to reveal his purposes for us. He uses people with no status and he can use us despite our being disqualified on every count! God’s plans include YOU!

Once again we have enjoyed a good day and the ministry of Mark and Linda has been stimulating. We wish them every success and much fulfilment in their work with those who wish to become Salvation Army Officers.

Talking of success and fulfilment we congratulate Ebbsfleet United on winning the FA Trophy at Wembley Stadium on Saturday. Ebbsfleet is not quite Medway but it is only about 10 miles from us so we feel justified in calling it a ‘local’ team. The result was only 1-0, but how many do you need? What a pity there weren’t as many people in the local churches on Sunday as went to Wembley. Still, our singing was better (it was, I assure you!). Major Drew is lining us up to congratulate Chelsea in ten days time (even after the dissappointment of Sunday). Perhaps he needs a Barnabas to encourage him.

Finally a couple of reminders about the week ahead. This evening (Monday) Mel Scoulding (pictured above) will be talking to the Ladies Fellowship about challenges in the workplace and on Wednesday the funeral of Ron Symonds will take place. There will be a service at the Hall at 10.30am followed by the committal at Medway Crematorium, Robin Hood Lane, at 12 noon.

We now look forward with anticipation to next Sunday when our leaders will be Majors David and Karen Ramsay. During the week perhaps we can think of the line from the Songsters song on Sunday evening. ‘One Life to Live – O may I live for Thee’. A good prayer don’t you think.