The Lost, The Last And The Least

A popular term of reference within Army circles today is "the lost, the last and the least". It's a means of propelling the mission and ministry focus that has always been foundational to Army service and witness. In his day, William Booth encouraged his contemporaries to "go for souls and go for the worst" that they might be saved from 'the guttermost to the uttermost'.

It seems to me that terms like this, while vital as a measuring-stick for strategic planning and assessing mission values, can also create a sense of "them and us" in the minds of some. Who/what, exactly, does "the lost, the last and the least" refer to? What ministries are seen to fall into this category?

I firmly believe that all our Army ministries should be carried out with the purpose of reaching "the lost, the last and the least" needs within our individual and unique community settings ~ whether it be with specific people groups or in targeted mission situations or circumstances.

Consider aged care chaplaincy. Is this an example of one of our "lost, last and least" mission-ministries? I am convinced it is! Ministry to seniors is both as vital and needful as any other target group.

In one sense, they are "lost" ~ in need of spiritual direction and encouragement ~ in need of being connected to the love of God and His grace sufficient ~ in need of being re-connected with a modern society that is increasingly devaluing seniors by assuming that they are merely "past their used by date" as they struggle to come to terms with the many 'losses' associated with growing older.

In another sense, they are "last" ~ while enduring the sunset years of life, they often feel on the 'outer' when it comes to their personal and spiritual needs, yet have a deep desire to interact effectively and to the best of their ability within their respective church and local communities with the hope of being "kept in the loop" rather than being disenfranchised.

And in yet another sense, they are "least" ~ a 'forgotten' people who, like their diminishing physical and mental faculties, are sometimes made to feel as though they are the last on our agendas.

These, too, are the very reasons why we chose to remain in aged care chaplaincy ministry long after we 'sold out' of aged care administration. It really is one of the Army's vital "lost, last and least" missions!

Job 11:13 (MSG) ~ "If you set your heart on God and reach out to him...you'll be able to face the world unashamed and keep a firm grip on life, guiltless and fearless."

Kingston Gardens Corps

In keeping with the theme for the week-long Victorian Seniors Festival, "Be Inspired!", the Inala Choir proved to be worthy ambassadors for Christ and the Chapel.

Their group vocal and personal contributions to worship certainly inspired those present to praise and pray; enjoy God's gifts; reflect on His goodness; be encouraged by the Word; and return home ready to share the blessing.

We thank Majors Charlie and Narelle Jacobsen for their invitation and warm welcome, praying God's continued blessing on their spiritual and social ministry.

Psalm 63:5 (NIV) ~ "My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you."

Inala Choir Ministry

One of the joys of our ministry role in providing spiritual leadership to the Inala Chapel is the opportunity to be a part of the Inala Chapel Choir, under the leadership of Anita O'Brien.

The choir is more than a music team; it is a valuable and vital ministry team ~ a "partnership in the gospel" that is proclaimed from week to week in our worship services. And each member is an asset ~ spiritually and musically.

This coming Sunday (7 October) marks the choir's first ministry visit to another congregation. We are journeying to the Kingston Gardens Corps to lead worship and share fellowship with God's people there. Pray with me that God will use the choir's ministry to powerfully bless and deeply inspire all who attend worship.

Philippians 1:4-6 (NIV) ~ "In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

For God So Loved

A small boy filled with all kinds of playful ideas anxiously awaited his father's return from work. An extra long day at the office, however, had taken its toll, and his father longed desperately for just a few minutes of relaxation. Over and over again the boy tugged at his Dad's legs with yet another suggestion of something they might do together. Finally, in total frustration, the father ripped from a magazine a picture of the world and tore it into a hundred pieces! "Here!" he said, handing the child a roll of scotch tape. "Go put the world back together" ~ "Ah, at last peace"...(or so he thought). In just a few minutes he was interrupted again. There before him stood his son, and in his hands was a crudely fashioned picture of the world. "Son, that's incredible. However did you do it?" "It was very easy" said the boy. "You see, on the other side of the picture of the world was a picture of a man, and as soon as I got the man straightened out, the world was okay too!"

One day our Heavenly Father looked down from Heaven and saw a broken world ~ a world that had been shattered into a million pieces by the deadly hammer of sin. But God loved the world ` loved it enough ~ to send His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, into the world, so that all could be made new again.

John 3:16 (MSG) ~ "This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life."

Spiritual Greatness

Someone asked of us today, "What do I have to do to be an effective spiritual Christian?" The answer given: "Simply trust God and love Jesus, with the best you have to offer." The disciples asked Jesus a similar question ~ "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of God?"
Here is Jesus' response to their query.
"Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God's kingdom." Matthew 18:4 (MSG)

Despite our complex lives, God still expects that we come to Him with a simple, believing faith that is fully dependent on His resources. You see, I don’t think we need great complex ideas. I believe God usually deals with us very simply. As someone once rightly stated ~ "The main things are the plain things, and the plain things are the main things".

In his book, Fresh Faith, Jim Cymbala sums it up well when he writes: "The greatest Christian is not the one who has achieved the most but rather the one who has received the most. God's grace, love and mercy flow through His people abundantly because they walk in total dependence."

Calls To Prayer

It was the songwriter, James Montgomery, who penned the words:

"Prayer is the soul's sincere desire, unuttered or expressed...

Prayer is the burden of a sigh, the falling of a tear

The upward glancing of an eye, when none but God is near."

Salvationists around the world are answering calls to prayer for a variety of international situations where social and spiritual injustices seem to be prevalent. I am confident that these calls to prayer are being used of God to strengthen the prayer life of Salvationists around the world to be intentional intercessors; to urge us to be more fully reliant on our great God; to "share the burden and double the blessing".

A friend gave me this 5th century prayer today. But be assured, though it is an ancient prayer of the church, it has lost none of its relevance when directed sincerely to the heart of God.

Bless all who worship you,
From the rising of the sun
Unto the going down of the same.
Of your goodness, give us;
With your love, inspire us;
By your Spirit, guide us;
By your power, protect us;
In your mercy, receive us,
Now and always.

1 Kings 8:28 (MSG) ~ "I'm bold to ask: Pay attention to these my prayers, both intercessory and personal, O God, my God. Listen to my prayers, energetic and devout, that I'm setting before you right now."

Territorial Leader In Pakistan Murdered

The following news report was sourced from The Salvation Army's IHQ website.

Colonel Bo Brekke , Territorial Commander of the Pakistan Territory, was shot and killed yesterday, Thursday 27 September. The incident occurred in the THQ compound in Lahore in the early hours of the evening. Information to date points to an individual act of criminality. There is nothing to suggest that this is related in any way to terrorism. It is reported that a man has been arrested on possibly related charges.

The incident occurred at about 6.30pm local time while Colonel Brekke was working alone in his office. The colonel's wife, Colonel Birgitte Brekke, was in London at the time, attending meetings at The Salvation Army's International Headquarters.

A Norwegian by birth, Bo Brekke, who was 50, was commissioned as a Salvation Army officer in May 1980 and appointed in charge of the Army's work in Brevik, Norway. The following year he transferred to local Salvation Army leadership in Denmark, the homeland of his wife. After two years in Denmark, Bo and Birgitte returned to Norway and served there until transfer to Sri Lanka at the beginning of 1987. They returned to Norway in 1993, serving there for the next two years.

Having developed a deep love for South Asia and its people, Bo and Birgitte Brekke in August 1995 were appointed as regional leaders to Bangladesh. Under their leadership the work of The Salvation Army flourished there and in 1997 the then Major Bo Brekke was appointed as Officer Commanding, with Birgitte serving alongside him as Command President of Women's Ministries and Command Youth Officer.

The late summer of 2002 saw a further change of culture and working environment as Bo and Birgitte were appointed as divisional leaders of the North Scotland Division in the United Kingdom Territory, followed by service respectively as Chief Secretary and Secretary for Mission Development in the Eastern Europe Territory. It was from there that, almost exactly one year ago (15 September 2006) Colonel Bo Brekke was appointed as Territorial Commander of the Pakistan Territory.

At the time of her husband's death, Colonel Birgitte Brekke was attending meetings at International Headquarters. She immediately flew to Norway to be with her two sons, Benjamin and Bo Christoffer, and other family members. She was accompanied by her sister who had come to London to see Birgitte while she was visiting IHQ.

General Shaw Clifton, world leader of The Salvation Army, said: "Colonel Bo Brekke was a Salvation Army leader of unusual and distinctive talents. Both he and his wife, Colonel Birgitte Brekke, were known for their hearts of compassion towards the marginalised. Their service together in many lands has been marked by creativity and imagination in order to reach out to the poor, giving them dignity, and also to share their personal faith as Salvationists in the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour. I have known the Brekkes for many years and have always admired them greatly. Bo Brekke was my friend. I feel blessed to have known him and to have witnessed first hand how he and Birgitte have faithfully served the needs of others."

General Shaw Clifton and Commissioner Helen Clifton, World President of Women's Ministries, will in due course conduct the colonel's funeral in Oslo, Norway.

Please join with me in sincerely praying that the fullest measure of God's peace and comfort might rest upon the Brekke family as they come to terms with their unexpected loss.

Isaiah 26:2 (KJV) ~ "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."