2019: Time for us to embed!
Friends,
During this lent period. I have been reminded again of Christ’s life, death, resurrection and ascension for all people. May we each reflect, celebrate and experience His grace and transforming work leading up to the Easter celebrations.
‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’ John 3:16
For the last two years, we have been hard at work to bring together the best of the former AUS and AUE territories to create a unified Australia Territory. Thank you for being part of this incredible and sometimes frustrating journey. Although we acknowledge we still have a long way to go, we are united in vision, mission, and values and alongside our national strategy, have the roadmap for the years’ ahead.
Understanding who we are as God’s people, our efforts as always, are fixed firmly and deeply on putting our commitments into action. This means for 2019 and beyond, we will continue to improve our processes and systems to get closer to making our national vision a reality; transforming Australia one life at time, with the love of Jesus.
Local Mission Delivery
Transforming lives by delivering holistic and integrated mission is one of our key strategic initiatives, and the creation of the local mission delivery model is one of the biggest innovations for the Australia Territory. We’re very excited to have now rolled out local mission delivery nationally and have Area Officers actively serving in every part of Australia. Although we are still early in our journey, we’re definitely heading in the right direction.
The foundation of local mission delivery is about having mission expressions – corps, mission enterprises, chaplains, social and community managers - collaborate as part of an Area Leadership Team so that everyone is working together to best serve their local communities. I’m so proud of the many fantastic stories that have already been told and continue to be shared – you can see more at MySalvos.org.au or salvationarmy.org.au/lmd/news.
Culture Conversations
Establishing a new Australia Territory also brings with it an opportunity to renew our culture, focussing on how our values inform how we work together to best deliver on our Mission.
Our values – Integrity, Compassion, Respect, Diversity and Collaboration – provide a wonderful foundation, and to help bring them further to life, we’re running a series of leader-led workshops. Before the end of the year, each leader will have facilitated four Culture Conversations with their teams, helping to bring the values to life.
I have run the two sessions with the Cabinet members and Divisional Leaders, who make up the Executive Mission Leadership Team (EMLT) and Executive Mission Council. Of course, many of us have been part of the Army for most of our lives, yet it was an enlightening experience to hear how we understand the same events differently, and looking forward to what we need to do to align ourselves. We all agree on our movement’s values and it was extremely worthwhile to articulate them in the same way.
If you are yet to hear from your people leader about the plan for Culture Conversations, please reach out to them directly or send an email to: culture@salvationarmy.org.
Welcome to Commissioners Janine and Robert Donaldson
We are truly honoured that Commissioners Janine and Robert Donaldson have been appointed as our new Territorial Leaders from 1 July 2019. They understand Australia and in many ways have been on the journey with us in their current appointments at IHQ. I have full confidence that there will be ‘no surprises’ and they will continue to lead us through the next stage.
Of course it will be difficult to say farewell to our good friends Commissioners Floyd and Tracey Tidd; we are grateful for their visionary leadership. Julie and I wish them well for their yet to be announced appointment.
Self-denial Appeal
Every year during the period of lent in the lead up to Easter, Salvationists around Australia give sacrificially to the self-denial appeal. Many contribute one week’s salary to support international corps, centres and projects. In doing so, we’re all demonstrating God’s love and in our sacrifice can inspire change and positively impact people’s lives.
This year is our first as the Australia Territory and the theme is Be the Change.
‘You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.’ (2 Corinthians 9:11)
In the history of the appeal, there have been so many incredible stories of hope as people’s lives are transformed through practical ways that demonstrate the love and power of Jesus Christ.
If you haven’t seen the stories of hope, I’d encourage you to take a few minutes to watch these short videos at selfdenial.info/au.
In a few days’ time, we will reflect on the love, sacrifice and death of Jesus and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus that continues to give life in all its fullness.
Julie and I pray that you will know God’s peace, love and grace in abundance this Easter.
I look forward to sharing more news and reflections next month. In the meantime, if you have any queries or feedback, please email me at askthechief@aus.salvationarmy.org
God bless you.
Mark
Comments
I really proud to work under the salvation army and should follow the vision, mission and values of Salvation army is one of the best and most loved Christian charity organizations in Australia