mySalvos

Generous ladies from the local community heard about the breakfasts at the corps and brought along hand-knitted beanies and scarves to give out. (Photo courtesy of Inala Salvation Army)

In a bold move that has seen the traditional Sunday morning worship meeting at Inala Salvation Army come to an end, the corps has instead introduced a community breakfast.  

Bible study home groups on Thursday nights, and a monthly non-traditional celebration and encouragement service on Sunday afternoons, will replace the traditional morning worship meeting. Almost 70 people attended the first breakfast on 22 June.  

“This is pioneering work for The Salvation Army,” says Captain Lincoln Stevens who, with his wife, Captain Leanne Stevens, is Corps Officer at Inala. “It’s not something that would work, though, in every Salvation Army church, but certainly in communities like Inala.  

“We are aiming to give people a really good meal, but we also want to get to know them, become their friends and create a sense of community and belonging with people they can trust.  

“By doing this, over time we will see what issues and needs they have and can help direct them to the right support services. We believe that many will then want to come and do things with us, get to know our God and believe.”  

The Stevens’ began their appointment at Inala in November last year, immediately seeking God for his direction. “God kept giving me the words ‘community’ and ‘breaking of bread’ and I kept praying, asking him to reveal what he meant,” explains Captain Leanne.  

At the same time, Captain Lincoln had a vision of a hall full of people sharing a meal. 

“We believe that God is taking us back to basics and doing what William Booth did in the early days of The Salvation Army, and certainly what Jesus did,” says Captain Lincoln. 

“We are still doing church; it just looks completely different to the norm.”  

After much prayer, Captains Lincoln and Leanne presented their vision to the leadership team at the Army's South Queensland divisional headquarters. Leadership, including Divisional Commander Major Mark Campbell, accepted and supported their plans. The Stevens’ then shared their vision with the corps leadership.  

“They have always had a heart for the community and were excited, but also a little apprehensive,” says Captain Lincoln. “All in all they were very much in support of the new mission and direction for Inala Corps. 

“We can invite people to church until we’re blue in the face and some might come, but they often don’t stay as it’s a culture shock to them and they don’t feel accepted.  

“If we invite people to a free breakfast where they sit with a bunch of Christians, get to know them and can get help in life through the services we offer, then we can more naturally invite them to the Alpha course, Bible studies, Mainly Music and other things. We believe more people will want to come, than are coming now.”  

Around 30 people regularly attend Inala Corps and many of them were rostered on for the first community breakfast to either help cook and serve food or chat with visitors.  

“We didn’t preach at them [visitors] or make them feel pressured,” says Captain Lincoln. “We just gave them a hearty breakfast and made sure they knew they were loved and accepted. If people wanted more information, we provided that or took down their contact details to follow up.”  

Information about Salvation Army services and corps activities was available on the tables.  

The breakfast ran from 9-10am, with many staying to chat in a relaxed atmosphere until nearly midday. Three people have already indicated their interest in attending a Bible study while several others have asked for help with specific services. Many community members said they would be back with friends and relatives.  

On Thursday nights, the corps runs Bible study home groups. These are currently taking place at the corps hall, with the ultimate aim of splitting into small groups to meet in each other’s homes.  

“The aim is for the groups to become close and get deeper in their discussions, prayer and relationships with God and each other,” says Captain Lincoln.  

A monthly celebration service will also take place at the hall on Sunday afternoons.  

“It will be more like a regular service, although still not traditional,” he says.  

“The main part will be a sharing time and celebrating answered prayers, changes for good in people’s lives and, of course, when people give their lives to Christ.  

“Our corps folk will still get their teaching and fellowship on Thursday nights, and more fellowship at the monthly service.  

“We want people to know that they can belong before they believe. 

“Church is still Sunday morning, it just looks different!” 

This article first appeared in the August edition of Pipeline magazine.