Daniel

Salvation Army Officership: A Great Privilege and a Great Challenge The importance of having a robust group of Salvation Army officers cannot be overstated in the mission of transforming lives and communities under the banner of Jesus and in the name of The Salvation Army. As ordained and commissioned ministers of religion, Salvation Army officers embody the heart and hands of the organisation, serving in diverse roles across the United Kingdom, Ireland, and even globally. However, the decreasing number of officers poses a significant challenge to the organisation's ability to fulfil its divine calling effectively. To address this, a renewed focus on attracting, training, and supporting officers is essential. Theological Reflection on the Call to Officership From a theological standpoint, the role of a Salvation Army officer is not just a career, but a sacred vocation—a response to God’s call to serve God’s people in love and humility. The Salvation Army is clear that all people ha...

Come on, Salvation Army! As Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, he called ordinary fishermen—simple, hardworking men—saying, “Come, follow me.” Without hesitation, without looking back, they left everything behind. They left their nets, their livelihood, their comfort zones, and followed Jesus into the unknown. They followed him into a life of purpose, a life of service, a life that would change the world forever. And now, Jesus is calling us. Jesus is calling us to follow him with the same urgency, the same devotion, the same boldness. The world is crying out for hope, for love, for justice, for salvation. We, The Salvation Army, are Jesus’ hands and feet in this world. We are part of the Church, the ones Jesus has called to bring light into the darkness, to bring healing to the broken, to bring salvation to the lost. Are we prepared to go? Are we ready to leave behind the things that hold us back, the comforts, the doubts, the fears? Are we ready to respond with the same immediacy, t...

A Reflection on the Mission of The Salvation Army: Keeping Boundless Salvation at the Forefront The Salvation Army has, since its inception in 1865, been a beacon of hope, embodying the spirit of its founders, Catherine and William Booth, who were driven by a profound passion to bring the boundless salvation of the gospel to the marginalised and overlooked. Their vision was clear and compelling: through a simple yet profound ethos which can be summed up as "soap, soup, and salvation," they sought to meet people’s most immediate physical needs while also addressing their deepest spiritual longings. The transformative power of the gospel was the cornerstone of their mission, offering freedom, hope, love, and the promise of eternal salvation that can only be found in Jesus.  Today, as The Salvation Army operates in 134 countries, managing a vast network of Corps, hospitals, schools, care homes, and various social services, it stands as a testament to the enduring impact of its m...

Be still and know that I am God One of my favourite pieces of band music to listen to is Philip Rayment’s ‘Be Still and Know’. The music reflects the reality of life, with quiet, reflective moments, building into loud crescendos. The words associated with this music, based on Pslam 46:10, simply say ‘Be still and know that I am God.’ It's a simple command, yet profound in its depth. In a world that never seems to stop spinning, where the noise of life drowns out the whispers of the soul, these words cut through like a beacon in a storm. “Be still.” How often do we truly do that? How often do we pause, let our hearts settle, and simply breathe in the presence of God? Life is full of crescendos. There are moments when the noise of worry rises to a deafening roar. The unknowns of tomorrow, the burdens of today—they build and build until we can hardly think, let alone hear the still, small voice that says, “Be still.” But that’s exactly when we need to listen most. We don’t need to hav...

Reflection: When Our Strength Runs Out, God’s Grace Steps In I’ve had the privilege to spend a couple of weeks in Yorkshire and spent some time walking in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. Part of the walking was a climb up the White Horse—a chalk sculpture etched into the high hills of the moors. The walk up to the White Horse isn’t easy. As I reached the end of the walk, the muscles in my legs were burning, my lungs were gasping for air, and my energy reserves depleted. With every step, I was tempted to stop, to give in to the exhaustion, to admit that I just couldn’t go any further. And yet, in that very moment, when all my strength had run out, something happened: a surge of energy, a second wind. I found within myself a strength I didn’t know was there, a strength that carried me to the top and the awesome views of North Yorkshire. Life often feels like that walk, doesn’t it? We press on through challenges, burdens, and trials. We wake up each day with a to-do list that see...

The Essential Skills of a Christian Leader: A Heart for Evangelism In the journey of Christian leadership, one truth is prominent above all: we are called to lead people to Jesus. Everything else—every model, strategy, and business principle—must serve this higher purpose. Our leadership must always point toward the Cross, for it is at the Cross where lives are transformed, hope is restored, and the Kingdom of God is advanced. With that in mind, let us consider what I propose as being the four essential skills of a Christian leader, with a special focus on evangelism. 1. A Listening Heart A Christian leader must first possess a heart that listens. Listening is more than just hearing words; it’s about attuning your soul to the voice of the Holy Spirit and the needs of those around you. Jesus often withdrew to quiet places to listen to God, and in doing so, He was able to minister effectively to the people He encountered. In our busy world, it's easy to let the noise drown out the st...

A Call to the Heart of the Mission: A Reflection for The Salvation Army Homelessness Services We stand at a crossroads. The Salvation Army Homelessness Services in the United Kingdom and Ireland is facing a moment of truth. The world around us is changing rapidly and the numbers of people finding salvation through our services is arguably minimal. But this isn’t just about statistics—it’s about souls. It’s about the hurting and the lost, the marginalised and the broken. It’s about a world desperate for hope, for healing, and for the transformative power of Jesus.  Let me speak plainly: we are not just a good charity or homelessness service. We are more than that. We are a movement born out of a divine calling—a calling to share the Good News of Jesus, to see lives transformed by God’s grace, and to seek fullness of life for all with Jesus. This is our "why." This is our reason for being. And this is the fire that must burn in our hearts. Yet, somewhere along the way, we’ve be...

Rediscovering the "Why" of The Salvation Army: A Call to Faithful Service In the world of organisations and movements, Simon Sinek’s principle of “Start with Why” serves as a crucial reminder. It emphasises that the core purpose or "why" of any organisation should be the driving force behind its actions, guiding what it does and how it does it. For The Salvation Army in the United Kingdom and Ireland, this principle is more than a business strategy—it’s a theological, missional imperative. The Salvation Army is renowned for its extensive social work: providing homelessness services, standing with survivors of modern slavery, caring for older people, and supporting families. These works are vital and transformative, but they are not the Army's ultimate purpose. The danger lies in allowing these services to overshadow the true "why" of The Salvation Army, which is rooted in the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ and the holistic salvation that...

The Mirror of Discipleship: Loving God, Loving Self It’s sometimes  said that you can’t pour from an empty cup. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to be vessels of God’s love, conduits of God’s grace, and reflections of God’s truth. But how can we pour out when we do not possess? How can we reveal the depths of God’s love to others if we haven’t allowed that love to fill our own hearts first? The words of the song echo in my mind:  “Only as I truly know thee can I make thee truly known; only bring the power to others which in my own life is shown.” There’s a profound truth here, one that’s easy to overlook in the hustle and bustle of life. As we journey in discipleship, our first and most essential task is to know God deeply. But in doing so, we must also come to know ourselves—the vessels through which God’s love is poured. Knowing God, Knowing Self Jesus summed up the greatest commandment with simplicity and power:  “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with...

A Christian theology of welcome is a profound embodiment of the gospel, reflecting the heart of Jesus’ ministry. At its core, it aligns with the greatest commandments: to love God, love ourselves, and love each other (Matthew 22:37-40). This theology is not merely an abstract principle but a dynamic call to action that transforms individuals and communities. The importance of a theology of welcome lies in its capacity to manifest the radical inclusivity of God's love. Jesus' ministry was marked by his engagement with marginalised individuals, breaking social and cultural barriers to extend God's grace to all. By following this example, Christians are called to serve others without discrimination, actively seeking justice and reconciliation. This commitment echoes the essence of the Beatitudes, where the blessings are bestowed upon those who pursue righteousness and mercy (Matthew 5:3-10). Embracing a theology of welcome means recognising the image of God in every person, re...

In the midst of the pain, hurt, and division that seems to permeate our communities today, it's essential to remember we are called to live differently as disciples, as followers of Jesus. The words of Micah 6:8 resonate deeply in times like these: “No, the Lord has told us what is good. What he requires of us is this: to do what is just, to show constant love, and to live in humble fellowship with our God.” This prophetic wisdom speaks directly to the heart of our struggles, reminding us of the timeless principles of justice, love, and humility that should guide our actions. William Booth, the co-founder of The Salvation Army, captured the spirit of relentless compassion and dedication to social justice when he declared, “While women weep, as they do now, I’ll fight; while children go hungry, as they do now I’ll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I’ll fight; while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul with...