Daniel

From Social Service to Missional Community One thing I am deeply passionate about is the Christian faith expressing itself in action. Unsurprisingly, having been connected with The Salvation Army my whole life, this brand of Christianity with its sleeves rolled up—saving souls, growing saints, serving suffering humanity, while loving God and loving others—really appeals to me. It’s in my DNA, in my blood, part of who I am. As The Salvation Army now explores its Global Strategic Framework , I find myself asking: how can I best impact People, Mission, and Legacy ? Where is my compass pointing? Recently, I reflected on three practical steps that The Salvation Army in the United Kingdom could take to enhance its missional impact in homelessness services: Every homelessness service should be linked to a local Salvation Army worshipping community. Every homelessness service should have a full-time chaplain, and service managers should be Christians. Where possible, co-locate services an...

Is Jesus Still in Our Homelessness Services? I read an article from The Salvation Army in Australia titled “Jesus is Still in Our Rehabs”. While the context and practicalities are different to the UK, the heart of the message is relatable. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard phrases like: “The Salvation Army isn’t what it used to be.” “Jesus is no longer in our Lifehouses.” “We are no longer a church – we’re just a social service provider.” If I’m being brutally honest, in some places, these statements are uncomfortably true. When our driving priority becomes winning new contracts and expanding service portfolio without first fully assessing the missional impact, we shouldn’t be surprised when the presence of Jesus feels absent. But that’s not the whole story. In the UK right now, something is stirring, especially among younger people. There is a quiet revival happening. People are turning to faith, to Christianity, to Jesus. And why shouldn’t they? We are holistic beings. Our...

“Know It in Your ‘Knower’”  There’s a quote by Richard Rohr: “ People who’ve had any genuine spiritual experience always know that they don’t know. They are utterly humbled before mystery. They are in awe before the abyss of it all, in wonder at eternity and depth, and a Love, which is incomprehensible to the mind. ” I find those words both comforting and confronting. Comforting because they affirm that not knowing is part of the authentic Christian journey. And confronting because I’ve spent a good portion of my life trying to know as much as I can. I’ve studied theology. I’ve trained as a Salvation Army officer. I explore doctrine. I can trace the shape of the salvation story across the pages of the Bible. In many ways, I’ve built a strong orthodoxy—a “ right belief ”—about God. But in the mountain-top highs and the valley-bottom lows of life, I’m learning that orthodoxy, while vital, is not the full picture. There’s a phrase a colleague officer recently shared with me that I can...