I was privileged to have been part of the team coming up with the theme, and preparing the resources for this year’s Commitment Sunday. The theme Walk with me and work with me comes from Matthew 11:28-30 in The Message paraphrase. I’d love to hear from officers, salvationists and others about how they found the materials, and stories about Commitment Sunday in your corps this year.
[...] has been Commitment Sunday in The Salvation Army throughout the United Kingdom. Just a ’short and sweet’ post as [...]
By: 11 January 2009 « John Ager’s Home on the Web! on January 11, 2009
at 7:46 pm
the material – from what was used today – looked great. I have had a quick look since at the full range of materials and it was spot on I think. Giving the whole ‘Church’ community the opportunity to reflect on their own walk with and work for the Lord. Like the penpot – will be a good reminder on my desk. But I wonder if a simple response/prayer card would be best? Sometimes the simple things are the best and a little card to use in my “through the Bible in one year” book would also be an ongoing reminder. Just a thought. Otherwise, excellent work by the team and I may even nab some of the stuff for CtF in a couple of weeks.
By: Dan on January 11, 2009
at 9:11 pm
Thanks Dan, pleased you liked the material. The idea of a simple bookmark is considered rather passé by the Mission Dept at THQ, hence the other ideas recently – and I think I tend to agree. I was responsible for the meditation, sermon 1 & the sermon starters btw! John.
By: John Ager on January 11, 2009
at 9:18 pm
not actually being at a Corps to use the material – I pinched quite a few penpots and have used them with The Family Service at Church and will also be using them at Thames View Sheltered Housing Complex this Thursday during the service. I will also be giving them to various Christians in the workplace when I do my rounds next week.
By: Judith on January 11, 2009
at 9:19 pm
Resources looked fab
Didn’t have a meditation at Gosport – sounds like a good idea though. Liked the fact The Message was used throughout the services – made a nice change.
By: Hannah & Bella on January 12, 2009
at 10:00 am
This is just an initial reaction as I am still processing it all!!
At Wellingborough it was a very significant day. There has been a growing spiritual bubbling happening for some time and yesterday we experienced a real annointing of God. The meeting in the morning was taken hold of by God and there were many public responses and also responses being made where people sat! Coffee was 3/4 hour late!!! In the evening we experienced the labrynth which we adapted as a ‘whole Corps’ experience. We sat in small groups to do this which was ‘different’ to usual’ Again this was a very moving time and I am in the process of bringing together all the prayers and words from God that were received. I believe that this day will prove to be very significant as we move forward with God.
By: Karen on January 12, 2009
at 12:59 pm
Good response from the appeal, with a number of folk coming forward to recommit their service.
My two children (both junior soldiers) loved the penholders, which are already in use in their bedrooms!
By: Colin on January 12, 2009
at 2:14 pm
Interesting thread, but I’m afraid “Commitment Sunday” leaves me absolutely fuming. It is because of approaching six years of not only offering and committing myself endlessly and still having nothing to do that’s connected to the corps, but having listened for more hours than I can count to soldiers who have offered only to hear ‘we’ll get back to you’ which never happens, and who have surrendered their all to God and the army repeatedly only to have it returned with a ‘no thanks’, left sitting in pews year after year. So I will be going somewhere else on “Commitment Sunday”.
If the army ever decides to get its act together they have my phone number!
By: 4shiningdisciples on February 11, 2009
at 9:55 pm
Sorry to hear you feel like this, I hope it isn’t the same everywhere. In planning the material for 2009 we made a deliberate decision to make it a more relaxed day – and having been at Failsworth SA with Stephen Oliver on Commitment Sunday, that is how he pitched it and I found it very helpful. God bless, John.
By: John Ager on February 11, 2009
at 10:33 pm