How to start a revolution

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Captain Sammy Millar’s sermon at New Zeal a couple of weeks ago was a powerful experience. But seeing it again, in written form, provides a whole new depth of meaning (see p.20).

Personally, I have found sermons about the Holy Spirit frustrating at times—we often ask for renewal, without acknowledging that if we want to see change, we might actually have to make change.

Sammy’s sermon was a courageous call to repentance—a call to change, to turn back to the mission we first received. How many times have we got on our knees … and nothing has changed? she asked honestly.

Jesus never once asked us to worship him, he asked us to follow him, writes acclaimed author Richard Rohr. This is one of the most challenging sentences I have read in a long time. He is saying that raising our hands to worship Jesus is not the end purpose of our faith. The end goal is to act as Jesus did—which is invariably to uphold the outsiders, flip the world’s obsession with power upside down, and be willing to become nothing for his Kingdom.

So, Salvation Army leaders—are we willing to repent and reclaim true servant leadership? Salvation soldiers—are we willing to repent of claiming to know Jesus, but not actually doing what he asks of us?

If we actually did this, how could we not see renewal? In fact, how could we not see a whole new revolution?

Ingrid Barratt
Editor

Bible verse

Luke 24:46–47
This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations …

Ruka 24:46–47
Ko te mea tēnei i tuhituhia, ko te tikanga anō tēnei, ko te Karaiti kia whakamamaetia, kia ara anō i te hunga mate i te toru o ngā ra: Kia kauwhautia hoki te ripenetā me te murunga hara i runga i tōna ingoa ki ngā tauiwi katoa …