Pass the salt and start a conversation
Pass the salt and start a conversation
2 October 2017
The Salvation Army's "Pass the Salt" conversation cards are a versatile tool for ministry in a wide range of settings.
The Salvation Army has created “Pass the Salt” conversation-starter cards to help people explore life, faith and Jesus in informal settings.
“They are a great tool,” says Lieutenant-Colonel Cheralynne Pethybridge, Australia Eastern Territory Secretary for Personnel, and Women’s Ministries, who praised the territory’s Mission Support Team for producing such a great resource.
“I pitched the idea to the mission team and this is what they came up with. Brilliant!” said Lieut-Colonel Miriam Gluyas, NSW/ACT Divisional Commander.
All corps in NSW and ACT are being sent multiple packs, and orders are also being received from Queensland and other non-Salvation Army churches. “I think they will go across the world,” says Lieut-Colonel Gluyas. “We will do some Christmas ones too – ‘conversations around Christmas dinner’.”
“I think one of the best things about Pass the Salt is its versatility," said Matthew Pethybridge, Operations Manager, Mission Support. "Yes, you can devote a night a week to playing with a group of people who want to grow together. But you can also play one card at the start of family dinner, or a couple of cards to kick off a night at small group. We're hearing of people who are going to plant a box at their local cafe!”
The cards have been released in conjunction with the NSW/ACT Divisional launch of “Kingdom Tables” – a part of the division’s “Hope Rising” strategy that encourages all corps to start different faith expressions of corps life. These could be small groups that meet in cafes, homes or local parks – wherever life is happening. They differ from the traditional church “small group” because the people involved might not necessarily attend a Sunday worship service – the Kingdom Table is their expression of church.
“We’re encouraging every Salvo to start a Kingdom Table,” says Lieut-Colonel Gluyas. “Imagine what that would mean?”
While “Kingdom Tables” is a term being used in the Hope Rising journey of renewal that the NSW/ACT Division is taking, such small groups are also springing up across the country in Salvation Army settings.
Whether they’re known as “Kingdom Tables”, “Emerging Church”, “Missional Communities” or another label, they all align with the Australia One national mission to share the love of Jesus by caring for people, creating faith pathways and building healthy communities.
The Pass the Salt conversation-starter cards can be ordered at salvos.org.au/passthesalt
Comments
A wonderful idea..could have kind words.words of encouragement..compliments..word for the day..or games to play while waiting to be served...blessings all round......