IHQ to stream live launch of 'significant' books for soldiers
IHQ to stream live launch of 'significant' books for soldiers
30 June 2021
The covers to ‘Called to be a Soldier – Exploring the Soldier’s Covenant’ and ‘Day by Day – Call to Mission’.
The Salvation Army International Headquarters will hold a live-streaming event on Thursday 1 July to launch an updated version of what is known as the Orders and Regulations for Soldiers.
General Brian Peddle will lead the event, which will include music, praise and testimony from around the world.
Called to be a Soldier – Exploring the Soldier’s Covenant has been described as “the long-awaited” successor to Chosen to be a Soldier.
It is one of two ‘significant’ books to be launched during the event. The other is a companion book called Day by Day – Call to Mission.
Called to be a Soldier has been compiled with the support of the International Theological Council. It is described as easy-to-read and focuses on each of the statements of intention that form the Soldier’s Covenant by outlining the possibilities and opportunities of life as soldiers in the Army.
The covenant is set in the context of Salvationist theology and practice, showing how the promises made in response to God’s call are also Articles of War, which are a set of regulations to guide the conduct of an army.
Commissioner Robert Street, the author of the companion book Day by Day – Call to Mission.
Day by Day was written by Commissioner Robert Street, who has retired and stepped down after heading the One Army – Spiritual Life Development Stream. The book considers what following Jesus is like in a contemporary context and asked: Is it different? Is it essentially the same as always or both?
Basing its considerations on General Peddle’s Call to Mission, Day by Day addresses those questions and encourages readers to find their own answers, either as individuals or using the content as a basis for group discussion and study.
Robert, a former leader of the dissolved Australia Eastern Territory, said General Peddle had commissioned him to write the book.
He said its main purpose was to ensure that Jesus’ teachings were always at the heart of a Christ follower’s endeavours: “Day by Day looks at the practical implications of discipleship while also seeking to provide inner resources as we serve the Lord.”
“I am delighted to be supporting the General’s initiative and hope that Day by Day’s emphasis on genuine personal relationships – both with God and others – will help us get to the heart of what really matters in daily living – and what doesn’t matter much at all,” Robert said.
Robert, who said he could not attend the launch, has recorded a short interview, which is to be shown during the launch.
The General is keen that every soldier around the world have the opportunity to own a printed copy of the books, which contain spaces for notes and personal thoughts. English-language files have been provided for local printing, and they are being translated into about 50 languages initially. They are to be distributed to corps churches, societies and outposts around the world.
General Peddle described as timely the release of Called to be a Soldier as it “challenges us to engage personally in an active, obedient faith”.
“We are becoming increasingly aware of the ways in which our world is interconnected. How we relate to each other as individuals, communities, and nations is crucial for our society and environment. It is my conviction that Called to be a Soldier will provide a most helpful framework to think about these matters and more.’
He described Day by Day as taking his Call to Mission and making it “personal”, acknowledging that his global call will only succeed if “our soldiers step up [are available] and step out [are ready to serve].
“Out of a heart made right by God stands our Army, not resigned to the trenches but advancing by His grace, bringing good news, shining light into darkness and, yes, challenging the injustices of an all-too-tolerant world,” General Peddle said. “The greatest fulfilment of His call is found in each of us becoming, day by day, the person God intends us to be.”
Recorded testimonies from senior and junior soldiers from around the world are to be screened during the event along with live content including prayer, music, praise and words of challenge from General Peddle.
The live-stream is to start around 11pm EST (2pm in London). For the latest information and a link to the stream, log on to sar.my/called
* Edited from a report by IHQ Communications, International Headquarters. Additional reporting by Others staff reporter Darryl Whitecross
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