The Gospel Blimp!

This really dates me, but in 1967, two years into our first appointment, a corps plant, a film was released titled, “The Gospel Blimp.” It’s a satirical piece on evangelism and it became the “in” thing at officer councils for a few years. In fact, I began working it into my presentations.

Recently I found the following pdf of a comic strip taken from the film. It’s lengthy, but the message is just as relevant today some 44 years later. You really need to read the strip all the way through for its full impact. And when the “Commander” enters the picture…well, you’ll get the picture!

http://www.carpsplace.com/spire/Gospel%20Blimp.pdf

Enjoy.

JN

A Continuing Metamorphosis!

Steve Court over at ArmyBarmy.com gives his take on the demise of ADC’s and one ATC. First, Doris had as much to the do with the decision for this change as I did, maybe even more so. And its genesis can be traced to General Paul and Commissioner Kay Rader.

It was the first step in what was hoped to be a continuing metamorphosis. And had time not run out there would have been a male ADC – this concept would have made the transition so much more palatable, culturally, for the male counterpart. And, Steve, it was meant to be more than shared leadership; it’s also meant to be shaped leadership. In other words, the leadership of either spouse, regardless of title and protocol, can be shaped according to his/her gifting and passion. If the wife is the gifted administrator or fundraiser, so be it. If his passion is for counseling and social work, so be it, no matter title or appointment. And it was working beautifully.

Finally, whatever the decision from on high, it really doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. Keep on shaping it according to your gifting and passions – a continuing metamorphosis. And if officers continue to model shaped leadership, who knows? Not only will the Army continue to be strengthened, but those sitting on the throne (a Gowanism), will eventually get it and see the light. In other words, isn’t this just another blip in the grand scheme of things?

JN

I’m Not Going There!

I just watched an inspirational program on 60 Minutes that every officer/soldier leader should watch (found here in two parts), and then begin to emulate in their communities. I don’t mean exactly; I mean in spirit. But it can’t take the shape of a brass band or… I'm not going there! It has to be culturally relevant and meet a deep, spiritual need. It will require some thinking and dreaming outside the lines. They have to be reached right where they live, in the here and now. Forget trying to resurrect Corps Cadets or… I'm not going there! Watch this program. Let it inspire you. Turn the Holy Spirit loose, creatively! It has inspired me to keep on dreaming and do something spectacular, even in these retiring years. Wait! Don’t move on to the next status update or post. Stop! Take 20 minutes and watch these two inspiring segments now!

Gospel for Teens:

Part 1: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7361574n

Part 2: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7361570n

PLEASE!

JN

JAC – Music To My Ears!

General Paul A Rader (Ret) is featured over at JAC (Journal of Aggressive Christianity) with a submission titled, “Reaching for Metaphors of Grace.” It’s a great read and foundational to my own submission, which follows his: “Change My Heart – Personal Reflections on ‘Deep Change’: http://www.armybarmy.com/JAC.html.

Rader writes, in part, “Preaching to students during the six years of my presidency at a Christian college, I have worked at trying to make this truth (Scriptural holiness) accessible and compelling to this generation of students – the millennials.” In order to do this, he continues, “I am still searching for more adequate metaphors to relate this truth to our time.”

Three of the metaphors he relates are: The “Shorter Way, Middle Way and Longer Way.” These “Ways” resonate with me and offer a menu of “Ways” to fit differing personality types and differing cultural upbringings. I’ve written before how I’ve struggled with Brengle’s “Shorter Way” and then, with a rush of relief, discovered and connected with Coutts “Longer Way.” In other words, when it comes to holiness, “One size doesn’t fit all.” It's the “crisis” size that fits all.

Thank you General Rader for this inspired insight; it’s music to this beginning Septuagenarian’s ears.

JN