Bands in the Round

a Biblical thought...
But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. (Psalm 59:16)

a Book thought...
During the two years (1896-97) of Herbert's Manifesto campaign in Australasia people recorded as having attended indoor meetings was twenty-seven million eight hundred and sixty-six thousand, of whom forty-six thousand had knelt at the penitent-form, fifteen thousand of whom were enrolled as soldiers. (p166)
a Dave thought...
Last night I attended the Bands in the Round event held at Northcote Town Hall. It was a unique way to let five bands perform and also rare opportunity for them to get to hear each other. The Salvation Army bands on show were Box Hill, Waverley, Camberwell, Ringwood and the MSB. The venue was configured so you could literally sit anywhere around the outside of the performing band without formality of a normal concert. As each band played for twenty minutes you could also sit around the band or in the adjacent room and have a latte and a snack or check out numerous displays. So to Ken Waterworth and his team 'well done' on using this medium in a new and interactive way.

Just a thought.

Empowerment

a Biblical thought...
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. (Psalm 55:22)

a Book thought...
What is the Salvation Army, if its one aim, and it one glory, is not the salvation of the souls of men? (p156)
a Dave thought... by John Maxwell
Enlarging others makes you larger. The purpose of power is to be distributed, not hoarded, but only secure leaders are able to give their power away. Recognize and resist the natural inclinations to keep a tight grip on power. In the long run, you'll be rewarded for letting go.
Here is a quotation on empowerment from decorated war hero and former vice presidential candidate, James B. Stockdale:

"Leadership must be based on goodwill... It means obvious and wholehearted commitment to helping followers... What we need for leaders are men of heart who are so helpful that they, in effect, do away with the need of their jobs. But leaders like that are never out of a job, never out of followers. Strange as it sounds, great leaders gain authority by giving it away."

Just a thought.

Dreamers

a Biblical thought...
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)

a Book thought...
Herbert complained that, while holding a position of immense responsibility, in matters of vital importance he was stripped of authority by the dominance of Bramwell. (p117)
a Dave thought...
Being a visionary often makes life busy as you are always trying to pull off a new idea, for some reason God often inspires visionaries and when you see a vision actually turn into reality it is a rewarding place to be. How is it that so many ideas never come to pass, and how come some people seem to make things happen and others just dream?

I believe there are three levels of dreamers:

a. Reactive Dreamers - people who dream

b. Attractive Dreamers - people who dream and attract others

c. Active Dreamers - people who dream, attract others and then make it happen

All of these three levels are important in our movement, but we seem to lack active dreamers. I've been observing lately and I often think it is because many of our leaders are officers and as we are moved on after 2-5 years sometimes we don't get to see our dreams become a reality, so we often never get to see our officers as active. I believe this is true in some cases but also believe unless we encourage, equip, and resource our active dreamers sadly we will continue our current decline.

Just a thought.

Angels & Demons

a Biblical thought...
"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Psalm 46:10-11)

a Book thought...
In 1890 for the twenty-fifth anniversary Herbert organised a celebration at Crystal Palace. Three hundred bands from outside London arrived, which resulted in a company of five thousand instrumentalists. In addition to these there were gathered together sixty thousand Salvationists representing every section of the globe. (p82)
a Dave thought...
Dan Brown's book Angels and Demons draws us in by its fast-moving plot. But it also contains fascinating examples of our modern struggles to come to terms with science. Ambivalent attitudes come to the surface as we read.
On the one hand, we admire the progress of science, the almost magical character of some of its great achievements. It offers the power not only to understand the world but to spin off technological products like high-speed jets and retinal pattern identifiers.
On the other hand, we fear science. Will it get out of bounds? Memories of the Frankenstein monster and mad scientists and the atomic bomb rise in our minds. And even if the scientists are decent people, will their pride or their secrecy or their desire for achievement push them? Will they, like father and daughter Vetra, make risky judgments that end up endangering the world?

This excerpt is from http://www.jdgreear.com/ where it also explores the following questions...

Can Science Answer Ultimate Questions?
What Is the Future of Religion?
Is There Evidence that God Created Earth?
Does Religion Fear Science?
Is the Bible True?

Just a thought.

The Cloud & the Tower

a Biblical thought...
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. (Psalm 42:1)

a Book thought...
In revulsion against the "flat rate" system of officer appointments that afterward prevailed, Herbert said "God does not make cabbages all alike. My father, with his best intentions in the world, is trying to reverse the law of nature. One man can carry a load of coals on his back, while another would be crushed under it." (p66)
a Dave thought... by Mark Pesce
In the 21st century we now have two oppositional methods of organization: the hierarchy and the cloud. Each of them carry with them their own costs and their own strengths. Neither has yet proven to be wholly better than the other. One could make an argument that both have their own roles into the future, and that we’ll be spending a lot of time learning which works best in a given situation. What we have already learned is that these organizational types are mostly incompatible: unless very specific steps are taken, the cloud overpowers the hierarchy, or the hierarchy dissipates the cloud. We need to think about the interfaces that can connect one to the other. That’s the area that all organizations – and very specifically, non-profit organizations – will be working through in the coming years. Learning how to harness the power of the cloud will mark the difference between a modest success and overwhelming one. Yet working with the cloud will present organizational challenges of an unprecedented order. There is no way that any hierarchy can work with a cloud without becoming fundamentally changed by the experience.

All organizations are now confronted with two utterly divergent methodologies for organizing their activities: the tower and the cloud. The tower seeks to organize everything in hierarchies, control information flows, and keep the power heading from bottom to top. The cloud isn’t formally organized, pools its information resources, and has no center of power. Despite all of its obvious weaknesses, the cloud can still transform itself into a formidable power, capable of overwhelming the tower. To push the metaphor a little further, the cloud can become a storm.

All 21st century organizations need to recognize and adapt to the power of the cloud. It’s either that or face a death of a thousand cuts, the slow ebbing of power away from hierarchically-structured organizations as newer forms of organization supplant them. But it need not be this way. It need not be an either/or choice. It could be a future of and-and-and, where both forms continue to co-exist peacefully. But that will only come to pass if hierarchies recognize the power of the cloud.

Just a thought.

Tooth Fairy

a Biblical thought...
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. (Psalm 37:4-6)

a Book thought...
During the four years of his administration four thousand officers were trained and assigned in all parts of the world. (p65)
a Dave thought...
My 7 year old son Noah was very excited by another visit from the tooth fairy last night as he woke up to find money in a glass next to his bed. But as I drove him to school he began to ask me a lot of questions. Firstly it was about the fairness of the fairy, "why did last time the tooth fairy give me $4 but this time only $2.50?" I was going to give him the standard DTTCEC (due to the current economic climate) but instead attempted to let him know that there must be a lot of children losing teeth at the moment so there is less money to go around. Noah then went on to ask, "so the tooth fairy, the Easter bunny & Santa Clause are all real?" My reply "they must be hey?" As I reflected I felt a bit guilty, but then thankful that he didn't add God to this trio of make-believes.

Just a thought.

Total Church

a Biblical thought...
Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. (Psalm 33:3-4)

a Book thought...
Sixty years after Herbert Booth had dreamt of establishing the Army in New Guinea the Army flag was planted in that land. (p204)
a Dave thought...
In this new book Tim & Steve outline and apply a pair of overarching biblical principles that call the current body of Christ to a deep restructuring of its life and mission.
"Church is not a meeting you attend or a place you enter," write pastors Tim Chester and Steve Timmis. "It's an identity that is ours in Christ. An identity that shapes the whole of life so that life and mission become 'total church.'" With that as their premise, they emphasize two overarching principles to govern the practice of church and mission: being gospel-centered and being community-centered. When these principles take precedence, say the authors, the truth of the Word is upheld, the mission of the gospel is carried out, and the priority of relationships is practiced in radical ways. The church becomes not just another commitment to juggle but a 24/7 lifestyle where programs, big events, and teaching from one person take a backseat to sharing lives, reaching out, and learning about God together.

Just a thought.

Leadership 2.0

a Biblical thought...
One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. (Psalm 27:4)

a Book thought...
One of the goals set by Herbert Booth's 'Move-on Manifesto in 1896 was to start Chinese corps in Sydney and Melbourne. (p198)

a Dave thought... by Michael Hyatt
If leaders are going to be effective with the current generation of Internet-savvy web-users, they must shift their leadership style. I call this Leadership 2.0. Here’s how it compares to Leadership 1.0:

Leadership 2.0 embraces change. Like Web 1.0, old-style leadership was fairly static. Leaders resisted change and were more focused on preserving the status quo. However, Leadership 2.0 embraces change. New-style leaders are on the cutting edge of experimentation. If something doesn’t work, they change course quickly. They are more concerned about driving the right outcomes than maintaining business-as-usual.

Leadership 2.0 demonstrates transparency. Old-style leaders were opaque. They wouldn’t tell you anything they didn’t have to tell you. They kept themselves shrouded in mystery. (Think of “Oz.”) New-style leaders are open and transparent. They let you see them for who they are—warts and all. They risk self-disclosure, preferring to acknowledge the truth of who they are rather than pretend to be something they are not.

Leadership 2.0 celebrates dialogue. Old-style leaders delivered a monologue. They did all the talking. The fact that they were the boss was proof enough that they were smarter than everyone else n the room. New-style leaders listen more than they talk. They ask questions. They lead powerful conversations. Why? Because they know that “all of us are smarter than some of us” to quote James Surowiecki in The Wisdom of Crowds.

Leadership 2.0 employs collaboration. Old-style leaders were competitive. They held all the cards close to their vest. They didn’t “play well with others.” They refused to help anyone they perceived as the competition, even if they were theoretically on the same team. New-style leaders are all about teamwork. They are inclusive in the way they lead, drawing you in and making you feel that you are doing something great—together. They enroll others as “colleagues” and “partners.”

Leadership 2.0 practices sharing. Old-style leaders hoarded their resources—their contacts, their insights, their time, energy and money. They played a zero-sum game. Their didn’t believe they could be generous without depleting their own pile of stuff. New-style leaders are just the opposite. They have an abundance-mentality. They freely share their resources, believing that “there is plenty more where that came from.” They know “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (see Acts 20:35)

Leadership 2.0 welcomes engagement. Old-style leaders were aloof and detached. They didn’t expect to get their hands dirty by actually talking to customers and other constituents. They stood above the fray, dispassionately observing the masses. New-style leaders don’t think in terms of hierarchy, as if something is beneath them. They jump in with both feet, happily and passionately engaging with anyone and everyone.

Leadership 2.0 builds community. Old-style leaders were rugged individualists. They pulled themselves up by their own bootstraps. They didn’t need anyone else. They could do it all themselves, “thank you very much.” New-style leaders, on the other hand, enjoy working with others and building a sustainable community that will go on long after they are gone. They get great satisfaction from working together rather than working alone.

Leadership 2.0 represents a quantum leap forward in effectiveness. It enables leaders to connect with their followers in ways that Leadership 1.0 could never do. The irony is that this may not be so new after all. Jesus Himself was this very kind of leader. But that is a post for another day.

Just a thought.

Herbert

a Biblical thought...
Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. (Psalm 25:4-5)

a Book thought...
On Melbourne Cup Day in 1890 nine hundred children marched in the Army's antigambling processions. (p188)
a Dave thought...
Last night I went along to Camberwell for the Historical Society's night on Herbert Booth. This pioneer has always been my favourite Salvation Army personality and as I learnt a little more about his life the more I am inspired but also saddened.

Herbert Booth took command of all Salvation Army operations in the British Isles when he was 26. Then, from 1892-1896, he was the Commandant for the Salvation Army in Canada. Next, he was appointed to the Australasian Territory where his health continued to deteriorate. During the 5 years he was in charge of Australia and New Zealand from ages 34-39 he established 101 buildings with the army growing at an incredible rate. His innovations were numerous with the Limelight Department one of the worlds first film studios producing over 300 films and other initiatives such as the bicycle brigade where he made it compulsory for every centre to own two bikes so time could be used more efficiently. Upon arrival in 1896 to Australia he issued a Manifesto which begins with these words...

My dear comrades, I want to charge and challenge you to be people of vision. The Bible says that where there is no vision the people perish. Certainly, without vision The Salvation Army will perish - and when I speak of the Army I don't merely think of people on headquarters. I mean all of us, regardless of our age or rank. We need to be visionaries.

His farewell meeting in 1902 was attended by every leading MP and many other important community leaders in Australia, such was his amazing influence in this country. Sadly he left the movement as he struggled with a system where all the major decisions were made in London.

Just a thought.

Twitter & The Red Shield Appeal

a Biblical thought...
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm 18:2)

a Book thought...
In 1888 the Self-denial Appeal was launched as a collection to encourage the public and soldiers alike to give sacrificially to the work of the Army.
a Dave thought...

This initiative of using twitter to support the Red Shield Appeal by Aaron, Grant, Phil & Rowan is awesome check it out... www.bit.ly/reds

You Tweet to share your life. Now you can Tweet to change the world. Your fingers. Your keyboard. US$5. Share a story. Then feed the hungry. House the homeless. Support the isolated. Change the world... How? Buy a Tweet. A Tweet that shares the story of the broken and the forgotten. A Tweet that shares how we can help restore equality to humanity. A Tweet that actually makes a contribution to a better world.You can purchase a Tweet for US$5. This Tweet will share how The Salvation Army serves our communities. The money goes to The Salvation Army's Red Shield Appeal. The funds raised in The Red Shield Appeal are used within The Salvation Army. The Salvation Army gives the money back to the community by providing food shelter, homes and personal support to the broken and forgotten of our world. Go on. It's only US$5.For more info check out www.salvationarmy.org.au/redshieldappeal

Just a thought.

500!

a Biblical thought...
I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. (Psalm 16:7)

a Book thought...
Since the early days, when the bands used their skills to raise funds to assist the socially deprived, community service has been part of the Army musicians' routine. (p172)
a Dave thought...
Today is my 500th blog post as Captain Collo. When I began entering the blog world back a few years ago I never thought I'd be so committed to this medium, or addicted whichever way you want to look at it. But I must admit it has been a part of my daily time with God now that I rely upon to help me focus. I use this format of "a Biblical thought" - the word of God which I start my day focused on, "a Book thought" - gaining understanding from others that is worth passing on, and "a Dave thought" - something that I'm thinking about, reading or passionate about. Although many tell me all they read is the Dave thought I still think that quoting God and others before myself is a good habit to get into!

I am one who believes that spending time with God can be enhanced by letting others into your world and sharing your thoughts with them. It has also been helpful to me to be accountable with my daily time with God by going public. I now average around 100 readers a day but I never imagined how much impact and many doors this would open along the way. Sure I have also taken a few hits and typed some thoughts that didn't sit well with others but Captain Collo has also been quoted in newsletters, and sermons, and resulted in some fantastic conversations on Facebook as well as receiving many comments and emails. So thanks for reading and encouraging me along the way without readers like you I wouldn't exist. I pray as I continue to read, pray and type whatever comes into my head every morning that God's kingdom may just be enhanced a little more everyday through Captain Collo.

Just a thought.

Generalists & Specialists

a Biblical thought...
I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. (Psalm 7:17)

a Book thought...
In 1911 the Home League was formed, this was the brain-child of Florence Booth. It aims were 'to give practical counsel on matters relating to the home, to encourage spiritual life and bible reading, and to develop service. (p155)
a Dave thought... by Mark Driscoll
The difference between good decisions and great decisions is timing. The most difficult decisions in leadership are not between good and bad; they are between "now" and "later." This legendary predicament even led to a great name for a hard candy. This is the issue when staffing the critical positions of a healthy church. Certain positions you have to have and certain positions you have to have now. Deciding which staff people to hire now and which can wait is a crucial strategic decision.

When your church is young, your staff members have to be generalists and play lots of roles—they each need to be a "jack of all trades" to a certain extent. And while some jobs can be done quite well by that type of leader, other jobs require a specialist. One of the ways to get specialist-caliber talent in the beginning is not by hiring them directly, but by partnering with other ministries, or "outsourcing." This way, you get the best of both worlds. Your church can be served by the passion and energy of generalists and the wisdom and experience of specialists. And every church deserves the most passionate, experienced, wise, and energetic staff possible.

Just a thought.

Dad

a Biblical thought...
In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. (Psalm 5:3)

a Book thought...
Florence Booth believed that God could work miracles but she also believed that "every woman had the duty of being a worker together with God in her own liberation".
a Dave thought...
On Sunday I made the trek down to Lorne to watch my 69 year-old father complete his fourth marathon. http://www.greatoceanroadmarathon.com.au/ My dad is an inspiration to me in so many ways as an officer of 37 years, a humble Christian leader, a great father, but also an amazing athlete! For him to finish this very hilly and challenging course in 4 hour and 5 minutes was a sensational effort. I am so fortunate to have such a father to look up to and hope I can be a similar role model for my two boys as they grow up and reach for their dreams in life.

Just a thought.

Conversation starters

a Biblical thought...
After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before. All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the LORD had brought upon him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring. (Job 42:10)

a Book thought...
Officers in 1828, as they schemed to feed and provide for the poor, did not know when they would receive their next allowance or how much it would be. "We lived by faith," more than one officer recalled. (p131)
a Dave thought...
Over the last couple of weeks it has been very relaxing spending time with my family in Merimbula. Over this time, sometimes to Kylie's embarrassment, I had many conversations with strangers. Many of these exchanges start with comments about our children's names - Noah & Josiah. Over morning tea one lady was very quick to judge 'you must be Christians' which we gladly admitted to which began an in depth conversation about her local church. She went on to explain how she grew up 'Uniting' and over the last 10 years joined a Pentecostal church but like most local congregations can no longer afford a pastor and a building. They now have ended up as a house church, which this sixty year-old explained was the most economically sound way as they met every Wednesday opened Gods word together, shared and supported each other. She said they still believe in tithing but as they have no expenses to run their church they just give that money away to anyone in need as God leads them. It was one of the many fascinating conversations I had and a great insight with the decline of the local church how many Australians are living out their faith today.

Just a thought.

Corps Cadets Website

a Dave thought...
Yesterday we went live with the new Corps Cadet website. http://www.corpscadets.salvationarmy.org.au/ It is an interactive site with assessments online and uses 'Facebook connect' so you can login and comment throughout the site. We pray this will be more than another gimmick but a place that will help teenagers on their distinctive Salvo discipleship journey.

Also as I am on holidays I will not return to my blog until Monday 18th May. I'm sure I'll have a few more Dave thoughts between now & then, but it will be good to get away for a couple of weeks with my family.

Just a thought.

Ninth Anniversary

a Biblical thought...
The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress. Therefore, men revere him, for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart?

a Book thought...
James Barker, the man who started Salvation Army social service in Melbourne in 1883, died in London in 1990. But what would have meant the most to him was that nine ex-criminals carried his body to its last resting-place on earth. They counted themselves saved because Jimmy Barker had cared about them. (p119)
a Dave thought...
This day, May 1 in 2000 was the day I began my formal ministry in The Salvation Army. I was very fortunate that Major Ross Hailes, the CO at Box Hill could see potential in me and took me on as an Assistant Pastor there responsible for youth ministries. Since that day my journey has been incredible with my wife joining me in 2003, then becoming lieutenants, and now we serve as TYs with the rank of captains in this territory. I thank God for Ross who had the vision and insight to employ me back then as although I was somewhat tested in many other ways I was a risky investment. I pray that I too can find and encourage others who are on the fringes of the movement and help them take steps towards full-time ministry. Only God knows where that journey may end up for some.

Just a thought.