Chamnesses officially installed into new territorial leadership roles
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
BY LAUREN MARTIN
At a ceremony under the official flag of The Salvation Army Australia, Colonels John and Lani Chamness were recognised and affirmed in their new territorial leadership roles during an official installation ceremony at Parramatta Corps in Sydney on Sunday.
The officers of the USA Western Territory have been serving as Chief Secretary (John) and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries and Leadership Development (Lani) since last October.
Standing alongside the Territorial Commander, Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, both John and Lani committed to exercise their leadership in a manner consistent with the Gospel values of righteousness and love, reflecting the servant leadership of the Lord Jesus Christ.
“You will be expected to provide visionary and practical leadership that will inspire effectiveness in the proclamation of the Gospel, in the discipling of believers for the building up of the Kingdom as a strong evangelical force, and in the implementation of responses to meet human need, standing for and serving the marginalised,” Miriam said.
“You are required to continue to promote the purposes for which The Salvation Army was raised, and to encourage those within your sphere of influence to play their part in bringing people to the only Saviour – Jesus Christ.”
Colonel Lani Chamness sings ‘One Pure and Holy Passion’; The Sydney Staff Songsters bring one of their three songs; The Salvation Army’s Chinese Dance Group from Campsie Corps in south-west Sydney performed a dance; The Parramatta Corps band brings its message.
In response, Lani spoke about the “deepest ambition” of a follower of Jesus being to know him more in this life and to make him known to others. She then sang ‘One Pure and Holy Passion’, playing her guitar and singing, “Give me one pure and holy passion, and give me one magnificent obsession … to know and follow hard after you.”
The meeting featured a performance by The Salvation Army’s Chinese Dance Group from Campsie Corps in south-west Sydney, music from the Parramatta Corps Band and Sydney Youth Band, and songs from the Sydney Staff Songsters.
Colonel John Chamness brought the message, based on Acts Chapter 4, encouraging The Salvation Army in Australia to step into a new infilling of God’s Holy Spirit and be bold about proclaiming the Gospel, outside of the four walls of our corps.
“Across Australia, loneliness is rising, mental health struggles are widespread, families are under pressure, inequality hurts the vulnerable and many have not heard the good news of Jesus in a way they can understand,” he said.
“In the middle of all of this, God has placed us, God has placed The Salvation Army right in the middle of all of this. Not by accident, not by tradition alone, but by our holy calling that the has given uniquely to The Salvation Army.”
He continued in a passionate tone: “We’ve got to stop hiding inside of our buildings ... we’ve got to get out and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. And this is not just for the leaders; it’s not just for the officers … holy boldness looks like a corps member praying with a neighbour. A case worker gently sharing the love of Christ. A chaplain speaking truth with love. A volunteer serving with visible love, a young person unashamed of their faith. It’s not about being loud, it’s about being unashamed and available.”
He said that as he and Lani begin their roles in Australia, they pray that they would be filled with the Holy Spirit of God, the love of Jesus and compassion for people.
“May God give The Salvation Army in Australia a fresh gift of holy boldness,” he concluded.
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