Keepers of the Covenant take a solemn step towards lifelong calling

The 2025 Keepers of the Covenant  (back row from left) Cadet Jonathan Abdulai, Cadet Soonsun Kwon, Cadet José Porcia (front row from left) Aux-Lieut David Dobbie, Aux-Lieut Belinda Dobbie, Aux-Lieut Amanda Pethybridge and Aux-Lieut Matthew Pethybridge.

BY LERISSE SMITH

The Ordination, Commissioning and Sending Out of cadets stands as a pinnacle moment for The Salvation Army – a celebration of faith, service and commitment.

But before the public ceremonies and celebrations take place, there is a sacred occasion few ever witness – Covenant Day – a deeply personal moment that carries profound meaning for the cadets as they take their first solemn step toward a lifelong calling.

It’s the sacred occasion that precedes ordination and commissioning in the process of becoming a commissioned officer with The Salvation Army.

“Covenant Day is a sacred occasion when each cadet signs their Officers Covenant before God,” said Kylie Herring, Leader of Officer Formation at Eva Burrows College.

“In this moment, cadets are making a sacred agreement with God – they are accepting God’s call on their life, they are accepting a life of sacred service as a minister of the gospel in The Salvation Army.”

In the week leading into Covenant Day, the Territorial Commander (TC) meets with the cadets being commissioned to talk through the Officer Undertakings so they are fully aware of what they are agreeing to, and the spiritual nature of the relationship between them and The Salvation Army. The Officer Undertakings must be signed by each cadet prior to Covenant Day.

Cadet José Porcia took a quick snap as Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas and Officer Formation Leader Captain Kylie Herring (red cardigan) met on Thursday with five of the seven Salvationists being commissioned on Sunday.

Yesterday (Friday 21 November), those being commissioned – cadets Jonathan Abdulai, Jose Porcia, Soonsun Kwon and Auxiliary-Lieutenants Amanda and Matthew Pethybridge, as well as Auxiliary-Lieutenants Belinda and David Dobbie (joining online from Mackay, Qld) – entered into a day of spiritual retreat, where the significance of call and covenant was prayerfully considered.

Covenant Day this year takes place today (Saturday 22 November) at The Salvation Army’s Stanmore House in Sydney. Those being commissioned gather with ongoing cadets, the Officer Formation staff, significant spiritual mentors and senior leaders in The Salvation Army.

“It’s a very intimate, sacred and reflective space,” Kylie explained. “The cadets make their covenant declarations and are invited to sign their covenant, which the Territorial Commander and the Leader of Officer Formation witness. Following the service, we share a meal together, then depart to prepare for the next events.”

The cadets and auxiliary-lieutenants sign their covenants as significant people in their lives stand behind them.

To be ordained and commissioned as a Salvation Army Officer, the following covenant is made:

Called by God to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as an officer of The Salvation Army, I bind myself to Him in this solemn Covenant: To love, trust and serve him supremely all my days; To live to win souls and make their salvation the first purpose of my life; To care for the poor, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, love the unloved, and befriend those who have no friends; To maintain the doctrines and principles of The Salvation Army, and, by God’s grace, to prove myself a worthy officer.

After ordination, the newly commissioned officers participate in a five-year development program. They gather with their fellow officers for peer support and to reflect on their journey at the end of their first, third and fifth years.

There are specific professional development requirements to be completed within five years, and if those are fulfilled, they will be promoted from Lieutenant to Captain. 

Ongoing professional pastoral supervision is a requirement for officers and provides important support to new officers, offering a regular opportunity to debrief, discuss challenges and joys, and review how they are integrating their learning with their ministry practice.

There are many challenges facing the newly commissioned officers.

Auxiliary-Lieutenants Amanda and Matthew Pethybridge (centre) with (from left) Major Brendan Young, Major Kim Haworth, Commissioner Miriam Gluyas and Captain Sally Stevens on Covenant Day.

Kylie remarked that one of them was getting their heads around all the systems of The Salvation Army, the procedures, processes and responsibilities of their appointment.

“Corps officership is challenging because of the multiple accountabilities that come with the role,” she said.

“You are responsible for leading and developing a faith community and helping them grow, equipping leaders and mentoring emerging leaders, assisting community members needing emergency relief, oversighting community programs, developing relationships and partnerships in the local community, line-managing staff, oversighting volunteers, managing a budget, keeping buildings and premises in good shape and managing the risk and compliance landscape.

Captain Kylie Herring, Leader of Officer Formation, with Cadet Soonsun Kwon.

“There are more things that could be added to the list, but you can see in that list the scope of responsibility and accountability. There is a lot of complexity to navigate in holding all those pieces and learning how all those pieces fit into the flow of a week, month, or year in that location.”

And when it comes to the greatest joy, her answer is immediate.

“The affirmation they receive on their commissioning,” Kylie said.

“That The Salvation Army is saying to each of them – we believe in you! We recognise you as a minister of the gospel – go and live your calling.”

Click through the slideshow below for more photos of Covenant Day: