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An illustration from a 1975 edition of the War Cry depicting a protester positing his views on protesting. BY BARRY GITTINS Fifty years ago, The Salvation Army in Australia was casting a dubious eye at the growing culture of protest marches against social issues. In a 1975 War Cry article credited to a Brigadier Bramwell Derbyshire, the protests – “part of the ’70s scene” – were described as being held by “sincere crusaders” and “selfish bigots”. Across the world, citizens were protesting against wars, against government corruption, against racism, homophobia, unsafe and unfair working conditions, poverty, abuse of women, cruelty to animals, and many more causes. Be it a “sit-down, a public meeting, a kidnapping, hijacking, a lock-out, a procession … [or] writing on walls”, the writer saw protesting as a “conditional” part of the democratic process, and duly thought his opinion was surely shared by “all sensible people”.   The brigadier declared that he loved animals so much he would have been a veterinary surgeon if he had not been “called to become a Salvation Army officer”. Yet he could not “understand people who will rave and rant about cruelty to animals and leave generous bequests to animal charities, and yet remain oblivious and unmoved by the suffering of children and the sorrows of the old”. “It needs to be said,” the brigadier conceded, “that there is nothing wrong with a good protest march, providing it is legal and proper and does not include senseless physical violence.” That said, he added, “every man who joins in a protest march against others’ self-interest has only the right to do so if he himself is unselfish”. What confuses readers today (denying people the right to protest in their own interest) doubtless also confused readers 50 years ago. The brigadier said Salvos wearing their uniform do not “need to wear badges [opposing] cruelty to animals and children”, signifying membership “of the anti-smoking league” or railing against “gambling and over-indulgence”. “I am against evil of every shape, sort and size, not only in theory but in practice,” he declared. When The Salvation Army marched, he suggested, it was in protest against “exploitation, falsehood, laziness and self-indulgence”, and that Jesus spent his life protesting poverty, “ostentatious pride”, prejudice, cowardice, sin and expediency. Jesus’ death, he added, turned him into the kind of protestor “this old world is needing”. Roo shoot Mission can be eventful, life is exceedingly unusual, and human beings experience genuinely weird stuff. Take, for example, the respected Salvationist who wrote about the only recorded time that Australia’s best-known animal, the ’roo, shot a fella up in the Top End. That’s right, (apparently), in 1971, a kangaroo shot a bloke at the Elizabeth Downs cattle station, up near the Daly River police station, NT. ‘Plenty of kangaroos have been shot by men,’ wrote the late Vic Pedersen, The Salvation Army’s pioneering flying padre (for the War Cry paper’s 10 January 1976 issue), but Vic reckoned a man named Archie Crosby was probably ‘the only man who has been shot by a kangaroo!’ An excerpt of the ‘roo shoot’ article. In the course of his duties as manager of Elizabeth Down, Archie had shot and wounded a big ’roo and had wandered over to administer the coup de grace, leaning his rifle butt momentarily on the ground. “The kangaroo reached up,” narrated Vic, “and caught the trigger, in an effort to scramble to its feet. The bullet passed through Crosby’s right arm. Fortunately, it missed the bone and main artery but tore a nasty hole. Crosby plugged the wound with flour and his mate, Tom Scott, then drove him 200 miles to hospital.” When Vic later conducted a triple wedding at the Daly River cop shop, with Archie and Tom standing proudly as two of the bridegrooms, Vic said the scars on Archie’s ‘arm were all the evidence of the incident’ that he could bear witness to. We could jump to conclusions about this yarn, but that’s probably best left to the ’roos. God knows they’re more inclined to bounce back from such wild stories.     Rolling along Love, hope, faith and peace. Cheer, joy, music and song. Sincerity, cooperation, comradeship and loyalty. Prayer, works and ‘push’. Emotions, spiritual qualities, actions all combined in people that embraced God above and the human beings all around us. The illustration in The Local officer and Bandsman magazine. These are presented as the ‘spokes’ that combine to make salvation’s wheel, and Salvationists were calling for hands to turn that wheel. Coming up to 91 years ago, in the 1 November 1934 issue of The Local Officer and Bandsman , the artist visualised the Army’s mission as a spiritual yet holistic one; salvation’s wheel proceeded to traverse the path of duty while meeting the pain of ‘the needy passer-by’ with deep compassion, reflecting the beauty of the God they worshipped. The issue before, 1 October 1934, the magazine promoted General Edward Higgins’ promotion of Christlike leadership: a leader coaches, solves problems, encourages and inspires, showing the way forward and setting the pace by example. Those two principles, servant leadership and holistic mission, can inspire us again, helping The Salvation Army serve both God and humanity. General Edward Higgins‘ promotion of Christlike leadership in a 1934 edition of The Local Officer and Bandsman magazine.

Each week throughout 2025, Salvationists around the world are uniting in prayer for a particular territory or region of The Salvation Army.   The focus territory/region shares prayer requests to help us pray with precision and power for one another.   This week (20-26 October), we pray for the Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands (PNGSI) Territory. Australian officers Majors Hector and Melba Cristostomo are currently serving at the Lae Primary School in Papua New Guinea – Hector as School Administrator, and Melba as Associate Administrator and Chaplaincy Team Leader. The territory also recently welcomed Australian officers Majors Deon and Michelle Oliver, with Deon to serve as Secretary for Program and Michelle as Development Officer. Majors Robert and Vanessa Evans have recently been repatriated after eight years as district officers in the Solomon Islands. READ MORE: We have been living the extraordinary life for eight years Majors Brad and Joycelyn McIver will begin serving in the Solomon Islands on 1 December 2025 (pending visa approvals) – Brad as District Officer, and Joycelyn as District Director of Women’s Ministries.   READ MORE: Aussie officers prepare for service in the Solomon Islands Colonels Colonels Chris and Tilitah Goa lead the Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Territory.    The Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Territory has 415 officers (340 active and 75 retired); 29 Aux-Captains; 10 envoys; 26 cadets; 66 corps; 107 outposts; 6640 senior soldiers; 5569 adherents; 1304 junior soldiers; 380 employees. The PNGSI work includes: ·      Community health services ·      Education and schools ·      Modern slavery and human trafficking response   Thanking God For the territorial theme ‘Rebuild, Restore, Renew – A Year of Revival’ and the many lives turning to Christ through evangelism, camps and youth prayer weekends.   For the theme ‘revival’. God’s spirit is moving powerfully across the territory, and we give him all glory!   Praise God for the growth of prayer cells among officers and soldiers, and for answered prayers.   Thank God for mission support funds for the Solomon Islands, enabling essential quarters repairs and maintenance.   Prayer requests Please pray for the visit of the General and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham in November 2026. During the visit, they will be visiting the Solomon Islands for the 15th year Anniversary Congress and Papua New Guinea (Port Moresby) for the 70th Anniversary Congress. This will include the ordination and commissioning of the Proclaimers of Transformation session. Please pray for smooth preparations for our world leaders and within the territory, as there will be much travelling for our soldiers and officers into Port Moresby for these events. Pray that God’s presence and blessing be over this sacred occasion.   Pray for the territorial theme ‘Rebuild, Restore, Renew’, which has guided us from 2021-2025. In 2026, the territory will continue focusing on the themes of regeneration, reclamation and revival. The theme for 2027 will be ‘Redeemed’ and this will be launched by the General and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham during the congress and commissioning events in November 2026. Please stand with us in praying that all divisions, districts, and centres be engaged fully, embracing the theme in all areas of mission and ministry across the territory for revival to be experienced in the lives of all Salvationists, soldiers, officers and friends of The Salvation Army.   Pray for the ongoing review and redevelopment of the Territorial Strategic Plan (2025-2027) to align with the Compass framework of people, mission and legacy. Pray for wisdom and clarity for the steering committee as they lead this process.   Pray for the spiritual growth of soldiers and officers. With many social and ethical challenges, including ongoing tribal conflicts in our nation, ask God to strengthen his people to live holy lives, remain deeply rooted in their faith, reflect Christ in their daily walk, and grow in love for God.   Please pray for the health and wellbeing of our officers and that they seek advice. Many faces ongoing health challenges – may God sustain them with strength, healing and resilience.   Pray for territorial funding and stewardship. Ask God to provide for our needs, guide us in developing local income-generating initiatives, and help us remain faithful stewards of all resources.   Pray for The Salvation Army in the Solomon Islands:   That suitable corps officer quarters will be identified in Honiara, and for the construction of officers’ quarters in the provinces.   For wisdom in managing the ongoing Making It Happen project, particularly with district officers now working remotely. For the Team in Honiara as they travel to the provinces to support churches and explore new ministry opportunities, as well as the sustainability projects.   Pray for the ordination and commissioning of the Keepers of the Covenant session of cadets at the end of November 2025. May God grant each cadet strength and courage. To find out more about the Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Territory, click here To find out more about The Salvation Army’s prayer focus, click here .   To download the 2025 International Prayer Focus schedule, click here .

To view the Appointment Bulletin, click here

1. What is your current appointment and what do you find most satisfying about it?  My current appointment is Corps Officer at the Noarlunga Salvos, in the outer southern suburbs of Adelaide. There are many things I love about my corps. Firstly, it was the corps where I came to faith almost 23 years ago, and, as such, it has always held a very special place in my heart. I love the people within our faith community; they are so loving and embrace everyone, making them feel so valued and welcome. I love the community that surrounds us because they are messy and real! What a beautiful opportunity God gives us daily to show the love of Jesus to them all.    One of my greatest passions is the Christ-centred 12-step program that we run every Wednesday night. It is one of the most authentic places that I have ever had the privilege of serving in. This is an amazing space where the most vulnerable and broken can come and find acceptance, love, and, most importantly, healing as they journey through the 12 steps.   2. Away from the appointment – if that’s possible! – what do you do to relax or unwind?   I have a large family that includes four married children and 13 grandchildren. I love to connect with them all! On a quieter note, however, I find much joy and peace in taking my two dogs, a mini Schnauzer (Jasper) and a Schnoodle (Pebbles), on long walks, usually to the beach, where I find solace and peace.   3. What’s a favourite Christian song and why do you like it?   I have many favourite songs, including the ‘Goodness of God’. This was released around the time I was suffering from excruciating chronic back pain. The mornings were the hardest for me as I tried to manoeuvre myself out of bed and take the weight of my body onto my feet. I would open up Spotify and play the song. The lyrics gave me such hope ... All my life you have been faithful, all my life you have been so, so good. With every breath that I am able I will sing of the goodness of God. I chose to worship and believe that God would bring healing to me and continued to put my faith and hope in His goodness and faithfulness. Every time I hear this song, I think of that difficult season and praise Him for the physical healing he has brought to me.   4. If you could have a good talk with a biblical character apart from Jesus, who would it be and what would you talk about?   This is a difficult question because I find great inspiration in so many of the Biblical characters. They were an ordinary bunch of people who put their hope in an extraordinary God. I guess Jeremiah would be a key one for me. Known as the weeping prophet, I, too, connected with His heart and have always felt a burden for the wayward children of God. Many years ago, God spoke to me through Jeremiah chapter one: “ I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born, I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations .” Then Jeremiah cried out to the Lord, “ I can’t speak, I am too young!” But the Lord’s reply is what I have held on to over and over again: “Look, I have put words in your mouth.” I connect very much with Jeremiah’s feeling of inadequacy. I am sure if we got together, we would have an awesome conversation about trusting the Lord to work through us and our journey to that place of complete trust and faith in the Lord.   5. If you were talking to a group of Salvationists and they asked if you recommended officership or not, what would you say? I believe that if you are called to officership, then it is a calling that you can never shake, and you won’t settle until you answer the call of God on your life. I love it!! With a passion! It’s hard, tiring, but always rewarding. It brings diversity, it stretches you, challenges you, but there is absolutely no other place I would rather be than serving the Lord through The Salvation Army and fulfilling His purposes and plans for my life. It is rewarding and life-giving!! I feel honoured and blessed that He called me to serve Him in this way!

BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE  The Salvation Army is offering five full scholarships to study a Diploma of Financial Counselling through Transurban and Eva Burrows College Vocational Training.   Transurban, who operates Linkt tolling in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, has been partnering with The Salvation Army since 2019 to provide funding for Army officers, staff and volunteers to train and eventually work within the financial counselling sector. Transurban donates the entire cost of five Financial Counselling Scholarships to eligible applicants who are accepted to study the course and receive funding. The training involves acquiring specialist knowledge, paralegal skills, and competencies which focus on credit and debit issues affecting those who are facing significant debt and financial issues.  Corporate Partnerships Relationship Manager Amanda Travers said that debt and other financial difficulties were a huge weight on many Australians, and that the role of a financial counsellor was vital in assisting those who may have never had the opportunity to discuss budgeting or how to manage their debts before.   Applications close 30 November. To find out more about the scholarships and how to apply, click here .

Serving milk and oatmeal to mothers and children has made some startling differences in peoples' lives. BY SIMONE WORTHING   The Salvation Army World Service Office (SAWSO) works globally with local corps and centres to help change the lives of some of the world’s poorest, most vulnerable, and suffering individuals.   Over the past months, Global Focus has featured some of the projects SAWSO is driving and the impact these are having in local communities.   This week, we look at projects in Paraguay and the Philippines.   PARAGUAY Milk and oatmeal In San Lorenzo’s Villa Laurelty neighbourhood, the Tekokatu clinic’s Milk & Oatmeal program combats child malnutrition by empowering mothers with education on hygiene, child development, and wellbeing. The program’s Canto al Bebé classes help mothers strengthen emotional bonds with their babies through singing, fostering early development and maternal confidence.   “Participating in the activities on Wednesdays has been a way of recharging my strength to continue with the week’s struggle,” said Romina, a mother of four. Mirta, a young mother, sought support for severe depression and the effects of a violent past. Through therapy and group sessions, she has built a healthier bond with her daughters, breaking cycles of trauma. Gabriela, another beneficiary, found the strength to leave an abusive relationship, find stable employment and create a safer future for her child. In 2023 and 2024 alone, with SAWSO’s support, the clinic has provided more than 7000 medical consultations and reached 1300 people through free community health programs. By equipping young mothers and families with vital resources, the clinic offers hope for a healthier, brighter future.     PHILIPPINES   Strengthening the ability to serve SAWSO is strengthening The Salvation Army Philippines’ ability to serve communities through the Integrated Community Development Program. The program equips local officers and staff with the skills to identify community needs, develop solutions and implement impactful projects.   Corps officers undergo training in faith-based facilitation, community engagement and project management, enabling them to work alongside residents to assess challenges and develop tailored solutions. So far, across 32 communities, 6440 individuals have participated in training on economic resilience, violence prevention and youth development. Through livelihood grants, financial literacy training and job programs, 3387 people have gained financial knowledge, while 1344 have acquired skills for income-generating activities. Additionally, 1010 individuals have received violence prevention training, strengthening the community’s resilience and self-sufficiency.

Registrations are now open for this exciting annual event on The Salvation Army calendar. National Creative Arts Camp (NCAC) is an opportunity for youth and young adults from around the country to learn, grow and share together.   Hosted by the Worship Arts Team at Blampied in Victoria, the national event is a camp specifically designed to encourage, train, and develop young creatives within The Salvation Army.   The annual camp offers creative streams such as visual arts, music, theatre, brass band, dance and worship.   The experience provides unique and important opportunities for up-and-coming creatives to build faith, skills and community.   WHEN: 12-17 January 2026   WHERE: Rutherford Park Country Retreat, VIC   WHO: 15-30 (including anyone starting year 9)   COST: $425 [registration] $260 [flight fee - interstate delegates only]$30 [optional linen]   Registrations close Monday 1 December. For more information, click here

Lily Webb with her parents, Andrew (Corps Officer) and Lc (Ministry Assistant), at Ulverstone Corps.  BY LAUREN MARTIN   Lily Webb may be the youngest Salvation Army youth group leader in the whole of Australia. At 13, she plans, runs and prays for the Ulverstone Corps’ fortnightly youth group, which she founded this year in obedience to God’s calling.   “I just want to teach people about God and the Gospel,” said Lily, on a video call along with her father, Captain Andrew Webb, Corps Officer at Ulverstone, a town on Tasmania’s north coast.   “I’m still young, I have a lot of life ahead of me, and I wanted to do something while I’m still in my youth.”   The Year 8 student approached her parents earlier this year with the concept for a corps youth group. But she worried that she might get knocked back because of the cost of starting a new ministry, or that the corps leadership might already be too busy.   She said that while her parents were very supportive of the plan, they told her that she would need to write a proposal to go before the Corps Leadership Team. Her mum and dad also said they could not be part of the decision due to their obvious conflict of interest.   Undeterred, Lily whipped up a comprehensive proposal for the ministry, complete with 14 weeks’ worth of detailed planning about activities and themes.   “He [pointing to her father] came back home after the meeting and [said] they were so excited that I wanted to do this, and they were 100 per cent supportive of it. I really appreciated their support,” said Lily. Lily Webb has a passion to reach her generation with the Gospel. With the help of the Corps Leadership Team, the necessary Salvation Army paperwork was filled out. Lily then made some posters and put them up around town to advertise the first youth group evening.   Lily’s vision was simple: “I wanted a lot of different types of people to come,” she explained, “[to just be] having fun and learning about God and learning about what He can do in your life.”   The first night was trivia and attracted teens of different ages, schools and backgrounds. This was an answer to Lily’s prayer when she had asked God for a range of people to attend. She has enjoyed making new friends and seeing others do the same.   “We all just learn a lot of things about each other,” she said. (Left) A youth group laser-tag activity. (Right) Youth group Lego League night. Despite sometimes being the youngest person at youth group, Lily doesn’t think that age is a barrier to being used by God.   “I want to be a leader who helps people know more about God,” she said. “There are a few people at youth group that want to know more, and I’m glad that I have the opportunity to share with them and help them to know more. “I just want people to know God is with them throughout their journey in life, and right beside them.”   It’s that deep awareness of ‘Christ with us’ that Lily experiences for herself that makes her so passionate about journeying with others and helping them to know Jesus for themselves. As the youngest of four siblings, Lily has had no problems encouraging her older siblings to help out at youth group, and stresses that she’s not running the group on her own but with the support of her parents and others in the corps.   As an officer’s kid (an ‘OK’ in Salvos world), Lily is aware that Ulverstone won’t be her home forever, and she would like to identify future leaders from among those who are coming along, to disciple and train up.   “I hope that when I get older or I move, like move states or move house, that the youth group will stay running and I hope that someone takes over the job of me … I have asked God about it.”   Lily is keen to explore full-time ministry but is waiting until she is “old enough”. In the meantime, she has stepped out in faith to serve and lead where she can in her community.   What an encouragement and inspiration for us all not to let barriers get in the way of where Jesus wants us to love and serve others!

For more than four decades, Warrnambool Salvationist Harrison Mcilroy has bought warmth, humility and kindness to Victorian pub and clubgoers through his hotel ministry. He is pictured with the Salvos Magazine he hands out and a ​​donation bag he made himself. (Background photo courtesy of Tripadvisor.com ) BY LERISSE SMITH Harrison Mcilroy loves nothing better than a good old yarn. And for more than four decades, this self-confessed ‘people person’ has turned his gift for conversation into a quiet force for good bringing warmth, humility and kindness to Victorian pub and clubgoers through his work with The Salvation Army’s hotel ministry. Offering comfort, connection and conversation where it’s often needed most, Harrison became a familiar and welcome face in places others might overlook. But now, at 86, he has called time on his extraordinary chapter with the ministry, a 45-plus-year journey that began with a simple invitation and a willingness to meet people where they were at in life. “I have loved it,” he reflected. “I think it’s just the contact with people. They will talk about different things. Sometimes they will have quite a conversation. Other times it is helping them sort out something, or they want to tell me about something good that has happened. I am always open for conversation. Everyone is different; their circumstances are different. The conversations are too. You never know what people are going to ask you. But people are appreciative of us being there.” Harrison’s foray into pubs, clubs and everything in between started with a tap on the shoulder. In late 1978, he arrived from New Zealand with his wife and connected with The Salvation Army in Altona. It was at a Salvos Congress in Melbourne in 1979 that everything changed for Harrison – he became a Christian. “I asked Jesus to be my Saviour and Lord – and my life changed,” he said. “My desire for alcohol went.” In 1988, he began a position in Warrnambool with The Salvation Army to work with homeless people, a position he held for 17 years. He still recalls getting a tap on the shoulder to join the hotel ministry. Harrison had highlighted to the corps officer at the time (Ian Callandar) that he used to go to the pub and stand at the bar. Ian immediately told Harrison he was the right person as he “spoke the language” and knew the hotel scene. And just like that, Harrison found himself stepping into a very different kind of calling, one that mixed community outreach, faith and Friday night foot traffic. Over the years, his quiet presence has touched countless lives – often in ways he may never fully know. So, what was the ultimate goal of the ministry? “To try and spread the Word of God,” he emphasised. “It is basically my testimony of where I came from and where I’ve ended up and that goes across reasonably well. We don’t know the results of that, of course, and whether people make decisions or not (to come to Christ), as we would not hear that in a pub. “But it’s about connecting with people in the pub, sharing your own personal story and the work of The Salvation Army, too.” That kind of authenticity became his trademark. He was not there to judge or convert. He was there to simply connect with others and provide a listening ear whenever needed. The power of a single conversation He still recalls the time a woman approached him unexpectedly at a pizza shop while placing an order. He had met her previously in a hotel and at his work, where she sought help to deal with several life issues. The woman informed him that she wanted to have a chat. Initially unsure as to what was going to be discussed, Harrison was soon moved by her words. “I remember thinking, ‘What have I done wrong?’” he said. “But when we got together, she said, “I want to thank you.” The woman then shared with Harrison how, thanks to him, she had woken up to herself. After dealing with some challenging life situations, she had changed the way she was doing things in life, commenting that “life was great.”   Harrison made his own collection bag to ‘soften’ the sound of donations. Special moments like that reminded Harrison just how powerful a single conversation could be while undertaking his ministry role. Also powerful for Harrison was people’s generosity towards the Salvos over the years. And Harrison’s tool of the trade? A simple Salvos donation collection bag. “Because it’s quiet,” he laughs. “I didn’t want to hear the sound of the money when talking with people!” Unsolicited donations range from small to unexpectedly large amounts. A simple Square electronic payment device became the norm over the years as cash started to fade out. But not every encounter at the pub was easy. Some hotel management did not always appreciate the visits from the Salvos. Others were pleased to see them. And not every person welcomed Harrison with open arms. “I had this once in a pub where a guy came up to me and he was going to threaten me,” he recalled. “He was right in my face and then suddenly he was six feet away. Somebody grabbed him from behind saying “don’t talk to the Salvos like that" and pulled him away.” Harrison later found out the man had been living in one of The Salvation Army’s homes in East Melbourne as a young child. He came back and apologised a few weeks later, and Harrison never saw him again. Special recognition In recognition of Harrison’s hotel ministry service, the Warrnambool Salvos recently awarded Harrison a special certificate for his commitment and devotion to the ministry. Major Brett Allchin presents Harrison with a service award for his commitment to hotel ministry in the Warrnambool area over four decades. Warrnambool Corps Officer Major Brett Allchin also publicly thanked Harrison for his leadership and how he had made a difference in the lives of others. “I love the fact that Jesus went to where people were, I love that he didn’t wait until others felt worthy enough or clean enough to come to a place of worship,” Brett said. “Jesus went where the people who needed his love were. He took the initiative and, in many cases, made the first move. I recognise this spirit in Harrison. He has shown this over the past 45-plus years, as he quietly moved amongst people in his hotel ministry. “Listening to their stories, speaking words that made a difference to their lives, sharing how Jesus has made a difference to his life. Showing by example that Jesus is real. Harrison just lived out his values in the presence of others, and this was a testimony of the difference that Jesus makes when we trust him.”

In this God Defining Moment, the donation of a car to the local corps showed Major Brad Potter that God is always at work, even when we can’t see it. Coming to the understanding that God had already gone ahead helped him realise that he only needed to look and listen to God's promptings and be courageous enough to follow.

Conference presenters (back from left) Phil Inglis, John Marion, Tammy Mohi, Matt Cairns, Richard Wiltshire, Amanda Brummell Lennestaal, Sandy MacDonald. (Front from left) Caleb Smith, Catherine Spiller, Jules Badger, Susan Goldsack, Sue Hay, Lavinia Cope and Sarah Walker BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE The 2025 Thought Matters Conference was a “beautiful weaving together” of the three key themes of work, play and rest, according to the conference organiser. The event, which this year was held at Eva Burrows College in Ringwood, Melbourne, attracted long-term attendees as well as several attendees who had never been to the conference before. About 70 people attended, with more joining online via Zoom. Auxiliary-Lieutenant Renata Davies, Corps Officer at Rockdale (NSW), said she was first drawn by the graphics advertising this year’s event and was sold when she realised that the theme would be ‘work, play and rest’. “My co-leader, Matt Cairns, has told me every year that I would enjoy Thought Matters, and I always hesitated, because it sounded like something that would go right over my head,” she said. “However, I thoroughly enjoyed hearing from authentic people who write and present in a way that I understand! I will definitely be going back! “I believe all Salvationists (and actually, all Christians) would benefit greatly from the many and unique ‘thoughts’ presented at Thought Matters. There is a curiosity to questions, a longing to learn and see from another perspective, and an unspoken agreement to be quick to listen deeply with a truly open mind and heart. This is all with the purpose of knowing and being immersed in God more and more, and sharing the light and love of Jesus with all.” Conference organiser Major Sandy MacDonald said the conference featured Aboriginal Australian and Māori perspectives as well as a voice from Papua New Guinea through the newest South Pacific Theological Forum member, Major Flora Pala. She said the idea of work, rest and play had been “bubbling under the surface” as a potential conference theme for a couple of years, and what was exciting to her about the topic was that it was not a strictly academic, theological or Biblical topic, and it readily applied to everyone. “I believe all Salvationists (and actually, all Christians) would benefit greatly from the many and unique ‘thoughts’ presented at Thought Matters.” “It is quite difficult to speak about one element of work, play, or rest without reference to at least one of the other two, especially when approaching them in a healthy or holistic way,” Sandy said. “There was a beautiful weaving together of the theme’s components throughout the various papers presented, and they were not pitted against each other in binary ways. “A particular personal highlight for me was the amazing art exhibition that allowed us to consider the theme in visual and tactile ways, particularly the weaving that represented the seven days of creation. It’s also a joy to see and hear people from such a variety of backgrounds, qualifications and level of engagement with TSA creating a community of thinkers. “We were all challenged to think more holistically about the way we embody work, play, and rest in our own lives as well as how these are evident in the character and activity of God. For me, whenever I now encounter the concept of work, play, or rest in a song (or even Scripture!), I play around with substituting the other two words to see how that impacts my thinking.” Sandra said her hope moving forward was that there would be first-time presenters and attendees at Thought Matters each year alongside seasoned academics and committed attendees, and that the conference would continue to draw in broader cultural perspectives. “The excitement that comes with first-time-attendees and second-time-returnees brings energy and joy,” Sandra said. “Sometimes it can be hard for people to realise just how meaningful Thought Matters can be for them personally or for their ministry until they’ve experienced it for the first time, especially when there are so many other events to choose from. Yes, it is a bit of a niche community but it’s incredibly valid within TSA to provide space where people can explore and think deeply about theological ideas, not restricting this kind of activity to the academics or professionals.” Other attendees reported back after the conference that it was “so good to be connected to theological thinking and practice in our part of the world” and that they really appreciated “this space to be with others who are keen to think critically and allow our God-given minds to help us shape a more elective, Jesus-following life, church and movement”. Another attendee said, “I need to continue to question assumptions I make. God has made us whole beings and delights when we delight – play and rest are not optional, nor frivolous, but just as important as any mission works”. The South Pacific Theological Forum is looking into ways to share papers and recordings from the conference in new ways over the coming year, culminating in the publication of the journal of conference proceedings. Edition 11 of the Thought Matters Journal, arising out of the 2024 Conference (To serve the present age: Ekklesia for the 21st Century) is now available. Copies may be borrowed from Eva Burrows College library, where the full back catalogue is also available.

General Lyndon Buckingham, supported by Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham, is expected to make a full recovery. BY GENERAL LYNDON BUCKINGHAM By now, many will have heard that I had a medical incident whilst celebrating the 95th anniversary with Hong Kong Salvationists. I was admitted to hospital where I received excellent intervention and treatment, in the form of heart angioplasty to clear a blocked artery. I have responded to this procedure well and am expected to make a full recovery. I have been discharged from hospital and am now resting, awaiting a follow up consultation with the cardiologist next Monday. Bronwyn and I express our heartfelt gratitude for the many prayers and messages of support we have received since Saturday. Our thanks to Territorial Leaders Colonels Phil and Deslea Maxwell for their tremendous care and support. We feel wrapped in the love of the global Salvation Army and give thanks to God for his providential care