'If we get discipleship right, everything else follows!'

Territorial Candidates Directors Majors Catherine and Jonny Smith discuss calling, vocation and the prayer initiative 9:38.

How are you finding your new roles?

Jonny It’s such a privilege to see what God’s doing in people’s lives. Majors Mark and Andrea Sawyer, the outgoing territorial candidates directors, have been brilliant. Because of who they are and the work they’ve done, they’ve tilled the ground.

Catherine Every day is different and it’s inspiring listening to people’s stories. A lot of this role is about hope. It’s about seeing people listen to God and work out how that works in the everyday now, because calling isn’t just about the future. I was called to be an officer at 12 – how can we help people make sense of calling at any age? I feel like we’ve been trusted with a lot, but we also expect a lot from God. In this beautiful yet complex world, Jesus has hope for it. He continues to show love and determination for people to come into fullness of life with him. I want to see that.

What excites you right now?

Jonny It’s clear that God is not done with The Salvation Army. There are lots of people exploring officership, territorial envoyship and other areas of ministry, which is exciting. Also, God’s not just speaking to people in their thirties or forties. God’s speaking to young people. At the European Youth Event last August, people were invited to stand if they felt a calling and 100 people went to the stage!

Catherine We’re joining in with what God’s doing, which always provides momentum. I pray that people are excited about seeking God’s heart and will. In today’s world, we need to be all the more discerning.

Calling is so tied to discernment and discipleship, isn’t it?

Jonny It’s all about what you’re called to. When people say ‘I want to be an officer or territorial envoy’, you want to hear where God’s voice is. I’m really passionate about whole-life discipleship. If we get discipleship right, everything else follows. Jesus calls each of us: come, follow me.

Catherine There are great initiatives in different divisions to help build that culture, such as Growing Leaders and Transformers, as well as Design for Life Children.

What’s on the cards for the coming year?

Jonny We’re launching Design for Life Youth, aimed at 11 to 18-year-olds. We’re working with Children and Youth and will be running a trial in January.

Catherine We’ll learn from that pilot and then hopefully it’ll be a package that divisions can use themselves, like Design for Life Children.

How did the most recent Design for Life go?

Jonny Design for Life is such a simple concept, but it’s a beautiful, deep weekend. Major Jean Bradbury started it 30 years ago and it’s still going because it works.

Catherine People come expecting to meet God and, of course, they do. The most recent weekend ranged from a 22-year-old to a 76-year-old. It was such a wide mix of people all exploring calling! Our heart is to see an increasingly diverse range of people responding to God’s call.

What would you say to someone who feels a calling?

Jonny People often say ‘I was called years ago, but I didn’t do anything’. They would have been used by God where they are, but I would encourage everyone to ask, ‘What is God calling me to?’ If a calling to spiritual leadership is on your heart, talk to your corps leader or email vocation@salvationarmy.org.uk.

Catherine If your calling is to officership, there is now the possibility of different training options, taking into account previous experience and circumstances.

Tell us about 9:38. What can people be praying for?

Jonny At officers’ and territorial envoys’ councils last year, we launched 9:38. It’s a call to prayer, inspired by Matthew 9:38: ‘Ask the Lord of the harvest ... to send out workers into his harvest field.’ We want everyone to pray to the Lord to send out workers at 9.38am each day. Pray for those called to be spiritual leaders. Pray for those nearing or in retirement as they discern where they are called to serve. Pray for those living out Jesus in their workplaces. Pray for families called to be like Jesus in school, college and their communities.

Catherine It’s inspired by Divisional Leaders Majors Mandy and Steve White, who have embedded this in the London Division, after being inspired by someone else! Today they have a list of people in the process of applying for officership and territorial envoyship, and their prayer list is growing daily!

Jonny It doesn’t have to be complicated: just stop for a minute at 9.38 and pray!