Keepers of the Covenant: Unpacking the meaning of the sessional and dedication songs

Major Matt Spencer and Dave Cotterill talk about the sessional and dedication songs for the Keepers of the Covenant.

In the UK and Ireland Territory, two songs are commissioned for every session of cadets training to become Salvation Army officers. They reference the sessional name and the theological thinking behind it. 

Historically, sessional songs were grander affairs, often with rousing melodies – essentially, theme songs. In more recent years they have become simpler and easier to sing. 

Dedication songs are debuted prior to Commissioning on Covenant Day, when the Officer’s Covenant is signed. They tend to be more reflective and often speak of the individuals’ desire to commit to God wholeheartedly. 

The sessional song carries the cadets through training; the dedication song carries them into their first appointments. 

The sessional song written for the Keepers of the Covenant is ‘Covenant God’ by Major Matt Spencer (William Booth College). The dedication song is ‘Take Me Deeper’ by Pioneer Leader Dave Cotterill (London Division). 

Covenant God 
by Major Matt Spencer 

What can your song teach us about our own covenantal relationships with God? 

The new officers will live out their covenant in the context of officer ministry, but much of the Officer’s Covenant is applicable to all who follow Jesus: we’re all called to love God wholeheartedly, and to love our neighbour and ourselves. So, although ‘Covenant God’ was written as a sessional song, there’s nothing that doesn’t apply to all followers of Jesus! 

What would you encourage people to listen out for? 

One line sums up the heart of our response: ‘God, you are faithful! So we take you at your word.’ It’s as simple as that. We’ll never understand why there’s so much suffering in the world, for example, because God is God and we are not. This humble response invites us to assume a posture of trust. 

What inspired your lyrics? 

The Bible is full of promises that God makes to his people; God, as revealed in Scripture, is a God of promises! We make promises in response, and one such commitment is the promise made by the cadets as they are commissioned. 

Take Me Deeper 
by Dave Cotterill 

What can your song teach us about our own covenantal relationships with God? 

Covenant is about relationship with people and God, so ‘Take Me Deeper’ isn’t a song just for the cadets, it’s a song for all of us to plug into. It’s about living every day to make a difference, being people of hope, peace and justice. That’s how I see it. 

What would you encourage people to listen out for? 

Sometimes, we find ourselves in a worship bubble that’s disconnected from the world. The second verse recognises that the world is not as it should be and – because we’re a holiness Movement – talks about creating a new and right spirit within us so we can make a difference. The chorus is also loaded with deep theology about responding to God’s call with humility and not thinking we’re better than others. 

What inspired your lyrics? 

The song is a commitment to the next stage of the cadets’ calling as officers. I spent time with the cadets, and we reflected on their experiences and what God is saying to them about covenant. God does something beautiful when we’re vulnerable and really listen. I didn’t want it to be a reflection song that’s only sung once, so I made it anthemic and singable!  I want all of us to be able to sing it with the cadets, so they feel empowered by the cloud of witnesses!