THE second day of The Salvation Army World Youth Convention provided a wide variety of experiences with times of strong challenge, quiet contemplation, and noisy celebration.
From the thought-provoking morning prayer meeting led by Captain Matt Clifton (UK Territory with the Republic of Ireland) and delegates of the pre-convention events, Time to be Holy 458 and Serve 24/ 7, to the celebratory 'After Glow' late night event, the unexpected was always just a moment away.
Laughter, emanating from joyous interaction between delegates, has become a wonderful 'normal' part of convention life throughout the grounds and in the halls of the University of Stockholm.
Delegates are making friends, soaking up all that happens at the sessions and taking every possible opportunity to celebrate enthusiastically being one in Christ Jesus with their fellow Salvationists from all over the world.
Despite the Swedish summer heat, the grassed outdoor tent town interaction, concert and exhibition area was a focal point for delegates between sessions on the second day.
The day commenced with a combined prayer meeting in the main auditorium of the impressive Aula Magna venue. Captain Clifton used a variety of ways to bring the delegates into fervent prayer for the salvation of all the world. The captain especially urged all present to be passionate about their relationship with God and for the purposes of The Salvation Army.
This theme was expanded further by Commissioners Barry and Sue Swanson (Chief of the Staff and World Secretary for Women's Ministries) in their keynote session on commitment.
Commitment to officership was the specific focus of Commissioner Sue Swanson's lively and pertinent barrier-piercing message. Following her straightforward, no holds barred challenge many delegates headed for the candidates tent seeking more information about officership.
In the late morning keynote session, titled 'Sacrifice', Major Sandra Ryan (Canada and Bermuda Territory) brought home the reality of sin and its horrible, harmful consequences. The major said Christians need to hate sin because sin delivers hurt and destruction.
The wide-ranging subjects of the 20 afternoon Focus Groups stimulated positive dialogue and much helpful information was shared. Worship, ministry opportunities, human trafficking, health and the Army and politics were some of the areas discussed in the groups.
In the late afternoon high-energy, keynote session on Spiritual Disciplines, Lieut-Colonels Janet and Richard Munn (International Headquarters) passionately outlined the importance of the spiritual disciplines in helping Christians stay close to God over the long haul. The delegates were challenged to commit their whole life to God and to use everything at their disposal to help them become more like Jesus.
The evening Question and Answer time with General Shaw Clifton and Commissioner Helen Clifton proved to be enlightening and entertaining. The General freely entered into the excited, expectant atmosphere in the auditorium while being interviewed by Major Susanne Jansson.
At one point the response from the convention delegates to his answers was so exuberant that the General generously 'promoted' everyone in the auditorium to the rank of Brigadier, 'until midnight tonight'.
The General and Commissioner Clifton candidly answered questions about family life and officership, the Army's stance on the sacraments, women officers in leadership, human trafficking, what he would say to William Booth, evangelism and a number of other topics. He mentioned his retirement in less than a year and his healing from three attacks of cancer as well as saying, 'I was born to be an officer and to marry Helen'.
The 'After Glow' concluding event for the day overflowed with celebration, testimony to God's greatness and had the added blessing of the Maori Haka via live link from New Zealand.
Photos of the convention are available at www.flickr.com/photos/salvationarmyihq/albums/72157624513744216
