An affirming congregation gathered at Regent Hall Corps (church) in London on 21 January 2024 to welcome new United Kingdom and Ireland territorial leaders Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main.
A special welcome was offered to all participants and invited guests, including General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham (World President of Women’s Ministries).
General Buckingham greeted the congregation, commending the territorial leaders as people of God who have faithfully demonstrated their commitment over many years. The General welcomed them to their new appointments, highlighting the significance of the public acceptance of their new responsibilities, before Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham outlined their primary purposes as territorial leaders.
The new territorial leaders were invited to spend time in prayerful reflection at the mercy seat to seal their commitments as Lieut-Colonel Drew McCombe (territorial headquarters) and Rosemary Steadman-Allen (Chatham Corps) prayed. The General then formally installed Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main as territorial leaders, the congregation responding with warm, prolonged and affirming applause.
Salvation at the heart
Territorial Commander Commissioner Paul Main then addressed the congregation. He pledged that he and Commissioner Jenine would give of their best. He gave thanks for their heritage, honouring their parents who had taught them the truths of the gospel and encouraged them to follow Jesus. He confirmed that they will lead together and seek to be a model of equality. As charged by the General in his installation – and with due acknowledgement to their surname – they are going to strive to ‘keep the main thing the main thing’ and will call on the territory to do the same. Quoting from each of the gospels, Commissioner Paul spoke of Christ’s command to ‘go and make disciples’. Calling us back to our first love, he urged all to keep salvation at the heart of The Salvation Army against a backdrop of loving God and loving others, to see the central purpose of our mission as the proclamation of the gospel.
Colonels Julie and Peter Forrest were also welcomed as Territorial Secretary for Leader Development and Chief Secretary respectively. Colonel Peter acknowledged the welcome and asked for prayer as they continue to learn while leading.
Radical Kingdom-living
Commissioner Jenine Main (Territorial Leader for Leader Development) then delivered her message, speaking of the challenge of being bold and taking Holy Spirit-led risks, demonstrating the counter-cultural, ‘upside-downness’ of the Kingdom. She asked if we had become too safe. God’s Kingdom is radical, so we therefore need to live boldly. Kingdom life is not only seen in service but also in our being. Within that upside-downness we can have love, joy and peace; emotions that challenge the norm. She said, ‘This life is not to be kept for ourselves. We need to challenge one another. We may need to stand out. We need to demonstrate that we trust the God of the impossible. We need to dare to be different. We need to count on each other to do this.’ She challenged everyone to live boldly and to commit to radical Kingdom-living.
As the meeting reached its closing moments, Colonel Julie Forrest led a rousing rendition of the song ‘O Church, arise and put your armour on’, sending the congregation out to live boldly, before Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham concluded proceedings with a benediction.
