An Introvert, Malcontent, Troublemaker’s Impressions of the Salvation Army, Central Territory’s Congress 2013

I have, only just moments ago, returned from the Salvation Army Central Territory (USA)’s Congress – this is our big annual gathering for meetings and for the ordination and commissioning of new officers (clergy).  This year’s event was an especially big to-do because our international leader, General Linda Bond, was there with us.

Here are some of my many and varied impressions of this event.

1)      I don't like crowds.  Never have.  Can't imagine that I ever will.  Getting together with 3,000+ people is not a pleasurable event for me.  It’s something akin to torture.  After a full day of meetings on Friday and then another morning and afternoon of events on Saturday – I decided that I would play hooky for the Saturday evening program, in order to preserve my sanity and to maintain peace within my family. I do not feel guilty for this at all.

2)      I don't particularly like pep rallies.  And I guess I need to lower my expectations a little bit.  These meetings are always going to veer toward the ‘rah, rah, rah, sis boom bah’.  They're intended to be inspirational and motivational, to stir us up to do better and more.  But that doesn't mean that I'm not hoping for something a little meatier.

3)      This year’s congress was more than a little bittersweet for me.  This is our 15^th year of service – which in the Salvation Army means a promotion to the rank of Major (not that it means a lot, it’s just a title) but because I was expelled from the training college (seminary) just weeks before graduation and ordination, my wife and I did not get to have our ordination ceremony in front of the cheering crowd of friend and families.  (even as an introvert, I can appreciate that to some degree).   We were eventually (after the training college principal retired) quietly ordained and commissioned in a private ceremony, but it’s just not the same. The others in my session have received their new rank – but I'll have to wait until January for mine.[i]  I have avoided these Congress events as much as possible in these last 15 years because it’s difficult to be a part of them when I wasn't a part of mine.  Even after all this time, I was surprised by how close to the surface those emotions were. 

4)      But, lest you begin to think that I absolutely hated the event… I did enjoy seeing my mentee receiving his new Lieutenant stars and his first appointment.  3 years ago I was asked if I’d be willing to be a mentor to the then candidate for training. I was surprised to be asked – surely someone remembered that I had been thrown out of the training college.  Yes, I am “Thatjeffcarter.”  So I've played mentor to him, and it must have worked out okay.  It was good – really good to see him receiving all the pomp and circumstance that I missed.  Hurrah and Huzzah!  (And part of me takes this as a sort of ‘revenge' – a little comeuppance to those who threw me out.  Is that wrong?)

5)      It was good to see some very dear friends – even if by the nature of these awful events you can’t see them for more than a few minutes over the course of the weekend.  And it was good to see the many ‘other’ friends and acquaintances from all across the central USA and even from other parts of the globe.  The Salvation Army is good like that.  We get to know many, many, many people from all over.   And there were a lot of people to see … maybe too many (see point #1) but it was good.

6)      I was floored when an officer that I have long admired – from even before I was an officer – told me that I am his hero, and that he hoped the Salvation Army leadership would station us closer together so that we could get together and do something ‘dangerous.’  I’m pretty sure that he meant that metaphorically.  (but even if he didn’t, I’m game.)

There were other things I didn’t like, and other things I did appreciate, but it was a 6 hour drive home, and I’m sorta’ beat.   I’m glad – honestly – glad that we went, but I am Very glad that next year’s event won’t be a mandatory one.

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[i] Perhaps I'll tell a bit of this story some other time…