Over the
past 6 years of writing ‘Soldiers Without Swords’, my travels have taken me to Arizona,
Minnesota, New York, Missouri, Florida and a host of other places while
visiting a variety of churches along the way. It is always inspiring to see how
others approach the task of ministry and how they apply the varied principles
of leadership to their communities, churches, and administration of church
affairs. I have written about many of these experiences.
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| Major Sam Van Denberg |
Today I am
focusing upon one congregation where all of the elements of leadership seem to
have come together, forming a fellowship of believers that are fully integrated
into the spiritual and social ministry of the church.
I am in Vero
Beach, Florida. It is the community where I now live. I am worshipping at The
Salvation Army whose pastors are Majors Sam and Veronica Van Denberg.
Under the
Van Denbergs’ leadership, The Salvation Army provides a variety community
services. This, of course, can be said of all Salvation Army centers across the
United States. However, if one looks close enough, you begin to realize that
there is something special about this place and this church! But, first, let me
say something about the community.
Vero Beach,
Florida, like many coastal cities, is a ‘destination’ community. Tourists flock
here from around the world to enjoy the pristine beaches and upscale amenities.
There is great wealth here and one quickly arrives at this conclusion as you
pass the many multi-million dollar homes that line Route A1A, along the
Atlantic Ocean.
Yet, there
is another side to Vero Beach…a side that tourists do not see, unless they
venture into the western and southwestern neighborhoods of this seaside town.
You will not find any millionaires living on these streets! The upscale shops
have disappeared and Armani and Saks are nowhere to be found! This is where you
will find The Salvation Army! These ‘Soldiers without Swords’ quietly minister
in neighborhoods that are crime ridden and drug infested. They are
neighborhoods that the city’s elite would just as soon pretend are nonexistent.
This is where the Van Denberg’s serve and spend most of their time and energy.
It is to the residents of this side of ‘Vero’ that they focus their attention
and resources.
Under these
local leaders, The Salvation Army provides food, clothing and shelter to people
who have nowhere else to turn. With little fanfare, they go about this work
with a quiet humility that is the hallmark of their service to God! Yes, that’s
right…their service to God! The Salvation Army, you see, is a church and a
world wide ministry whose mission is to “preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and
meet human need without discrimination”!
Now, what
makes this Vero Beach ministry special is that the Van Denberg’s are not alone
in what they do! Many of their church members are intimately involved in making
this all happen. They are called ‘soldiers’ and, if you ask them, they are
fighting the battle of sin and human need on all fronts!
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| Working alongside other community volunteers, soldiers serve hundreds of meals each week to the poor in Vero Beach! |
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| The first person members of the community are greeted by is soldier Barbara! |
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| Soldier Elaine is the Corps Christian Education Director. |
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| Corps worship services feature many different styles of music performed by many musicians who attend weekly. |
First, the
soldiers are involved at every level of church service and that includes,
perhaps most importantly, the Sunday Worship Services. If you are looking for a
church where ‘Ecclesiastical George’ is doing it all you won’t find it here.
The members have leadership in every part of the service, from leading the
hymns to greeting visitors and from reading Scripture to doing the Call to
Worship and calling the congregation to prayer. In fact, the only time of the
service where you will hear from the Major (Pastor) is when it is time to
preach! The members, ‘soldiers’ as they are called, take responsibility for all
facets of the worship time and that also includes, of course, providing the
music offered by a brass band, a praise and worship team and special musical
offerings also. Even the church youth are involved… with dance ministries and
other forms of creative worship.
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| Major Veronica Van Denberg |
As if this
is not enough, these soldiers are also involved during the week as The
Salvation Army reaches out to those most in need. You will find them on the
office staff providing much needed administrative and social service support.
You will see them feeding hundreds of meals, each week, from the canteen
(mobile feeding kitchen) which ventures into the toughest neighborhoods in the
city. You will find them praying with the brokenhearted who, when they come to
The Salvation Army, usually have nowhere else to go.
To build a
team like this takes a special kind of leadership. It is a leadership that
recognizes one cannot do it all alone. It is also a leadership which inspires
the church and its members to do more than just attend church on Sunday. It is
a leadership that ‘leads from the front’ yet allows its people to do their work
unfettered by unreasonable rules and restrictions!
We salute
Majors Sam and Veronica Van Denberg for their exceptional service with The
Salvation Army! To be sure, a ‘Profile in Leadership’!
NOTE:
Gary Laws is the
writer of two Christian service blogs, “Soldiers without Swords” and “By His
Stripes”. He is the author of two books, ‘Glory Stories’ and ‘That God May Use
Me’. He is also the Director of ‘Evangelical Media Ministries’, an internet
ministry founded in 2008.
