Comments on: SA Uniform http://tcspeak.com/blog/2005/12/07/sa-uniform/ Salvation Army dialogue with the Territorial Commander of the USA Western Territory. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:45:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Elizabeth http://tcspeak.com/blog/2005/12/07/sa-uniform/comment-page-1/#comment-2846 Elizabeth Mon, 12 Dec 2005 19:28:00 +0000 http://tcspeak.com/blog/?p=1043#comment-2846 The comments re a certain cadet (I think I know just who would have gone shopping with you for earmuffs) take me back to what I wore in Training with my uniform on kettles-- and what I will be wearing when I go on kettles for the Suffern Hispanic Ministry this week! During my first year of training, my mother bought a knitted head band that fit over my ears to keep them warm under my bonnet. Believe it or not, I still have that same dark navy blue headband and I will be wearing it with a hat this time (my bonnet was ruined in a flood in South America, so I don't have it in wearable condition these days) and thank the Lord for the uniform slacks we can wear these days! I will be playing the same trumpet, too. Come over and play a duet with me-- I have no idea which kettle they'll put me on!<br/><br/>Your sessionmate,<br/><br/>Betty Jean The comments re a certain cadet (I think I know just who would have gone shopping with you for earmuffs) take me back to what I wore in Training with my uniform on kettles– and what I will be wearing when I go on kettles for the Suffern Hispanic Ministry this week! During my first year of training, my mother bought a knitted head band that fit over my ears to keep them warm under my bonnet. Believe it or not, I still have that same dark navy blue headband and I will be wearing it with a hat this time (my bonnet was ruined in a flood in South America, so I don’t have it in wearable condition these days) and thank the Lord for the uniform slacks we can wear these days! I will be playing the same trumpet, too. Come over and play a duet with me– I have no idea which kettle they’ll put me on!

Your sessionmate,

Betty Jean

]]> By: Jim Knaggs http://tcspeak.com/blog/2005/12/07/sa-uniform/comment-page-1/#comment-2841 Jim Knaggs Sun, 11 Dec 2005 20:03:00 +0000 http://tcspeak.com/blog/?p=1043#comment-2841 Thanks for the comment, BDM. Your witness is as strong as your remarks.<br/><br/>I was thinking of leaving this posting alone, since I attempt not to be judgemental about any comment. This last note encourages me to affirm the original posting...I want the world to know where I stand, whose team I am on, and that I mean to fight for God. When on the street there is a medical emergency, I take comfort in seeing the identifiable EMT worker on the job. In my uniform, I can be so identified and available. Uniform wearing is a privilege of a few people known as Salvationists... and they don't have to wear them. As an officer, I try to follow the directives of my leaders in the matter of uniform wear and have no problem doing so...in The Salvation Army.<br/><br/>I think I feel better. Thanks for the comment, BDM. Your witness is as strong as your remarks.

I was thinking of leaving this posting alone, since I attempt not to be judgemental about any comment. This last note encourages me to affirm the original posting…I want the world to know where I stand, whose team I am on, and that I mean to fight for God. When on the street there is a medical emergency, I take comfort in seeing the identifiable EMT worker on the job. In my uniform, I can be so identified and available. Uniform wearing is a privilege of a few people known as Salvationists… and they don’t have to wear them. As an officer, I try to follow the directives of my leaders in the matter of uniform wear and have no problem doing so…in The Salvation Army.

I think I feel better.

]]> By: bedemike http://tcspeak.com/blog/2005/12/07/sa-uniform/comment-page-1/#comment-2837 bedemike Sat, 10 Dec 2005 02:47:00 +0000 http://tcspeak.com/blog/?p=1043#comment-2837 I've come to think of my uniform as part of offering my best to God. How quickly we say "God doesn't care what we look like," and that may be true to a point. Our Abba (Daddy) loves us in whatever shape we are in.<br/><br/>Too often, though, I think we lose sight of "Yahweh," whose name wasn't even pronounced out of respect for His holiness. I don't offer God my best (neat uniform, best of my musicianship, sermon preparation, etc.) simply because my denomination asks for it. I offer it as a sacrifice to the Almighty God who alone is worthy of it. I’ve come to think of my uniform as part of offering my best to God. How quickly we say “God doesn’t care what we look like,” and that may be true to a point. Our Abba (Daddy) loves us in whatever shape we are in.

Too often, though, I think we lose sight of “Yahweh,” whose name wasn’t even pronounced out of respect for His holiness. I don’t offer God my best (neat uniform, best of my musicianship, sermon preparation, etc.) simply because my denomination asks for it. I offer it as a sacrifice to the Almighty God who alone is worthy of it.

]]> By: Josh http://tcspeak.com/blog/2005/12/07/sa-uniform/comment-page-1/#comment-2833 Josh Thu, 08 Dec 2005 23:05:00 +0000 http://tcspeak.com/blog/?p=1043#comment-2833 Ouch - I am pretty well embarrassed about my earlier comment.<br/><br/>While I do hold that it is foolish to disparage the uniform for the sake of being liked, I also admit that I made a generalization, which (being a generalization) sells a great many good people short.<br/><br/>Sorry if I hurt anyone's feelings. Ouch – I am pretty well embarrassed about my earlier comment.

While I do hold that it is foolish to disparage the uniform for the sake of being liked, I also admit that I made a generalization, which (being a generalization) sells a great many good people short.

Sorry if I hurt anyone’s feelings.

]]> By: Allison http://tcspeak.com/blog/2005/12/07/sa-uniform/comment-page-1/#comment-2832 Allison Thu, 08 Dec 2005 20:37:00 +0000 http://tcspeak.com/blog/?p=1043#comment-2832 I agree with Major Ashcraft, at events were it is only Salvationists and the crowd is just a sea of blue...why do we wear our uniforms? I agree with Major Ashcraft, at events were it is only Salvationists and the crowd is just a sea of blue…why do we wear our uniforms?

]]> By: Larry http://tcspeak.com/blog/2005/12/07/sa-uniform/comment-page-1/#comment-2831 Larry Thu, 08 Dec 2005 15:04:00 +0000 http://tcspeak.com/blog/?p=1043#comment-2831 All interesting comments. Josh, I think you generalize in your comments about corps officers and their wanting to identify with younger generations as their motivation for this. Maybe they have thought this out and happen to disagree with your position. I think your generalization sells many good people short.<br/><br/>As for me...I have worn my uniform most of my life....I have gone back and forth in my thoughts on the when and why of the uniform in the 21st century.<br/><br/>I have had many people who came into my corps (a very uniformed corps) indicate how intimidated they were by the uniform when they first walked in on a Sunday. I don't think their intimidation was from their own insecurity. These were educated, socially and spiritually mature people.<br/><br/>On the other hand...the uniform has opened doors for me for witness and ministry in public forums.<br/><br/>I have also wondered why we wear uniforms in the "just us gatherings."<br/><br/>My thoughts...the uniform as a "brand" works. I also think it needs to be more affordable. One more thought..There ought to be different uniforms (not just variations on one theme) for different occassions.<br/><br/>As Dave has said...maybe the container can be changed a bit. I think the most important thing is being Salvationists in our attitudes, which is being a people of sacrifice, salvation and social justice! Many of the best Salvationists I know don't wear a uniform, for various reasons, but as Paul would say they "put on Christ" everyday! All interesting comments. Josh, I think you generalize in your comments about corps officers and their wanting to identify with younger generations as their motivation for this. Maybe they have thought this out and happen to disagree with your position. I think your generalization sells many good people short.

As for me…I have worn my uniform most of my life….I have gone back and forth in my thoughts on the when and why of the uniform in the 21st century.

I have had many people who came into my corps (a very uniformed corps) indicate how intimidated they were by the uniform when they first walked in on a Sunday. I don’t think their intimidation was from their own insecurity. These were educated, socially and spiritually mature people.

On the other hand…the uniform has opened doors for me for witness and ministry in public forums.

I have also wondered why we wear uniforms in the “just us gatherings.”

My thoughts…the uniform as a “brand” works. I also think it needs to be more affordable. One more thought..There ought to be different uniforms (not just variations on one theme) for different occassions.

As Dave has said…maybe the container can be changed a bit. I think the most important thing is being Salvationists in our attitudes, which is being a people of sacrifice, salvation and social justice! Many of the best Salvationists I know don’t wear a uniform, for various reasons, but as Paul would say they “put on Christ” everyday!

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