Pioneering reconciliation
The Salvation Army in Moree has been at the forefront of the organisation’s reconciliation process. In 2010, Moree Salvation Army workers Adrian Kistan and Harold French (pictured right) attended a historic meeting at Salvation Army headquarters in Sydney that determined a way forward for indigenous ministries in The Salvation Army in eastern Australia.
The following article appeared in The Salvation Army's Pipeline magazine in March 2010
Indigenous Ministry - Reconciliation the key
By Adrian Kistan
For the first time in the Australian Eastern Territory the Salvation Army is intentionally investing time into developing an Indigenous ministry.
A strategic action plan is being led by Indigenous members who are passionate about seeing The Salvation Army minister effectively to Indigenous people across Australia. The cornerstone of developing this ministry is to guide Indigenous and non-Indigenous people through a journey of understanding that leads to reconciliation with each other and ultimately reconciliation with the Creator God.
The introduction of Indigenous Cultural Awareness workshops provide participants with basic tools for a greater understanding and appreciation of how to engage with Indigenous people. There is also a commitment to the development of Indigenous ministry leaders through the provision of appropriate training opportunities.
The Salvation Army has been fairly successful at seeing Indigenous people saved and connected into corps (churches) but there has been limited success in discipleship, development and empowerment into leadership for Indigenous people. For this ministry to grow The Salvation Army is determined to explore culturally appropriate ministry leadership training for Indigenous people.
An Aboriginal elder once said to me that “we are to look at the past and learn from it but don’t stare at it because we will get stuck and no progress will be made towards a truly reconciled Australia”. As a movement The Salvation Army shares that sentiment. We take on board the past while we make progress towards a brighter future for all. This journey is not for some of us but it is a call for us all to engage fully with this. We are at an opportune time to make a considerable difference to the lives of Indigenous people in our nation and also to be enriched by the contribution that Indigenous people can make to the life of The Salvation Army.
