I knew this was part of the gig when I signed up for it back in 1980: transitions.
The nomadic life of a Salvation Army is a mixed bag of emotions and experiences. I reflect on the eve of my departure from ending another appointment to taking on a new one. But this time its a little different as we are moving out of our home territory (Western Territory USA) to National Headquarters, which is located in the Southern Territory but is a bit like "Switzerland of the The Salvation Army." And my job changes from dealing with daily decisions that effect program, people, funding and a wide range of other responsibilities to handling logistics of the national advisory board, conferences and other said duties.
We were informed of this move the first week on January 2018. Still not sure why we were given the news of moving into these support positions six months in advance but we have been living with the knowledge of this move for half a year. Which has given me a bit different perspective about the process.
Frequently asked questions were:
1. Are you all packed?
When that was asked in February to me I just sort of stared at the person. I didn't plan to live out of my suitcase for six months. But yes, the stuff is gone and our replacements (Majors Norton) are already living in our former quarters.
2. Are you excited?
Yes and no. No because we actually loved what we were doing and had just hit our stride in understanding our roles at Divisional Leaders. Plus this is home. I was raised in the bay area and my family is still here although my mother passed away in February. I have always wanted to work in San Francisco and now I had the chance for a second time to do that.
Yes because I have always wanted to live in Alexandria. I have visited National Headquarters several times over the course of my officership for various commissions, task forces and conferences. I was there in the fall and the spring, never the dead of winter or the heat of summer. I loved the area, the history, the climate, the attractions. And now I get the opportunity to do something that is completely different with a different sense of pressure and stress. We will get to travel the nation, see the Salvation Army in a different light, meet all sorts of new people and renew friendships of those we have met in the past.
3. Are you taking your dog?
Yes. How can we leave our Maggie behind?
4. What will you be doing?
My wife will become the National Treasurer and the Secretary for Business Adminstration. I become the assistant National Chief Secretary. Our duties will be many fold primarily administrative in nature. We will travel but not as much as we do now. I will be handling logistical matters for the National Advisory Board, Commissioners Conference and assist with any national conferences when needed. There are other little things that will be added. Its best to describe my role as a utility player that comes off the bench.
5. Where will you be living?
In Alexandria about a mile away from George Washington's home at Mount Vernon. Its truly a lovely place.
We move from positions of decision makers for the Salvation Army in Central California to influence makers for the nation. We will be part of an incredible team of gifted employees and officers who are working hard at the coordination of so many different and varied projects and pursuits its hard to describe.
Today we live our last full day in California and will become citizens of "Lover Land" Virginia on Monday. This new appointment will give me more time to write and reflect so this blog will actually become more active. I want to write a few thoughts about what I learned, both good and bad by being a divisional commander but I am going to save that for another post. I have a manuscript on Sabbath in the works and am working on some devotions based on the book of Titus. My train set will come out and be set up (much to my wife's disliking!) and more time to delve into my WOT game!
Thank you to our friends, family, colleagues and aquaintances for your love, support and prayers as we begin a brand new transition. Its never easy to let go of duties we have loved but God is in the midst so He gets us through. See you on the other side of the country.
T
The nomadic life of a Salvation Army is a mixed bag of emotions and experiences. I reflect on the eve of my departure from ending another appointment to taking on a new one. But this time its a little different as we are moving out of our home territory (Western Territory USA) to National Headquarters, which is located in the Southern Territory but is a bit like "Switzerland of the The Salvation Army." And my job changes from dealing with daily decisions that effect program, people, funding and a wide range of other responsibilities to handling logistics of the national advisory board, conferences and other said duties.
We were informed of this move the first week on January 2018. Still not sure why we were given the news of moving into these support positions six months in advance but we have been living with the knowledge of this move for half a year. Which has given me a bit different perspective about the process.
Frequently asked questions were:
1. Are you all packed?
When that was asked in February to me I just sort of stared at the person. I didn't plan to live out of my suitcase for six months. But yes, the stuff is gone and our replacements (Majors Norton) are already living in our former quarters.
2. Are you excited?
Yes and no. No because we actually loved what we were doing and had just hit our stride in understanding our roles at Divisional Leaders. Plus this is home. I was raised in the bay area and my family is still here although my mother passed away in February. I have always wanted to work in San Francisco and now I had the chance for a second time to do that.
Yes because I have always wanted to live in Alexandria. I have visited National Headquarters several times over the course of my officership for various commissions, task forces and conferences. I was there in the fall and the spring, never the dead of winter or the heat of summer. I loved the area, the history, the climate, the attractions. And now I get the opportunity to do something that is completely different with a different sense of pressure and stress. We will get to travel the nation, see the Salvation Army in a different light, meet all sorts of new people and renew friendships of those we have met in the past.
3. Are you taking your dog?
Yes. How can we leave our Maggie behind?
4. What will you be doing?
My wife will become the National Treasurer and the Secretary for Business Adminstration. I become the assistant National Chief Secretary. Our duties will be many fold primarily administrative in nature. We will travel but not as much as we do now. I will be handling logistical matters for the National Advisory Board, Commissioners Conference and assist with any national conferences when needed. There are other little things that will be added. Its best to describe my role as a utility player that comes off the bench.
5. Where will you be living?
In Alexandria about a mile away from George Washington's home at Mount Vernon. Its truly a lovely place.
We move from positions of decision makers for the Salvation Army in Central California to influence makers for the nation. We will be part of an incredible team of gifted employees and officers who are working hard at the coordination of so many different and varied projects and pursuits its hard to describe.
Today we live our last full day in California and will become citizens of "Lover Land" Virginia on Monday. This new appointment will give me more time to write and reflect so this blog will actually become more active. I want to write a few thoughts about what I learned, both good and bad by being a divisional commander but I am going to save that for another post. I have a manuscript on Sabbath in the works and am working on some devotions based on the book of Titus. My train set will come out and be set up (much to my wife's disliking!) and more time to delve into my WOT game!
Thank you to our friends, family, colleagues and aquaintances for your love, support and prayers as we begin a brand new transition. Its never easy to let go of duties we have loved but God is in the midst so He gets us through. See you on the other side of the country.
T
