There are three steps in the process of Commissioning Cadets as Officers of The Salvation Army, the first of which takes place today with the signing of the Officers Covenant.
MY COVENANT
CALLED BY GOD
to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as an officer of The Salvation Army,
I BIND MYSELF TO HIM IN THIS SOLEMN COVENANT:
to love and serve him supremely all my days,
to live to win souls and make their salvation the first purpose of my life,
to care for the poor, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, love the unlovable, and befriend those who have no friends, to maintain the doctrines and principles of The Salvation Army, and, by God’s grace, to prove myself a worthy officer.
Done in the strength of my Lord and Saviour, and in the presence of [the following wording to be adapted to local circumstances] the Territorial Commander, training college officers and fellow cadets.
The Covenant itself is a beautiful statement of the heart that is focused on God and His purpose for the world.
The service is a sacred time, attended only by the Cadets being Commissioned, Training College Staff and members of the Territorial Cabinet. If only you could see that moment when Cadets move to the mercy-seat, holiness or covenant table for prayer and where they commit themselves in covenant to God.
The song that will be sung at the time of covenant signing is by John Gowans, “I’ll Not Turn Back.” So I am asking for your to pray today for those who will be Commissioned this weekend and for this most sacred of services that takes place in the Assembly Hall at the Training College.
