The Effectiveness of Preaching on the Sacramental Life in a Salvation Army Context
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Luther Seminary Digital Commons @ Luther Seminary Doctor of Ministry Theses Student Theses 5-20-2018 Seeing Salvation: The Effectiveness of Preaching on the Sacramental Life in a Salvation Army Context Steven Mark Cameron Luther Seminary Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.luthersem.edu/dmin_theses Part of the Christian Denominations and Sects Commons, Liturgy and Worship Commons, and the Practical Theology Commons Recommended Citation Cameron, Steven Mark, "Seeing Salvation: The Effectiveness of Preaching on the Sacramental Life in a Salvation Army Context" (2018). Doctor of Ministry Theses. 26. https://digitalcommons.luthersem.edu/dmin_theses/26 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Theses at Digital Commons @ Luther Seminary. It has been accepted for inclusion in Doctor of Ministry Theses by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Luther Seminary. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. SEEING SALVATION: THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PREACHING ON THE SACRAMENTAL LIFE IN A SALVATION ARMY CONTEXT by STEVEN MARK CAMERON A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Luther Seminary In Partial Fulfillment of The Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF MINISTRY ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 2018 © 2018 by Major Steven Mark Cameron All rights reserved ABSTRACT Seeing Salvation: The Effectiveness of Preaching on the Sacramental Life in a Salvation Army Context by Steven Mark Cameron This thesis begins by acknowledging that The Salvation Army is a non-practicing sacramental church. The Army abandoned the practice of the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper officially in 1883 and its focus since then has been on developing holiness through sacramental living. The sacraments have been a topic of theological conversation in Army since the 1883 decision. In recent years, in Canada, this conversation has become increasingly divisive with questions being raised as to the soundness of the Army’s position. To bring opposing positions into a place of dialogue this thesis project engages in a five part biblical preaching series on sacramental living. Quantifiable surveys were administered before and after the series to determine if this biblical preaching series impacted the worshipping congregation. A further goal is that both practicing and non-practicing sacramentalists will view sacramental living as “seeing salvation.” It is from this foundation that productive dialogue between the differing perspectives can take place. ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS It is with a grateful heart that I want to thank Luther Seminary for their Doctor of Ministry Program in Biblical Preaching. Dr. Karoline Lewis was the first to introduce me to the concept of embodying the gospel for which I will be forever thankful. Thank you Dr. Dick Rehfeldt, a superb advisor, who challenged me to think and preach more deeply. To my wonderful cohort, who walked through this program in unity, friendship and fun (Cindy, Chris, Lee, Amrela, Laurie, Trisha, Ramona, Lesley, Elisabeth and Richard), I would not have travelled this road with anyone else. It has been deeply encouraging for me to have an exceptional Preaching Response Group (Catherine Evenden, Doug Sapsford, John Vos, Major Sally Carr, George King and Anne Dockeray) and audio visual support (John Vos Jr.) journey through this program with me. Special thanks to Commissioner Mark Tillsley. It was his support and interest that made my studies at Luther possible. Thank you also to my parents Arthur and Marilyn Cameron and my in-laws Gwenyth and Robert Redhead. This thesis is dedicated to my loving family (Corinne, Robert, Benjamin and Anastasia). They released me from many activities (including a move from Manitoba to Ontario) to achieve a goal which has been a lifelong dream. To God alone is all the glory. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................ ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................................................................................................. iii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................................ vi 1. BIBLICAL PREACHING AND SACRAMENTAL LIVING ......................................1 Introduction ...........................................................................................................1 The Problem the Thesis Will Address ...................................................................2 History of Salvation Army Sacramental Understanding .......................................4 Outline of Thesis Project .....................................................................................21 Thesis Definition of the Sacramental Life ...........................................................22 Justification and Rationale of Thesis Project ......................................................25 2. THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION ................................................................................27 Biblical and Theological Reflection on the Thesis Problem ...............................27 Biblical and Theological Reflection on Biblical Preaching ................................33 Biblical and Theological Reflection on Intended Goals and Outcomes ..............37 3. LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................................42 Section One: Contemporary Salvation Army Scholars .......................................43 Section Two: A Dialogue with N.T. Wright .......................................................47 Section Three: Embodying the Gospel ................................................................50 Section Four: Living Mercy Seats .......................................................................54 Section Five: Modern Confession .......................................................................55 Unique Thesis Focus ...........................................................................................58 Preaching the Sacramental Life ...........................................................................59 4. PROJECT DESCRIPTION ..........................................................................................61 Introduction .........................................................................................................61 Congregational Context .......................................................................................62 Method of Investigation ......................................................................................66 Goals and Outcomes ............................................................................................74 The criteria which, if achieved, will establish that the project is successful .......75 5. ANALYSIS OF RESULTS .........................................................................................76 Introduction .........................................................................................................76 Analysis and Interpretation ..................................................................................77 Sacramental Understanding .................................................................................80 iv Goals and Outcomes ............................................................................................87 6. EVALUATION AND ANALYSIS .............................................................................90 Introduction .........................................................................................................90 Strengths ..............................................................................................................91 Weaknesses ..........................................................................................................96 Suggestions for Modification ..............................................................................99 7. THESIS REFLECTION.............................................................................................101 APPENDIX A ..................................................................................................................106 Church Introduction Letter ................................................................................106 Implied Consent Letter, January 29th, 2017 ......................................................107 Implied Letter of Consent, February 26th 2017 .................................................108 APPENDIX B ..................................................................................................................109 Blank Survey – Used January 29th and February 26th, 2017 .............................109 APPENDIX C ..................................................................................................................117 Sermon Series Manuscript (1) - Preached January 29th, 2017...........................117 Sermon Series Manuscript (2) - Preached February 5th, 2017 .........................123 Sermon Series Manuscript (3) - Preached February 12th, 2017 .......................129 Sermon Series Manuscript (4) - Preached February 19th, 2017 .......................134 Sermon Series Manuscript (5) - Preached February 26th, 2017 .......................139 APPENDIX D ..................................................................................................................145 Survey Comparison Report: February 26 (survey 2) vs. January 29 (survey 1)145 Written Comments Survey 1