Fire in our hearts - The Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTSamongst us. That’s taken us into a radical kingdom of Godlifestyle as barriers of class and race have come down. It’sincluded community, discipleship, covenant and all the otherthings that have made us controversial!Roger: Do you think you could have avoided some of thesuspicion you encountered in Christian circles?Noel: Yes, we could have been more open and trusting ofother Christians. We felt unjustly persecuted, and felt thataccepting isolation was really the only answer. I think we werewrong in the way it got hold of us.On the other hand, we have been faced with somewhat hystericalopposition, especially from ‘anti-cult’ groups. Sadly,many Christians seemed unable to differentiate betweengroups opposing heretical movements such as the Jehovah’sWitnesses or the Mormons for reasons of basic truth, andthose ‘anti-cult’ groups opposing on sociological grounds, whohave a problem with any church moving in strong kingdomof-Godcovenant commitment and zeal.Now that we have put away the defensiveness that characterisedus for a number of years in the heat of the battle weare flowing much more freely with Christian leadership inthe nation.Roger: You’ve received a good deal of personal criticism inthe past. What effect has that had on you?Noel: At first I found it very difficult, very unjust and verypainful. However I had to come to terms with the fact thatany ongoing work of God will receive the persecutions andfalse accusations of which Jesus spoke. In that light I’velearned to accept it as a commendation and a blessing and416