Fire in our hearts - The Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTSRoger: Some people have criticised ‘authoritarian structures’that folk picked up off the street have been subjectedto. Do you think there is a value in having a strong authorityto begin with?Noel: We are, of course, a church and not just a set of communityhouses. We have a wide spectrum of commitment. Themajority of our people nowadays are what you might call ordinarychurch members living in their own places. But it’sthe more accountable lifestyle of community that gets criticised.In community houses we must have holiness, standards,discipline. Most people coming off the streets come toappreciate the need for that. A right authority gives security.Some, of course, can’t cope with the disciplines and moveelsewhere.Roger: What about suggestions that the Jesus Army takesadvantage of the weak and vulnerable members of society?Noel: Those suggestions are untrue. Obviously we are keento help the poor and needy — that’s biblical, after all. Manyare helped on their way in life, often breaking with variousaddictions and gaining confidence while they are with us. Societybenefits from this kind of help. A number have real conversionexperiences but relatively few will actually join us. Ifanything, Roger, we are the ones that lose out — certainlyfinancially and in terms of stress! But that’s part of our ministry.Roger: And the charge of recruiting people?Noel: I think Jesus could have been open to that accusation!We think the Christian faith is good for people. We gladlysay ‘Come and join us!’ But we wouldn’t pressurise a personinto commitment. If people who’ve found Jesus want to be420