Territorial Strategy Conference 2023

We live and work in a turbulent time full of upheavals and social challenges. What impact will this have on our work and our mission and how can The Salvation Army in the territory of Germany, Lithuania and Poland be prepared for the next years? Which strategies and competences do we want to use and develop in order to be able to fulfil God's mission in the future? The 24 delegates dealt with these central questions for The Salvation Army at this year's Territorial Strategy Conference from June 19-21 at the conference center in Burbach/Holzhausen. The participants represented the different spiritual as well as social offers and programs of The Salvation Army from all three countries.

Following the invitation of our Territorial Leaders Colonels Ced and Lyn Hills, this year's meeting was not about the routine plans and concepts of the individual departments. Instead, we focused on three important key areas:

• What do our leaders need and how do we nurture our staff to be able to carry out The Salvation Army's mission together!
• Where do we stand in the we-process, what results have the working groups come to, and how do we implement the findings!
• The "Governance" process introduced by IHQ to avoid risks and to secure legal regulations!

Catherine Booth coined the phrase: "If we are to better the future we must disturb the present." So all participants agreed that these three intensive days of working, praying together and sharing were well invested. So-called "footprints" (symbolic footprints) show a perspective way into the future.

Trusting in God to guide our destinies, we were accompanied in Burbach by the Bible quote: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.“ (Proverbs 3:5-6)

We will be happy to share the results of this year's Territorial Strategy Conference with you once the working materials have been evaluated and summarized.

Currently visiting THQ are Majors Anna-Lena and Christian Paulsson, who began their new appointment as leaders of The Salvation Army Poland earlier this year. They are using the time until the end of this week with talks in the departments at THQ for mutual exchange and getting to know each other. We wish them both success and God's blessing for their tasks in Poland.

With warm regards,

Manfred Simon

Head of Communication & Fundraising