Fire in our hearts - Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTS
fully involved, they will normally enquire into everything. We
encourage them to be sure of what we are; our faith and lifestyle,
our various styles of membership and all that sort of
thing, so that they can make an intelligent decision. And we
have particular safeguards for those under twenty-one who
want to move into community. There’s no question of just grabbing
people and pulling them into what we are, without them
fully understanding what is involved!
Roger: How do you answer the accusations that in community
there is a potential for breaking up families and separating
those who have joined from families who are outside?
Noel: We’ve no desire to break up families! Often it works
the other way round, and families are reconciled, especially
young people with parents. Our members generally maintain
good loving contact with their families and visit them regularly,
but, as Jesus taught, the gospel does bring tensions. He
made it clear that there would be ‘division’ in natural families,
some choosing for him, and some against him.
As for families in our community houses, there is little evidence
of serious family break-up. Of course some teenagers
leave when they start work, but they keep in touch.
Roger. Are people encouraged to make friendships outside
the Fellowship?
Noel: Very much so. A lot of new friends are made through
evangelism and work. Friendships with other Christians are
often retained and new ones may develop. And maintaining
contact with non-Christians may lead to their finding Jesus
too. However, it would be difficult if old friends were going to
draw someone back into his old ways and habits, and we would
caution against that kind of bad influence. We would also cau-
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