Brengle: Holy Fellowship
We are a holiness movement. Holiness is our birthright, intended for all believers. Particularly as Salvationists, it is one of our distinctives, one of our essentials. God calls each of us to a life of holiness.
As we are taught through scripture: It is God’s will that you should be sanctified (1 Thessalonians 4:3).
1 Peter 1:15–16 commands us, “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’”
As a holiness movement, sanctification must always remain at the forefront of all we do.
One of the ways that the Army reinforces our holiness heritage and embraces our sacred DNA is by sending officers from around the country to a ten-day Brengle Holiness Conference. Around 60 officers from around the United States gather to study holiness and grow in our likeness to Jesus Christ. My experience as a delegate blessed me immensely, and I wish to share those blessings with you.
I want to begin at the end. On the final day of Brengle, there is a covenant service during which the delegates testify to God’s work throughout the retreat. As I reflected in that sacred time, God brought my attention to one word: FELLOWSHIP. This word summed up my experience and continues to echo in my heart through the relationships I formed and the teaching I received.
When you hear the word “fellowship” you probably think I am saying that I enjoyed making friends, goofing off, and exploring Chicago, which is true. The delegates and staff formed a great session with profound connection. Deep relationships were quickly formed; the body of Christ was edified. But our fellowship was so much more than getting along well in close proximity.
I met men and women hungry for holiness, longing to go deeper in their relationship with God. One of the more impactful experiences was hearing powerful testimonies. Every person had an opportunity to share how God transformed their life. Following each meal, I heard stories of healing, restoration, brokenness, and of a God who is always faithful. God is still working miracles and speaking light into the darkest situations. Delegates were honest and vulnerable in sharing their struggles and were met with brothers and sisters in Christ who offered encouragement and prayer. For me personally, there were several people who spoke words from the Lord directly into my life. My time at Brengle was rich with holy fellowship.
This holy fellowship extended beyond the camaraderie shared throughout the retreat; it was also reflected in the teaching. Major Terry Masango taught a class on the Holy Spirit through the scriptures during which he shared an acronym for fellowship. He told us, “This wasn’t in my notes, but I have a helpful tool that I use to describe all that fellowship includes: Family. Encouragement. Listen. Love. Obligated to accountability. Worship. Service. Human touch. Inspiration. Prayer.”
I saw this theme in other classes as well. Three instructors used the same Russian icon of the Trinity as they taught about the fellowship shared by the Triune God. It reveals a beautiful example of holy communion—united, equal, loving. Not only are we invited to follow God’s example of sanctified community, but we are also invited into this special relationship. God desires for us to be holy. Not a holiness that comes from ourselves, but a holiness that springs forth from our relationship with the Holy One, which extends to our relationships with one another.
Lt. Colonel Jon Rich used Commissioner Phil Needham’s book, “Community in Mission,” in his class to teach what it means to live a holy life in community. First, we are invited to embrace one another as the Church, God’s holy people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. Then, we are called to take the love we share to the neighborhood around us. We do not exist for ourselves but for others. Our Handbook of Doctrine says it this way: “Holiness leads to mission.”
Every year the Brengle session leaves a gift for the college. We had the idea to create a holiness prayer walk, and our president asked if I would help write the prayer stations. We reflected on the teachings about the holiness of the Trinity and used that as a framework. We added a final station to pray about why we are called to a holy life. I have listed the prayer stations here so that you might use them to spend time with the Lord and allow Him to speak to you about your own holiness journey.
- The Father gives generously to all who ask. Do you desire holiness? Ask now.
- The Son bore our sin so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. Ask to know the reality of the Son in you.
- The Spirit hovers, ready to breathe light into our darkest places. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the reality of His holy love in you.
- Holiness to what end? For the sake of the world! Ask the Holy Spirit what that looks like for you.
God, create in me a clean heart, as I enter your holy fellowship.
