Sessional Names

The use of sessional names for cadet intakes began with the name ‘Victory' in 1918 and has continued ever since. These names create special links between the many training colleges around the Army world, encourage comradeship among cadets and officers and provide a focus for preaching, teaching and reflection throughout and even beyond the life of a session.
In selecting names for the next five sessions I have tried to keep these things in mind. It has also been my desire to introduce new concepts into the names, but always in keeping with our God-given mission and identity.

The names for future cadet sessions, following Witnesses for Christ (2007-2009), will therefore be:
2008-2010 Prayer Warriors2009-2011 Ambassadors of Holiness2010-2012 Friends of Christ2011-2013 Proclaimers of the Resurrection2012-2014 Disciples of the Cross.

Prayer Warriors: here is a name in keeping with the great need of our time. Prayer is the Army's spiritual engine and the need for those who will be constant and persistent in prayer is as urgent as ever it was. Prayer is a vital weapon in the salvation war, a war we pursue without guns and led by the Prince of Peace. The word ‘prayer' has not previously featured in any sessional name, although we recall with gratitude the Intercessors of 1951-1952 and the Faithful Intercessors of 1997-1999. We thank God also for the Warriors of 1946-1947.

Ambassadors of Holiness: this name brings into focus the holiness teaching which is such a key part of the Army's mission and identity. It reminds us of the need for every officer to understand, to teach and to exemplify the truths expressed in our 10th doctrine. While ‘ambassadors' has been part of three earlier sessional names, this is the first time a sessional name has included the word ‘holiness'.

Friends of Christ: this name signals the close intimacy that all entering into full-time ministry seek to enjoy, encouraging others to become also the friends of Christ in accordance with John 15:14 and in obedience to the divine commands. No previous sessional name has used ‘friends', but seven have included the name of Christ.

Proclaimers of the Resurrection: here is a sessional name which explicitly identifies those using it with the very first Christians. Paul tells us that without the Resurrection there is no hope of salvation (1 Corinthians 15:12-19). Preaching the risen Christ is thus our central mission. No previous sessional name has referred to ‘resurrection', though three have used ‘proclaimers'.

Disciples of the Cross: surprisingly, only twice before has the Cross been referred to in a sessional name - Soldiers of the Cross in 1973-1975, and Crossbearers in 2000-2002. Equally, ‘disciples' has appeared in only one previous name, Disciples of Jesus in 1976-1978. Disciples of the Cross will be a name reminding us to be a Christ-centred, Cross-conscious Army of God, placing Calvary and its meaning at the heart of all we do. Also, a disciple is teachable and humble, attributes without which we can never be all we are intended to be in Christ.

I am aware that the sessional names above have already been announced in some territorial periodicals, and that is helpful. It is appropriate, however, that, of all our publications, The Officer should also carry these details. Officership remains a sacred privilege. We thank God for all forms of full-time ministry in the Army, but officership is still at the heart of Army full-time service. Only officers are covenanted in the terms signed prior to being commissioned. We are a distinctively covenanted community of servants. I still find myself deeply moved whenever I encounter officer colleagues pressing on faithfully and unspectacularly, without gimmicks, offering that classical, self-sacrificing Army service based on availability and mobility arising out of a strong love for God, obedience to the divine voice, a passion for souls and a heart for the needy. Such are those who will read these words. I thank God for all of you.

I first made these new sessional names known at Sunbury Court, near London, during a retreat for commissioners stationed at International Headquarters, who were joined for the day by retired commissioners and retired Generals resident in the United Kingdom. As each sessional name was announced we paused and spontaneous prayer was offered for the unseen, unnamed persons whom God will call into future sessions in training colleges all around the world. These were poignant and memorable moments.

May God continue to call many into the paths of officership, filling places now empty in our colleges, and may these sessional names be blessed and used of God to inspire reflection, preaching and teaching pleasing to him in the years to come!

--The General