The 10,000-Hour Rule (Part II)

As we move forward with our dialogue concerning:  What does it take for a candidate, cadet, or officer to become an expert in Salvation Army/Christian ministry?  What might the 10,000 hours of intensive practice look like for the individual who desires to become a Salvation Army officer?

First, it is vital to state the purpose of Salvation Army officer training.  The Orders and Regulations for the Training of Salvation Army Officers expresses that the supreme aim is "to develop officers possessing such Blood and Fire spirit that they will be enabled to sustain and advance the interest of The Salvation Army."  The National Statement of Training Goals states that the program should produce Salvation Army officers who:

1.      Know God, evidenced by holiness of heart, purity of life, prayer, witness, service, sacrifice, nobility of character and quality of living.

2.      Know themselves, their strengths and how to direct them, their weaknesses and how to overcome them, their potentials and how to develop them.

3.      Know their mission, understanding the implications of God's call to officership, understanding the nature and mission of The Salvation Army, understanding their commitment to it and their place within it, both men and women together, sharing the burden of the world's sin and suffering, desiring above self, comfort, recognition, and all else the glory of God and the salvation of the world.

What will the 10,000 hours resemble in the training of Salvation Army officers utilizing the three pillars outlined in the earlier post?

Achievement is talent plus preparation.  How would the 10,000 hours be calculated?  The current training program is comprised of three components:  Pre-Training, Training and Continuing Education.  I have calculated the Pre-Training program liberally to be comprised on 250 hours (50 hours for the course, 50 hours for mentoring and coaching by the corps officer, and 150 hours of corps level experience) during the year prior to entering the School for Officer Training.  The Training program can be calculated at 8 hours average per day for six days per week (48 hours per week) times 95 weeks equals 4,560 hours over the 22 month training period.  This is a conservative estimate encompassing spiritual formation, in-class hours, field training, worship, and summer assignment.  I further would calculate the probationary period of officership (first 5 years) as the Continuing Education program.  This five (5) years of experience can be calculated as 1,000 hours per year.  This equals 5,000 hours.  For some it will be more, or others less depending on the type of experience gained and the level of praxis (study, practice, dialogue and reflection, study, practice, dialogue and reflection, etc…).

This calculation, of course, must be individualized.  Does the candidate, the cadet, and the officer excel at each training level—making the most of the time and opportunities presented?  Or do they simply move through the motions at each or any level of these training programs?  Is the first five years of officership a continuation of an intense training?  Is the officer exposed to field practice in their appointment which builds upon the prior training received?  Is our field experience building upon the prior training through intense study and practice during this time period (first five years of officership)?

Opportunity.  Each newly commissioned officer is given opportunity through their appointment.  Is (s)he presented with new experience while being mentored and coached by a highly functioning, experienced officer—a mentor or coach who will guide, instruct, correct, allow for practice and experimentation during this on-the-job training period?  This, furthermore, is an extremely impressionable time period in which new officers need an expert (a seasoned “blood and fire” officer) who will listen, advocate and provide spiritual guidance and encouragement.

Divine Providence.  This involves being in the right place, at the right time, with the right people.  We do not trust in luck or coincidence, but believe that our Heavenly Father is actively involved in where we serve and with whom we serve as His salvific purposes unfold. 

May we seek to be in tune with the Heavenly Father so that we can make the most of every opportunity presented to us.  May our lives and work be blessed as we serve the Lord!