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Some social thinkers have criticised the apostle attitude in the mistaken belief that it exalts preaching and teaching above service, but to the apostles it was simply a matter of function. 'It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.' Preaching was their calling, their gift, their function. But to preach and teach well does not mean that you can organise and handle financial disagreements between hungry widows! The importance of caring is to be seen in those they chose. Apart from the Lord, no person in the NT received such unqualified admiration as the first Christian social service worker, Stephen. 553

relationship between holy living and tender, loving, pratcical social service.... the incarnation is the perfect example of living a holy life in society. Jesus saw, loved, was moved with compassion, served, was vulnerable and suffered. 554

A centralised, Army-directed special service programme could be liquidated overnight by decree....a spirit filled, spontaneous, neighbourhood ministry by the salvationist is virtually indestructible' 556

Whatever future there may be for our traditional social services, there is no better way for the army to play its part now and the turn of the century than for each salvationist to become actively involved in the apostolate of the Good Samaritan 556