The Salvation Army founded more than 130 years ago by William Booth, The Salvation Army is a religious and social service organization, a branch of the Christian Church dedicated to the battle against sin and despair. There is an integrated ministry to body, mind and soul. The Army seeks not only to improve the physical environment and provide for material needs, but also to reveal the power of Christ's love. Its social services programs assist children, the elderly, families, and those battling addiction
The Worldwide Salvation Army International Headquarters, in London, England, is the international administrative center of The Salvation Army. From International Headquarters, the General, the Army's international leader, provides spiritual and administrative guidance to Salvation Army units around the world.
The Salvation Army in the United States
The Salvation Army in the United States is divided into four territories. The national commander and the national chief secretary serve in coordinating capacities. Each territorial commander operates under the general policies laid down by International Headquarters in London, England. National policy is established by the commissioners’ Conference, over which the national commander presides. While the local leadership adjusts to meet conditions in each community, all officers are subject to the same broad, overall policies.
The USA Central Territory
The administrative center of the Central Territory is in Chicago, Illinois. The USA Central Territory comprises 11 central states and is divided into ten divisions. The territorial commander, Commissioner Ken Baillie is the administrative and spiritual leader of the territory. There are 2,349 centers of operation of the Salvation Army in the Central Territory.
Divisions
Territories are divided into divisions, with a divisional commander, the division’s spiritual and administrative leader, leading a team of administrative officers in each division. Each division encompasses a number of corps and other Salvation Army centers. Where it is not possible for a corps to have its own full-time commanding officer, noncommissioned local officers (lay leaders) are often asked to accept some responsibility for local leadership.
Corps Community Centers
This is the local Salvation Army center of operations seen in most towns and cities across the country. Each week a variety of people will meet here for worship, cross-cultural services, fellowship, musical activities and other events. There may also be a variety of community outreach activities, as well as character building activities for youth and adults. services and so on which are part of the corps program. All are welcome to attend Salvation Army meetings. Emergency relief, emergency shelter or other social services may also be available at the corps community center, though they often are offered at one or more separate nearby Salvation Army facilities. Other Salvation Army Centers of Operation Large social services centers, senior citizens’ housing, domestic violence and children’s shelters, camps and rehabilitation centers may operate independently of an area command or corps community center. These facilities are administered directly by divisional headquarters or by territorial headquarters.
The General
The General, based at International Headquarters in London, is the international leader of The Salvation Army and travels widely wherever the Army is active. He or she is elected by the High Council (a group of senior Salvation Army officers) for a term of five years or until the 68th birthday is reached, when he or she must retire. The Advisory Council to the General assists The General in policy making.
Officers
Salvation Army officers are ordained ministers serving in The Salvation Army in a professional capacity and on a full-time basis. They are members of The Salvation Army who commit their lives to doing God's will and serving others. Officers may be single or married. If married, both husband and wife must undertake the same training, Both are ordained and commissioned upon completion of training. Single officers wishing to marry must marry within the ranks or resign their officership. Officers resigning their officership to marry may remain in The Salvation Army as soldiers and may resume their officership if the non-officer spouse elects to undertake officer training. Officers come from all walks of life - from varying backgrounds and occupations - to complete a two year residential course at a Salvation Army Training College. Concurrent with ordination they are commissioned to the rank of captain. After fifteen years of satisfactory service they are promoted to the rank of major. Higher ranks are at the direction of the General. The majority of officers are responsible for a Salvation Army corps community center (church), with pastoral and community service responsibilities. Officers may also serve in other Salvation Army facilities or in an administrative capacity at headquarters. All officers receive a small standard allowance according to rank, with an added stipend calculated on the number of dependents. The amount of allowance does not vary for different appointments or levels of administrative responsibility. Quarters and transportation are provided and remain the property of The Salvation Army. There are over 740 officers in the Central Territory and over 3,500 in the United States. Becoming a Salvation Army Officer
Auxiliary/Captains
Auxiliary/Captains are persons who undertake Salvation Army officership after they reach the maximum age for acceptance into the college for officer training. After five years, an auxiliary/captain may receive a full commission. An auxiliary /captain has the same responsibilities and receives the same allowance as a regular officer.
Sergeants
Sergeants are Salvationists (active lay members in good standing for at least two years) who elect to work full-time for The Salvation Army in a pastoral or administrative capacity. Sergeants are employees and are not ordained or commissioned, but they may be appointed to a corps community center, where they will perform all pastoral duties except those reserved to ordained clergy.
Soldiers
Lay members of The Salvation Army are called soldiers. As do lay members of other churches, Salvation Army soldiers have secular professions and are typical members of the community. Upon enrollment, soldiers sign the Articles of War, which state the Army's beliefs, and they accept certain moral standards, e.g., Salvation Army soldiers do not smoke or drink alcohol. Soldiers are expected, but not required, to wear the uniform as a witness to their faith. Children may be enrolled as Junior Soldiers. Junior Soldiers sign a covenant in which they make a confession of faith and agree to obey God, pray and read the Bible. While adults make a commitment to The Salvation Army when they become soldiers, the Junior Soldier covenant does not include this provision.
Local Officers
Salvationists who accept particular lay leadership responsibilities in a corps are called local officers; their positions are similar to elders in other churches. Local officers may undertake such responsibilities as corps treasurer, Sunday school teacher, youth leader and other leadership and service positions. Local officers are required to wear the uniform when carrying out the responsibilities of their position. As with volunteer lay leaders in other organizations, they receive no pay for these activities.
Adherents
Adherents choose to make The Salvation Army their spiritual home and place of worship, but who do not wish to make the commitments of Salvation Army soldiership. While they may participate in all corps community activities, they may not assume official leadership positions. Adherents do not wear the uniform.
Why does The Salvation Army use military structure and uniforms?
The Salvation Army's military style is rooted in the militaristic spirit prevalent in the mid-1800s, when William and Catherine Booth founded the organization. This organizational style has proven effective in making the Army a highly disciplined and mobile organization, able to respond quickly and efficiently to human need whenever and wherever it arises. The uniform also finds its roots in the culture of its founding and continues to serve as a witness to the Salvationist’s commitment to serving God and man. Today, The Salvation Army’s uniform is recognized as a symbol of commitment and a sign of availability and accessibility in times of need or crisis. Salvation Army officers always wear the uniform when they are on duty in the corps, the office or the community.
For more information contact Captain Daren Spencer at 231-347-3531or at Daren_Spencer@usc.salvationarmy.org