Pretend for a moment that it is the middle of December and Christmas is fast approaching. You still have some gift shopping to do so you head for the nearest Walmart or other store in your community. As you jump out of your car and head for the entrance the first thing you hear is the tingling of a small bell. It is in the gloved hand of man or woman standing beside a large black kettle hanging from a tripod on the sidewalk by the door. He or she may even be wearing a black uniform bearing a red shield with “S” emblazoned on the collar.
You immediately recognize the representative of one of America’s best known holiday traditions and charities: the Salvation Army. You drop a dollar in the pot with the full confidence that it will be used to give some needy person or family a better Christmas. But how can you be sure? What do you really know about The Salvation Army? What do they actually do with the money? What kind of organization is it? Why do they wear what appear to be military uniforms and address one another by military ranks?
Most people probably assume The Salvation Army is a secular relief organization somewhat along the lines of the Red Cross. They know the Salvation Army provides aid to people in need of food, clothing, and shelter. They are aware that in many communities a portion of the local United Way or Community Chest goes to help finance its work. What many do not know, or think about very much, is that the Salvation Army is at its base a strongly religious organization. But what kind of religion? Could it be a cult or sect that disguises itself as a relief group? In this two installment article we will examine some facts about the Salvation Army. In Part 1 we will review its history, organization, and practices. In Part 2 we analyze its beliefs in light of the Bible and answer a very important question: Is the Salvation Army something a Christian should really support financially or as a volunteer?
History
The history of the Salvation Army traces back to its founders, William and Catherine Mumford Booth. William Booth was born in Nottingham, England, on April 10, 1829. While working as a pawnbroker’s apprentice in London, he experienced a religious conversion at the age of fifteen. Called to ministry in 1852, he became a Methodist minister and served as a pastor in that denomination until 1861 when he went into full-time evangelistic work.
In 1855 he married Catherine Mumford (b. Jan. 17, 1829) and together they began a mission in London’s East End section in 1865. In 1878, Booth adopted the name”Salvation Army” for his mission and implemented a quasi-military organization with himself taking the rank of “General.” Catherine was called the “Army Mother.” By the late 1880s Salvation Army units were well established throughout Great Britain and had spread to the United States, Canada, and Australia.
The primary focus of the Booth’s ministry was evangelism and spiritual sanctification. Reflecting their Methodist background, they emphasized the distinctives of Wesleyan-Arminian theology, especially the notion of a second work of sanctifying holiness occurring after salvation (we will discuss this doctrine in Part 2). However, unlike Methodists and nearly every other denomination, they eliminated all sacraments or ordinances, including Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
Perhaps the most significant contribution of the Booths was the initiation of an effective system of social ministry. In their view, evangelism was certainly the priority. However, they regarded acts of caring ministry, such as feeding the hungry, providing clothing and shelter, and rehabilitating addicts and alcoholics, as part and parcel of Christ’s Great Commission. The Salvation Army historically is noted for its use of marching brass bands in its evangelistic outreach, though some congregations now use guitars.
Catherine Booth died on October 4, 1890, following a long illness. She had given birth to eight children, five of whom became leaders of the Salvation Army. Two held the position of General. She also had introduced into the movement the famous bonnet that is something of a trademark of Salvation Army women. Her co-leadership role with her husband set the pattern for women’s equal status as Officers (ministers) in the movement. In fact, it was several women (the “Seven Hallelujah Sisters”) who, along with Commissioner George Scott Railton (1849-1913), were most instrumental in planting the Salvation Army ministry in the United States.
Following Catherine’s death, William Booth continued to lead the group’s global growth and expansion of its social programs. He died on August 20, 1912 and was succeeded by his son, Bramwell Booth (1856-1929), who served until his death.
In the years since the passing of the Booths, the Salvation Army has remained dedicated to its dual pattern of evangelism and social ministry, becoming one of the largest charitable organizations in the world. Ironically, it is regarded as only a relief group by most people who are completely unaware of its spiritual mission.
As of 2008, the Salvation Army had about 3500 “Officers” (ordained clergy) in the United States (about 17,000 worldwide). The Officers begin as “Cadets” who spend two years in training at one of the officers training centers located in Suffern, N,Y., Chicago, Ill., Atlanta, Ga., and Palos Verdes Estates, Calif. After graduation officers are commissioned (ordained) as a Captain. Commissioner David Hudson serves as the CEO of the Salvation Army of the United States. Its international CEO is still designated as the “General.” Generals serve a five year term (the term limit was established in 1929). His second in command is the “Chief of the Staff.” The General is elected by the High Council, a convention of about 100 or so world leaders whose sole purpose is to elect the new General. The High Council members include of the Chief of the Staff, all active regional commissioners, and all territorial commanders. To date there have been twenty Generals, three of whom were women. Currently, General Andre Cox, of England, serves in that position. He was commissioned in 2013 but will retire in August 2018. The High Council will convene in May, 2018, to elect the twenty-first General. Any currently serving officer is qualified to be elected General, but usually he or she comes from the ranks of the High Council. The mandatory retirement age is 68 years of age.
Besides the Officers in the Salvation Army, there are about 113,000 “Soldiers” (official non-ranked members) in the United States (ca. 400,000 worldwide). Nonetheless, as many as one half million other Americans are regarded as adherents of the movement (called “Salvationists”). Another 3.5 million or more non-members regularly volunteer in Salvation Army ministries in this country. The movement’s two periodicals are titled (appropriately) The War Cry and the Young Salvationist.
So that is a bit of background on the organization that rings the bells of Christmas (and if Clarence was right, then they must reward a lot wings to a lot of angels). The modern Salvation Army posts the following mission statement on its website: “The Salvation Army is an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.” (https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn)
Rings true and good, doesn’t it? You may already have made up your mind about how to evaluate the Salvation Army. In any case, in our next installment we will look deeper at the stated beliefs of the Salvation Army, make a biblical analysis of them, and answer the key question, “Is the Salvation Army something a Christian should really join, support financially, or give their time to as a volunteer?
© 2018 Tal Davis