Salvation Army Traditions
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The Salvation Army (TSA) is a Protestant church and an international charitable organization headquartered in London, England. The organisation reports a worldwide membership of over 1.7 million,[3] comprising soldiers, officers and adherents collectively known as Salvationists. Its founders sought to bring salvation to the poor, destitute, and hungry by meeting both their "physical and spiritual needs". It is present in 133 countries,[4] running charity shops, operating shelters for the homeless and disaster relief, and humanitarian aid to developing countries.
The Soldier's Covenant[29] is the creed of the Salvation Army. All members of the church and congregants are required to subscribe to this creed; every person has to sign the document before they can become enrolled as a Soldier.[30] Members have traditionally been referred to as "soldiers" of Christ.[31][32][33] These were formerly known as the "Articles of War", and include "Having received with all my heart the salvation offered to me by the tender mercy of God, I do here and now acknowledge God the Father to be my King; God the Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, to be my Savior; and God the Holy Spirit to be my Guide, Comforter and Strength, and I will, by His help, love, serve, worship and obey this glorious God through time and in eternity."[34]
The Salvation Army was founded in London's East End in 1865 by one-time Methodist Reform Church minister William Booth and his wife Catherine Booth as the East London Christian Mission,[1] and this name was used until 1878.[47] The name "The Salvation Army" developed from an incident on 19 and 20 May. William Booth was dictating a letter to his secretary George Scott Railton and said, "We are a volunteer army." Bramwell Booth heard his father and said, "Volunteer! I'm no volunteer, I'm a regular!" Railton was instructed to cross out the word "volunteer" and substitute the word "salvation".[48] The Salvation Army was modelled after the military, with its own flag (or colours) and its own hymns, often with words set to popular and folkloric tunes sung in the pubs. Booth and the other soldiers in "God's Army" would wear the Army's own uniform, for meetings and ministry work. He became the "General" and his other ministers were given appropriate ranks as "officers". Other members became "soldiers".[49]
When William Booth became known as the General, Catherine was known as the "Mother of The Salvation Army". William Booth's early motivation for The Salvation Army was to convert poor Londoners such as prostitutes, gamblers and alcoholics to Christianity,[50] while Catherine spoke to the wealthier people, gaining financial support for their work. She also acted as a religious minister, which was unusual at the time. The Foundation Deed of the Christian Mission states that women had the same rights to preach as men. William Booth described the organisation's approach: "The three 'S's' best expressed the way in which the Army administered to the 'down and outs': first, soup; second, soap; and finally, salvation."[51]
Salvation Army officers, cadets[118] (trainee officers) and soldiers often wear uniforms. The idea that they should do so originated with Elijah Cadman, who, at the Salvation Army's "War Congress" in August 1878, said, "I would like to wear a suit of clothes that would let everyone know I meant war to the teeth and salvation for the world". The uniform identifies the wearer as a Salvationist and a Christian. It also symbolises availability to those in need. The uniform takes many forms internationally but is characterised by the 'S' insignia for 'Salvation' and carries the meaning 'Saved to Serve', or 'Saved to Save'. Different colours and styles represent different ranks including soldiers, cadets, lieutenants, captains, majors, colonels, commissioner, and even the General.
The Salvation Army is featured in many popular movies such as Guys and Dolls and Major Barbara,[223] The Salvation Army is only briefly shown or discussed in these movies such as a bell ringer on the corner in the movie Maid in Manhattan and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and briefly mentioned in Batman Begins.[224] Additionally, in Lord of War, a main character (an illegal gun merchant) claimed that the Salvation Army had been the only "army" he had not "supplied".[225] L'Armée du salut (Salvation Army) was the title of a book written by Abdellah Taïa, which was adapted to film with the same title.[226] A book detailing over 500 films in which the Salvation Army appears or is mentioned was published in 2020 entitled The Salvation Army at the Movies, written by Rob Kinnon-Brettle.[227]
I will maintain Christian ideals in all my relationships with others; my family and neighbours, my colleagues and fellow salvationists, those to whom and for whom I am responsible, and the wider community.
The Salvation Army must not become so much of a middle-class movement that it forgets 'the rock whence it is hewn'. It is called to proclaim salvation to all classes, but its special glory should be its concern for and its ability to appeal to the lowest and most forgotten, and to be their champion in every respect.
The Salvation Army has been known by three names since its inception. William Booth's original name was The East London Christian Mission, which was later shortened to The Christian Mission. In 1878 it was renamed The Salvation Army-a tribute to Booth's "army of volunteers" who waged war against poverty and human suffering. The military metaphor stuck: Even today, members of the corps (or church) are called soldiers and ministers are called officers.
Today, the homeless and poor are still invited to share holiday dinners and festivities at hundreds of Salvation Army centers. Captain McFee's initial charitable endeavor has evolved into one of the most recognizable traditions of the holiday season--the Red Kettle Campaign--which is The Salvation Army's largest fundraising effort. But kettles have changed since that first utilitarian cauldron was set up in San Francisco. Some new kettles have such devices as a self-ringing bell and even the capacity to accept credit card donations. Kettles are now used in such distant lands as Korea, Japan, and Chile, and in many European countries.
Cremation and burial are both accepted practices within the Salvation Army. Unique funeral traditions practiced by members of the Salvation Army include: a bonnet or cap, Salvation Army songbook, and a Bible being placed in the coffin with the deceased; a white ribbon being flown at the top of the flagpole; a brass band leading the funeral procession; and all those in attendance are encouraged to accept God. In some cases, a Salvation Army Honor guard will also participate in the funeral service.
Thieves, prostitutes, gamblers and drunkards were among Booth's first converts to Christianity. His congregations were desperately poor. He preached hope and salvation. His aim was to lead them to Christ and to link them to a church for further spiritual guidance. Even though they were converted, churches did not accept Booth's followers because of what they had been. Booth gave their lives direction in a spiritual manner and put them to work to save others who were like themselves. They too preached and sang in the streets as a living testimony to the power of God.
Booth was reading a printer's proof of the 1878 Annual Report when the noticed the statement, '"The Christian Mission under the Superintendent's of the Rev. William Booth is a volunteer army. He crossed out the words "Volunteer Army'" and penned in "Salvation Army'" From those words came the basis of the foundation deed of The Salvation Army which was adopted in August of that same year.
And, much like other churches, its growth has stalled. Since 2000, it only has approximately 90,000 members. Nonetheless, it continues to deliver social services nationwide. In 2017, according to its own records, the army served over 50 million meals, operated 141 rehabilitation centers and provided shelter for almost 10 million people. It also provided adult and child day care, job assistance, disaster relief, medical care and community centers.
Thieves, prostitutes and, gamblers were among Booth's first converts to Christianity. To congregations who were desperately poor, he preached hope and salvation. His aim was to lead people to Christ and link them to a church for further spiritual guidance but soon realized that the poor were not welcome in the pews of most churches and chapels of Victorian England. Regular churchgoers were appalled when these shabbily dressed, unwashed people came to join them in worship.
In 1878, after reading a printer's proof of The Salvation Army's Annual Report, William Booth noticed the statement, "The Christian Mission is a volunteer army." Booth crossed out the words "Volunteer Army" and wrote in "Salvation Army." From those words came the basis of the foundation deed of The Salvation Army.
While ecumenical dialogues often aim at producing some sort of consensus statement, members reported that during this particular dialogue, it became clear at the outset that no consensus would be achieved. The membership of the commission is very broad, including Catholics, Orthodox, historic Protestants, radical reformation, and evangelical traditions. Some of these traditions are committed to holding fast to formal statements of belief (creeds and confessions), while others have historically been opposed to creeds of any kind.
The movement was founded in 1865 by William Booth in London, England. He walked the streets of the city with the desire to bring people to the teachings of Christ to the poor, the hungry, the homeless, and the destitute. His renown as a religious leader spread throughout London, and he attracted followers who were dedicated to fighting for the souls of men and women. Because of modeling itself on a paramilitary command structure, the 'salvationists'' philosophy and beliefs spread to many countries around the world. 2b1af7f3a8