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Salvation Army

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Dictionary: Sal·va·tion Army   (săl-vā'shən) pronunciation
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n.
An international evangelical and charitable organization founded in 1865 by William Booth as a London revival society and renamed in 1878.


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Britannica Concise Encyclopedia: Salvation Army
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International Christian charitable movement. It was founded in 1865 by William Booth, with the aim of feeding and housing the poor of London. He adopted the name Salvation Army in 1878 and established the organization on a military pattern. Members are called soldiers, and officers earn ranks that range from lieutenant to brigadier. Converts are required to sign Articles of War and to volunteer their services. Doctrines are similar to those of other evangelical Protestant denominations, though Booth saw no need for sacraments. The meetings are characterized by singing and hand clapping, instrumental music, personal testimony, free prayer, and an open invitation to repentance. Headquartered in London, the Salvation Army now provides a wide variety of social services in more than 100 countries.

For more information on Salvation Army, visit Britannica.com.

Hoover's Profile: The Salvation Army
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Contact Information
The Salvation Army
615 Slaters Ln.
Alexandria, VA 22313
VA Tel. 703-684-5500
Fax 703-684-3478

Type: Private - Not-for-Profit
On the web: http://www.salvationarmyusa.org
 Employees: 59,651
Employee growth: 0.2%

Battling to provide social services, The Salvation Army is more than 4 million strong -- including some 3.4 million registered volunteers. Its Christian faith-based programs assist alcoholics, drug addicts, the homeless, the elderly, prison inmates, people in crisis, and the unemployed through offerings, such as community centers, housing facilities, and rehabilitation centers. The organization also provides disaster-relief services. Overall, it serves more than 35 million people a year, including more than 60 million meals. The US organization is a unit of the London-based Salvation Army, which oversees activities in more than 100 countries. US operations began in 1880.

Key numbers for fiscal year ending September, 2007:
Sales: $4,157.0M
One year growth: 25.1%

Officers:
Chairman National Advisory Board: Robert J. (Rob) Pace
Commissioner (National Commander): Israel L. Gaither
Director Territorial Public Relations: Andrew Burditt

The Religion Book: Salvation Army
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Within half an hour of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York, some 200 officers of the Salvation Army were on hand, offering coffee and hot meals, clothes, teddy bears to comfort children, and words of prayer and encouragement to anyone who needed them. The Salvation Army set up shop in more than twenty-four buildings, almost one million square feet of valuable Manhattan commercial space. Hundreds of trucks poured in and out of the city carrying sandwiches, hot dogs, food, water, and even eye drops. Every one of them bore the familiar logo of the Salvation Army, the same logo painted on the kettles that appear every Christmas in local shopping malls. No one will ever know for sure, but this effort may well go down as one of the greatest, most efficient, and most appreciated charity endeavors ever held on American soil.

The current leader of this $2.1 billion organization is a man by the name of Todd Bassett. He makes $13,000 a year. (To put this in perspective, Marsha Evans, CEO of the American Red Cross, made $450,000 in 2002.) According to the latest U.S. figures, that's poverty level. And his worldwide staff doesn't do any better. Obviously they're not in it for the money. They are committed Christians. The Salvation Army is a Christian church. Attend a worship service held in the auditorium of the Salvation Army building in your town and you will come away thinking you've just attended an evangelical Protestant church service. And you have. They are in the business of saving souls. That's where the "Salvation" part of the name comes from. The "Army" part comes from the fact that they are organized along the same lines as the military. The person who runs a local Salvation Army is probably called "Captain" or "Lieutenant," not Reverend.

But what makes the Salvation Army unique is that William Booth, its Methodist founder, believed way back in 1865 that you couldn't talk to someone about Christ if his or her stomach was growling. He decided to minister to the teeming denizens of London's slums, offering them "soup, soap, and salvation."

Thirty-five years later the movement jumped across the Atlantic, setting up shop in New York City's Battery Park. After that, it was only a matter of time and effort.

When a hurricane devastated Galveston, Texas, in 1900, the Salvation Army was there. Since then its members have offered assistance at every national tragedy and most neighborhood fires, answering the call for major disasters and for knocks on their door in the dead of night.

You may think they only appear during the holidays. You may even resent their very visible presence as volunteers ring bells, asking for donations during the busy shopping days before Christmas. But their records and statistics are public knowledge. There's no gimmick and no hidden agenda. They do it because they believe in their ministry.

Sources: Hudson, Winthrop S. Religion in America. New York: Charles Scribner, 1965. Sedgwick, John, and Loch Adamson. “The Bucket Brigade.” Reader’s Digest, December 2002.

British History: Salvation Army
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In 1865 William Booth and his wife launched the ‘Christian Mission to the Heathen of our Own Country’ in Whitechapel (London), and this mission expanded into the Salvation Army (1878). Its doctrines were those of evangelical revivalism: sin, conversion, justification by faith, hell, and heaven. The officers and soldiers (i.e. members) of the army were themselves working men and women, who had experienced conversion and practised self-denial. From the late 1880s the army turned to social action, establishing slum posts, night shelters, and schemes for assisting the unemployed.

US History Encyclopedia: Salvation Army
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The Salvation Army is an evangelistic organization created in 1865 by William Booth, a former adherent of Methodism, to work among the poor of London. His book In Darkest England and the Way Out (1890) not only won popular support for his movement but also helped awaken public opinion to poverty in the world's richest city. The present military format of the group dates from the publication of The Orders and Regulations for the Salvation Army in 1878. The uniforms, designed by Booth's wife, Catherine Mumford Booth, were adopted in the early 1880s. A branch of the army was formed in the United States in 1880 and received leadership from Evangeline Cory Booth, the general's daughter, from 1904 to 1934. The group has been noted for the vigor of its preaching, its energetic use of music, and its crusades on behalf of the poor and oppressed. It has considered itself to have a special mission to alcoholics.

In 2001, as President George W. Bush proposed bringing "faith-based" charities into a federally coordinated program, the Salvation Army's stance on homosexuality caused concern. While the army condemns harassment based on sexual orientation, it nevertheless describes same-sex intimacy as sinful and has at times refused to hire homosexuals.

In the early twenty-first century the United States branch of the Salvation Army had 443,000 members and several million volunteers supporting its social service programs.

Bibliography

Taiz, Lillian. Hallelujah Lads & Lasses: Remaking the Salvation Army in America, 1880–1930. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2001.

Winston, Diane H. Red-Hot and Righteous: The Urban Religion of the Salvation Army. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1999.

 
Columbia Encyclopedia: Salvation Army
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Salvation Army, Protestant denomination and international nonsectarian Christian organization for evangelical and philanthropic work.

Organization and Beliefs

The Salvation Army has established branches in more than 110 countries throughout the world. International headquarters are in London. In the United States, where the movement is strong, headquarters are in Alexandria, Va. The Army's ministers are ranked as officers and its members are called "soldiers"; women have equal position and responsibility with men. High commands may be attained by promotion from lower offices. Each country has its divisions and its local corps, with a commander at the head of all. Officers are prepared in training colleges for their varied responsibilities. In addition to its officers and soldiers, the Army has many more adherents, who regularly worship at its centers, and volunteers, who aid the Salvation Army in meeting community needs.

The Army operates hospitals, community centers, alcoholic and drug rehabilitation programs, emergency and disaster services, social work centers, and recreation facilities. Support of the vast undertakings in all parts of the world depends on voluntary contributions and profits from the sale of publications. The War Cry is the official organ. The beliefs of the Army as set forth in the Handbook of Salvation Army Doctrine (1926) generally agree with those of most Protestant evangelical denominations, but the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper are not considered essential to salvation and are not practiced. Great emphasis is placed on the experience of salvation and purity of life. In conducting the meetings officers are allowed great freedom, as no form of service is required; bands and singing are important features. The Salvation Army distinguished itself by its work with the armed services in both world wars and by its aid to those suffering in disasters, such as floods and earthquakes, all over the world.

History

The Salvation Army was founded by William Booth, with the assistance of his wife, Catherine Booth. Booth, a Methodist minister, began independent evangelistic work in Cornwall, England, in 1861. In 1865 he began his movement by holding outdoor meetings and revivals in tents and theaters in London. The movement was originally known as the East London Revival Society, shortly renamed the Christian Mission, and finally in 1878 designated the Salvation Army. A military form of organization, with uniforms and other distinctive features, was adopted in the interest of a more effective "warfare against evil."

From its inception the organization sought to minister to physical as well as spiritual human needs. Soup kitchens were the first in a long line of widely varied projects designed to provide physical assistance to the destitute. Although the members often met opposition, the value of Salvation Army services had been generally acknowledged by 1890, when General Booth set forth his plan of procedure in his book In Darkest England and the Way Out.

On his death William Booth was succeeded by his son, Bramwell, as head of the organization; but in 1929 his removal was voted by the high council of the Army, and Edward J. Higgins was elected to that post. Salvation Army work in the United States dates from 1880, when Commissioner George Railton and seven women workers from England founded a branch in Pennsylvania. In 1904, Evangeline Booth, daughter of the founder, was put in command of the work in the United States; in 1934 she became general of the International Salvation Army.

See also Volunteers of America.

Bibliography

See R. Sandall, The History of the Salvation Army (6 vol., 1947-79); S. Chesham, Born to Battle (1965); R. Collier, The General Next to God (1965); J. D. Waldron, Pioneering Salvationists (1987); D. Winston, Red-Hot and Righteous (1999); R. Hattersley, Blood and Fire (2000).

Wikipedia: The Salvation Army
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For the anti-Japanese volunteer armies, see National Salvation Army.
Part of a series on
The Salvation Army
Standard of the Salvation Army.svg

Background
Christianity · Protestantism · Pietism · Anglicanism · Arminianism · Methodism · Holiness Movement · Evangelicalism

Organization
General · Chief of the Staff · High Council · Officer · Soldier · Corps

Persons
William Booth · Catherine Booth · Bramwell Booth · Florence Eleanor Soper · Evangeline Booth · Ballington Booth · Catherine Bramwell-Booth · George Scott Railton · T. Henry Howard · Emma Churchill · Ray Steadman-Allen · Eva Burrows · John Gowans · John Larsson · Shaw Clifton ·

Other
Band · International Staff Band · Promoted to Glory · Order of the Founder · Limelight Department · Christmas kettle · War Cry · Articles of War · Reliance Bank

Related organizations
Volunteers of America · Skeleton Army · The Blind Beggar

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The Salvation Army, an international movement, describes itself[1] as an evangelical movement and part of the "universal" Christian Church. It has a quasi-military structure and was founded in 1865 in the United Kingdom as the East London Christian Mission[2] by William and Catherine Booth. It is well known for its evangelical, social and charitable work. The Salvation Army seeks to bring Christian salvation to the poor, destitute and hungry by meeting both their physical and spiritual needs, but its ministry extends to all, regardless of ages, sex, colour or creed.[1]

The Salvation Army's stated objectives are:

The advancement of the Christian religion as promulgated in the religious doctrines—which are professed, believed and taught by the Army and, pursuant there to, the advancement of education, the relief of poverty, and other charitable objects beneficial to society or the community of mankind as a whole.

The International Headquarters (IHQ) of The Salvation Army is at 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, England. The Salvation Army works in 118 countries. It is sometimes colloquially referred to as the "Sally Ann" in Canada and the "Sally Army" in the United Kingdom and New Zealand. In Australia, the full name is rarely used, with the slang abbreviation "The Salvos" displayed even on shop fronts.

Contents

History

The Salvation Army founder, William Booth

The Salvation Army was founded in London's East End in 1865 by one-time Methodist minister William Booth and his wife Catherine. Originally, Booth named the organization the East London Christian Mission, but in 1878 Booth reorganized it along military lines when his son Bramwell objected to being called a "volunteer" and stated that he was a "regular" or nothing. The name then became The Salvation Army.[3]

When William Booth became known as the General, Catherine was known as the "Mother of The Salvation Army". William preached to the poor, and Catherine spoke to the wealthy, 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, stated that women had the same rights to preach as men. William Booth described the organization'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."[4]

In 1880, the Salvation Army started its work in three other countries: Australia, Ireland, and the United States. It was not always an official officer of the Salvation Army who started the Salvation Army in a new country; sometimes Salvationists emigrated to countries and started operating as "the Salvation Army" on their own authority. When the first official officers arrived in Australia and the United States, they found groups of Salvationists already waiting for them.

The Salvation Army's main converts were at first alcoholics, drug addicts, prostitutes and other "undesirables" unwelcomed into polite Christian society, which helped prompt the Booths to start their own church.[5] The Booths did not include the use of sacraments (mainly baptism and Holy Communion) in the Army's form of worship, believing that many Christians had come to rely on the outward signs of spiritual grace rather than on grace itself.[6] Other beliefs are that its members should completely refrain from drinking alcohol (Holy Communion is not practiced), smoking, taking illegal drugs, and gambling.[7] Its soldiers wear a uniform tailored to the country they work in; the uniform can be white, grey, navy, fawn and are even styled like a sari in some areas. Any member of the public is welcome to attend their meetings.

Women's dormitories operated by The Salvation Army, Washington, D.C. c. 1920

As the Salvation Army grew rapidly in the late 1800s, it generated opposition in England. Opponents, grouped under the name of the Skeleton Army, disrupted Salvation Army meetings and gatherings, the usual tactics being the throwing of rocks, bones, rats, and tar, and physical assaults on members of The Salvation Army. Much of this was led by publicans who were losing business due to the Army's opposition to alcohol and targeting of the frequenters of saloons and public houses.[8]

The Salvation Army's reputation in the United States improved after it began disaster relief efforts after the Galveston Hurricane of 1900 and the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. The establishment of Victorian bell-ringers raising charity today "helps complete the American portrait of Christmas", with over 25,000 volunteers taking up kettles over the holiday period in the U.S. alone.[5] The church remains a highly visible and sometimes controversial presence in many parts of the world.

In 1994, the Chronicle of Philanthropy, an industry publication, released the results of the largest study of charitable and non-profit organization popularity and credibility conducted by Nye Lavalle & Associates. The study showed that the Salvation Army was ranked as the 4th "most popular charity/non-profit in America" of over 100 charities researched with 47% of Americans over the age of 12 choosing Love and Like A lot for the Salvation Army.[9]

Worldwide expansion of the Salvation Army

The worldwide expansion of Salvation army

The Salvation Army currently works in 118 different countries and has its main headquarters in London, England.

Current organization and expenditures

The Salvation Army International Headquarters, London

The Salvation Army operates in 118 countries and provides services in 175 different languages. For administrative purposes, the organization divides itself geographically into Territories, which are then sub-divided into Divisions. In larger areas, Regional and Area Commands are also introduced as sub-divisions of Divisions. Each Territory has an administrative hub known as Territorial Headquarters (THQ). Likewise, each Division has a Divisional Headquarters (DHQ). For example, Japan is one territory, the United States is divided into four Territories: Eastern, Southern, Central, and Western while Germany & Lithuania together are one territory. Each of these Territories is led by a Territorial Commander who receives orders from the Salvation Army's International Headquarters in London. A Territory is normally led by an officer holding the rank of Colonel (for small Territories)or Commissioner.

In some countries, the work of The Salvation Army may be called a Command, led by a Command Commander. In the Germany, Poland and Lithuania Territory, for example, when the work of The Salvation Army becomes stronger in either Poland or Lithuania, may be granted the status of 'Command' as a step to becoming a Territories in their own right. A larger Command is typically led by an officer holding the rank of Colonel, however, the Italy Command is currently led by an officer with the rank of Major.

The Salvation Army is one of the world's largest providers of social aid, with expenditures including operating costs of $2.6 billion in 2004, helping more than 32 million people in the US alone. In addition to community centres and disaster relief, the organization does work in refugee camps, especially among displaced people in Africa. The Salvation Army has received an A- rating from the American Institute of Philanthropy.

The Salvation Army logo

Its claimed membership includes more than 17,000 active and more than 8,700 retired officers, 1,041,461 soldiers, around 100,000 other employees and more than 4.5 million volunteers. Members of the Salvation Army are also the so-called adherents, who do not sign the document to become soldier but who do see the Salvation Army as their church and who do not wear uniform. The truth is that the membership is much smaller, since inactive soldiers are rarely removed from the rolls. It is led by General Shaw Clifton, who has held this position since April 2, 2006 after the 2006 High Council elected him as the next General January 28, 2006. According to the 2006 Salvation Army Year Book, in the United States there are 85,148 Senior Soldiers and 28,377 Junior Soldiers, 17,396 Adherents and around 60,000 employees.

In 2004, the Army in the United States received a $1.6 billion donation in the will of Joan B. Kroc, third wife of former McDonald's CEO Ray Kroc. This donation was among the largest individual philanthropic gifts ever given to a single organization. The donation came with certain restrictions that were met with some controversy.[1]

The Salvation Army is the second largest charity in the United States, with private donations of almost $2 billion for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007.[13]

Beliefs

The beliefs of the Salvation Army rest upon these eleven doctrines:

"1. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, and that they only constitute the Divine rule of Christian faith and practice.
2. We believe that there is only one God, who is infinitely perfect, the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of all things, and who is the only proper object of religious worship.
3. We believe that there are three persons in the Godhead - the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, undivided in essence and co-equal in power and glory.
4. We believe that in the person of Jesus Christ the Divine and human natures are united, so that He is truly and properly God and truly and properly man.
5. We believe that our first parents were created in a state of innocency, but by their disobedience they lost their purity and happiness, and that in consequence of their fall all men have become sinners, totally depraved and as such are justly exposed to the wrath of God.
6. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has by his suffering and death made an atonement for the whole world so that whosoever will may be saved.
7. We believe that repentance towards God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit, are necessary to salvation.
8. We believe that we are justified by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and that he that believeth hath the witness in himself.
9. We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ.
10. We believe that it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified, and that their whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
11. We believe in the immortality of the soul; in the resurrection of the body; in the general judgment at the end of the world; in the eternal happiness of the righteous; and in the endless punishment of the wicked."

The Booths believed that many Christians had come to seek salvation through ritual rather than reliance on God. Accordingly they decided not to include the use of sacraments, (mainly baptism and Holy Communion) in the Army's form of worship. Other beliefs of The Salvation Army are that its members should completely refrain from drinking alcohol, smoking, taking recreational drugs, pornography, the occult, and gambling. Soldiers affirm that they will give "as large a proportion of my income as possible" to the Salvation Army.[14]

The ordination of women is permitted in the Salvation Army. Salvation Army officers were previously only allowed to marry other officers (this rule varies in different countries); but this rule has been relaxed in recent years. Husbands and wives usually share the same rank and have the same or similar assignments — the major exception to this is the General's spouse, who is given the rank of Commissioner.

Officers are given 'Marching Orders' to change ministries within The Salvation Army. Usually, officers are given new Marching Orders every two to five years and reassigned to different posts, sometimes moving great distances.

Salvation Army Symbols

The Flag

Standard of The Salvation Army

Around the world, The Salvation Army flag is a symbol of the Army's war against sin and social evils. The red on the flag symbolizes the blood shed by Jesus Christ, the yellow for the fire of the Holy Spirit and the blue for the purity of God the Father.

The star contains the Salvation Army's war cry, 'Blood and Fire'. This describes the blood of Jesus shed on the cross to save all people, and the fire of the Holy Spirit which purifies believers.

The flag precedes outdoor activities such as a march of witness. It is used in ceremonies such as the dedication of children and the swearing-in of soldiers. It is sometimes placed on the coffin at the funeral of a Salvationist. The Salvation Army term used to describe the death of a Salvationist is that of the deceased being "promoted to glory". This is a term that is still used and upheld by Salvationists today.

The Crest

The oldest official emblem of The Salvation Army is the crest.

In 1878 the rename of the Christian Mission into the name The Salvation Army happened. Soon afterwards, Captain W.H. Ebdon suggested a crest and in 1879 it was to be found on the letterhead of the Salvation Army Headquarters. The captain's suggested design was changed only slightly and a crown was added.

The meaning of the crest:

The cross: The cross of the Lord Jesus Christ
The "S": Salvation from sin through Jesus
The ray on the outside of the circle: The Fire of the Holy Spirit
The dots: The Truth of the Gospel
The swords: The Salvation War*
"Blood and Fire": The Blood which was shed by Jesus for our sins and the Fire of the Holy Spirit

The Red Shield

The Red Shield has its origins in Salvation Army work during wartimes. At the end of the 19th Century, Staff-Captain Mary Murray was sent by William Booth to support British troops serving in the Boer War in South Africa. Then, in 1901, this same officer was given the task of establishing the Naval and Military League, the forerunner of the Red Shield Services.

Salvation Army officers serving in the Red Shield Services in wartime performed many functions. The Doughnut Girls of World War I are an early example, serving refreshments to troops in the trenches. They also provided first aid stations, ambulances, chaplaincy, social clubs, Christian worship and other frontline services.[15]

This symbol is still used in Blue Shield Services that serve the British Armed Forces, but is widely used as a simple, more readily identifiable, symbol in many Salvation Army settings. It is common to see the Red Shield used on casual Salvation Army uniform.[16]

The Uniform

Salvation Army officers and soldiers often wear uniform. 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'. Other letters are substituted to conform with local language ('H' in Germany, 'C' in Russia, 'F' in Norway, for example).

Tartan

The Salvation Army Dress Tartan

Since 1983 there has been an official Salvation Army Tartan. It was designed by Jack Dalgety, for the Perth Citadel Corps Centenary commemoration. It is based upon the colours of the Salvation Army Flag, with which it shares the same symbolism. However, it is rarely seen outside Scotland.[17]

The Salute

The Salvation Army has a unique form of salute which involves raising the right hand above shoulder-length with the index finger pointing upwards. It signifies recognition of a fellow-citizen of heaven, and a pledge to do everything possible to get others to heaven also.[18] In the case of saluting in response to applause, in circumstances such as a musical festival or being applauded for a speech, it also signifies that the Salvationist wishes to give Glory to God and not themselves.

In some instances, the salute is accompanied with a shout of 'hallelujah!'

Music

As the popularity of the organization grew and Salvationists worked their way through the streets of London attempting to convert individuals, they were sometimes confronted with unruly crowds. A family of musicians (the Frys, from Alderbury, Wiltshire) began working with the Army as their "bodyguards" and played music to distract the crowds.[19] They were also involved in union-busting actions: Salvation Army bands would show up at union actions and attempt to bring down the union activities with hymns and music.This in turn led the Industrial Workers of the World to create their own lyrics set to popular Salvation Army Band tunes, many of which remain in that union's "Little Red Songbook."[20]

The tradition of having musicians available continued, and eventually grew into standard brass bands. These are still seen in public at Army campaigns, as well as at other festivals, parades and at Christmas. Across the world the brass band has been an integral part of the Army’s ministry and an immediately recognizable symbol to Salvationists and non-Salvationists alike. The Salvation Army also has choirs; these are known as Songster Brigades, normally comprising the traditional soprano, alto, tenor and bass singers. The premier Songster Brigade in the Salvation Army is the International Staff Songsters (ISS).

Salvation Army brass band Oxford 20080907.ogg
A Salvation Army Band playing at Saint Giles Fair, Oxford.

The standard of playing is high and the Army operates bands at the international level, such as the International Staff Band (a brass band) which is the equal of professional ensembles although it does not participate in the brass band contest (see music competition) scene. Some professional brass players and contesting brass band personnel have Salvation Army backgrounds. Many Salvation Army corps have brass bands that play at Salvation Army meetings, although not all.

The Army tradition in music is to use the popular idiom of the day to reach people for Jesus. The Army's Joy Strings were a hit pop group in the 1960s and early 1970s in the UK and beyond, reaching the charts and being featured on national television. Another popular band is The Insyderz, an American ska-core group in the 1990s and early 2000s. Current bands like New Zealand's Vatic, Chamberlin, Hypemusic and The Lads, England's Electralyte, Australia's Soteria Music Ministries and Escape and America's transMission, The Singing Company, HAB, and BurN, carry on this Salvation Army tradition.

Another significant musical feature of the Salvation Army is its use of timbrels, otherwise, commonly known as tambourines. With coloured ribbons representing the colours of the Salvation Army flag, timbrels play an integral facet of music in the Salvation army. They are mainly played by women. However, recently, the male section of the congregation is slowly becoming interested in playing timbrels.

Saytunes is a popular website designed to encourage and promote these contemporary Salvation Army bands and artists.

Disaster relief

The Salvation Army's first major forays into Disaster Relief resulted from the tragedies of the Galveston Hurricane of 1900 and the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. The Salvationists' nationwide appeals for financial and material donations yielded tremendous support, enabling the Army to provide assistance to thousands. General Evangeline Booth, when she offered the services of Salvationists to President Wilson during the First World War thrust Salvation Army social and relief work to newer heights. Today the Salvation Army is best known for its charitable efforts.

The Salvation Army is a prominent non-governmental relief agency and is usually among the first to arrive with help after natural or man-made disasters. They have worked to alleviate suffering and help people rebuild their lives. After the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, they arrived immediately at some of the worst disaster sites to help retrieve and bury the dead. Since then they have helped rebuild homes and construct new boats for people to recover their livelihood. Members were prominent among relief organizations after Hurricane Hugo and Hurricane Andrew and other such natural disasters in the United States. In August 2005 they supplied drinking water to poor people affected by the heat wave in the United States. Later in 2005 they responded to hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Most recently they have helped the victims of the May 2006 Indonesian Earthquake.

The William Booth Memorial Training College, Denmark Hill, London: The College for Officer Training of The Salvation Army in the UK

In the year since Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, The Salvation Army has allocated donations of more than $365 million to serve more than 1.7 million people in nearly every state. The Army’s immediate response to Hurricane Katrina included the mobilization of more than 178 canteen feeding units and 11 field kitchens which together have served more than 5.7 million hot meals, 8.3 million sandwiches, snacks & drinks. Its SATERN network of amateur ham-radio operators picked up where modern communications left off to help locate more than 25,000 survivors. And, Salvation Army pastoral care counselors were on hand to comfort the emotional and spiritual needs of 277,000 individuals. As part of the overall effort, Salvation Army officers, employees and volunteers have contributed more than 900,000 hours of service.

The Salvation Army was one of the first relief agencies on the scene of the 9/11 attacks in New York. They also provided prayer support for families of missing people.

The Salvation Army, along with the American National Red Cross, Southern Baptist Convention, and other disaster relief organizations, are national members of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD). [2]

Also among the disaster relief capabilities is the Red Shield Defence Services, often called the SallyMan for short. The effort that they put in is similar to that of a chaplain, and reaches many more, offering cold drinks, hot drinks, and some biscuits and lollies for the soldiers of the military to have, though, if a SallyMan is on deployment, the locals are offered a share in the produce. Despite this generosity, the RSDS is generally unnoticed because it only works in disaster relief and military actions, not general welfare opportunities.

Thrift shops and charity

Salvation Army in Lausanne

The Salvation Army is well-known for its network of thrift stores or Charity Shops, which raise money for its charitable and religious activities by selling donated used items such as clothing, housewares and toys. The Salvation Army has a history of free rehabilitation from alcohol and drug abuse. Thrift stores provide the revenue to run the Adult Rehabilitation Centres known as ARCs. The ARCs, found in many global locations, are work and Bible-based and are usually long-term residential facilities. Clothing collected by Salvation Army stores that are not sold on location are often sold whole-sale on the global second hand clothing market.

In many countries, The Salvation Army is most recognized during the Christmas season with its volunteers who stand outside of businesses and play/sing Christmas carols, or ring bells to inspire passersby to place donations of cash and checks inside red kettles. A tradition has developed in the United States in which, in some places, gold coins are anonymously inserted into the kettles that the bell ringers collect donations in. This was first recorded in 1982, in Crystal Lake, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.

Red Shield Appeal

The Red Shield Appeal is an annual fundraising campaign in some territories, such as the UK and Australia. Each year, officers, soldiers, employees and volunteers take to the streets worldwide to participate in door to door or street collections. The money raised is specifically channelled towards The Salvation Army's social work in each respective territory.

Family Tracing Service

One programme for which The Salvation Army is internationally renowned is its Family Tracing Service (sometimes known as the Missing Persons Service). Established in 1885, the service is now available in most of the countries where The Salvation Army operates. The Tracing Service's objective is to restore (or to sustain) family relationships where contact has been lost, whether recently or in the distant past. Thousands of people are traced every year on behalf of their relatives. A world record was attained in 1988 when a brother and sister were reunited after a separation of 81 years[citation needed].

Youth groups

The Salvation Army includes multiple youth groups, which primarily consist of its Sunday schools and the Scout and Guide packs that are sometimes set up. The Scout and Guide packs are not Salvation Army but are sometimes set up by members of the Salvation Army and are open to anyone. Also some schools volunteer to get a group of kids to help. Some territories have Salvation Army Guards and Legions Association (SAGALA). In the United States these internal youth groups that are specifically for females are known as Girl Guards (older females) and Sunbeams (younger females). Adventure Corps serves boys who are enrolled in school for first through eighth grade.

The Refuge

Another youth group that has emerged in The Salvation Army is The Refuge, meaning REviving FUture GEnerations. The Refuge was established in The Salvation Army division of Pendel which is in the Eastern Territory of The United States. The Refuge was created and founded by a group of friends and salvationists. It began when this group recognized the need for this type of ministry in their area. The Refuge began in the Spring of 2005. With the aid of dedicated musicians and administrative staff, the Refuge has been a success and continues to be a safe place for worship, fellowship, food, and fun.

GodRock (GeneratioNext)

Based at the Pioneer Corps in the Kensington district of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which is the longest surviving corps in the United States. GodRock began in the late 90s with a group of teens from greater Philadelphia. GodRock now meets every Sunday evening, providing an opportunity for contemporary worship, testimonies, and food. GodRock has expanded from what was once primarily Salvation Army teens to a group of teens (and young adults), not only from the Salvation Army, but from area churches as well.

Alove UK

In the new millennium, The Salvation Army in the United Kingdom created a sub-brand of itself for the youth, called Alove, the Salvation Army for a new generation. Its purpose is to free the youth of the church and their communities to express themselves and their faith in their own ways. Its mission statement is "Calling a generation to dynamic faith, radical lifestyle, adventurous mission and a fight for justice.", and it emphasizes worship, discipleship, missions, and social action. Alove is a member of The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS)[21].

Controversy

United States

Opposition to hiring homosexuals

The Salvation Army in the U.S. has been the topic of some controversial discussions about discrimination against homosexuals in their hiring practices.[22] According to lesbian/gay newsmagazine The Advocate, in 2001, the Bush administration was "willing to do whatever it takes to perpetuate, support, and defend discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals" in exchange for The Salvation Army's lobby support for Faith-Based Initiatives, in what the publication described as a "secret arrangement."[23] The New York Times reported that the Salvation Army believed it had a firm commitment from the White House to issue a regulation that would override local antidiscrimination laws. A disclosure of The Salvation Army's request "outraged some civil rights groups and lawmakers," and resulted in an immediate reversal of a previous promise to honor the request. The Salvation Army maintains that they were "not trying to get permission to discriminate against hiring gays and lesbians for the majority of its roughly 55,000 jobs and merely wanted a federal regulation that made clear that the charity did not have to ordain sexually active gay ministers and did not have to provide medical benefits to the same-sex partners of employees. [24]

The Salvation Army's position is that because it is a church, Section VII of the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964 explicitly guarantees its right to discriminate on the basis of its religious beliefs in its hiring. To reinforce its position, it threatened to close all soup kitchens in New York City when the city government proposed legislation that would require all organizations doing business with it to provide equal benefits to unmarried domestic partners.[25]

Financial accountability

Although the Salvation Army is undoubtedly an international charity organization, with funds comparable to a billion-dollar organization, Trent Stamp of Charity Navigator has questioned the Salvation Army's religious exemption from Form 990 (a financial accountability report filed by most relief organisations).[26]

Australia

From 1940 through the 1970s the Salvation Army in Australia sheltered approximately 30,000 children. In 2006 the Australian Salvation Army acknowledged that sexual abuse may have occurred during this time, and issued an apology. In it, the Army explicitly rejected a claim, made by a party unnamed in the apology, that there were as many as 500 potential claimants.[27]

Russia

In December 2001, a Moscow court ruled that the Salvation Army was a "paramilitary" organization subject to expulsion. This ruling was later changed when clarification was accepted by the Russian government.[28] In October 2006, the European Court of Human Rights ruled the original decision illegal.[29]

Cultural references

 Lists of miscellaneous information should be avoided. Please relocate any relevant information into appropriate sections or articles. (May 2008)

Film

Main article: Salvation Army filmography
  • The Limelight Department of the Salvation Army was the first film studio in Australia (from 1898).
  • In the 1993 dark comedy Bad Boy Bubby, Bubby interacts with two members of the Salvation Army.
  • In the popular comedy film franchise Austin Powers, Dr. Evil states that Frau Farbinissa (the embittered Germanic associate of the franchise's antagonist) founded "the militant wing of the Salvation Army".
  • In the play and film adaptations of Guys and Dolls, an organization similar to the Salvation Army attempts to lure city dwellers to services and away from their sinful ways.

Music

Plays

  • In Bertolt Brecht's play Saint Joan of the Stockyards, Joan, the protagonist, is a Lieutenant of the Salvation Army.
  • George Bernard Shaw's play Major Barbara centres around the Salvation Army.
  • The musical Guys and Dolls features the Save-a-Soul Mission, a Salvation Army-like organization. The female lead Sarah Brown is a sergeant in Save-a-Soul.
  • In Denman Thompson's 19th century play, "The Old Homestead," the protagonist, Josh Whitcomb, encounters the Salvation Army on the streets of New York City. Having spent his entire life in a rural area, he has no idea what to make of them.

Television

  • Hallelujah! was a British TV sitcom from 1981 set in a Salvation Army citadel starring Thora Hird and Patsy Rowlands
  • The character Harold Bishop in the long-running Australian soap series Neighbours is a member of the Salvation Army.
  • An episode of The Goodies featured a spoof of the Salvation Army, which included recruitment films for it and the "Salvation Navy" and the "Salvation Airforce"
  • The Organisation is spoofed as the Salvation Marines in several episodes CW Sitcom Everybody Hates Chris
  • In an episode of My Wife and Kids, Tony Jeffers joins the Salutation Army, a religious organisation.
  • In an episode of Basil Brush, Basil hires the Salvation Army Brass Band to play some dramatic music but doesn't have enough money to pay for them. In the end, Basil is shown being threatened by a band member to take up the trombone'literally'.

See also

Other miscellaneous articles

Footnotes

  1. ^ a b http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/www_sa.nsf/vw-dynamic-arrays/2AF3956053A88A5E80256D4E003B4965?openDocument
  2. ^ http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/nra/lists/gb-2133-sa.htm
  3. ^ "Salvation Army". Spartacus Educational. http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/REsalvation.htm. Retrieved 2008-06-11. 
  4. ^ History of The Salvation Army - Social Services of Greater New York, retrieved Jan 30, 2007.
  5. ^ a b Cruz, Sarah J., "An Enduring Mission", Victorian Homes (Orange, CA: Action Pursuit Group) 27 (6): 68–72, December 2008, ISSN 0744-415X 
  6. ^ http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=pZ0_2XWXAsMC&pg=PA173&lpg=PA173&dq=outward+sign+inward+grace+salvation+army&source=bl&ots=ORGo95u_nW&sig=FfZZY63lPbffpZP_ZATLYuPvyso&hl=en&ei=-_WhSZPhGNSzjAfb1bDqCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result
  7. ^ http://www1.salvationarmy.org/heritage.nsf/0/fea4acf97c61102c80256a2200443120?OpenDocument&Highlight=0,doctrines
  8. ^ http://www1.salvationarmy.org/heritage.nsf/36c107e27b0ba7a98025692e0032abaa/4be78290d9a20b738025697c0051c5b2!OpenDocument
  9. ^ The Charities Americans Like Most And Least, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, December 13, 1996
  10. ^ http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq%5Cwww_sa.nsf/vw-new /7958C1CCF87904F780257506003F6037?opendocument
  11. ^ http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq%5Cwww_sa.nsf/vw-news/5BA6159F6534DD14802574320042DC34?opendocument
  12. ^ http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/www_sa.nsf/vw-news/50FF0C1B36DA1C208025759B004DF2E8?opendocument
  13. ^ "The Philanthropy 400". The Chronicle of Philanthropy: p. 10. October 30, 2008. 
  14. ^ Soldier's Covenant, retrieved December 8, 2006.
  15. ^ http://www1.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki%5Cwww_uki_ihc.nsf/stc-vw-sublinks/88C38CD01C4E9F518025747A003178D0?openDocument
  16. ^ http://www.sps-shop.com/ukt%5Cspnsshop.nsf/default.html
  17. ^ http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tartanDetails.aspx?ref=3647
  18. ^ http://www1.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki%5Cwww_uki_ihc.nsf/stc-vw-sublinks/8B36901CFBFAF7468025707B003CB1A4?openDocument
  19. ^ http://www.sacollectables.com/firsts.html
  20. ^ http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&File_Id=7575
  21. ^ Full list of NCVYS members
  22. ^ Rove Under Fire, Bush Aide's Involvement With Salvation Army Request Eyed - CBS News
  23. ^ No salvation from betrayal - Salvation Army hopes to reap millions by supporting George Bush policy on gays' rights - Brief Article | Advocate, The | Find Articles at BNET.com
  24. ^ Charity Is Told It Must Abide By Antidiscrimination Laws - New York Times
  25. ^ Salvation Army Uses Homeless To Fight Gay Benefits
  26. ^ Charity Navigator - "I Am Well Suited for the Job"
  27. ^ "The Salvation Army’s response to child abuse allegations". The Salvation Army. 2006-08-01. http://www.salvationarmy.org.au/media/statements/2006_child_abuse.asp. Retrieved 2009-03-15. 
  28. ^ http://www.culticstudiesreview.org/csr_news/csr_newsgrp/salvationarmy_2002_01_15.htm
  29. ^ "Russia's refusal to register Salvation Army is illegal, court rules". International Herald-Tribune. 2006-10-05. http://www2.stetson.edu/~psteeves/relnews/0610a.html. Retrieved 2009-11-20. 

References

  • Eason, Andrew Mark. Women in God's Army: Gender and Equality in the Early Salvation Army. Waterloo, Ontario, Canada: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 2003. ISBN 0-88920-418-7
  • A Hundred Years’ War:The Salvation Army 1865 – 1965 (Watson Bernard)
  • The History of the Salvation Army Vol. I (Sandall Robert)
  • The General next to God (Collier Richard)
  • God's Army: The Story of the Salvation Army (Brook Stephen)
  • McKinley, E.H. (1995). Marching to Glory: The History of the Salvation Army in the United States, 1880-1992. Eerdmans Pub Co. ISBN 0-8028-3761-1. 
  • Taiz, Lillian (2001). Hallelujah Lads and Lasses: Remaking the Salvation Army in America, 1880-1930. University of North Carolina Press. ISBN 0-8078-2621-9. 
  • Walker, Pamela J. (2001). Pulling the Devil's Kingdom Down: The Salvation Army in Victorian Britain. University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-22591-0. 

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