Officers, soldiers and adherents
Everyone is welcome to attend a Salvation Army church and be part of our faith community without making any formal ongoing commitment.
Some people choose to make a more formal level of commitment as an officer, soldier or adherent of The Salvation Army.
Officers
Officers are the equivalent of full-time clergy in other Christian denominations. Officers undergo rigorous training before being ordained. After ordination they are appointed to various roles around The Salvation Army, which could include church leadership, social programs, or management according with their skills and experiences.
The Salvation Army is committed to the ordination of both men and women. Single men, single women and married couples can all apply to become officers.
A person must be a soldier of The Salvation Army before they can become an officer.
Soldiers
Soldiers of The Salvation Army are Christians who have undertaken a specific covenant (or promise) regarding lifestyle and beliefs.
They are not employed by the Salvation Army, although they may take on paid positions by applying through conventional means.
Soldiers are eligible to wear The Salvation Army uniform, however this is not compulsory. Soldiers are part of a Salvation Army corps in their local area.
Soldiers testify that:
- they worship God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit
- they have accepted Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord
- they are committed to the work and mission to which Christ has called The Salvation Army as part of His church
- they believe in the Bible as the word of God
- they agree with The Salvation Army’s doctrines.
They also declare:
- they will be responsive to the Holy Spirit and seek to grow in grace
- they will make the values of the Kingdom of God the standard for their lives, showing Christian integrity in their deeds, maintaining Christian ideals in their relationships, and upholding the sanctity of marriage and family life.
- they will be faithful stewards of all they have and are
- they will abstain from the use of all enslaving substances and harmful activities
- they will be active in God’s work both in sharing the Gospel and in serving the needy, and will contribute financially to its support
- they will be true to the principles of The Salvation Army.
Adherents
Adherents are Christians who also pledge to support their local Salvation Army corps. While not entering into a Soldier’s Covenant, an adherent declares that they
- Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and seek to follow Him
- Participate through worship, fellowship and service at a local Salvation Army corps
- Identify with the mission of The Salvation Army