Salvationist Dynamics: Part 6 

by Colonel Richard Munn 

This 10-part series explores tried and trusted “pleasant tensions” matched together in The Salvation Army. Far from being feared or avoided, they give us dynamism: Salvationist dynamics. 

Part 6: User-Friendly and Quasi-Military  

In 1878 something magnificent happened when the Christian Mission became The Salvation Army. After 13 years of unremarkable progress, the dramatic change of name heralded an explosive time of growth and mission. The official history book records “its destiny was fixed — the whole organization became dominated by the name.”  

It has been that way ever since. 

While quasi-military organization infers accountability, duty, regimen, and deportment, our movement simultaneously invites “the whosoever,” and then deploys user-friendly strategy in preaching, music, architecture, public relations, and much more. 

On the one hand we have a vigorous covenant and Articles of War for membership; on the other we have only 11 doctrines, collected in an accessible and readable “handbook.” Photographic records of ceremonies, commissionings, sessions, and musical ensembles across the world will depict crisp military precision, while corps groups, youth councils, and service centers will reliably include an eclectic range of characters and personalities. 

Understandably, this unique pleasant tension sometimes carries with it perplexing moments. Our in-house jargon can often get in the way of effective communication, our denominational expectations can become burdensome, and a two-tier congregational infrastructure can subtly begin to operate with those who are in, and those who are out. 

Nevertheless, a God-given Army genius is the healthy and concurrent presence of both an upward call to disciplined spiritual formation and an easy and understandable call for all to join in. 

The dynamism is communicated by the apostle Paul, who writes openly about God “who wants all people to be saved” (1 Timothy 2:4) and yet elsewhere exhorts “Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:3). 

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