ONE
Our First Name
Every corps or social service center has a first name – “The Salvation Army.” It is usually followed by the name of a city, and often, some other title gained over the years as a descriptor of its identity. The corps whose essence we try to spell out in this volume is The Salvation Army - Pasadena - Tabernacle.
It’s impossible to explore the ethic and ethos of a Salvation Army corps without a careful examination of the organization that defines its identity. The Salvation Army’s unique perspective on its role in society – on its mission – its music – its orientation to the complete message of the love and grace of Christ– its interpretation of the doctrine of holiness – its episcopal governmental structure based on a military metaphor – all these and many others make its expression of Christianity somewhat distinctive.
It seeks to be “moved with compassion” – compassion for the spiritually and temporally poor, destitute, disenfranchised and marginalized of the entire world. It wants to save them. Its goals seek to find, nurture and provide alternative choices for individuals who, along life’s journey, have strayed from the path of spiritual growth and become entangled in the undergrowth. It provides sustenance, support and inspiration for those pressing on with their pilgrimage. This support generates a consistent focus, a source of forgiveness, and tools for spiritual growth.
It works to facilitate a reconnection with God for those who have allowed themselves to become separated from Him– who have, in their journey, encouraged impediments of character. It looks for ways to rescue those who somehow find themselves isolated on the fringe of social fabric. The dimensions of the need for this “rescue” are not measured in dollars. There is nothing inherently sinful or redemptive about either wealth or poverty. All of us are enticed to ensnarement. The hungry and homeless, the destitute and despairing, however, present themselves with more basic survival needs that demand more immediate, and often, specialized attention. The Army recognizes this must be provided prior to the suffering individual being able to make a choice as to his or her relationship with God. In the words of General John Gowans, The Salvation Army seeks “to save souls, make saints, and serve a suffering humanity.”
It seems God has always wanted the Army located on the fringe of social need – close to a city-center – on the streets of the forgotten. God has always wanted the spiritually poor on our doorstep. God has always wanted Salvationists to be like Jesus – to be humanity’s servants – to confront aggressively the un-love, dis-grace and self-centeredness of the world’s status quo.
The Army is a prize-fighter in the ring of life – bobbing and weaving – shifting here and there – on the move – confronting the enslaving and degrading opponent at every opportunity. It is an army of salvation.
To describe something as an “army” implies that it embraces a military metaphor. Phil Needham states in his book Community in Mission (Campfield Press, St Albans. 1987):
This form of government has served the peculiar calling of the Army well. It has fostered decisive leadership, courage in times of trial, mobility, adaptability, focus of action and clear-cut goals. It has also encouraged lay participation; membership meant being a part of an Army at war; there was a role for every soldier to play.
Portraying the church as a missionary army implies some conclusions. Needham identifies as:
- The church cannot automatically identify itself with the world or with any particular culture.
- The description of membership as soldiership means that there is no room for passive membership.
- It must be mobile and flexible.
- Preparation for battle is the main concern of its internal life.
- Each member (soldier) must be prepared to lay his life on the line.
Needham goes on to suggest “inherent weaknesses in this, as well as every form of ecclesiastical government.”
When the battle wanes, or becomes more diversified, it is much more difficult effectively to involve soldiers. Gradually, leadership tends to be monopolized by a hierarchy of professional officers. Institutionalization brings greater preoccupation with the army itself and often diminishes the priority of the battlefield. (p. 50)
What appears to concern Needham, currently a territorial commander in the U.S.A. Southern Territory, is “the insidious pull toward rigid hierarchy and immobile bureaucracy.”
As we examine the Pasadena Tabernacle, past, present and future, it is helpful to explore our current status and our future goals in relation to some of the characteristics identified as essential to the meaning of our first name – The Salvation Army.
