Summary
The Salvation Army is a religious and charitable organization seeking to meet the physical and spiritual needs of hurting individuals. The structure of The Salvation Army is worldwide in scope. The International Headquarters establishes general policies and is located in London, England. In the United States, the functions of The Salvation Army are coordinated under the direction of a National Commander. The financial information for this profile includes the programs and operations of The Salvation Army National Corporation (National Headquarters) only. National Headquarters provides administrative services to four Territorial Headquarters (Western, Central, Eastern, and Southern Territories) of The Salvation Army in the United States. In the United States, The Salvation Army also comprises of a sixth major organization: "Salvation Army World Service Office" (SAWSO). SAWSO promotes community-based initiatives that improve living conditions and increase skills in poor communities. William Booth founded the early stages of what was to be known later as The Salvation Army in 1852, in England. The Salvation Army's U.S. service began in 1880 and was first incorporated in 1899, in the State of New York.
Contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Salvation Army is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability(ECFA).
Contact Information: [ Back to top ]
| Mailing Address: | 615 Slaters Lane P. O. Box 269 615 Slaters Lane
Alexandria, VA
22313-0269 |
| Website: | www.SalvationArmyUSA.org |
| Phone: | (800) 725-2769, (703) 684-5500 |
| Email: | You need to enable javascript to see the email |
Organization Details [ Back to top ]
EIN: 222406433
| CEO/President: |
National Commander Israel L. Gaither |
Tax Deductible: |
Yes |
| Chairman: |
National Commander Israel L. Gaither |
Fiscal Year End: |
September 30 |
| Board Size: |
61 |
Financial info from: |
|
| Founder: |
Mr. William Booth |
Member of ECFA: |
Yes |
| Year Founded: |
1865 |
Member of ECFA since: |
1999 |
The Salvation Army is a religious and charitable organization seeking to meet the physical and spiritual needs of hurting individuals.
The structure of The Salvation Army is worldwide in scope. The International Headquarters establishes general policies and is located in London, England. In the United States, the functions of The Salvation Army are coordinated under the direction of a National Commander. Headquarters are located in Alexandria, Virginia. The financial information for this profile includes the programs and operations of The Salvation Army National Corporation (National Headquarters) only.
National Headquarters provides administrative services to four Territorial Headquarters (Territories) of The Salvation Army in the United States. In the United States, The Salvation Army also comprises of a sixth major organization: "Salvation Army World Service Office" (SAWSO). SAWSO promotes community-based initiatives that improve living conditions and increase skills in poor communities, focusing on four areas: (1) Village-based health care projects (including HIV/AIDS) providing education and treatment; (2) Community development programs provide counseling, literacy education, leadership development, elderly programs, and women's support groups; (3) Income generation program includes skills training and small loan programs; and (4) Relief and reconstruction aid is provided to those affected by disasters.
For administrative purposes, the nation is divided into four territories:
West, with headquarters in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
Central, with headquarters in Des Plaines, Illinois.
East, with headquarters in West Nyack, New York.
South, with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.
Territories are made up of smaller units known as divisions. There are 40 in the United States and each is headed by a divisional commander. Divisions are made up of corps community centers. The functions of each corps include religious and social services that are adapted to local needs. Each corps is under the supervision of a commanding officer who is responsible for the administration of Army services in his or her command.
Nationwide uniformity of policy is the responsibility of the Commissioners’ Conference whose membership includes the national commander, the four territorial commanders, the national chief secretary and the four territorial chief secretaries. Standing commissions study Salvation Army programs and procedures and then make recommendations to the Commissioner’s Conference.
Advisory organizations comprised of lay business people and civic leaders perform a valuable service by providing advice, support, and acting as liaison between The Salvation Army and the community. A National Advisory Board of prominent Americans makes its recommendations to the Commissioners’ Conference.
The Salvation Army is a member of many religious and social welfare agencies and associations. Legally, each of the four Salvation Army territories in the United States functions as a tax-exempt corporation with the national commander as president.
William Booth founded the early stages of what was to be known later as The Salvation Army in 1852, in England. The Salvation Army's U.S. service began in 1880 and was first incorporated in 1899, in the State of New York.
Contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Salvation Army is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability(ECFA).
The Salvation Army expresses its mission statement as follows:
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
Program Accomplishments [ Back to top ]
Statistical Highlights for fiscal year ended September 30,2002
Centers of Operation:
Corps 1,355
Outposts and Service Center 15
Rehabilitation Centers 162
Thrift Stores 1,697
Community Centers & Clubs 351
Day-Care Centers 212
Senior Citizen Centers 327
Group Homes/Temporary Housing 554
Permanent Residences 90
Medical Facilities 55
Service Units 3,784
Camps 51
Other 478
Total Centers of Operations 9,314
Personnel:
Officers 5,450
Cadets 328
Soldiers 118,270
Members 472,871
Employees 46,145
Volunteers 4,670,450
Advisory Organization Members 63,592
Group Meeting Attendance:
Outdoor Meetings 338,531
Sunday School 2,859,147
Sunday Meetings 5,612,828
Weekday Public Meetings 2,326,868
Soldier Development 641,155
Group Activities 12,256,251
Music Organizations 905,565
Other 6,967,201
Total Group Meeting Attendance 31,957,541
People Served:
Basic Social Services 21,626,320
Holiday Assistance 5,897,922
Summer & Day Camps 186,467
Disaster Assistance 5,733,394
Persons Visited in Institution 4,322,527
Job Referrals 61,837
Correctional Services 488,589
Community Centers 1,199,891
Day-Care Persons Served 58,897
Activities for Senior Citizens 514,897
Substance Abuse Rehabilitation 220,111
Persons served in Salvation Army Insti. 1,132,872
Medical Care 83,491
Institutional Care 4,322,527
Missing Persons 209,104
Total Persons Assisted 42,250,740
Services:
Meals Served 60,620,697
Lodgings Supplied 10,246,371
Welfare Orders--Cash Grants 6,286,202
Statement of Faith [ Back to top ]
The Salvation Army expresses its statement of faith as follows:
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 who are 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 toward 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.
In 1865, William Booth, an ordained minister with the Methodist New Connection, along with his wife Catherine, formed an evangelical group which preached to unchurched people living in appalling poverty within London's East End.
Booth's ministry recognized the interdependence of material, emotional, and spiritual needs. In addition to preaching the Gospel, Booth became involved in the feeding and shelter of the hungry and homeless and in alcohol rehabilitation.
Booth's ministry, originally known as the Christian Mission, became The Salvation Army in 1878 when that organization evolved on a quasi-military pattern. Booth became "the General" and officers' ranks were given to ministers.
The Salvation Army has functioned successfully within that unusual structure for more than a century. Its outreach has been expanded to include 103 countries and the Gospel is preached by its officers and soldiers in 160 languages.
The basic social services developed by William Booth have remained an outward visible expression of the Army's strong religious principles. In addition, new programs that address contemporary needs have been established. Among these are disaster relief services, day care centers, summer camps, holiday assistance, services for senior citizens, hospitals and medical facilities, shelters for battered wives and children, family and career counseling, vocational training, correctional services, and drug rehabilitation.
This organization has not offered MinistryWatch.com with specific needs to be posted on the profile. At such a time that MinistryWatch.com receives a response from the ministry, it will be posted immediately.
Research Analysis
Transparency Grade [ Back to top ]
| Transparency Grade of : A |
| Criteria category | Grade | Other Comments |
| Timeliness: | 90 | 6/14/2005 10:59:18 AM: Organization made financial information available between 5 ½ and 6 ½ months after their fiscal year end. |
| Financial Information: | 100 | 6/15/2005 5:43:24 AM: Organization provided all financial information requested. Information was clear and thorough. 6/15/2005 5:41:44 AM: Organization provided all financial information requested. Information was clear and thorough. 6/14/2005 11:39:32 AM: Organization provided all financial information requested. Information was clear and thorough. |
| Foundational Clarity: | 100 | 3/30/2006 12:24:58 PM: Descriptive information was abundant and thorough. |
| Level of Cooperation: | | |
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MinistryWatch.com’s Take
February 2005
By J. Andrew Preslar
The Red Shield of Hope
Many images come to mind when the Salvation Army is mentioned: volunteers ringing Christmas bells outside of your local supermart, “Sallies” serving fried doughnuts and coffee to soldiers in the trenches of WWI (cf., the Hollywood film, Fires of Faith), Thrift stores, and, above all, the Red Shield – the emblem of the Salvation Army. The Red Shield symbolizes the Salvation Army’s war/soldier motif – the war is against poverty, abuse, and disaster; the soldiers are those people who dedicate themselves to serve as a shield of hope, protecting and serving people in need (the symbolism of the Red Shield operates on many levels: red for the heart [love], for soldier’s blood [personal sacrifice for a cause]; the shield representing faith to withstand adversity [Eph. 6:16], etc.).
Onward, Christian Soldiers
The Salvation Army (USA) is a Christian organization which describes its mission in the following manner: “The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in his name without discrimination.” The Salvation Army implements this mission by means of a wide variety of programs. These programs are designed to minister to basic and specific human needs, including: recovery programs, counseling, a wide variety of social work, disaster relief, spiritual instruction (e.g., pastoral counseling, Bible studies, and worship services), and recreational opportunities. The Army is, as its name indicates, organized along the lines of a military agency. Military titles are used to designate various levels of leadership and involvement (e.g., commander, officer, soldier), and a military-like discipline is required of employees – both professionally and personally.
Some people might be surprised to learn that the Army is an evangelical organization. This is not due to the organization’s mission statement (above), which is clearly evangelical, but to the Army’s non-aggressive approach to integrating explicit Gospel content into its implicitly Gospel-driven programs. In what follows, we will look at: (1) the Salvation Army’s organizational structure, (2) its programs, and (3) the Army’s view of how specifically Christian teaching (including evangelism) is related to and integrated with its humanitarian work.
The Chain of Command
The Salvation Army’s broad policies and regulations, those principles which supervene on all of the organization’s operations, are issued from the Army’s international headquarters in London, England. In the U.S., a national commander and national chief secretary serve in coordinating capacities relative to the four territories (Eastern, Southern, Central, and Western) into which the U.S. branch of the Army is divided. The territory commanders operate under the guidelines set down by the international headquarters. This structure provides for a unanimity of purpose and helps to regulate practice among the many corps community centers – the ministry hubs of the Salvation Army. This structure does allow for local leadership to make adjustments to allow for the conditions of each community.
There are various levels at which people can be associated with the Army. Membership positions include: Adherents – those who consider the Salvation Army their church home. Soldiers – those who agree to volunteer for service in Army programs, and must sign a statement of faith (Wesleyan-Arminian) and conduct. This includes the pledge to abstain from alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. Officers – these individuals are full-time workers in the Army. An officer must complete a two-year, in residence training program before being placed into service. Officers are ordained ministers who have “dedicated their lives, skills, and service completely to God.” A Salvation Army officer who chooses to marry must marry another officer or else leave the service. Promotion is based upon length of service, performance, and character. Opportunities for non-members to take part in the Army’s work are available through volunteer positions. The Salvation Army, U.S.A. currently employees over 40,000 people, with a total of 450,000 persons being involved in membership positions. Over three million people served as Army volunteers in both 2003 and 2004.
Marching On to War
The Salvation Army’s war is against poverty, disease, homelessness, abuse, and spiritual darkness – in general, those ills which plague human beings. The Army is committed to fighting for the welfare of the whole person, body and soul. To this end, the organization has developed a host of programs which minister to the needs of men, women, children, and families. These programs include:
- Adult Rehab Programs: The Salvation Army operates the largest resident substance abuse program in the U.S., with 119 Adult Rehab Centers currently in operation, helping thousands of people in their personal battles with substance abuse. These centers are self-supporting, receiving no government funding.
- Thrift Stores: Substantial funding for the Army’s rehab program is raised by means of Thrift Stores. Most people are familiar with the way a Thrift Store operates. Materials (furniture, clothing, etc.) are donated to the Army by the general public and then sold at low cost. The Army has recently begun to receive and process donations on-site at the stores themselves (as opposed to separate warehouses). In addition to raising funds for the Army’s rehab program, Thrift Stores serve the Army’s humanitarian aims by providing low-income families with a means of obtaining quality used goods at a minimal cost.
- Women’s Programs: The Army ministers to unwed mothers in a variety of ways, including: emergency shelter, counseling, vocational guidance, day-care, and providing access to adoption services.
- Camps: The Army operates a number of summer camps which are attended by more than 10,000 men, women, and children each year. The various camps are designed to reach out to people from all walks of life, providing them with the opportunity to relax, learn, fellowship, and develop special skills (e.g., the Army’s music camps).
- Christmas: The Army is well-known for its Christmas fundraising efforts. Charitable donations go towards providing underprivileged families with food, clothes, and gifts which help them to keep the spirit of the season.
- Disaster Relief: The essence of the Salvation Army is perhaps best displayed through its disaster relief program. Often the first people to arrive on the scene in the wake of disaster, Army officers and trained personnel bring physical, emotional, and spiritual aid to persons in dire need. The Army’s disaster response teams are well-coordinated, with numerous volunteers “on call” and ready to supplement the work of officers. The relief work of the Army was a key source of humanitarian aid and recovery efforts in New York City in the wake of the 9/11 attack at the World Trade Center.
- Senior Citizen Programs: The Army supports and aids our senior citizens in various ways. These include: a nursing home visitation program, hot meals programs, and planning retirement developments.
- Prison Outreach: The Army reaches out to inmates via its League of Mercy program, a visitation program which provides inmates a source of fellowship and instruction. The Army has also developed a work-release program whereby inmates are released directly to the Army to serve at an adult rehab center. Army officers and volunteers reach out to inmates through leading worship and praise services in prisons and jails.
- Youth Programs: The Salvation Army is serving the youth of America in a number of ways. Through an Army corps community center, young people have access to Sunday school classes, music classes, wholesome recreational activities, help with homework, etc. In general, a corps community center is a safe haven where kids can find direction, support, and encouragement. Because of the dedication and loving work of employees and volunteers, Army youth programs have helped numerous young people complete their education and build a foundation for success.
- Centers of Worship: For many people, the Salvation Army is their home church. The Army is a full-fledged denomination in the Wesleyan-Arminian tradition. More than six million people attended Sunday Meetings at the Salvation Army in 2003.
Presence Evangelism
So what kind of organization is the Salvation Army? Its mission statement clearly states that the Army is “an evangelical part of the universal Christian church,” and that “its mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” Taken at face value, these statements seem to indicate that evangelism is at the heart of the Army’s mission. On the other hand, a perusal of the Army’s programs reveals that evangelistic outreach is not among them. If an organization does not have a distinctly evangelistic program, is it legitimate for that organization to describe its mission as one of evangelism? According to the Army, the answer is yes. Although not officially engaging in evangelistic outreach per se, the Army maintains an evangelistic presence in the world by means of its humanitarian work.
The Army calls its strategy of Christian witness “presence evangelism.” Presence evangelism is distinct from a mere “social gospel” in that the former acknowledges the need for salvation through a personal response of faith to the historic Gospel, while the latter seems to reduce salvation to a social phenomenon, wherein the truth of the Gospel is concerned more with economic and social justice than with personal salvation. The Army is, therefore, theologically conservative. It is not, however, “pushy” in its witness. The practice of presence evangelism often entails that the Christian worldview be revealed implicitly at first, by means of showing Christ-like love to people in need. The Army’s social work is an attempt to meet genuine, temporal needs. In so doing, the Army hopes to awaken in people a desire to address their personal problems in a way that involves the deep questions of the heart. This prepares the individual for the Bible’s message of forgiveness of sins and spiritual renewal. Presence evangelism is designed to allow for spiritual “deliberation and counsel” in a more voluntary and less vulnerable context than is provided for in more overt forms of evangelism.
The Army’s services are available to anyone in need, “without discrimination.” No string is attached to the humanitarian work of the Army, such that aid is withdrawn if a person is not interested in the organization’s spiritual message. The Army’s services are not, in this sense, conditional. Spiritual counseling is available for those who indicate interest. The Army also provides Bible-based counseling for believers who desire such. In addition, anyone is welcome to seek spiritual instruction by attending the organization’s worship services and other religious meetings (the Army has over 1,300 worship centers featuring weekly services and Bible studies). People who have experienced the love of Christ through one or another of the Army’s humanitarian programs may indeed be inclined to do just that.
In summary, it seems that the Army’s strategy of presence evangelism helps to bring Gospel truth and Gospel love together. This is accomplished by means of a total mission designed to minister to the whole person. This approach, if it is to be genuinely evangelistic, eventually must include explicit Gospel proclamation, but allows for such proclamation to take place in the context of trusting relationships forged by caring and personal involvement in the lives of people. In our opinion, the philosophy of ministry and ministry programs endorsed by the Salvation Army are consistent with its mission statement and serve to advance that mission.