Two new Salvation Army books have now been printed and shipped to ministry units across the Canada and Bermuda Territory. The books, Called to be a Soldier and Day by Day, explore the possibilities and opportunities of life as a Salvation Army soldier. They received a worldwide launch at an event led by General Brian Peddle at International Headquarters in July. Additional resources from territorial headquarters will be released in the months ahead to help Salvationists utilize and engage with these books.

Called to be a Soldier – Exploring the Soldier’s Covenant is the long-awaited successor to Chosen to be a Soldier (also sometimes known as Orders & Regulations for Soldiers). Compiled with the support of the International Theological Council, the book’s easy-to-read content focuses in turn on each of the statements of intention that form the Soldier’s Covenant by outlining the possibilities and opportunities of life as a Salvation Army soldier. The covenant is set in the context of Salvationist theology and practice, showing how the promises made in response to God’s call are also Articles of War – a set of regulations which guide the conduct of an army.

Published as a companion to Called to be a Soldier is Day by Day – Call to Mission, written by Commissioner Robert Street, which considers what following Jesus looks like now and asks: Is it different? Is it essentially the same as always? Or both?

Basing its considerations on General Peddle’s Call to Mission, Day by Day addresses these questions and encourages readers to come up with their own answers, either as individuals or using the content as a basis for group discussion and study. The main purpose, writes Commissioner Street, is to ensure that Jesus and his teaching are always at the heart of our endeavours.

The General has decided that every Salvation Army soldier around the world should have the opportunity to own a printed copy of the books, which contain spaces for notes and personal thoughts. Both books will be available in more than 50 languages and dialects, ensuring as many soldiers as possible can journey together in exploring the implications of soldiership.

At the book launch event, General Peddle explained that Called to be a Soldier and Day by Day provide opportunities to "reconnect what it means to be a soldier," adding that the time had come to move away from soldiership being a "rite of passage" or simply an obligation. "We will be able to serve others with authenticity," he declared.

"I am asking," he challenged, "that all soldiers make themselves available and sacrificially share in God’s mission in the world … I celebrate that, in the midst of a great spiritual warfare, God is doing a new thing – and he calls us to join him in mission. The call is amazingly great and its significance is enormous."

He concluded: "May God bless every soldier and each engagement in his mission to win the world for Jesus."

With reporting by Kevin Sims
IHQ Communications
International Headquarters

Watch below as General Peddle introduces the books: