Salvation Army Seeks Input for New Territorial Vision Statement

August 10, 2020

Salvation Army Seeks Input for New Territorial Vision Statement

Territorial commander encourages all stakeholders to complete short survey.

As The Salvation Army continues to fulfil its mission of sharing the love of Jesus, meeting human needs and being a transforming influence in the communities of our world, we look to the future with great expectation. To help guide us as we strive for a better future, The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory is crafting a vision statement that will orient our movement in the direction God seeks to send us. Through this survey, which will capture the voices of people across Canada and Bermuda, we are listening for the vision God is casting across his Army. We are asking that you complete this short survey, once, as a means of making your voice heard.

Further, we are relying on you to help us share this survey across the territory. This survey is not intended only for staff, but every member of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda’s family. This includes staff, church members, volunteers, clients and donors. I ask that you share the survey link with your ministry unit through any means, such as email or social media posts, to help ensure the survey responses are diverse and widespread throughout the territory. The survey will remain open until midnight, August 19.

Thank you for your ongoing service and support.

Click here to fill out the survey: bit.ly/TerritorialVision.

Learn more about Mobilize 2.0—Inspired for Mission, Positioned for Growth, the next stage of a new territorial vision and strategic plan for The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda.

Photo of Commissioners Tracey and Floyd Tidd

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8 Comments | Leave a Comment

Comment

On Sunday, August 23, 2020, Concerned said:

With respect, Gail, I must take issue with some of the thoughts you have expressed. No one is trying to marginalize or deprecate the contributions of those in our corps who contribute in so many ways but have chosen not to become soldiers. The concern is that as the Army drifts more and more away from that which makes it distinctive and unique we risk becoming nothing more than an well intentioned charity.

I proudly signed the Articles of War. I promised to be a soldier, with all that commitment meant. Not merely a "member". And it is expressions such as "member" ( or my favourite, "community church" ) that have served to help"pablumize" the message of salvation the Army once preached that helped saved souls and fill our halls. Times change, of course, but the message and the Army's unique place in evangelical Protestantism should not. "Members"? "Community Churches"? "Pastors"? Why be an Army at all?

On Friday, August 21, 2020, Gail said:

I have thought over the last week, about the comments about Soldiers in the Corps, and that some Soldiers are 'upset' by being called 'members'. There are many members of TSA, soldiers, adherents and friends.....many adherents and friends are born again Christians who minister in our Corps in many many areas. I somehow have the feeling that there many be some 'soldiers' in Corps that don't either understand or, possibly accept that adherents and friends, can be born again Christians?? Is there a hierarchy in TSA? If individuals 'hear' the call - seek Him - and accepts His wonderful gift of new life, forgiveness, spiritual joy and peace and His presence through His Spirit, I find it difficult to understand why some may believe that a Soldier believes that they only are what keeps the Army doors open, and keeps the ministry of the Army fruitful. It may well be, that this type of thinking is why the Army is not growing....dare I say, as it should. The world needs Jesus so very very much.....one only needs look around to see the need.........and friends, adherents, soldiers, officers can all share the wonderful news about Jesus, our Lord and Saviour......let's not have a hierachy in this Army.......all for Jesus, no matter what your station. He invites all, He loves all, and we should welcome all. I too am a Soldier, when I read some of the comments, I am saddened. And if I have interpreted some of the comments wrongly, I ask your forgiveness, I pray I am wrong.

On Saturday, August 15, 2020, Imade otabor said:

As a body of Christ reaching out to the world through the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is the best gift of life.

On Friday, August 14, 2020, Jo-anne Laframboise said:

We need to be out and about as our founder said instead of safe in our Corps from the outside world. Many soldiers are soldiers to be part of a religious community. We need to see repentance and address the need for the Holy Spirit of the living God to lead us into winning the world for God. The preaching needs Holy Sprit anointing and sincere worship not just performing. It is time for revival. Bands in parks with evangelists praying for the community to receive the love Jesus has for them. To allow the Holy Spirit to heal the sick and wounded as we pray for them in the community. Change focus from inward to outward. We are failing the God we committed to serve. Newcomers to our nation need Jesus’s love not just a hand out at Family Services. 40 years ago we had ESL classes and added ethnic communities into our corps. This needs to be structured into corps lives once again so we can share the love of Jesus to the many middle easterners before they do it to welcome folks into their structures. REVIVAL NOW. RENEWAL BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Time to get with the mission Christ called us to “fishers of men”.

On Thursday, August 13, 2020, Jacqueline Swan said:

Agree with previous comments. I am a Soldier. Armies are equipped with uniformed soldiers, corps, citadels. Not adherents, members, community churches. We as soldiers are the church. Our Movement stresses Holiness as a way of life. We serve in the trenches not in the pews. Change is inevitable but our identity should remain the same.

On Wednesday, August 12, 2020, Louise Drew said:

I too found it strange to be known as a member instead of a Soldier. So what is our status?

On Wednesday, August 12, 2020, Concerned said:

I found it strange to fill out the survey as a "church member" of the Salvation Army. At one time the Army had "soldiers". Therein may be a representation of the very root of a number of our current issues

On Tuesday, August 11, 2020, William porter said:

Have someone read the book by Earl Stanley Jones, The Christ of the Indian road. A truly innovative way to present the gospel and equiping solders on how to present this gospel.