Membership Pathways in The Salvation Army
Everyone is welcome to attend a Salvation Army corps and be part of the life of the church. For some, that journey leads toward a more formal expression of commitment as a friend, adherent, soldier, junior soldier or officer.
This page gathers helpful explanations, training materials, downloadable resources and next-step tools to support conversations about belonging, commitment and discipleship within the life of a corps.
Belonging, Commitment and Discipleship
Membership in The Salvation Army begins with salvation and a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. While anyone may attend worship services, receive support and participate in corps life, some people choose to take a more defined step of commitment within the church community.
These pathways help individuals explore what it means to belong, serve, worship and participate more intentionally in the mission of The Salvation Army.
Important Starting Point
- everyone is welcome in a Salvation Army corps
- membership is not required to attend worship or receive support
- formal membership grows out of faith in Jesus Christ
- those exploring membership should speak with their corps officer
Membership Pathways
These pathways show some of the ways people may connect with and commit to the life and mission of The Salvation Army.
Friends
Friends support the mission and ministry of The Salvation Army and may participate in worship, volunteering, giving and community life without becoming adherents or soldiers.
Adherent
An adherent is a Christian who considers a local Salvation Army corps to be their church home and wants to support its vitality through presence, participation and belonging.
Soldier
A soldier is a committed Salvationist, at least 14 years old, who has signed the Soldier’s Covenant and has been enrolled as a member of The Salvation Army.
Officer
An officer is a Salvationist who has been trained, commissioned and ordained to service and leadership in response to God’s call.
Junior Soldier
A junior soldier is a child or young person up to age 18 who has accepted Jesus as Saviour and signed the Junior Soldier’s Promise.
Helpful Terms
Soldier’s Covenant: the statement of beliefs and promises every intending soldier signs before enrolment.
Corps: a local Salvation Army church community gathered for worship, teaching, fellowship and Christian service.
Adherent Training Resources
This interactive four-lesson manual, produced by the Canada and Bermuda Territory’s Corps Mission Department, introduces the commitments of membership and explains what belonging to The Salvation Army means. It can serve as an entry point for adherency, an on-ramp to soldiership, or a helpful course for newcomers exploring corps life.
The material includes The Salvation Army’s history, culture, mission and local ministry context, along with supporting resources for leaders and participants.
Get to Know The Salvation Army
These short videos can help introduce key themes for those exploring membership, belonging and participation in the life of The Salvation Army.
Our History, Mission, Vision and Values
This introduction offers a helpful overview of The Salvation Army’s story, mission, vision and values, and how they shape our shared ministry.
Our Culture
This video explores the distinctive culture of The Salvation Army and the wider ministry story that members become part of.
Our Programs and Services
This overview introduces the breadth of Salvation Army ministry and service across Canada and Bermuda and highlights the mission impact of the territory.
Soldiership Resources
These resources support deeper exploration of Salvation Army doctrine, lifestyle, covenant and mission for those preparing for, considering or renewing soldiership.
Mobilized for Mission
This 11-lesson in-depth study by Major Brian Slous explores Salvation Army doctrine and practice. It includes five lessons on doctrine, three on Christian lifestyle and three on Salvationism.
The following downloads include English, French and Spanish versions. Please note the Leaders Notes for French and Spanish are included in the training manual.
To order print copies, please email: Trade North
Exploring Soldiership
This resource, published by partners in the Australian Territory, explores what it means to be a soldier within The Salvation Army. It integrates the eleven doctrines and the practical lifestyle commitments of the Soldier’s Covenant.
The course is designed for one-to-one or small-group use and is available in English and Chinese.
Battle Ready Soldiership Study (Youth Resource)
Battle Ready is designed to help teens explore Salvation soldiership through interactive training, deployment challenges and relationships with spiritually mature adults. It prepares young people to consider and live out the Soldier’s Covenant with confidence and conviction.
Senior Soldiers Day of Renewal
The Soldier’s Covenant is a sacred commitment. While the territory no longer sets a specific annual day of renewal, there is ongoing value in giving soldiers opportunity to review and renew their covenant in worship and corps life.
This updated renewal card can be downloaded and used at any time of year.
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions may help leaders, seekers and corps members better understand the purpose of these membership resources.
Do I need to be a member to attend a Salvation Army corps?
No. Anyone is welcome to attend worship meetings, participate in community life and receive practical help and support without being a formal member.
What is the difference between an adherent and a soldier?
An adherent identifies the corps as their church home and supports its life and vitality. A soldier takes a deeper formal step of commitment by signing the Soldier’s Covenant and being enrolled as a member of The Salvation Army.
Who should someone speak to if they want to explore membership?
Anyone exploring membership should begin by speaking with their corps officer, who can guide them through the most appropriate next steps and resources.
Can the adherent materials be used for newcomers?
Yes. The adherent training materials also work well as a course for newcomers who want to better understand The Salvation Army’s mission, culture and local church life.
Are there resources for youth exploring soldiership?
Yes. The Battle Ready Soldiership Study is specifically designed as a youth resource to help teens explore the Soldier’s Covenant and its practical expression.
Is there value in covenant renewal for senior soldiers?
Yes. Renewal opportunities can help soldiers revisit the sacred promises of the covenant and can also encourage others in the congregation to consider soldiership more intentionally.
Taking the Next Step
Whether someone is exploring belonging, beginning adherent training, preparing for soldiership or renewing a covenant commitment, these resources are here to support thoughtful conversation, discipleship and faithful participation in the life of the corps.
