Our Structure
William Booth’s Christian Mission was functioning as an army even before becoming ‘The Salvation Army’ in 1878.
William Booth’s Christian Mission was functioning as an army even before becoming ‘The Salvation Army’ in 1878.
Since its earliest days, the Christian Mission adopted military insignia and terminology to represent the battle being waged against poverty and sin. This was very much in keeping with popular Christian themes at the time, reflected in well-known hymns of that era such as ‘Onward Christian Soldiers! With the name change in 1878, many more Salvationists began using military phrases, many of which continue today. Uniforms, flags, and brass bands began to appear, and by October 1878, the first volume of Orders and Regulations for The Salvation Army was required reading for Salvationists.
Members & Clergy
In keeping with the military structure, Salvation Army church members are known as ‘soldiers’, while clergy are known as ‘officers’ who hold varying ranks. Soldiers worship at their local corps (church) and mostly wear a uniform although, unlike officers, they usually only wear it during Sunday worship or whilst attending Salvation Army activities. Many people worship at The Salvation Army without becoming soldiers, and without wearing uniform.
In keeping with the military structure, Salvation Army church members are known as ‘soldiers’, while clergy are known as ‘officers’ who hold varying ranks. Soldiers worship at their local corps (church) and mostly wear a uniform although, unlike officers, they usually only wear it during Sunday worship or whilst attending Salvation Army activities. Many people worship at The Salvation Army without becoming soldiers, and without wearing uniform.
Those holding positions of leadership within the corps are called ‘local officers’. Such positions include leadership of the band, songster brigade (choir), or other groups. Local officer positions are voluntary, unpaid, and are open to both men and women.
Salvation Army officers are full-time ministers of religion, trained and commissioned (ordained) by The Salvation Army. Their work involves all the usual duties of a minister, and can also include diverse roles in Salvation Army social service programs or administration.
Officers have different ranks and wear uniform whenever they are ‘on duty’. (See chart.)
The world leader, or General, is elected from amongst the most senior Salvation Army officers in the world. (A group known as the High Council) – made up of Salvation Army Commissioners and some Colonels in Territorial positions – is summoned together for this purpose when necessary.
Officers have different ranks and wear uniform whenever they are ‘on duty’. (See chart.)
The world leader, or General, is elected from amongst the most senior Salvation Army officers in the world. (A group known as the High Council) – made up of Salvation Army Commissioners and some Colonels in Territorial positions – is summoned together for this purpose when necessary.
Ranks in The Salvation Army
Administrative Structure
The administration of The Salvation Army is top-down in true military style, with all positions except that of General being held by appointment. The General directs Salvation Army operations in more than 128 countries of the world through the administrative departments of International Headquarters (IHQ) in London, which are headed by International Secretaries.
The administration of The Salvation Army is top-down in true military style, with all positions except that of General being held by appointment. The General directs Salvation Army operations in more than 128 countries of the world through the administrative departments of International Headquarters (IHQ) in London, which are headed by International Secretaries.
The Chief of the Staff, a commissioner appointed by the General to be second-in-command, is the Army’s chief executive whose function is to implement the General’s policy decisions and effect liaison between departments. As well as the handling of day-to-day business and the allocation of resources, IHQ is concerned with strategic, long range planning and acts as a resource centre for the worldwide Army and as a facilitator of ideas and policies.
For administrative purposes, The Salvation Army around the world is split into territories, commands, and regions according to their size. Usually each country forms a single Salvation Army territory or command, but some where the Army is strong numerically are divided into two or more territories. Territorial leaders are called Territorial Commanders (usually Commissioners in rank, sometimes Colonels). The leader in Taiwan is known as the Regional Commander and is directly responsible to International Headquarters.
He/she is based at Regional Headquarters where he/she is assisted by various other officers and staff responsible for overseeing the various branches of Army activity.
He/she is based at Regional Headquarters where he/she is assisted by various other officers and staff responsible for overseeing the various branches of Army activity.
A corps is The Salvation Army equivalent of a church, and often acts as a community centre. Each corps is
led by a Corps Officer who is responsible to the Regional Commander. There are currently 5 corps in Taiwan. In a location where the Army’s work is being carried out and where it is hoped to be a corps, it is called an outpost. There is currently 1 outpost in Taiwan.
led by a Corps Officer who is responsible to the Regional Commander. There are currently 5 corps in Taiwan. In a location where the Army’s work is being carried out and where it is hoped to be a corps, it is called an outpost. There is currently 1 outpost in Taiwan.