Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing: The Core Mission of The Salvation Army

Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing: The Core Mission of The Salvation Army

In the United Kingdom and Ireland Territory, five countries increasingly marked by complexity and change, it's easy for organisations to lose sight of their foundational purpose. This is true even for well known movements like The Salvation Army, often applauded for its charity work but often not known for being a denomination of the Christian church. From supported accommodation for people experiencing homelessness and care homes for older people to support for people who experience poverty and marginalisation, the impact of The Salvation Army on society is profound and undeniable. Yet, amidst this broad array of support and services, it is crucial for us to remember the primary role of the Church and The Salvation Army: to preach the Good News of the Gospel.

The Centrality of the Gospel

The very essence of The Salvation Army's mission is encapsulated in its commitment to ‘saving souls’ and ‘growing saints’; in the United Kingdom and Ireland, this mission is pinpointed in the vision of ‘fullness of life for all with Jesus’. This is a mission and vision rooted deeply in the teachings of the Bible, particularly in the powerful words of Acts 4:12: “Salvation is to be found through Jesus alone; in all the world, there is no one else whom God has given who can save us.” These words serve as a guiding beacon, reminding us that our principal objective is the salvation of individuals and communities. The Gospel message has to be central—there is no plan B. 

The Risk of Mission Drift

This has been written about often recently. As The Salvation Army engages in various forms of social service, there is a real risk of mission drift. Mission drift occurs when an organisation slowly shifts its focus from its original purpose, often due to the pressures and demands of its environment. For The Salvation Army, this could mean allowing the commendable work of externally contracted social services to overshadow the equally important work of sharing the Good News and nurturing disciples of Jesus. While helping and serving people is a vital expression of Christian love, it must not replace the primary mission of proclaiming the Gospel message of salvation.

Keeping the Focus on Salvation

To prevent mission drift, The Salvation Army must consistently realign its activities with its core mission and vision. This involves several key strategies:

1. Prioritising Sharing the Good News and Nurturing Disciples of Jesus: Every programme and project should have clear evangelistic and discipleship components. Whether through direct preaching, personal witness, pastoral care, chaplaincy, or Christian education programmes—like Core Recovery—the message of salvation through Jesus Christ must be central.

2. Training and Equipping Members: Officers, soldiers, adherents, and friends of The Salvation Army should be well-trained and equipped to share the Gospel effectively. This includes understanding the theological and doctrinal foundations of salvation and practical skills in evangelism and discipleship. This is especially important for senior leaders, both officers and employees. 

3. Evaluating Programmes for Alignment: Regular evaluation of programmes and activities is essential to ensure they align with the primary mission. This may involve asking tough questions about whether certain initiatives are helping or hindering the goal of sharing the Good News and nurturing disciples of Jesus. Some programme will need to end, some will need to be maintained, and some will need to be started.

4. Maintaining a Prayerful Focus: Prayer is vital in maintaining focus on the primary mission. Seeking God’s guidance and empowerment helps keep the movement grounded in its spiritual roots.

Serving Suffering Humanity: A Byproduct of Salvation

It is important to understand that serving suffering humanity—or to use the current phrase, ‘serving others without discrimination’—is not in opposition to the mission of salvation; rather, it is a natural outflow of it. When individuals experience the transformative power of Christ’s love, they are compelled to serve others. This service, in turn, acts as a powerful testimony to the Gospel, drawing more people towards salvation.

The Salvation Army’s extensive work in community work and social services is immensely valuable and deeply rooted in the Christian tradition of compassion and service. However, we must never forget that these good works are a byproduct of our primary mission: to save souls (share the Good News) and grow saints (nurture disciples of Jesus). By keeping the main thing the main thing, The Salvation Army can avoid mission drift and remain faithful to its calling to preach the Good News of the Gospel, ensuring that all people have the opportunity to experience the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

In a world in desperate need of hope and redemption, let us boldly proclaim, as Acts 4:12 affirms, that “Salvation is to be found through Jesus alone; in all the world, there is no one else whom God has given who can save us.”