Reflection on the Urgent Need for The Salvation Army in the United Kingdom and Ireland to Refocus

Reflection on the Urgent Need for The Salvation Army in the United Kingdom and Ireland to Refocus

In Mark 8:36, Jesus asks, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” I argue this warning resonates deeply with the opportunity The Salvation Army in the United Kingdom and Ireland is facing. While striving to meet human needs without discrimination, there is a real risk of The Salvation Army losing its distinctiveness as a Christian movement. Just as individuals may lose their spiritual essence while chasing external demands, so too may organisations, including The Salvation Army, lose their purpose if they fail to keep their focus on Jesus. 

The Salvation Army was born out of a radical, mission-driven vision. William and Catherine Booth launched the Army not to be just another charity, but a Christian mission, a salvation movement, one deeply committed to evangelism and the proclamation that salvation is found only in Jesus (Acts 4:12). Yet, there has been a concerning drift. The emphasis on charity and serving others has, at times, overshadowed the message of eternal hope found in Jesus. In some places, The Salvation Army risks becoming a well-meaning charity rather than a Christian movement of transformation.

To reverse this trajectory, urgent action is needed. As General Lyndon Buckingham’s global strategic framework calls for, the focus must be on people, mission, and legacy. Each of these pillars is rooted in the same core: The Salvation Army is first and foremost a Christian church. It exists to lead people to Jesus, while serving their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Without Jesus at the centre, even the most well-intentioned efforts are incomplete.

Reclaiming Distinctiveness and Purpose

Jesus made it clear in Matthew 28:19-20 that the Great Commission is to “go and make disciples of all nations.” This calling is not optional, nor is it secondary. The Salvation Army needs to ensure that it is distinctively Christian, visible, and uncompromising in its doctrine. While The Salvation Army serves thousands of people through its social services and community outreach, its ultimate aim must be to lead people to fullness of life in Jesus. This is where its uniqueness lies: not just in good works, but in offering hope that goes beyond this life.

Uniformed organisations like the Scouts, Girl Guiding, and Air Cadets demonstrate that structure, identity, and visibility are not obstacles to engagement. They offer a clear sense of belonging and purpose. The Salvation Army’s uniform, metaphors, and military structures are part of what sets it apart—they symbolise a committed, disciplined movement that is not just another service provider, but a people on mission for God. The Army must reclaim this identity, recognising that its uniform—which can come in many forms—is not a barrier, but a beacon. The Salvation Army needs to be visible. 

Urgent Call to Action

General Lyndon Buckingham’s framework highlights the need to refocus on mission—“people, mission, legacy.” These priorities align perfectly with the Army’s original mission and must guide its actions moving forward. 

- People: The Salvation Army must invest in building genuine relationships within the community, not just offering services but offering the gospel of Jesus Christ. The declining numbers in Corps show that more than charity is needed; we need the courage to invite people to encounter the living God.

- Mission: The Army’s mission must remain clear: the salvation of souls. All charitable efforts must flow from this, recognising that meeting material needs is crucial but must always point back to Jesus, the only source of life and hope.

- Legacy: The future of The Salvation Army depends on how faithfully it adheres to its calling today. If the Army compromises its message or tries to be all things to all people, it risks losing its spiritual potency and relevance. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:22, while becoming “all things to all people” was a way to connect with others, it was always with the ultimate purpose of sharing the gospel.

Conclusion: A Call to Boldness

There is an urgent need for The Salvation Army to refocus its efforts on being a Christian movement, uncompromising in its doctrine and clear in its mission. It must maintain a visible presence, both physically and spiritually, in the communities it serves. Buildings, uniforms, and voices must be bold and unashamed in proclaiming Jesus.

As Jesus warned the church in Revelation 3:1, “I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” The Salvation Army must not fall into this trap. Instead, it must renew its commitment to its spiritual mission, so that its deeds reflect its living faith.

The time for action is now. As we engage in theological reflection, it is clear that The Salvation Army must return to its roots, focused on salvation through Jesus, visible in its identity, and unwavering in its mission. Anything less risks the slow death of a once vibrant movement. But with renewed vision and commitment, The Salvation Army can flourish once again as a beacon of hope and salvation.

Count me in!