Founding Vision for a Future Army – Chapter 1: Identity Crisis

Founding Vision for a Future Army – Chapter 1: Identity Crisis

Before entering William Booth College in 2014, I read Founding Vision for a Future Army by Lieutenant-Colonel Alan Burns. Over a decade later, I have decided to return to the book. This time I approached it not as a candidate preparing for officership, but as someone who has spent almost ten years serving as a Salvation Army officer across five appointments in different contexts within the United Kingdom and Ireland Territory. With the benefit of personal growth, spiritual deepening, and ministry experience, I wanted to see how Alan’s writing would now resonate with me.

In the opening chapter, Alan writes:

“In my experience they are inextricably linked. Without spiritual renewal, mission will atrophy and die over time. Without mission, spiritual renewal is a self-centred indulgence that will not impact our world or society.”

This captures something that is woven into our DNA. As Salvationists, we are not called to holy huddles within our buildings. Our identity as saved and sanctified people must lead us into evangelism and practical ministry, meeting both the spiritual and physical needs of our communities. Salvation and sanctification are not ends in themselves but springboards into the mission of God.

I am deeply grateful for God’s saving and sanctifying work in my life. Though unfinished, I know I am a sinner saved by grace, continually shaped by God. For Salvationists, this is foundational: we are people who live in the fullness of God’s grace so that we might share it with others. As my Great Grandma would remind me every Sunday, “Daniel, we are saved to serve.”

Alan describes an identity crisis in The Salvation Army, pointing to debates around uniform-wearing and music styles. At the time he wrote, these conversations were prominent. Since then, however, I believe the emphasis has shifted.

Yes, discussions around uniform and music still surface, but in the communities I serve, our focus has moved toward something deeper:

• How do we live authentically in our calling?

• How do we proclaim “fullness of life for all with Jesus” in ways that are credible, compassionate, and Christ-centred?

• How do we work holistically with our communities to meet needs both physical and spiritual?

That shift, over just a decade, is both positive and encouraging.

Alan reminds us:

“…the identity of The Salvation Army lies in the sovereign work of the Holy Spirit.”

“…our identity as Salvationists lies in the fact that we are first and foremost disciples of Jesus.”

This strikes at the heart of what I we are all about. I have often expressed my desire for The Salvation Army to shift from being primarily a provider of social services to becoming communities of mission. Rather than relying heavily on institutional projects and contracts, I dream of radical local expressions where the whole person is supported and discipled.

For me, this means Corps being released to take responsibility for all mission in their community—including work with people experiencing homelessness. It means empowering local officers and leaders to lead, shape, and disciple their communities, with the local church recognised as the primary agent of mission.

But for this vision to become reality, we must look closely at our structures and systems. I don’t believe we have an identity crisis anymore—we know who we are and whose we are. Instead, I think our challenge lies in a system and structure crisis. How do we make our processes more agile, empowering, and enabling, so that local Corps are equipped to live out their missional calling?

Our vision—fullness of life for all with Jesus—is both a declaration of identity and an acknowledgment of our purpose. Alan asks: “Who are we? Get this right, and everything else will follow.”

I believe we are clear about who we are. Now, the question is whether our systems will allow us to live that out in the most Spirit-filled, mission-driven ways possible.

Perhaps you may want to reflect on this using the following questions:

1. How do I hold together spiritual renewal and mission in my own discipleship and ministry?

2. In what ways is my Corps or community already embodying its identity in Christ—and what holds us back?

3. What changes to systems or structures would most help empower local Salvationists to live out their calling to be the primary agents of mission?