The Salvation Army officer

The Church of England has its vicars, and Roman Catholics have their priests. The Baptists have their pastors and the Methodists, ministers. All churches hold a different name to describe those who lead their churches. In the Salvation Army the minister is known as the officer. Officers are not ordained ministers, but are commissioned to preach the gospel and to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord. The whole idea of the commissioning of officers comes from the Scriptures, where Jesus commissioned His disciples to go into the world.

All officers undergo training, and in the United Kingdom this is based at the William Booth Memorial Training College, Denmark Hill, London.

In September each year, some people undergo residential training, and the cadets, as they are known, train for twenty months, before a commissioning ceremony is held in the May.

Training consists of many features, but what differs from other Bible colleges is that this college is training cadets for spiritual leadership, and not to be scholars of the Bible (although this is not discouraged). Training consists of biblical and doctrinal studies, as well as in depth teaching on pastoral ministry, mission, evangelism, ministry in the local church and other such areas.

Entry into the college is not easy. A great time of testing and many interviews lead up to that September when the training college becomes the cadet's home. The Salvation Army believes that its officers must be called by God, and that this will not be a job, but a vocation. Those who view it as a job will find it very hard at times because unless God is equipping one for the task then it is useless. Those who believe this could be the way forward for them have the opportunity of belonging to a group of people known as the vocational fellowship.

For those wishing to enter full time service as an officer, the corps officer is the first point of contact and he will inform divisional and territorial leadership that someone has shown an interest in becoming a leader in the Army. Interviews take place at divisional level, and these take place over a period of time. They gauge the growth of the spiritual life of those who apply, and try and discern if this is really the will of God. Goals are also sometimes set. However, interviews are never very easy.

Divisional headquarters, if believing this is the way forward for the candidate, informs the candidates department at territorial headquarters, to register this person for an assessment conference. This is a weekend which is held for those seriously desiring to be officers, and consists of interviews, worship, discussion, and sharing with others desiring to go the same way. There are a number of interviews, and at the end of the weekend those who have been interviewing get together to pray about the individual who have offered and to discuss recommendations for further acceptance.

If accepted, the person will now go through a number of studies, and also practical experience in their local corps and area.

Upon completion of a number of lessons, the case for this person will then go before the territorial candidates board who will give it the final approval or not. If approved this person then becomes known as a candidate for officership, and upon completion of lessons, can enter the training college. For some that process can take some years, for others not so long. Yet, at all times, it must be felt that this is the will of God.

Once commissioned as a Salvation Army officer, the whole world is a possibility for service. Leaders pray about where they believe God is needing that person, and the officer is appointed to serve God, and fight the way, in areas throughout the world. As leaders of a corps they are known as corps officers. As leaders of social service centres they may hold various titles which describe their responsibilities.

For five years, all officers hold the rank of Lieutenant, but upon recommendation, and a further time of study (during this five year period) the officer can be promoted to the rank of captain.

Officers not only lead corps. Some serve in a position at divisional headquarters, territorial headquarters and international headquarters. Other officers are based in social centres, or hospitals around the world. Officers can be appointed anywhere in the world, and to any role in which the Salvation Army leaders believe that the person is needed.

Above all, an officer is seen as a servant. All leaders within the Army make service to God and His people a priority. It becomes an exiting, yet challenging lifestyle, to come alongside people and be able to serve them and help them in so many ways.

Officership is open to men and women. William Booth, believed that ministry was for all, and so from the start of the Salvation Army, women were accepted as officers. He once said that some of his best men were women.

Today, officership continues to be a challenging, demanding, sacrificial, yet rewarding vocation.