Thank God For The Salvos: Red Shield Appeal 2011

This weekend (28th and 29th of May) is the annual Red Shield Appeal run by the Salvation Army. Affectionately known as the "Salvos", this church organisation has effectively blurred the lines between a denomination and a charity, to the extent that it could be argued that they have successfully united two perceived tensions in Christianity: faith and works.

The 2011 Red Shield Appeal advertised on
banners outside the Eureka Tower in Melbourne

The Salvation Army began in London, England in 1865 by a former Methodist minister and his wife, William and Catherine Booth. Modeled on the 'armour of God' referenced in Ephesians 6:10-18, the Booths established their volunteer organisation with the structure of a military rank-and-file hierarchy complete with uniforms, flags and marching band music. Right from the beginning, the Salvation Army specialised in ministering to the poor - best expressed by the three 'S' methodology: soup, soap and salvation.

Theologically, the Salvation Army is a mainstream protestant church with an evangelical bent. Some interesting highlights include their view of equality in ministry between men and women (quite an amazing position in the mid 19th century!), their decision to not include communion or baptism in the worship service and a refraining from alcohol. Doctrinally, the Salvos have 11 faith statements which provide foundation for their beliefs and most Christians would be in agreement with these basic tenets. However, one particular faith statement could provide an insight into the reasoning behind the Salvos persistence in charitable work:

We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ. [Statement 9] 

This is an interesting statement. Clearly they disagree with the once-saved-always-saved doctrine and there seems to be an inherent works-based attitude to salvation which may be a little too much for all the amazing-grace types. Biblically, this statement could be a reflection of the pervasive argument in the book of James:

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? ... [v26] As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
[James 2:14-26]

If this passage is their proof text for the ninth faith statement, then Jesus' parable of the Sheep and the Goats could be the basis for their methodology in demonstrating an "obedient faith":

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. 
[Matthew 25:35-36]

Today, the charitable work of the Salvation Army is enormous. They operate in 124 countries, have an expenditure of over US $2.4 billion and they are the second largest charity in the United States. In Australia, they help with disaster relief, emergency support, missing persons, clothing, pastoral care counselling, drug and alcohol counselling, training and education, employment services, disability services, crisis accommodation, as well as feeding and sheltering the homeless. Last financial year, they provided welfare services for over 80,000 Australians, while their overall work touches over 1 million Australians.

A damning report by the Salvos in the lead-up to the Red Shield Appeal reveals that 45,000 Australians are homeless on any given night, 25,000 families are homeless every night and 60,000 women and children need refuge from domestic violence each year. 2.2 million people, which includes 12% of children, are living in poverty. The Salvos hope to raise $79 million this appeal to maintain their social programs.