Paul's Salvation Army Page

So why did I join the Salvation Army? I suppose the simple answer is because my parents were members - and their parents, and their parents. But that's not really the answer, because lots of people grow up in salvationist families without joining: Christian faith can't be inherited. So why did I join?

There are at least two answers to that question: And the first has to do with culture and upbringing. The SA has it's own culture, it's own lifestyle. For most of my childhood and teenage years, the rhythm of the week was dominated by the Army calendar. Songsters (choir) on Tuesday, Band-practice Thursday, two services and Sunday-School on Sunday. No alcohol, no smoking, no swearing, no gambling. We didn't talk about Jesus all day - but still, it was taken for granted that Christian Faith was as natural as breathing. Growing up in that atmosphere, you could do one of two things: You could reject it all, protest about the restrictions, and finally stop going. Or you could join in.

So I joined in. The Army culture is part of my culture, and even though both I and the Army have changed since the 70's, I still feel more at home there than anywhere else. I like the way we worship, with no liturgy, but still a certain dignity. I like brass bands (!) and choir music (I also like Pink Floyd and Deep Purple, but that would be a different article). I like the fact that I can travel the world and instantly feel at home more or less anywhere simply because I'm a Salvationist.

But still - the cultural side is really fairly superficial. And as I discovered, "the Army Lifestyle" is quite different in Norway than it is in England, even though most of the outward trappings are the same. I suppose "culture and upbringing" could be answers to "Why the Salvation Army and not some other church?" But then the question is - why belong to any church? Why not join the Wicca who are so well represented in this part if Geocities?

Well: Because I think they've got it wrong. Because, culture aside, I have come to believe that God has revealed himself to us in Jesus Christ. I believe that he has revealed himself in other ways, too, if we're looking. But Christ is the most complete revelation that God has given us - Christ is the Word of God. And in Christ, the divine and human nature have truly met for the first time.

And, believing that God knows each one of us by name, I also believe that he wants me to serve him in the part of the Church called the Salvation Army. Perhaps I would feel differently if my parents had been Methodists - but they weren't, so we'll never know. At any rate, Salvation Army or no, I couldn't imagine not belonging to a church, or getting by in my life without the knowledge of the love of God.

So there you are - no flashing lights or angelic visitations. But a deep awareness of God's loving presence; a conviction that the Holy Spirit guides me, puts me right, and generally helps me along; and a desire to share this experience with others. If you want to know more about the Salvation Army, then now would be a good time to check out the Salvation Army international website - you may be surprised! Or why not look at The Basics for a quick look at Christianity.

God bless you!