contents 3 Introduction 4-5 Environment 6-7 Human Genetic Engineering 8-9 Human Sexuality 10-11 Marriage 12-13 Poverty 14-15 Work
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his booklet contains six Salvation Army positional statements about a range of moral and social issues. These statements are guidelines for Salvation Army members. They are based on the Bible and from this The Salvation Army has expectations of how our officers (ministers of religion) and church members lead their lives. What is a positional statement? The Salvation Army defines what a positional statement is like this: A positional statement briefly sets out the view of The Salvation Army on a relevant moral or social issue. The statement should clearly state the gospel values and principles upon which The Salvation Army takes its stand. Positional statements are published for the guidance of Salvation Army members and for the information of the general public.* Positional statements are prepared in the UK by The Salvation Army’s Moral and Social Issues Council (MASIC). They are submitted to The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters for approval and are then issued – with the authority of the General (international leader of The Salvation Army) – for use in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. We hope that these statements help you better understand The Salvation Army’s viewpoint and explore these issues further. * (O & R for Officers, 2.1.12)
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What is The Salvation Army? The Salvation Army is a worldwide Christian church and registered charity. Working in more than 125 countries, The Salvation Army demonstrates God’s love through offering practical and spiritual support and friendship to people of all ages, backgrounds and needs.
providers of social services in the United Kingdom. The Salvation Army’s mission is to help transform lives and communities, offering hope to those who feel they have little to hope for. It supports and cares for the most vulnerable in society, fights for social justice and speaks out for those who have no voice.
How did it start? In 1865 a Methodist church minister called William Booth and his wife, Catherine founded the movements which became The Salvation Army. They felt called to take God’s love to the streets and help the poor and needy. The Salvation Army set up cheap breakfasts for children, shelters for homeless people, soup kitchens and then a whole programme of social reform. By the time William Booth died in 1912 its work had spread to 58 countries.
What do local Salvation Army churches do? Our churches (we call them ‘corps’) and community centres offer a range of activities and services within local communities. People can get involved by attending church services and community activities or getting involved with volunteering in their work.
What does The Salvation Army do today? Today The Salvation Army is one of the largest, most diverse
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The Salvation Army has approximately: 1,150,000 members 16,000 churches 410 centres for homeless people 250 hospitals and clinics 220 children’s homes 180 homes for older people
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environment T
he Salvation Army’s concern for the environment arises from moral and biblical convictions. We acknowledge God as Creator, Preserver and Governor of the universe. All creation belongs to him(1) and he is pleased with all he has made(2). He is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, relational in his triune nature. His purpose is that every part of creation, including human beings, should exist in harmonious relationship with him as Creator and with every other part of creation. In fulfilling this purpose, creation rightly brings praise and glory to God(3) and his handiwork inspires wonder and humility(4) As human beings uniquely made in the image of God, we are called to be co-workers with him in his creative and sustaining activity.(5) In caring for his creation we recognise that ultimately we are responsible and accountable to God. We should use wisely the Earth’s resources he has entrusted to us for future generations. God’s command to ‘work’ the Earth and ‘take 4
care of it’ implies service and watchful care on our part.(6) The biblical command to humanity to ‘subdue’ and ‘rule over’ every living thing should not be misinterpreted as justifying abuse of the Earth’s resources(7) Individually and collectively, humanity’s response to God’s creative purpose is mixed – sometimes productive and caring but sometimes unrestrained, ignorant and sinful. Affluence provides opportunities for positive choices which sustain and protect the environment. Negative choices of wastefulness, unrestrained consumerism or financial systems that put profit before the needs of people can all contribute to environmental damage. This is evident in the pollution and degrading of the environment and the exploitation of people and resources. Consequences can fall disproportionately and unjustly on poorer nations whose poverty may be both the cause and a result of environmental damage. God’s loving purpose for his entire creation never ends.
arises – comes up from moral – concerning what is right and wrong convictions – firmly held beliefs preserver – one who maintains/protects something triune – three-in-one harmonious – existing together in harmony humility – modesty or respect sustaining – keeping something up, maintaining something responsible – having a duty to do something accountable – answerable to someone implies – suggests something subdue – be in control of something collectively – many people acting as a group unrestrained – not controlled affluence – abundant supply of money sinful – describes things that are harmful to yourself or to others consumerism – the practice of an increasing consumption of goods exploitation – taking advantage of an individual or group for your own gain disproportionately – a way or manner that is out of proportion unjustly – unfairly reconciliation – reestablishment of a relationship liberating – setting free compelled – forced to do something implications – consequences social justice – when members of a community work for the equality and rights of all oppressed – being consistently unfairly or cruelly treated consumption – the act of consuming something energy conservation – reducing the amount of energy used
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It is the mission of Jesus to bring healing, wholeness and reconciliation to broken lives and a broken world.(8) The Bible looks forward to the renewal of the Earth through the liberating energy of the Holy Spirit at work in people and in creation.(9) The Salvation Army is compelled by love for God and for humanity and is concerned about the implications of environmental damage on future generations as well as the present. It speaks out for social justice and for poor and oppressed people; also, for responsible management of the Earth’s resources which sustains the environment while protecting and improving the quality of human life. As an organisation it has in place a policy of good environmental practice.10) Individually, everyone is encouraged to take small but far-reaching steps which any individual can take to help care for, protect and repair the environment. This begins with changed priorities and a simpler lifestyle. Practical actions may include reducing consumption, use of environmentally friendly products, waste reduction and recycling, energy conservation, ethical purchasing and ethical investment. In these and other environmentally sustainable ways, we can show our love for God and for his creation. www.salvationarmy.org.uk/schools
Footnotes
1. ‘The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters’ (Psalm 24:1-2). 2. ‘God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning – the sixth day’ (Genesis 1:31). 3. ‘The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them’ (Psalm 19:1-3). 4. ‘When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what are mere mortals that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?’ (Psalm 8:3-4). 5. ‘Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created human beings in his own image, in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them’ (Genesis 1:26-27). 6. ‘The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it’ (Genesis 2:15). 7. ‘God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground” ’ (Genesis 1:28). 8. ‘For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross’ (Colossians 1:19-20). 9. ‘The creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God’ (Romans 8:19-21). 10. The Salvation Army United Kingdom Territory (UKT) Environmental Policy (29 June 2010).
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human genetic engineering
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he Salvation Army reaffirms its belief that the grace of God is at work in his creative purposes and that through Christ and the Holy Spirit we understand and encounter the world. We believe all human beings have unique and intrinsic value, being made in the image of God, our creator,(1) and therefore they should be treated with compassion and justice.(2) The genes inherited from our parents influence our physical features and personality traits. Genetic engineering is concerned with altering the characteristics of cells or individuals by artificially modifying or manipulating their genes. Human genetic control might also be exercised by means of cloning, artificial selection of types or selective breeding. These measures have been advocated for a variety of reasons, ranging from the eugenic to the prevention or treatment of hereditary disease. Clearly some new technological projects offer the prospect of exciting benefits. Accordingly The Salvation Army supports 6
research carried out on adult, or umbilical cord, stem cells. With these principles in mind, we welcome gene therapy for individuals but advise caution regarding the reprogramming of germ-line cells – a process that would affect succeeding generations. However, many proposals and procedures using genetic engineering present a number of ethical concerns. All human life, including that of the embryo, should be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of sex, economic status, racial origin, or physical or mental ability.(3) The Salvation Army rejects, therefore, any goal or procedure that undermines its beliefs concerning the worth of humankind and the nature of God,(4) whose loving, relational character provides the pattern for human relationships and family life. In particular, we do not support the production or use of embryos as a commodity, as spares, for gifting, exchange, commercial profit or for research. Likewise it is morally unacceptable to carry out procedures on embryos to determine preferred physical
genetic engineering – scientific alteration of the structure of genetic material in a living organism re-affirm – state something again intrinsic – belonging to a thing by its very nature justice – fair treatment artificial – made by humans; manufactured rather than natural modifying –changing the form of something advocated – argued in favour of something eugenic – relating to improving a population by controlled breeding hereditary disease – a disease that is inherited genetically stem cell – an unspecialised cell that gives rise to a specific specialised cell, such as a blood cell gene therapy – the treatment of certain disorders, especially those caused by genetic anomalies or deficiencies, by introducing specific engineered genes into a patient’s cells embryo – human offspring in the early stage, following conception up until the end of the eighth week economic status – the position someone is in regarding their income and wealth commodity – something that could be bought or sold commercial profit – profit made through sale of commodities non-therapeutic – not relating to the medical treatment of a disease or condition usurp – to take over replication – a copy of something procreation – the act of creating children naturally
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characteristics, skills, mental ability and personality traits or for eugenic or any other non-therapeutic purposes. We consider the pursuit of these objectives would adversely affect attitudes towards people with disability, as well as having implications regarding healthcare for those who do not conform to certain norms. The Salvation Army does not condone practices that threaten the integration of social relationships reflected in marriage and family life. Therefore it does not support human reproductive cloning which, in biblical terms, is a form of idolatry by means of which human beings attempt to usurp the rightful place of the CreatorGod.(5) Cloning encourages the trend towards treating children as commodities. It is replication rather than procreation and therefore threatens personal uniqueness and family relationships. Similarly, in wanting to uphold the intimate, exclusive bond of marriage, The Salvation Army counsels against the use of donated sperm or ova. However, it understands the distress often caused by childlessness and will readily offer pastoral support in such circumstances. Scientific developments that are not strictly monitored and regulated can be dangerous, and although some procedures are technically possible there are spiritual, moral and ethical reasons why they ought not to www.salvationarmy.org.uk/schools
Footnotes
1. ‘So God created human beings in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them’ (Genesis 1:27). 2. ‘Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy’ (Proverbs 31:9). ‘Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations’ (Matthew 12:18). 3. ‘My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favouritism. Suppose someone comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor person in filthy old clothes
also comes in. If you show special attention to the one wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the one who is poor, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts’ (James 2:1-4). 4. Being created in the image of God endows humankind with worth and value, see 1 above; also 1 John 4:8. 5. ‘For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him’ (Colossians 1:16).
be undertaken. Therefore we urge the appropriate authorities to control research and the use of genetic engineering in a way that takes full account of the true nature of human ‘being’ and family life.
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We also recommend that anyone involved in genetic research should have the right, without fear of discrimination, to withdraw from research programmes on moral, ethical or religious grounds. Procedures such as the eugenic use of embryos treat human life as imperfect material that we might legitimately mould and upon which we may impose our will. This approach is unacceptable, for we reject the attitude of disrespect for humankind that is sometimes implied. We do not despair of the future of humanity, but instead live in a hope that is grounded in Christ Jesus. 7
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human sexuality
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uman sexuality is part of God’s creation and as such it is good(1) and to be celebrated.(2) Like the rest of creation and human life, the use of our sexuality can fall short of God’s intentions and be misused. (3) Human sexuality includes a mix of identity, feelings and behaviours that are not always fully understood by the individual concerned or by society as a whole. Sexual identity is widely accepted to be unchosen by the individual. The Salvation Army believes that it is wrong to discriminate against anyone in the provision of goods and services, and social and pastoral care because of their presumed or declared identity.(4) The Salvation Army endorses biblical teaching which sees humans as responsible for their behaviours, including behaviour resulting from sexual feelings however powerful.(5) Sexual behaviour is wrong when it lacks consent from either partner, or is undertaken with people 8
unable to give fully informed consent (children and vulnerable adults), or when it involves violence or coercion. The Salvation Army teaches that sexual acts should take place only in a monogamous heterosexual marriage, believing that this reflects God’s intentions for sexual behaviour and provides the best environment for raising children. Marriage is a covenant between God and wife and husband, ideally providing resources of grace, forgiveness and love to sustain a lifelong faithful relationship.(6) Loving relationships that can support human flourishing will involve commitment, communication, consent, forbearance, forgiveness, respect and faithfulness. For those who do not share Christian beliefs we advocate a state-recognised marriage characterised by mutual loving commitment and shared responsibility within a relationship.(7)
discriminate – treat unfairly social care – caring for someone’s welfare pastoral care – care for people and their personal situations endorse – approve/ support coercion – to bring something about through force or threat monogamous – being married to only one person at any given time heterosexual relationship – a relationship with someone of the opposite sex covenant – a spiritual and sacred commitment sustain – to keep something up / maintain something consent – permission forbearance – selfcontrol advocate – argue in favour of something condemn – strongly disapprove exploitation – taking advantage of an individual or group for your own gain safeguard – ensure safety/protection of vulnerable – in need of special care or protection
We condemn all exploitation of sexual behaviour and feelings. This includes www.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/masic
all types of sexual abuse, pornography and prostitution. We endorse the work of those who support people whose lives have been damaged by the abuse of human sexuality. The Salvation Army takes seriously policies to safeguard children and vulnerable adults.(8)
Footnotes
1. See Genesis 1:27-31. 2. ‘Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned’ (Song of Solomon 8:6-7). 3. ‘To the woman he said, “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you’ (Genesis 3:16). 4. International Mission Statement of The Salvation Army: ‘The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based upon the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in his name without discrimination.’ 5. See 2 Samuel 12:1-24. 6. See Matthew 19:1-9.
7. ‘And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. If we say we love God yet hate a brother or sister, we are liars. For if we do not love a fellow believer, whom we have seen, we cannot love God, whom we have 9 not seen. And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love one another’ (1 John 4:16-21). 8. The Salvation Army’s child protection and best practice policy and procedures are contained in the Safe & Sound manual. Every adult working with children must agree to endorse and adopt the relationship parameters and best working practices contained within the policies.
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marriage M
arriage has existed in some form throughout human history. The Salvation Army endorses the view that marriage should be much more than a legal union or a contract. Christians see marriage as a covenant relationship,(1) a gift from God(2) and a calling. (3) Marriage is part of God’s creation plan for human blessing and flourishing. Its purpose is to provide loving support and companionship, to facilitate emotional, intellectual, spiritual and sexual fulfilment and to secure the foundation of family life.(4) The Salvation Army’s Articles of Marriage(5) express the intentions of Salvationists as they enter into marriage. The Salvation Army believes that God ordained marriage to be an exclusive and lifelong relationship between one man and one woman which is characterised by mutual submission, respect, selfgiving love, faithfulness and openness to each other. It is a holy relationship, sanctioned and blessed by Christ.(6) 10
For Christians the lifelong commitment of marriage is affirmed in vows freely, joyfully and publicly exchanged and celebrated in the supportive presence of witnesses – God, family, friends, the church community and the state. Familiar promises echoed in The Salvation Army’s marriage ceremony, ‘for better or worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part’,(7) clearly express the covenantal nature of marriage. However, human imperfection and sinfulness may make it difficult to reach the goal of lifelong faithfulness. The Christian ideal of marriage is compromised by breakdown, separation and divorce, cohabitation, forced marriage, same-sex partnerships and polygamy. The Salvation Army does not condemn or abandon people who fall short of the ideal. Rather, in God’s name, it seeks to offer support, reconciliation, counsel, grace and forgiveness. Where marriage irretrievably
endorse – approve/ support covenant relationship – a spiritual and sacred commitment exclusive – not shared with others mutual submission – putting the interests of each other before your own affirmed – agreed with sinfulness – doing things that are harmful to yourself or to others compromised – having settling for something less than you originally wanted cohabitation – unmarried couples living together polygamy – having more than one husband or wife at the same time reconciliation – re-establishment of a relationship irretrievable – difficult or impossible to recover permitted – allowed bear witness to – show that something is true maintenance –keeping up something pastoral care – care for people and their personal situations
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breaks down and results in divorce, remarriage by a Salvation Army officer may be permitted, following careful counselling. In seeking to uphold marriage, The Salvation Army bears witness to God’s plan and purposes for human society. It believes the state has a duty to provide a just and legal framework to support the status of marriage and to encourage the maintenance of secure and happy family life. For its part, The Salvation Army seeks to fulfil its own duty to nurture marriage by biblical teaching, pre-marriage preparation classes, marriage enrichment seminars and skilled, compassionate pastoral care.
Footnotes
1. ‘You ask, “Why?” It is because the Lord is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant’ (Malachi 2:14). 2. ‘I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that’ (1 Corinthians 7:7). 3. ‘Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches’ (1 Corinthians 7:17). 4. ‘God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground”’ (Genesis 1:28). ‘That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh’ (Genesis 2:24). 5. ‘We do solemnly declare that, although we enter into this marriage for reasons of personal
happiness and fulfilment, we will do our utmost to ensure that our married status and relationship will deepen our commitment to God and enhance the effectiveness of our service as soldiers of The Salvation Army. We promise to make our home a place where all shall be aware of the abiding presence of God, and where those under our influence shall be taught the truths of the gospel, encouraged to seek Christ as Saviour, and supported in the commitment of their lives to the service of God. We declare our intention to be to each other, by the help of God, true Christian examples, and, through times of joy, difficulty or loss, to encourage each other to “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ”.’ (The Salvation Army, 1989, Articles of Marriage, London: The Salvation Army International Headquarters). 6. ‘Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate’ (Mark 10:9). 7. The Salvation Army, 1989, Articles of Marriage, London: The Salvation Army International Headquarters.
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poverty T
he Salvation Army is a worldwide evangelical Christian church and believes all people are created by God in his image and as such should be valued and treated with dignity and respect.(1) The failure of people to recognise the worth of others has led to injustice and suffering.
relationship with one another. Therefore, everyone with whom we have dealings becomes our ‘neighbour’ and we must love our neighbour as ourselves.(5) Jesus affirms that anything we do for ‘one of the least of people’ we do for him,(6) demonstrating that our response to others is an integral part of our response to him.
The Bible, in the Old Testament, reveals that God acts to deliver the oppressed. He is concerned for justice, brings freedom from oppression and demonstrates a special concern for the poor and their suffering.(2) God makes clear that he requires the whole community to defend the cause of those who are vulnerable.(3)
The Christian Church aspires to live out the reality of God’s new order. It works in God’s name to bring release to people in need. The Church is made up of both rich and poor, living together as the Body of Christ, learning from one another. Having itself received the grace and generosity of God, the Church seeks to exemplify that generosity.(7)
The New Testament record shows Jesus repeatedly identifying himself with poor and marginalised people and preaching liberty to the oppressed.(4) This is an essential part of the ‘new order’ Jesus proclaimed, and challenges the view that people living in poverty are of lesser importance. Jesus teaches that all people are in
The Salvation Army was founded within poor communities. It identifies with and includes the poor, seeking to meet physical, material, emotional and spiritual need. However, The Salvation Army recognises it is society’s responsibility to ensure that everyone has access to adequate resources, services and opportunities. It is necessary
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evangelical – with beliefs and teaching founded on the Bible injustice – unfair action or treatment oppressed – unfairly or cruelly treated in an ongoing manner vulnerable – in need of special care or protection liberty – freedom integral – essential Body of Christ – collective members of the Christian Church responsibility – a duty to do something. alleviation – removing a burden economic – to do with the production and distribution of wealth humanitarian aid – the provision of help in areas where there has been a natural or manmade disaster stewardship – caring for the Earth and its resources advocating – arguing in favour of something empowering – equipping someone with the ability to do something stigmatised – labelled as bad holistically – in every area of people’s lives
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to safeguard basic human rights to food, shelter and clothing, the right to economic initiative, productive work, just wages and decent working conditions. The Salvation Army is committed to the alleviation of poverty through humanitarian aid and long-term development in those parts of the world in which it is present. It acknowledges its responsibilities towards others and the need for good stewardship. The Salvation Army in the UK and the Republic of Ireland is committed to addressing the needs of people living in poverty and stands in solidarity with the poor by: • Defending the right of people living in poverty to play a full part in their communities; • Advocating that poorer nations should have the opportunity to participate fully in political and economic activity and debate on an international level; • Speaking out for the needs of the poor when government and corporate policies could cause greater poverty, and also ecognising and encouraging positive initiatives; • Supporting activities that can alleviate the economic burden for people living on a low income; • Recognising and responding to the particular needs of ethnic and other minority groups who are particularly affected by social and economic disadvantage; • Implementing and encouraging the provision of education and vocational training, empowering the poor to help themselves out of the poverty trap; www.salvationarmy.org.uk/schools
Footnotes
1. ‘So God created human beings in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them’ (Genesis 1:27). 2. The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called mighty oaks, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendour’ (Isaiah 61:1-3). See also Isaiah 58:6-9. 3. ‘For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from
oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight’ (Psalm 72:12-14). See also Micah 6:8 and Nehemiah 5:1-3. 4. Luke 4:18-21 quoting from Isaiah 61:1-2, see 2 above. 5. ‘The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these’ (Mark 12:31). See also Luke 10:29-37. 6. ‘The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’ (Matthew 25:40). 7. During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the believers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul’ (Acts 11:27-30). See also 2 Corinthians 9:6-15.
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• Listening to, learning from and building relationships with vulnerable groups to ensure people are not stigmatised by their circumstances, but are assisted holistically. The Salvation Army recognises that it has a corporate responsibility to live out the gospel and Christ’s call to care for the poor, and it encourages individual Salvationists to share in the discharge of that responsibility according to their means. 13
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work T
he Salvation Army believes that work, at its best, is an offering of time, service and creativity to God and the community. (1) Good work reflects the justice and righteousness of God’s Kingdom(2) and his continuing purpose in creation. Its characteristics include: Dignity – both work and worker have a genuine value to society and workers should be treated with respect. Mutuality – workers should willingly give an account of their actions, and employers should fulfil their duty of care toward workers. Livelihood – paid work should result in sufficient income and leisure time for a healthy life, giving opportunity to learn and to make provision for events such as illness, unemployment and retirement.(3) Work needs to be part of 14
the rhythm and balance of a full life,(4) with time for rest, reflection and relationships.(5) The Salvation Army advocates the biblical principle of keeping one day a week free from work to maintain a healthy work/life balance.(6) All good work, including that carried out by carers, parents and volunteers, is to be valued as service to God and neighbour.
justice – the right thing, the fair thing righteousness – the condition of being morally right, without sin give an account – give a description sufficient – enough make provision – give space, time, resources for something advocate – argue in favour of something vocation – a call to do or be something integrity – good moral character, honesty covenant – a special agreement exploitative – taking advantage of someone for your own gain discriminatory – unfairly treating a person or group dignity – feeling of self-worth
The Salvation Army depends upon the unpaid work contributed by its members and volunteers and seeks to make it ‘good work’.(7) Everyone has a God-given purpose in life in which we are called to live in a way most appropriate to the gifts and opportunities provided by God,(8) and for some this means being called to the distinctive vocation of full-time Christian ministry(9) Salvationists are expected to work with integrity as an expression of their covenant with God. www.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/masic
Exploitative and unfair discriminatory employment practices are unacceptable as they fail to recognise the value and dignity of every individual. The Salvation Army takes seriously its legal and ethical responsibilities as an employer, contractor, purchaser and investor. It seeks to support those experiencing difficulties related to work or lack of work.
Footnotes
1. In preparing this statement we have drawn upon the CTBI 1997 Report, Unemployment And The Future Of Work, which represents an ecumenical understanding of work. See also Ephesians 6:7 2. ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled’ (Matthew 5:6). See also Romans 6:23 and Ephesians 2:8–10. 3. “Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, his upper rooms by injustice, making his subjects work for nothing, not paying them for their labour. 14 He says, ‘I will build myself a great palace with spacious upper rooms.’ So he makes large windows in it, panels it with cedar and decorates it in red.15 “Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He did what was right and just, so all went well with him. 16 He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?” declares the LORD. 17 “But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain,
on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion’ (Jeremiah 22: 13–17). 4. ‘Six days you shall labour and do all your work’ (Deuteronomy 5:13). 5. See Genesis 1:1 - 2:4. 6. ‘Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns’ (Exodus 20:9-10). See also Matthew 12: 12 and Mark 2: 27-28. 7. See definition of ‘good work’ in the second paragraph in particular dignity and mutuality. 8. See Matthew 25: 14-30. 9. While some are called to full-time Christian ministry as officers, The Salvation Army believes that there is not a hierarchy of spiritual priesthood, but that within each person’s God-given purpose in life Christians have the responsibility of being faithful witnesses to his salvation. See also 1 Peter 2: 9.
Images courtesy of: Kev-shine, Saad Akhtar, Cybrarian and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District, Starmanseries (all images have been altered) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/legalcode
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For more information about The Salvation Army or schools resources please contact: Schools and Colleges Unit 020 7367 4706 schools@salvationarmy.org.uk For more information about the Positional Statements take a look at: www.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/masic Registered Charity No 214779, and in Scotland SC009359 Republic of Ireland: Registered Charity No CHY6399