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Identity Crisis

Mon 12th Jun 2006 2 comments

patchworkSalvo.jpg

Music, uniform and terminology shape our sense of who we are. But does the world need to understand us or Jesus?

In the 1980s, Salvationists passionately debated whether or not The Salvation Army was a church. During the 1990s concerns revolved around our music, giving rise to the term 'worship wars.' The latest controversy seems to involve questions about our 'identity.' While I believe these debates are mainly focused around surface issues, there is a common thread that is worthy of our consideration.
The issue of identity was one of the main discussions at the territorial symposium last year. Input was gathered from a broad spectrum of soldiers, officers and friends of The Salvation Army. How do we deal with our distinctive stripes? What do we keep and what do we shed? The issue proved to be the most divisive of the symposium themes.

Identity has two sides. The first is our identity as a denomination. What makes us different than the Baptists, Lutherans or any other 'community church'? Is it our uniforms, music, church governance, military model or social service component? The second side of our identity issue, and one which needs more consideration, is the image we generate as an organization in contemporary culture.

Singing a Different Tune
When we think of the first aspect of identity-what makes us different as a denomination-most of us would classify music as a major distinctive. From our inherited Methodist hymns to the music penned by our Generals, we sing words and melodies that are unique to us. From this music we have learned theology and a philosophy of ministry that has shaped our values and mission. Many people feel a profound pride in this heritage.

Can we meld other kinds of music and retain our distinctive theology? I remember a retired officer questioning our choice of songs at an officers' retreat. There was a panic in her voice as she asked what had happened to the great words and music of Albert Orsborn and Charles Wesley. Are there distinctive 'flavours' of worship that we need to guard? Can we be both distinctive and relevant?

Uniform or Sunday Suit?
Along with music, the Army uniform has been one of our defining characteristics. The image of the Salvationist working his way through the smoky pub on a Saturday night has long been the hallmark of a mission that went out to the people, rather than waiting for them to enter the hallowed halls of our 'citadels.' Unfortunately, that image seems to be waning quickly from the minds of Salvationists.

Some argue that the uniform has become something of a 'Sunday suit' that gains people entry into various corps units, mostly musical. Is it still a useful icon for a 21st-century Army? Or does it deserve to be returned to its origins in a Victorian England?

Recently, while on a hospital visit, I found myself in my 'working uniform'-dress pants and a golf shirt with the words 'The Salvation Army' clearly embroidered on it. A woman in the elevator saw those words and engaged me in a discussion about her sickly mother. She extended immediate trust because she knew our values and actions. I wonder if she would have recognized my Army connection if had I been dressed in a navy uniform jacket with no identifying words? She recognized The Salvation Army as a helping organization, but would she have recognized the formal uniform?

Watch Your Language
The final example of 'internal icons'-those things with which Salvationists identify most-is our distinctive language. If you listen to any group of Salvationists, you will need to know the Army jargon and abbreviations to keep up with the dialogue. Any closed group has its own language and we are no different. Although difficult for outsiders to decipher, our terminology brings a unique flavour and richness to our Army world.

Do we need to change the language or explain ourselves? In many instances we have already adopted the language of other churches. We now refer to the sanctuary, not the senior hall. We take up the offering, not the collection. Our people form small groups, not soldiers' meetings. We are encouraged to attend prayer groups, not knee drill. Language has a powerful way of shaping culture.

The Amish of the 21st Century
The second side of our identity issue is how we are viewed in contemporary culture. Is the Army seen as God's representative or just a place to get a good bargain on a dress or a suit? Do those funding us recognize the spiritual motivation behind what we do? Would they worship with us and consider Christ because our love for the Saviour burns bright? How does the average Canadian view us, if there is an average Canadian?

Our culture has shifted enormously. I remember my days as a school boy in the 1960s, scampering home to Mom during 'lunch break' in a Mayberry-like town in northern Ontario. Today, however, children learn online, live in multi-parent homes and experience a multicultural mix that is vastly different than in my day. If the context of our ministry has changed, then how we view ourselves and, more importantly, how we are viewed, must change too.

During his inaugural days in leadership, General Paul Rader warned that we were in danger of becoming the Amish Mennonites of the 21st century. For those who live north of Kitchener-Waterloo, Ont., the site of horse-drawn carriages making their way along the shoulder of Highway 86 carrying passengers adorned in black is not unusual. No change for these fearless people despite the prevailing winds. In the name of 'godliness' they preserve a way of life and a distinct identity in stark contrast to predominant social lifestyles of modern society.

In Tune With Culture
From the territorial symposium came the cry to be in tune with culture, not to preserve a way of life in contrast to it. Delegates signaled that we had to communicate the gospel clearly to those in our neighbourhoods. Being 'in the world, but not of the world' doesn't imply that we divest ourselves of all identifying markers associated with our denomination, but rather that we be cognizant of cultural shifts and respond with determination to make our ministry relevant.

Consider how we might bear witness to Christ's command to go into 'all the world.' How can we, individually and corporately, bear witness to Jesus? Remember Jesus' prayer: 'My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me' (John 17:20-21). May God give us passion to make the identity of Jesus known in our world.
by Major Fred Waters, Corps Officer, Glenmore Temple, Calgary, Alta.

Illustration: Richard Lewis, On Fire magazine

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SA-Identity(10), Uniform(4)

Two Responses

  1. Comment from Jeff Courtney, Tue 13th Jun 2006 1:40pm

    We are in another cycle of change to our ‘uniform’ and it is a good thing if done correctly just like every other change to become more effective in a changing world.

    We have a major problem in Canada that if I go from BC to Alberta I do not recognize the Salvation Army workers there. Each territory as come up with a different approach to street/working ‘uniforms’. We need one voice to be recognized where ever we go in the world and that direction needs to be done sooner than later or we will have wasted millions of dollars in each territory.

    Of course there are many things the we must be constantly changing and reviewing in our personal and church behavior. I appriciate the articulate and well defined description of all areas we are or need to change in our lives.

    So lets not be negative and get on with becomeing more like Christ to the people we see everyday.

  2. Comment from Lorna Simard, Thu 13th Jul 2006 10:55am

    This article by Fred Waters is excellent for stimulating thought and discussion. The two sided coin of our identity is indeed an important consideration. If our prime objective is the Great Commission - "Go ye into the world...", then we have to be very concerned that our efforts at identity don't hinder that.

    Everything we do has to be examined to determine if it is an asset or liability to kingdom building. All forms of our music are likely to always be an asset, although in some settings a particular form of music might be more of an asset than another form. We have to recognize that. In some settings every form is useful.

    Similarly uniform wearing - in some settings it may be an asset but in other settings a liability. Perhaps inside our Corps walls it divides and creates an 'us and them' situation. On the otherhand, while doing community service it is an asset to identify that the "cup of water" is given in Jesus' name. The nature of our uniform has to be considered as well - "SS" doesn't mean a whole lot to outsiders, and the Army crest with all its wonderful symbols, is so cluttered that when it is all one colour (silver on an epaulet) - the cross somewhere in the middle, is virtually invisible to the casual eye and onlooker. If the Red Shield is the symbol which the general public most readily recognizes, then let's use it when doing community service. However, even more important is to build the connection in the public mind between the Army's service and Jesus. A very prominent cross along with the Red Shield, should be a part of uniform insignia. Die Heils-Armee uses such a combination symbol on their website, but it is unfortunate that the cross is partially blanked out by the Red Shield. Perhaps a similar symbol could be designed where the outline of the cross is super-imposed on top of the Red Shield. Whatever uniform we may be wearing - golf shirt, a YP Band T-shirt, a dark navy formal unform - this Cross/Red Shield symbol should be apparent. Decisions about uniform should be made locally by the grassroots people to fit local circumstances, but the insignia could be common wherever and whenever uniform is worn. This simple Cross/Red shield insignia could also appear on every website of TSA throughout the world.

    Certainly our prime directive is the Great Commission and we have to think how our identity can best help us to accomplish that, aware that the first disciples wore no other uniform than the uniform of love for Jesus and love for people. "All people will know that you are my disciples by your love."

    Lorna Rogers Simard