I didn't even know this was a denom....

[knownbeforetime]

I grew up in Kansas and there was a little store called Salvation Army... Kinda like Goodwill... It closed in March and I was really sad because I bought interesting books there... That's all I know about it...

 

[JoshuaCh1v9]

I grew up in Kansas and there was a little store called Salvation Army... Kinda like Goodwill... It closed in March and I was really sad because I bought interesting books there... That's all I know about it...

First of all, Hi, And welcome to Cyber Corps.

Hope we'll see you here lots.

Secondly, don't worry, you are in good company. It's amazing how many people just think we are a charity. Probably our own fault to an extent. We should be making more effort to make people aware that we are a church first and foremeost.

The two parts of our Army go hand in hand. William Booth said that you can't tell a man who is hungry and has no shoes that God loves him. First you must feed him and give him shoes, then you tell him.

One of the motto's of the Army is Heart to God and Hand to Man

 

[InTheFlame]

I'd far prefer that people think us a charity and be suprised that we're a church, than think us a church and be surprised if we show charity....

Welcome, KBT. I was in your position just before I started attending the SA... seems like ages now.

 

[JoshuaCh1v9]

I'd rather people know we are a church and know that we show charity

 

[InTheFlame]

I'd rather people know we are a church and know that we show charity

 

[JoshuaCh1v9]

It's a serious point to an extent though.

The Army is what it is because Booth recognised that you need to back the Evangelical work with effective social action....not the other way round.

We are first and foremost a church, with a strong commitment to charitable work

 

[InTheFlame]

It's a serious point to an extent though.

The Army is what it is because Booth recognised that you need to back the Evangelical work with effective social action....not the other way round.

We are first and foremost a church, with a strong commitment to charitable work

Yup, I know it was a serious point... it's just that in today's religious/spiritual climate I think churches get a lot more respect when they're known mostly for the good things they DO, rather than what they preach. I'm consistently humbled when I mention that I'm a Salvo and people's reaction is very positive... bit different to mentioning that I'm a Christian! Why? A history of practising what is preached.

 

[JoshuaCh1v9]

Yup, I know it was a serious point... it's just that in today's religious/spiritual climate I think churches get a lot more respect when they're known mostly for the good things they DO, rather than what they preach. I'm consistently humbled when I mention that I'm a Salvo and people's reaction is very positive... bit different to mentioning that I'm a Christian! Why? A history of practising what is preached.

You're absolutely right (as always ).

That is the situation. And possibly one of the greatest problems faced by the Christian church.

Yes, we do have a history of practicing what we preach.

But we can't be seen to practice what we preach if people don't hear what we preach. As Salvationists we are able to stand up and say "Yes, I am a Christian, and (hopefully) my actions will back up my words".