Background Info and a Dictionary.

Okay this post probably should have been first or second but, I got sidetracked.  So you get it #4 :-)

First of all our Mission Statement.  The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church.  Its message is based on the Bible.  Its ministry is motivated by the love of God.  Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. Source

There are eleven doctrines in our statement of faith.  Rather than type them out in their entirety I will simply link you to them. My plan is to feature them later in the month.

Basically The Salvation Army is a denomination of the universal Christian Church, like Baptist, Methodist, Church of Christ, Assembly of God or any of others.  However we tend to term things differently.  So I thought I would give a dictionary.

Corps - Local Church
Corps Officer - pastor  Officers hold ranks from Lieutenant to General.
Corps Sargent Major - Head Lay person in the Corps
Young People's Sargent Major - Youth Director (my husband's position in our local Corps - I am his assistant)
Senior Soldier - Adult member of the church (age 14+) who wears a uniform signs the  Articles of War
Adherent - Adult member of the church who doesn't wear a uniform or sign the Articles of War.
Junior Soldier - Youth member of the church (age 7-13)
Cradle Roll - Children who have been dedicated to God, but are not yet old enough to make a decision for Christ or to join the church.

Corps Cadets - Teens who are Senior Soldiers, enrolled in an intensive Bible Study program called Cross Training.

Cadets - Students who have entered  the School for Officer Training (Seminary) to become Officers.

Sunbeams - Character building program for young girls (grades 1-5)  like Girl Scouts
Girl Guards - Character building program for older girls (grades 6-12)
Adventure Corps - Character building program for boys; divided into Rangers and Explorers. (like Boy Scouts)

Holiness Meeting - Worship Service, where teaching of Scripture, doctrines, and Holy living are emphasized.
Salvation Meeting - Worship Service, where the plan of Salvation is emphasized.

Firing a Cartridge - paying tithes

Home League - now known officially as  Women's Ministry - is just that Women's Ministry
Men's Fellowship Club - Men's Ministry
League of Mercy - now known officially as Community Care Ministry - Corps outreach to local nursing homes, hospitals, senior centers, shut-ins, etc

Adult Rehabilitation Centers (ARC)  - Centers for rehabilitation from alcohol abuse.

Promotion to Glory - when a Soldier passes away.