The Salvation Army

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The Salvation Army
Classification	Protestant
Orientation	Holiness movement
Scripture	Bible
Structure	Military rank–based chain of command
General	Lyndon Buckingham
Associations	National Association of Evangelicals Wesleyan Holiness Connection Christian Churches Together
Region	Worldwide
Headquarters	IHQ, London, EC4V United Kingdom
Founder	William Booth Catherine Booth [1]: 21
Origin	2 July 1865; 159 years ago (1865-07-02)[2] London
Separated from	Methodism[1]: 21
Separations	American Rescue Workers (1882) Volunteers of America (1896)
Congregations	15,409[3]
Members	1.65 million[3]
Ministers	26,359[3]
Other name(s)	East London Christian Mission (formerly)[1]: 21
Official website	salvationarmy.org

Part of a series on
The Salvation Army
Background Christianity Protestantism Pietism Arminianism Methodism Holiness Movement Evangelicalism
Organisation General Chief of the Staff International Headquarters High Council Commissioners Officer Soldier Corps
Prominent Salvationists William Booth Catherine Booth Bramwell Booth Florence Booth Evangeline Booth Ballington Booth Catherine Bramwell-Booth Frederick Booth-Tucker Arthur Booth-Clibborn Elijah Cadman George Carpenter James Dowdle John Lawley George Scott Railton T. Henry Howard Charles Jeffries Theodore Kitching Darkie Hutton William Ridsdel Ray Steadman-Allen Harry Read Eva Burrows Henry Mapp John McMillan Stephen Bulla Earle Maxwell
Other topics Brass bands Promoted to Glory Order of the Founder Limelight Department Christmas Kettle The War Cry Soldier's Covenant Reliance Bank The Blind Beggar Kroc Centres Sunbury Court
Legislation Salvation Army Act 1931 Salvation Army Act 1963 Salvation Army Act 1980
Related organisations American Rescue Workers Volunteers of America Skeleton Army
Christianity portal
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The Salvation Army (TSA) is a Protestant Christian church and an international charitable organisation headquartered in London, England. It is aligned with the Wesleyan-Holiness movement. The organisation reports a worldwide membership of over 1.7 million,^[3] consisting of soldiers, officers, and adherents who are collectively known as salvationists. Its founders sought to bring salvation to the poor, destitute, and hungry by meeting both their "physical and spiritual needs". It is present in 133 countries,^[4] running charity shops, operating shelters for the homeless, and disaster relief and humanitarian aid to developing countries.

The theology of the Salvation Army derives from Methodism, although it differs in institution and practice; an example is that the Salvation Army does not observe sacraments. As with other denominations in the Holiness Methodist tradition, the Salvation Army lays emphasis on the New Birth (first work of grace) and entire sanctification (second work of grace).^[5][6] A distinctive characteristic of the Salvation Army is its use of titles derived from military ranks, such as "lieutenant" or "major". The Army's doctrine is aligned with the Wesleyan–Arminian tradition, particularly the holiness movement. The Army's purposes are "the advancement of the Christian religion... of education, the relief of poverty, and other charitable objects beneficial to society or the community of mankind as a whole".^[7]

The Salvation Army was founded in 1865 as the "East London Christian Mission" in London by one-time Methodist preacher William Booth and his wife Catherine. It can trace its origins to the Blind Beggar Tavern. In 1878, Booth reorganised the mission, becoming its first general and introducing the military structure, which it has retained as a matter of tradition.^[8] The Salvation Army's highest priority is its Christian principles. As of 2023^[update] The international leader and chief executive officer (CEO) of The Salvation Army is General Lyndon Buckingham.^[9]

The Salvation Army is the largest non-government provider of social services in the United States and one of the largest in the world,^[10] with expenditures including operating costs of US$3.6 billion in 2022, assisting more than 32 million people in the U.S. alone.^[11] In addition to funding feeding centres, homeless shelters, rehabilitation centres, community centres, and disaster relief, the organisation also establishes refugee camps, especially among displaced people in Africa. In the United Kingdom, the Salvation Army is no longer the largest non-governmental provider of social services; however, it still provides a significant service to people in need. The Salvation Army is the fourth largest charity in the United States, with private donations in excess of US$2 billion in 2022.^[12] It is a member of many national interdenominational groups, including the American organisation Christian Churches Together.^[13]