Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are there really “ranks” in The Salvation Army and what are they?


Yes, we do have a very simplified rank-system. Ranks only apply to those who have successfully completed the 2-yr training program offered exclusively to Salvation Army members. All people with ranks are ordained ministers and officers. The current system has 6 ranks, though there may be people with other ranks that have since been removed.

Captain (0 –14yrs) and Major (15+ yrs) are based on years of service. Lt. Colonel, Colonel and Commissioner are based on position and responsibility. General is for the International Leader and there is only ever 1 active general.   In the West we do now have a rank of Lieutenant, which is reserved mainly for those who have made mid-life career changes and have sufficient experience to qualify for officership despite not attending the training school.

** Effective March 2008, the current General has decided to reinstate the rank of Lieutenant.  This is probationary rank for all persons graduating and commissioned from a Salvation Army training college.  A new officer holds the rank of Lieutenant for 5 years.  After 5 years they are eligible for promotion to the rank of Captain.
 

2. Do you only serve Christians and is there an attendance requirement to receive assistance?
   
   The Salvation Army provides all services without any discrimination. Though we may not agree with a person’s way of living, we endeavor to see them through God’s eyes, which are eyes of acceptance and love. We believe that all people have a God-given value so we treat them that way. If persons seeking service ask faith related questions we do talk to them about our faith and theirs. However, there is no requirement that they attend any religious classes. This does not also mean that we provide services with no questioned ask. There are eligibility requirements.
   
3. I hear your church doesn’t practice sacraments. Why?

This may be oversimplified, but in a nutshell, we don’t practice the sacraments because they are only outward symbols of an inward experience. Too often one’s Christian experience is tied too closely, for example, to their being baptized by water. However, our belief on baptism by water is that it is only an outward expression of an inner cleansing. We believe in baptism, but believe it is an inward experience. Having said that, we don’t think there is anything wrong with the sacraments, as long as they are done with the understanding that they are only outward expressions of inward experiences.
 
4. Do only poor people attend your church?

The Salvation Army church is often filled with people who are also recipients of our services. Our mission is to the poor and forgotten. However there are also middle and upper class people who attend our churches because they believe in our mission or have grown up in our church and more closely associate with our way of doing things. Others come simply because they like the atmosphere of compassion and friendliness.    


5. What happened to your Thrift Store in Lacey?

The Thrift Store, formerly located in Lacey, had to close its doors because it could no longer afford to operate in the location it occupied. Shortly after its closure, we went through the enormous gas price hikes of 2005 and due to that expense we were unable to send our trucks from Seattle cost effectively. Stay tuned for the possible re-opening of a store in the South Sound.  


6. The members or your church don’t drink. If Jesus drank wine, why can’t you?
   

Our founder began The Salvation Army reaching out to the drunks of East London. Most addiction counselors agree that the only way to stop drinking is to do it the whole way. William Booth insisted that members must abstain from drinking. By not drinking at all we are free from the possibility of taking alcohol to the point of getting drunk which is forbidden in the Bible. Our members also are not permitted to use tobacco in any form.  

7. Why do I get so much mail requesting donations?

The Salvation Army has hired a number of different firms to assist us with our fund-raising strategies.  One strategy is to raise funds through mail solicitation.  On average we mail one piece of mail per month, however some donors may receive 2 mailings in November and December.  Many donors appreciate the mailings as a reminder of the need to continue giving.  Others don't appreciate them and seem them as a waste of our money.  Admittedly, finding a balance is difficult.  Donors who don't want a mailing at all or only want a limited amount of mailings can request an adjustment.  Making changes can take up to two months to get through the process.  We do not literally "remove" anyone from our mailing list.  We simply mark such requests as "do not mail".  This is because, sometimes our mail appeal companies purchase lists to help us in obtaining new donors.  That list is purged with our existing database and some donors who asked to be removed could get mailed to again.