You are in: about us » Come Join Our Army
How can I join The Salvation Army?
This one's the easy part! Come to a Sunday Service, also called a meeting. Salvation Army meetings are open to all. You don't have to be a Salvationist to attend; you'll be welcome to share in Christian worship with us. In fact, you're welcome to attend every Sunday for as long as you'd like.
Becoming a Salvation Army Soldier, however, involves a commitment to a relationship with God and to living a Salvationist lifestyle, so it's a serious matter.
The first requirement for anyone who wishes to become a Soldier is that they are 'saved' - they have asked God to forgive their wrong attitudes and actions, they ask Jesus into their life and, with his help, determine to live a life that is pleasing to him.
Before anyone becomes a Soldier they attend a series of informal classes. A Salvationist helps the applicant study Salvation Army beliefs and what a Salvationist lifestyle is like. These classes may be held for one person only or for a group of people, depending on such things as how many wish to become Soldiers and convenience of times. Those who are attending such classes are known as 'recruits.'
If a potential Soldier has any doubts after completing these classes, he or she may prefer to delay it or decide against soldiership altogether. If the decision to be a Soldier still stands, then recruits' names are presented to the Corps pastoral care council for acceptance as Soldiers. A public ceremony of swearing-in as a Soldier is then held, usually during a regular Sunday meeting.
If people do not want to take on the commitment of soldiership, but still wish to make The Salvation Army their church, they may become Adherents instead.
Our National Website has some additional information, including an explanation of Salvationist beliefs (new window): Beliefs, Doctrines and Position Statements.