Single Spouse Officership (part 2)

at·tri·tion

noun

1. a reduction or decrease in numbers, size, or strength: Our active officer numbers are decreasing rapidly; a high rate of attrition because so many have retired or resigned

2. a wearing down or weakening of resistance, especially as aresult of continuous pressure or harassment: The enemy schemed; surrounded us in part, infiltrated our movement  and conducted a war of attrition.

3. a gradual reduction in work force without being replaced. The small number of candidates and cadets was a major cause of attrition

4. an insistence that the army adhere to antiquated non-endorsable regulations: Many officers refused to accept the army's policy; we'll tell you whom you are allowed to marry

ATTRITION STATISTICS IN 6 TERRITORIES THAT NOW APPROVE OF SSO (single spouse officers)

It's been almost seven years since SSO policy was introduced. Has the introduction of SSO served its intended purpose to avoid the human rights' legal controversy and added significantly to the number of active officers? What are some of the issues surrounding the SSO that require attention?

The below article by Major Victor J. Cyr, ‘The Horizons’ September/October 2005.SA CANADA serves to introduce the policy well. Note- the article was written prior to the SSO policy approval and enactment.

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Has the time come for the Army to enable married couples to pursue separate callings?

“The Lord says ‘Do not cling to the past or dwell on what happened long ago. Watch for the new thing I am going to do. It is happening already you can see it now!’…”-Isaiah 43:18-19 GNB

Recently I had the privilege of being a member of a divisional focus group that looked at the important matter of single spouse officership. As most Salvationists are already aware, when a married individual wishes to be an Army officer, it is required the spouse be a part of that same calling as well.

The primary purpose of the focus group was to brainstorm and determine what ramifications could arise should the Army, as an organization, move toward a system that permits one married partner to be an officer while allowing the spouse to be a non-officer.

The focus group, made up of officers and lay people, was presented with different scenarios to stimulate our thinking. Without exception, everyone in the group agreed the time to permit single spouse officership had now arrived and that there is certainly no biblical injunction that should prevent such a calling.

This new system of one spouse officership is already up and running in the U.K. territory and has had no adverse impact. Now that the Canada and Bermuda Territory has accepted this policy for the ranks of lieutenants, I believe we need to go the next step and incorporate this to cover all ranks within the Army.

Although there are great advantages in having both husband and wife in ministry team leadership, this should not impede couples where only one wishes to become an officer. Single spouse officership would allow a former officer to be reaccepted without the spouse being required to follow suit. Where a married officer resigns or is terminated, the spouse might be given the option of retaining their officership. If an officer must retire due to age or poor health, the spouse may be permitted to continue to serve in their calling. It would also allow a single active officer to marry a non-officer.

Some concerns were raised in regard to what standard the non-officer spouse should be required to follow:

Must they be a soldier or member of the Army, or can they simply be a professing believer of the Christian faith?

Would they be willing/required to move to a new location when the officer spouse receives transfer orders?

Would they be prepared to live in an officer’s quarters if their combined income enabled the couple to afford a more expensive place to live?

How would our corps/community churches accept this new leadership arrangement?

What kind of expectations would be placed upon the non-officer spouse by the congregation at large?

Though these issues will continue to provoke debate, I believe these questions and others like them will be reasonably worked out on an individual basis with each couple as they consider this lifestyle choice.I commend our leadership for showing vision by adapting to changing circumstances in our culture while still maintaining the core values that will determine our effectiveness in the years to come. May we, as a Movement of God, be continually ready to embrace change and to allow it to bring renewed vitality and vigour to our desire to faithfully serve the Lord.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Single Spouse Officership?

Single Spouse Officership (SSO) refers to an active officer of The Salvation Army who is married to a non officer,

Whether only one spouse was trained and commissioned,

Or whether through the reacceptance of one spouse only of a former officer couple,

Or whether through reacceptance of a former single officer who has married since leaving officership,

Or whether through voluntary resignation of one spouse of an officer couple,

Or whether an officer chooses to marry a non officer.

“Single Spouse Officership (retirement option)” refers to SSO-like scenarios which are produced by the retirement of one officer spouse. The difference is that the “retirement option” SSO is married to a retired officer (not a non officer spouse).”SSO (retirement option)” has two scenarios:

For those desiring to retain officership while the officer spouse retires at normal retirement age, and

For those desiring to retain officership while the officer spouse retires before normal retirement age.

Single Spouse Officership will be considered a full time position.Why is Single Spouse Officership being offered?

Throughout Salvation Army history our unique position on married officer ministry, i.e. both spouses equally called, trained, ordained and commissioned, has been a great strength. The model of service where an officer is married to an officer will continue to be encouraged and endorsed in this Territory.

The Salvation Army International Commission on Officership (2000) opened the door for Christian ministry and spiritual leadership for those called by God, but whose spouse does not share the same calling to ministry.*

SSO will broaden access to officership for those who are married to non officer spouses 


Part three follows;

SSO celebrates individual calling to ministry as officers in The Salvation Army and requires that each candidate for SSO be evaluated on their own merit.