IT'S NOW OR NEVER; Revitalise the SSO Proviso -3-

Should The Salvation Army rescind the Single-Spouse Officer provision? The SA's already done so in the New Zealand Territory, less than 6 years since it was enacted. And rumblings suggest other territories are considering following suit. (Part 4 in this series will detail some of the pros and cons.)

Here’s the regulation as it’s upheld in more than 100 countries:

Officers may be single or married. If married, both husband and wife must undertake the same training, and both are ordained and commissioned upon completion of training. Single officers wishing to marry must marry within the ranks or resign their officership. Officers resigning their officership to marry may remain in The Salvation Army as soldiers and may resume their officership if the non-officer spouse elects to undertake officer training.

And thousands will witness to the regulation’s effectiveness:

“All through the years of our service, Janet and I have worked together… In no vocation is a man’s wife more important to his work than in Salvation Army officership.”[1]

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In a survey conducted over a six-month period in 2010 among the then 300 members of the Former Salvation Army Officers Fellowship it was revealed that approximately 26% of USA officers resigned in order to marry a non-officers. And in Canada the figure was 24% as it was in Australia. The UKT percentage figure was close to 20%. Note; The four USA territories, typically the more liberal and PC cling to antiquated ruling that "single officers wishing to marry must marry within the ranks or resign their officership". Many believe that the USA Territories are able to maintain the policy for two key reasons; TSA USA has a sufficient number of officers and cadets (this will be challenged in an upcoming article), and they have the financial and personnel resources to appoint non-officers to non-clergy adjunct positions earlier staffed by an officer.

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Further, even the most cursory gleaning of SA history relevant to officer losses will confirm that a second primary cause for resignation resulted from an officer who came to the realization that the ‘call’ was not authentic. It’s true that one can live on projected or transferred faith for a period of time. In fact it’s a frequent sermon topic and used in instructing recruits in The Salvation Army.

The congregation at the public meeting, outside the Booth Tucker Memorial Church


SOUTH INDIA TERRITORY General Linda Bond - Commissioning Weekend

This means that as many as 700+ officers (1960-1990) in the above named territories might still be in active service today had it not taken such an incredibly long time to modernize and get the marriage regulation right.

Add to that the unknown number of SA soldiers who skipped the officership application process because they refused to get out their bonnet case and cape and retract to Booth’s autocratic Victorian dictates. The number affected could easily number in the thousands… Is there even the slightest question why our officer forces have dwindled by 40% or more?

Today’s article is not intended to question why it took TSA, at least in many territories, to step into the 21st century and allow officers to marry the person of their choice, but rather to consider how the SSO provision can be strengthened and become more effective in achieving TSA’s mission.

Can a non-officer’s spouse really make a difference in achieving the SA’s expectations?

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To the Pastors' Wives,



I know it is unusual for me - a pastor - to write in the Pastors' Wives Newsletter.  But there is a story and a message that I thought would be good for you to know. And as will become evident, there is no one other than I who can tell this story.  Also, because of the nature of the story, I asked my wife Sandy to bypass writing an introduction (to this blog), as she normally does.

So, here goes...

I did not grow up in a home that taught the gospel of Jesus Christ. But by the grace of God I became a Christian on December 11, 1973 through the witness of people who planted a Great Commission church in Columbus, Ohio.  It was in the church that Sandy and I met. We fell in love and got married on December 3, 1977 - the happiest day of my life (except for every day thereafter!).  Since then,

Sandy has been my best friend - and my best helper.  

When we were newly married, the pastors of the church planned a 5-day open-air preaching series on West Campus at Ohio State.  Jesus Christ was the focus of the series, as we addressed topics such as, "Why Jesus Sociologically?" and, "Why Jesus Psychologically?" and, "Why Jesus Philosophically?"  I was picked to start on Monday with "Why Jesus Historically," in which I would share the proof of the resurrection. 

This was a big step of faith for me…

Sandy and I drove to West Campus, parked the car and strolled nervously to the grassy hill where students were eating their lunches.  I carried an easel with a cardboard sign that said, "Why Jesus Historically?"  We prayed, and I walked to the top of the hill, and set up the easel.  And then I started.  "Today, I want to talk to you about 'Why Jesus Historically' - why Jesus is the center of history."

Of course, right away the snickers started.  "Oh, brother. Who is this kook?  Oh, no, not another religious nut."  But to make matters worse, the day was very windy - and 15 seconds into my preaching, the easel and sign fell down.  As if I didn't look foolish enough already!   My courage was really being tested. Quite honestly, I felt like giving up.

But then came Sandy.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her come to the top of the hill.  She picked up the easel and sign and held them in the brisk wind.  It was extremely windy that day.  It took a lot of effort on her part to keep the easel and sign upright.  But she did it.  As people mocked, she just stood her ground behind me, holding this sign that said, "Why Jesus Historically" while I preached about Jesus and the resurrection. 

I did not preach long. Unlike Tom Short who gathers crowds and leads many to Christ, I did not see anyone come forward to receive eternal life. I do not know of any students on the grassy hill whose lives were changed that Monday afternoon. But I do know this - my life was changed.

At a moment when my faith was being severely tested, my dear bride stepped forward. This timid aspiring pastor was bolstered by his wife who was willing to suffer with me in the cause of the gospel. And I was forever changed. 

On December 3, 1977, Sandy made a vow to God and to me to stick by me through thick and thin. In the spring of 1978, on a grassy hill at Ohio State University she fulfilled that vow in dramatic fashion. She held up my sign - and she has been holding up my sign ever since. In doing so, she has not only affected me - she has also affected the world.

Ladies, I cannot overstate the effect that you have on your husbands. Your love, your support, your faith and your loyalty are powerful. Very powerful.

God commands us to "Only be strong and very courageous." (Joshua 1:7)   For a man, sometimes his courage is tested when God calls him to take on a new venture.  Other times his courage is tested when he is being questioned or attacked.  Whatever the situation, each man must face his fears.  When his courage and convictions are severely tested, each man must trust his God and climb the hill. The world may laugh at him. But he must go forward. 

When a man takes that step, it is not only a God-moment for him. It is also a God-moment for his wife. She has an opportunity to follow his lead-to join him at that critical moment when his faith is being challenged.  A wife has the great privilege to stand by him, proclaiming the One who died and rose again on our behalf. It is her opportunity to hold up his sign.

Ladies, you have no doubt had the opportunity to hold up the sign of your husband many times in your life. When you did so, you made an impact on your husband more than you will ever realize.  As you follow the Lord in the future, you will have many more opportunities to hold up his sign.  When that opportunity comes again, seize it.  Seize it with all of your heart.  When you do, it will not only transform your marriage.  It will also transform the world.

John Hopler

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[1] A Burning in My Bones Clarence D. Wiseman p.33


SVEN LJUNGHOLM