Week 14 - Salvation Army Church

www.vancouver.salvationarmynw.org/usw_vancouver/church-ministries-main

We have all seen their Red Kettle Bellringers at Christmas time, that harbinger of the coming winter holidays. We may have even shopped at their Family Store, looking for a good deal on some vintage bric-a-brac. Most of us have probably lost sight of the evangelistic, evangelical, roots of The Salvation Army. 

For many years we have lived just down the road from The Salvation Army church and have often wondered if they really "do church" there. Well this week we decided the time for wondering was over and ventured out to join them for their Sunday service. While the SA has a global reach, and they serve people in need throughout our community, their Sunday gathering was a modest 40-50 people. What they lacked in numbers they made up for in heart. We were warmly welcomed by several congregants and many of the leadership. And, yes, the leaders do wear their formal SA uniforms and address each other by their rank, the husband and wife pastor team are both Majors and the assistant pastor is a Lieutenant.

The auditorium seats about 100, is well lit with natural light and inviting. As you might expect music was a big part of the service, a mix of contemporary and traditional music was led by two instrumentalist and four vocalist. Coming from a church where music is provided by highly polished professionals (or near-professional), the servant's heart was evident in those who led us in music, coming with the gifts they had to offer. Some visual aids were used during the contemporary songs, along with hymnals for the traditional ones.

The congregation was a mix of young through old, with several special needs people. Just prior to the pastor's message children were invited forward for a short lesson provided by the assistant pastor and then were excused to the children's class. The pastor gave a spirited message, starting out with a twist by beginning at the back of the auditorium, giving the introduction as he walked down the aisle to the podium. Building on a theme of "Holiness," and drawing from Philippians 2:1-11, he asked the question "What if Jesus lived my life with his heart?" Walking us through the passage he showed us three aspects of Christ's heart: An empty heart - emptied of his glory; An obedient heart - obedient even to death; An exalted heart - raised above all things. His message and delivery was on par with any evangelistic Baptist preacher we have heard, including an altar call accompanied by the song "Just As I am."

The Salvation Army was begun over 150 years ago and has a 125 year history in Clark County. Often times it is easy to think we know an organization by their most public face, like feeding the hungry or housing the homeless. This week was a good reminder that, in addition to these good and scriptural works, The Salvation Army continues to hold true to its foundation of proclaiming the good news of Christ.