Salvo pastors

[Willo]

G'day

Are pastors classed as officers in the army?

Also are they a paid role?

Plus do they have to go through a salvo bible college or anything?

[Andy Broadley]

G'day

Are pastors classed as officers in the army?

Also are they a paid role?

Plus do they have to go through a salvo bible college or anything?

Quick answer is Yes Yes Yes

Yes they are officers
Yes they are paid (but very badly)
Yes there is an officer training collage

Abiel & Warren will be able to answer this better though

[Andy Broadley]

BTW we are Salvationists, not Salvo's

[Willo]

Sorry, Salvos is just a slang name that seems to be big in Aussie.

[Andy Broadley]

Sorry, Salvos is just a slang name that seems to be big in Aussie.

Consider yourself forgiven:hug:

Just sounds awful that's all

[Willo]

Consider yourself forgiven:hug:

Just sounds awful that's all

The salvation army here used a TV campaign with "Thank God for the Salvos!"

But I can see your point.

[Andy Broadley]

The salvation army here used a TV campaign with "Thank God for the Salvos!"

But I can see your point.


Advance Australia........................................where?

[something from the fridge]

yeah, if people ask me what religion i am it is generally salvo. saves me speaking and extra 3 sylables, but that's what we do down ere.

[Andy Broadley]

yeah, if people ask me what religion i am it is generally salvo. saves me speaking and extra 3 sylables, but that's what we do down ere.

If people ask me what religion I am I tell them I'm a Christian. If they ask me which church I go to, I tell them the Salvation Army.

[Rebirth In Flames]

Yes, ordained pastors are classified as officers in the Salvation Army.



Yes, they are a paid role. However, they get just enough to survive on; it’s practically poverty. There’s of course pros and cons to this. One of the major pros is that it forces the officers to not get caught up in the trap and evils of money, (ex. an officer is going to contrast greatly to a t.v. evangelist in living style as well as appearance). We don’t believe that we should spend anymore on ourselves than we need, when our extra dollar can go to those around the world who can’t even buy food or shelter for themselves. Jesus taught that empathy is the opposite of selfishness; we try and let every aspect of our lives reflect this, which includes living circumstances, our will, as well as our money.



There’s a two-year seminary school that all officer delegates must live at and study at before being ordained. There they are taught predominantly Wesleyan theology as well as practical living studies like business and management. After the two years they are given their assignment, but up until that point they are not told where they will be going or what they will be doing. Also, it’s encouraged that all officers continue going to school after seminary graduation; an added incentive to this is that the army pays between 40-90 percent of the officers tuition on average, (of course there are exceptions when 100 percent is paid by the army). Officer’s give their lives to God, and go where He leads in complete trust that He will sustain them in all they do through Him. We can do all things through He who gives us strength.

[something from the fridge]

Yes, they are a paid role. However, they get just enough to survive on; it’s practically poverty.


I have to disagree. Officers (well where i live) appear to live in better conditions than most of the congregation at church does. Both my parents work, to support me and my sister as we are studying. the money they earn goes into paying off the mortgage, paying rates, paying water and electricity bills, paying phone bills, paying for petrol for the 10 year old car we drive and then whatever else is needed.

Our officers on the other hand have a house provided, a new car every two years, their bills paid for. The money they get paid buys their food and clothes.

Our regional officer just got a new house. The one they were living in was fine. All the officers except one have 6 cylinder cars when their jobs only need 4 cylinder cars.

My best mate is in college training to be an officer while his wife is already an officer. i wouldn't say they are living in poverty, and they are on single officers wage and a lousy government payment while he is studying.

Please don't tell me that officers live in poverty.

[Andy Broadley]

Anybody else fancy officership as a nice little earner?

[elm0]

Yes, the pay rate may be lower than a lot of other occupations, but as Fridge has already said, it is offset (at least in Australia) by having rent free accomodation, and a 'company car'.

[Andy Broadley]

:cool: In order to avoid getting into trouble, I shall avoid this thread from now on, as biting my tongue is getting increasingly difficult.

[elm0]

In order to avoid getting into trouble, I shall avoid this thread from now on, as biting my tongue is getting increasingly difficult.

If you have an opinion, I don't see why you shouldn't share it.

[Abiel]

Well, it all depends doesnt it! Yes loads of stuff is provided. My understanding is that this is a fairly recent phenomenon. Not so long ago, if the Corps had no money, the officer got no allowance. Many officers soent a great deal of time selling the war cry in order to feed their families. That was insustainable. I have heard older officers tell stories of mystery food parcels appearing on their doorstep- anonymous because orders and regs forbade the acceptance of such gift in person.

Things are so much better now. A roof over your head, a car (used for long drives to dhq!) But in the end, these things do not belong to the officer. No job would equal no home. Retiring officers have constraints placed on them as to their choice of retirement location. And when it comes down to it, there isnt much actual cash.
On the other hand, I have worked under officers who live very luxuriant lifestyles. Perhaps parents pay the bills? Who knows.

As an envoy I have no house. I am paid a car mileage allowance of 42.5 pence per mile, but i am responsible for all the bills for maintenance and for its replacement, whereas proper officers get their car bills paid and a lovely new one, i think every 4 years in the UK. I am paid £6.50 per hour, the standard rate for not proper officers with no house etc. The corps can only afford to pay me for 12 hours a week. I work between 30-35 hours a week, meaning my real pay rate works out to closer to £3 an hour. This is ok, is because my husband is in good paid employment, and at this point we have young children and I have a great deal of flexibility.

My corps officer works getting on for 70 hours a week. I think she represents excellent value for money. ( i think her allowance is less than £500 a month). She has a husband working in a different field, yet we get about 20 hours a week out of him.

On I ramble. I dont think we are keeping our officers in abject poverty ( a worker is worth his wages, right?) I do know that they could make better money in any other denomination. And in the end, they have nothing than retired professional people hope for. No home to call their own. Many of them have little or no life outside their work. Generally speaking, they are hardworking, non materailistic people. No one goes into officership for the financial reward.

Mind you, I was a full time teacher, and was paid a salary which would never have allowed me to buy my own home. A roof over ones head is a blessing which we so often take for granted. Spare a thought for those among whom we work who have no such luxury.

[elm0]

Sorry, let me clarify what I was saying. I have no idea about the income of Officers, except that I have been told it is lower than other people doing the same work in Australia. In Australia, they are supplied with accomodation and a vehicle. This may not make up the difference, but it does mean less expenses out of their income. The officers at the corps I attend have (if I remember right) 4 sons, and they seem to manage quite well on the income they receive.

[TheDag]

Advance Australia........................................where?
I rather enjoyed reading that book!

[Evangelina]

The officers at the corps I attend have (if I remember right) 4 sons, and they seem to manage quite well on the income they receive.
I think it's five :) Although one may be out of home by now? It seems to depend on the corps, too - as far as I'm aware (and I could be wrong, so don't quote me!) people in your corps have helped them out a bit at times.

Our corps doesn't have an officer as such, so I can't contribute much more to the discussion!

[elm0]

I think it's five :) Although one may be out of home by now?

Yeah, it is 5, and they're all still at home.

It seems to depend on the corps, too - as far as I'm aware (and I could be wrong, so don't quote me!) people in your corps have helped them out a bit at times.

Yeah, I hadn't thought of that.

[Andy Broadley]

I rather enjoyed reading that book!

John Smith fan....we must talk :clap:

[wobbly]

I don't begrudge officers a good salary. Jesus says that preachers deserve double pay...

Martin