What does the uniform for us?

[Amisk]

What does the uniform do for us spiritually? Do Salvationists believe that their is saving power in the uniform?

[JoshuaCh1v9]

What does the uniform do for us spiritually? Do Salvationists believe that their is saving power in the uniform?

I believe that the uniform gives a sense if identity n=both for ourselves and for others. It marks us out as Christians. Once you get that uniform on, there aint no hiding place.

As for it having saving pwer, certainly not.

Salvation comes through the Grace of God alone, and nothing else.

[sammykinzz]

the uniform for me is not a huge deal like yes i do ware it but. personly i think this times and this age were are in people dont reconise it or related to it. some times even scare people. so i think maybe shoud be re designed? or have an alternitive uniform for the younger peoples

[Evangelina]

What does the uniform do for us spiritually? Do Salvationists believe that their is saving power in the uniform?
Never officially... :D

I do believe that some - probably a very small minority - put more faith in the uniform-as-witness than in actual works of love.

[JoshuaCh1v9]

Never officially... :D

I do believe that some - probably a very small minority - put more faith in the uniform-as-witness than in actual works of love.

Sadly, I have to agree.

There are a small percentage of people who are also Salvationists first and Christians second.

The uniform is a wonderful weapon of witness, but not intended to be our sole method of witnessing.

[Abiel]

I hate it! It never fits right!

But- this principle of the ministry of all believers is one that is very dear to me, and uniform is a tremendous equaliser in that respect.

[MrJim]

Sorry I'm stumbling into this. I guess I assumed that only the "pastor" of the SA wore uniform. So everyone that becomes a member is to wear one?

[JoshuaCh1v9]

Sorry I'm stumbling into this. I guess I assumed that only the "pastor" of the SA wore uniform. So everyone that becomes a member is to wear one?

Yes and no.

There are many soldiers who don't wear their uniforms on a regular basis.

My father for one.

I think most soldiers tend to wear uniform, although many don't particularly like it that much.

Personally I do like it, although I must admit, I'm happy that I wasn't around in the days of the high neck tunic's.

[MrJim]

I was googling around and found a place in New Zealand selling SA uniforms for like $400+

Are they always so expensive?

[JoshuaCh1v9]

I was googling around and found a place in New Zealand selling SA uniforms for like $400+

Are they always so expensive?

Sadly, yes.

In practice, people tend to hang on to their old ones when they buy a new uniform, and so a new soldier can often get a uniform together for minimal outlay.

The tunic is obviously the most expensive itwm, but they do last a long time (changes in the soldiers shape notwithstanding).

One good way of offsetting some of the cost is by pub booming (selling the war cry in pubs and clubs and on the street).

Unless it has changed, you get a percentage of the value of the papers sold (only a small percentage I should add) in the form of a credit note for SP&S (The Army's supply centre)

The more papers you sell (or at least sold - like I said it may have changed), the bigger the credit note. But they are/were valid for two or three years so by saving them up you can make big savings on the cost of uniform.

But it's always worth asking around the corps to see if anyone has a tunic they no longer need, even it it means having it altered.

[Gwen'sMom]

Sadly, yes.

In practice, people tend to hang on to their old ones when they buy a new uniform, and so a new soldier can often get a uniform together for minimal outlay.

The tunic is obviously the most expensive itwm, but they do last a long time (changes in the soldiers shape notwithstanding).

One good way of offsetting some of the cost is by pub booming (selling the war cry in pubs and clubs and on the street).

Unless it has changed, you get a percentage of the value of the papers sold (only a small percentage I should add) in the form of a credit note for SP&S (The Army's supply centre)

The more papers you sell (or at least sold - like I said it may have changed), the bigger the credit note. But they are/were valid for two or three years so by saving them up you can make big savings on the cost of uniform.

But it's always worth asking around the corps to see if anyone has a tunic they no longer need, even it it means having it altered.

I'm sorry, but when you say tunic do you mean jacket? I'm not totally familiar with british terms but I do know that a jumper is a shirt! I wonder if the War Cry is sold in pubs and on the street in Canada. I don't think I have seen that.

[sreno7]

The war cry used to be sold in pubs in Canada but we no longer have "The War Cry" we have "the Salvationist" and another little magazine designed more for the public inside, can't remember what it is called Faith and Friends I think. Most of the younger folks around here just get clothes with the Salvation Army crest on them such as T-shirts and hoodies. You can get "summer uniforms" which our former youth pastor wore which is Bermuda shorts and short sleeved shirt.

[Gwen'sMom]

Yes, I noticed they changed the name of the mag. Is it Salvationist all over the world now? I LOVE to read all the magazines!

[sreno7]

Maybe it is a Canada and Bermuda territory thing?
What is up with that anyway? The Canada and Bermuda territory? Last time I checked Canada and Bermuda weren't all that close.

[JoshuaCh1v9]

I'm sorry, but when you say tunic do you mean jacket? I'm not totally familiar with british terms but I do know that a jumper is a shirt! I wonder if the War Cry is sold in pubs and on the street in Canada. I don't think I have seen that.

Yes, a tunic is a jacket.:)

[JoshuaCh1v9]

The war cry used to be sold in pubs in Canada but we no longer have "The War Cry" we have "the Salvationist" and another little magazine designed more for the public inside, can't remember what it is called Faith and Friends I think. Most of the younger folks around here just get clothes with the Salvation Army crest on them such as T-shirts and hoodies. You can get "summer uniforms" which our former youth pastor wore which is Bermuda shorts and short sleeved shirt.

In Britain it's still the War Cry (and I hope it stays that way)

The Salvationist is our magazine mainly aimed at Salvationists.

As for dressing down the uniform, we do that once a month. First Sunday of each month is our Songs of Praise meeting and instead of uniform we just wear an Army polo shirt or something similer.

Then it's back to full uniform the rest of the month.

[JoshuaCh1v9]

Maybe it is a Canada and Bermuda territory thing?
What is up with that anyway? The Canada and Bermuda territory? Last time I checked Canada and Bermuda weren't all that close.


ROFL.

Toronto and Vancouver are not exactly next door neighbours either.:D :D :D :D

[Gwen'sMom]

Yes, a tunic is a jacket.:)
Thanks. I thought so!!

[Gwen'sMom]

Maybe it is a Canada and Bermuda territory thing?
What is up with that anyway? The Canada and Bermuda territory? Last time I checked Canada and Bermuda weren't all that close.
I don't know what the connection is either. Something for me to find out. I have wondered the same thing.

[sreno7]

No Vancouver and Toronto are quite far apart but at least the same country!

[JoshuaCh1v9]

No Vancouver and Toronto are quite far apart but at least the same country!

Well i guess somebody had to have Bermuda, and Canada fell lucky.:)

[Gwen'sMom]

I can hardly wait for a uniform, once I become a soldier. I think it gives a better sense of belonging. I remember being a Girl Guide and the uniform made me feel like I was part of a team.

[JoshuaCh1v9]

I can hardly wait for a uniform, once I become a soldier. I think it gives a better sense of belonging. I remember being a Girl Guide and the uniform made me feel like I was part of a team.

Me too.

I love the uniform, as it is.

[Abiel]

There's a great letter in this week's Salvationist about uniform

[JoshuaCh1v9]

In favour of, or opposed to?

[JoshuaCh1v9]

Note to self: Order papers at Army this weekend.

Sice I moved from Selby Corps to KNottingly I still havn't got round to re ordering my papers.

[Athanasian Creed]

I believe that the uniform gives a sense if identity =both for ourselves and for others. It marks us out as Christians. Once you get that uniform on, there aint no hiding place.

As for it having saving pwer, certainly not.

Salvation comes through the Grace of God alone, and nothing else.

Do you think the vast majority of people who see soldiers of the SA see them as Christians??

Hopefully, the person IN the uniform is a Christian but, we all know, that isn't always the case.

Jesus said they will know us (as being Christians) by our love. That love pulls a man/woman out of the gutter and gives them dignity as people loved by God. It then gives something that is of lasting significance, something that will help them overcome whatever state they find themselves in - that love preaches the saving gospel of Christ to them. Meeting both physical/mental and spiritual needs all at the same time. That is the love i believe the Saviour desires all His followers to exhibit. ;)


Ray :wave:

[JoshuaCh1v9]

Do you think the vast majority of people who see soldiers of the SA see them as Christians??

A good point. I think thjose people who actually know that we are a church will see soldiers as Christians. But we have a great deal of work to do to make people far more aware of our Spiritual side.

Hopefully, the person IN the uniform is a Christian but, we all know, that isn't always the case.

Sadly, this is probably true. However, that is something only the Lord and person concerned can fix. The soldier must at least make a profession of being a Christian as part of his/her soldiership.



Jesus said they will know us (as being Christians) by our love. That love pulls a man/woman out of the gutter and gives them dignity as people loved by God. It then gives something that is of lasting significance, something that will help them overcome whatever state they find themselves in - that love preaches the saving gospel of Christ to them. Meeting both physical/mental and spiritual needs all at the same time. That is the love i believe the Saviour desires all His followers to exhibit. ;)



Again - agreed.

The advantage of the uniform thjough is that it marks us out to people long before they get close enough to see the love.:)