The Salvation Army and the Social Gospel: Reconciling evangelical intent and social concern

Abstract

This research explores the social dynamics of a religious movement, The Salvation Army. A series of interviews with Salvation Army officers showed that the organisation’s evangelical and social service ministries are often engaged in intraorganisational contestation, competition and conflict. Theoretical insights from the sociology of religion are applied to these interviews and written sources, to better understand what is driving and shaping this conflict within The Salvation Army and similar patterns in other faith-based organisations.