Training Men to Be Like Us: The Aims and Priorities of Salvation Army Officer Training, 1978-2008

Abstract

I am convinced that The Salvation Army must continue to faithfully re-imagine its mission with freedom and creativity in the twenty-first century. Central to this process will be the training of leaders. Using qualitative research, this article explores the recent history of William Booth College in order to discern whether Salvation Army officer training today is, in essence and intention, different from that of the fledgling days of the movement. The conclusion which emerges suggests that whilst the content and context of the training ensures that Salvation Army officers of the twenty-first century are very different from their Victorian forebears, the essential values and intention of officer training remain constant.