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Where Are the Soldiers?
Opinion: The
Challenge of Salvation Army Soldiership
Among Millennials
and Gen Z in Australia
by Stephen McQuire
For over a century, the sight of a
Salvation Army soldier—crisp uniform, blue epaulettes, and a
heart devoted to "Heart to God, Hand to Man"—has been a
familiar and stirring image in communities around the world.
But look around today in the Western world, including
Australia, and you’ll notice something missing: the soldiers
themselves.
While soldiership remains a cherished
and vital part of The Salvation Army’s identity, its
prevalence has waned significantly among younger generations,
particularly Millennials (Generation Y) and Generation Z. The
question is: why?
Historically, soldiership was not just
an affiliation to a local church or denomination, it was a
movement. For the Builders and Baby Boomers, becoming a
soldier was a clear, public declaration of Christian
discipleship and social activism. It was about living out
faith in tangible ways—helping the marginalised, standing
against social ills, and aligning oneself with a mission
bigger than the self. Which any member of The Salvation Army
could easily get involved in.
Generation X, while more sceptical and
individualistic, still maintained a strong core of committed
soldiers, often influenced by a sense of duty and community
inherited from their parents toward corps musical sections or
as a means to pursue a higher calling to full-time ministry
through officership. However, with the rise of Millennials and
Gen Z, the landscape has dramatically shifted. Some key
factors contribute to the sparseness of soldiership amongst
younger people:
1. Institutional Distrust &
Deconstruction
Millennials and Gen Z have grown up
amidst scandals, global crises, and the erosion of trust in
institutions, including the church. Their approach to faith is
often more fluid, personal, and deconstructed. The formal
structures of soldiership—uniforms, covenants, hierarchical
systems—can feel restrictive, inauthentic, or irrelevant to
those seeking a less institutionalised spirituality.
2. Commitment Aversion in an
Unstable World
Long-term commitments can be daunting
for generations facing economic instability, rising mental
health challenges, and a rapidly changing world. The lifetime
promises embedded in soldiership feel out of step with a
culture that values flexibility and keeps its options open.
3. Changing Missional Priorities
While the younger generations are
deeply passionate about justice, inclusivity, and social
change, they often prefer grassroots activism, digital
advocacy, and informal community movements. The Salvation
Army’s structured model of soldiership may not resonate with
their preferred modes of engagement.
4. Aesthetic and Identity Disconnect
For Gen Y and Z, identity is fluid and
often expressed through individuality rather than uniformity.
The Army’s uniforms, once a proud symbol of radical
Christianity, can appear outdated or disconnected from
contemporary expressions of faith.
According to the Salvation Army Year
Book 2024, there has been a noticeable decline in
soldiership numbers in Western territories. For instance, in
the USA, the number of senior soldiers decreased from
approximately 70,000 in 2000 to around 55,000 in 2023.
Similarly, the UK and Ireland Territory reported a decline
from 50,000 to 35,000 senior soldiers over the same period.
These statistics highlight a broader trend of declining formal
membership, particularly among younger demographics.
In Australia, the
trend mirrors this global pattern; the overall decline in
formal membership is evident. The Annual Report 2024 of
The Salvation Army Australia highlights a significant increase
in community engagement and social services, yet it also
implies challenges in maintaining traditional forms of
membership and participation. (The Salvation Army Australia
<link>)
This raises a critical question: Is
soldiership an outdated concept, or is it an
under-communicated treasure?
For many in The Salvation Army,
soldiership represents not legalism but liberation, that being
a voluntary and joyful act of dedication to God’s service. It
offers clarity of mission, accountability, and a visible
witness in a world hungry for authenticity. The challenge lies
not in the essence of soldiership itself but how it is
presented, taught, and embodied.
Reimagining Soldiership for the Future
If The Salvation Army wishes to inspire
new generations of soldiers, it must grapple honestly with
these generational dynamics. This doesn’t mean diluting the
call to commitment but rearticulating it in ways that resonate
with today’s seekers. This might involve:
•
Framing soldiership as a
countercultural act of radical discipleship, not mere
tradition.
•
Providing pathways of flexible
engagement while maintaining the sacredness of covenant.
•
Ensuring the Army’s prophetic
voice speaks courageously on issues that matter to Gen Y
and Z—climate justice, racial reconciliation, gender equity,
and mental health.
•
Elevating diverse voices from these generations
to help shape what soldiership looks like in practice.
Scripture underscores the importance of
commitment and active faith. In Romans 12:1, Paul urges
believers to "offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy
and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."
This aligns with the essence of soldiership: a holistic
dedication to God's service.
Moreover, 1 Timothy 4:12 encourages
young believers: "Don't let anyone look down on you because
you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech,
in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." This verse
serves as a reminder that age should not be a barrier to deep
spiritual commitment and leadership.
The Army Needs Soldiers - Of All
Generations
The Western world, including Australia,
still needs The Salvation Army’s unique witness. But the form
that witness takes may need to evolve. Soldiership is not
about nostalgia; it’s about mission. The Gospel call to “save
souls, grow saints, and serve suffering humanity” remains as
urgent as ever.
In his book You Lost Me, David
Kinnaman elaborates on the problem of generational decline in
the wider church. He states, “Every person goes on a unique
journey related to his or her faith and spirituality, and
every story matters. The reasons young people drop out, as
similar to each other they may seem, are very real and very
personal to those who experience them. We in the Christian
community need to bear this in mind.” (p25). What this means
is that we all need to be willing to have open dialogue about
life, faith and mission with each other. Whether it be through
small groups or one-on-one discipleship and mentoring within
our own corps.
Perhaps the question is not “Why don’t
Millennials and Gen Z become soldiers?” but rather, “How are
we inviting them into this sacred calling in a way that speaks
their language, honours their values, and empowers their
gifts?”
If we can answer that, we might just
see a new generation of Salvation Army soldiers rise.
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Note: The statistical data referenced is
based on available reports from the Salvation Army Year Books
and Annual Reports. For the most accurate and up-to-date
figures, please refer to the official Salvation Army
publications.
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