The Structure of The Salvation Army Southern Territory
- The Worldwide Salvation Army
- The Salvation Army in the United States
- The USA Southern Territory
- Divisions
- Area Commands
- Corps Community Centers
- Other Salvation Army Centers of Operation
The Worldwide Salvation Army
International Headquarters, in London, England, is the international administrative center of The Salvation Army. From International Headquarters, the General, the Army’s international leader, provides spiritual and administrative guidance to Salvation Army units around the world.
The Salvation Army in the United States
The Salvation Army in the United States is divided into four territories. The national commander and the national chief secretary serve in coordinating capacities. Each territorial commander operates under the general policies laid down by International Headquarters in London, England.
National policy is established by the commissioners’ Conference, over which the national commander presides. While the local leadership adjusts to meet conditions in each community, all officers are subject to the same broad, overall policies
The USA Southern Territory
The administrative center of the Southern Territory is in Atlanta, Georgia. The USA Southern Territory comprises 15 southern states and is divided into nine divisions. The territorial commander is the administrative and spiritual leader of the territory.
Territories are divided into divisions, with a divisional commander, the division’s spiritual and administrative leader, leading a team of administrative officers in each division. Each division encompasses a number of corps and other Salvation Army centers. Where it is not possible for a corps to have its own full-time commanding officer, non-commissioned local officers (lay leaders) are often asked to accept some responsibility for local leadership.
Divisions
Territories are divided into divisions, with a divisional commander, the division’s spiritual and administrative leader, leading a team of administrative officers in each division. Each division encompasses a number of corps and other Salvation Army centers. Where it is not possible for a corps to have its own full-time commanding officer, non-commissioned local officers (lay leaders) are often asked to accept some responsibility for local leadership.
Area Commands
Salvation Army operations in large metropolitan areas are often administered by an area commander. Under his command, there may be a number of Salvation Army officers commanding corps community centers and social service centers.
Corps Community Centers
This is the local Salvation Army center of operations seen in most towns and cities across the country. Each week a variety of people will meet here for worship, cross-cultural services, fellowship, musical activities and other events.
There may also be a variety of community outreach activities, as well as character building activities for youth and adults. services and so on which are part of the corps program. All are welcome to attend Salvation Army meetings.
Emergency relief, emergency shelter or other social services may also be available at the corps community center, though they often are offered at one or more separate nearby Salvation Army facilities.
Other Salvation Army Centers of Operation
Large social services centers, senior citizens’ housing, domestic violence and children’s shelters, camps and rehabilitation centers may operate independently of an area command or corps community center. These facilities are administered directly by divisional headquarters or by territorial headquarters.