Part 319. More delay

The Salvation Army in the United Kingdom and Ireland Territory is struggling. Corps are closing, some are surviving without full-time officers and may be lucky to be led by  part-time officers or officers coming out of retirement.  There are more posts to be filled than personnel available. Retirements continue to outstrip cadet recruitment. The Army claims to be inclusive, but it is not and stands accused of hypocrisy not least from many within its ranks.

The Territory established the Membership Working Group to consider matters concerning membership of TSA including the Soldiers Covenant, criteria for adherence and associated Orders and Regulations.  The Group presented its report and recommendations to territorial leadership at he end of August.  Only a privileged few know the content of the report and the recommendations.  

The report is being delivered to International Headquarters for consideration by the international leadership.  Sometime in 2025 territorial leadership will update the Territory on outcomes of the ongoing consideration of the report by the territorial leadership.

Sadly the wider membership is not going to see the report and recommendations now. Nothing has been published indicating that the Territory intends to invite comments on the recommendations.  No transparency. 

Meanwhile, the downward spiral continues.

The hope is that inter alia there will an end to discrimination based on sexual orientation, and improved officers' terms of service.