A subtle, but important event took place on Friday. We received word we are now the Corps Officers of this Salvation Army Corps Community Center. As with the recent recognition this is one Corps Community Center – different from the notion there was a Corps and Community Center – the use of this term paints a consistent, familiar, understood picture of our role.

So, what exactly is a Corps Officer?

Corps Officer (CO) is the title given to the Army’s representative leadership – husband and wife equally – appointed to any given Corps Community Center. It is used internationally and irrespective of Corps’ size, budget, geography, etc.

While Corps Officers may fulfill a variety of roles – business, community relations, development, discipleship, outreach, or program – every CO has one appointment.

While different terms may be used to describe the many roles – Administrator, or Pastor – every CO has one title.

You won’t be surprised to discover The Salvation Army has printed Orders and Regulations for Corps Officers, defining our purpose and responsibilities:

Purpose:

The primary purpose of Corps Officers is to bring the message of salvation to the seeking and lost of their district, and to lead and train the soldiery to win souls for the Kingdom of God.

Responsibilities: (abbreviated)

      • The commanding officer of a Corps is responsible to God and his/her Salvation Army leaders for everybody and everything connected with the command.
      • The CO is expected to strive for the substantial progress of his/her Corps. He/she should not be content for things to remain stationary. An officer who can go through a program of activities, and be content to leave things much as he/she found them, has an imperfect understanding of his/her task.
      • A Corps Officer is responsible to represent the Army in the locality, exemplifying its principles, making known its teaching, carrying out its systems, and observing, explaining and enforcing its regulations.

        You can, perhaps, see why this is a subtle change. These are the duties we were charged with upon our arrival, and the things for which we have, and will continue to labor.

        You can also, perhaps, see why this is an important change. As we’ve long advocated – as long as the Kroc Center has been open – everything we do is Salvation Army mission, and our entire mission takes place within the preeminent context of relationships. It is, therefore, important to speak of those relationships in terms consistent with our international missionary movement.

        What’s left to say – it’s our joy, pleasure and honor to be your Corps Officers. There is no higher calling in this Salvation Army.

        Very truly yours,

        John & Lisa Van Cleef, Captains
        Corps Officers