What good is the uniform anyway?
21st July 2011 by Nathaniel Brown
There’s a decent chance that a few people are passionate about the issue of uniform and if that’s you, I ask you to read on with an open mind ;)
I’ve got some friends who are soldiers in The Salvation Army and they love wearing uniform. They love the witness it is to the community, the evangelism opportunities it brings and the way it says something about who they are.
I’ve also got some friends (also soldiers in The Salvation Army) who are equally as passionate about not wearing the uniform. They think it’s seriously out of fashion and they’re not keen on being confused for a bus driver when they hang out at the skate park.
Personally I’ve been a soldier for 6 years and while I’ve never been much of a uniform wearer I do spend a fair amount of time sporting a Red Shield or plastering some epaulets on a jacket. I’m not suggesting this be adopted as the official uniform (though it’s not a bad idea) but it’s gotten me thinking about the whole thing. In the midst of the uniform debate here are a couple of rules to help keep us on track.
Your body is a billboard
What you wear says something about what you represent. If you get around in a Tigers footy jersey, firstly I would pity you, but secondly I would see that you clearly love the Tigers. Thirdly I would pity you again.
Or if you get around with your bra hanging out I’d assume you’d probably want guys to check you out to let them know that you’re easy.
If you get around wearing a Salvo get-up I’d take a stab and assume you’re a fan of The Salvos and that you want to promote what they stand for.
Is it possible for your billboard to be saying nothing at all? Sometimes the message might not be as loud and clear but whatever you wear says something about your values, your style and your approach to life.
The billboard is obligated
If we follow the concept that you’re a walking advertisement then you’re also obligated to keep true to the values of what you’re representing. If you’re sponsored by Coke you can’t go round drinking Pepsi, or if you’re decked out in a Foo Fighters shirt then for the sake of all other Foo Fighter fans you probably shouldn’t get snapped at a Bieber concert.
If you’re going to wear the Salvo uniform or represent the Red Shield then be aware that you’re obligated to uphold the values of the organisation. Don’t get caught out being rude to people, driving like a tool, or worse yet, doing diddly-squat. You’re doing The Salvation Army no favours by refusing to fight or sabotaging it for everyone else.
Wear it or not?
I’m not trying to persuade you either way, I really don’t care either way. What I do care about is integrity.
I care about the integrity of The Salvation Army. If you’re going to represent it in the form of a uniform or a Red Shield then be aware that wearing the apparel is just the start. The congruency of your clothing and your behavior is where the real message is communicated. When you’ve got Saved to Serve on your shoulders but you can’t be bothered to help someone in need, then you’re telling people that The Salvation Army can’t be bothered to help someone in need.
I care about the integrity of your faith. Does your wardrobe reflect what you value and how you want to be perceived or does it contradict it? As a follower of Jesus people should see grace, forgiveness, compassion, and truth in our lives but if your clothes aren’t compatible with those concepts you’re going to have a lot trouble convincing people that you’re different from everyone else in the world.
save. grow. serve.
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Comments
The way I see it, the way we worship has changed over 150 years, our preaching methods have changed- though the gospel is still the same- , the way we help people has changed because they have have different needs! So why is the uniform still roughly the same?! I see the red shield as the sign of the salvation army and it's rights not the uniform itself! But it has and will be a topic of conversation and debate for a while yet!
I don't think there has been a day where i havent got some form of Salvo insignia on, maybe its one of my 10 t-shirt's or the Winter and Summer Uniform, or like today, i have the Bomber Jacket on, and i got noticed for the little things, aka at Stocklands Forster, im always on the lookout for a full trolley with a bung wheel, or an elderly person who has a hard time trying to open the heavy doors into the banks, or just something like that, because i want to show people that the Salvos aren't just a place to get emergency money, or a charity case, that there are 16-25 yo's who actually want to help out, i do Pubs (Hotel Ministries) and they let you know when you've missed a week and I have been doing it for nearly 5 years in Forster/Tuncurry and someone who is visiting the area has said at one point or another: "I remember my dad telling me stories of World War 2 and i remember the days of Korea and Vietnam but i mainly remember the generousity of the Salvos, always behind the frontline with a bikky and a cuppa and a warcry", why cant it be like that 66 years later :) those are just my thoughts :)
This article is probably the best thing I've read about the uniform ever! I feel it addressed what's really important; the fact that your choice of what to wear to show you as a representative of The Salvation Army isn't that important in comparison to how important it is to make the right choices in your life and choices as a representative of Jesus!
Well done Nate!
It shouldn't be about the uniform or what people should wear. we all equal in god's eyes regardless of what you wear. So why so much debating on who should wear what. when it should be about who you represent and who you are. If anything we should clothe our selves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (colossians 3:12-15)
Very well stated!!!!! Thanks for speaking truth into our lives! We cannot forget that we who profess to be Christian were bought at a price. The blood of Jesus. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 and everything we do or say or Wear should honor the Lord Jesus Christ.
Well said Nat! Pretty much sums it up.
On the flip side of the argument, the uniform opens more doors in small communities than people realize. The other day I was walking through a shopping center in uniform and someone stooped me because they recognized the uniform from 20 years earlier when The Salvation Army helped them with some emergency disaster (I believe it was a flood). The uniform is a majorly respected symbol that has taken 150 years to work into an image that the Army can use to the glory of God.