WORSHIP

The Salvation Army is an integral part of the universal Christian Church, although distinctive in government and practice.

Salvation Army places of worship are sometimes called 'citadels' or 'temples', but, whatever their name, they are Christian churches open to the community they serve and offering a warm welcome to all.

Most Salvation Army churches in India Eastern Territory hold weekly worship services, usually on a Sunday. There is Holiness Meeting in the morning, followed by Sunday Bible Company. The Young People Corps hold their YP Sunday Company Class (where they have a separate YP Hall) while the Senior Corps had their Holiness Meeting. There is a Sunday Fellowship Meeting in the evening for the Youth either in their church or in a house, and Young People Corps sometimes hold a Praise & Worship meeting in the afternoon. There is a Salvation Meeting on Sunday night for the whole congregation.

These meetings have a relaxed atmosphere, and can include hymn singing, Bible readings, testimonies (members of the congregation talking about their Christian experiences), and presentations by worship or drama groups. The hymns and songs may be accompanied by a traditional Salvation Army brass band or a more contemporary worship band with keyboard, guitars, drums and other instruments. The Songsters (choir) or group of singers may provide a vocal lead or present a reflective musical item.

As well as services on a Sunday, there are often other activities, such as prayer groups in the morning where few Salvationists gathered in their Church for a mass Prayer. The Salvation Army Youth had their meeting on Monday nights, the Home League on Tuesday night or Friday night whichever the Corps/Societies find convenient, Soldiers meeting for the whole congregation on Wednesday night having a separate lesson book, Thursday night for Brass Band meeting or Corps Cadet Class which some convened on Friday night. Then, the Prayer Meeting is held every Saturday Night for whole congregation.

Why not go along to your local Salvation Army centre and see for yourself all that it can offer?