Monday

Soup, Soap, and Salvation:

Karen Woods of Action writes about this great charity.
Commentary: Soup, Soap, and Salvation: 125 Years of The Salvation Army in the U.S.: "The Salvation Army has been called the most effective charity in the United States. In the opinion of famed management guru Peter Drucker, No one even comes close to it with the respect to clarity of mission, ability to innovate, measurable results, dedication and putting money to maximum use."

I really like the Salavation Army, but they are now being complained about because of new rules requiring compatible religious beliefs, in NY. In Hawaii, thanks to a huge $1.5 billion grant, they want a fantastic center for soup, soap, and lots of other good materialist things.

But no salvation.

Karen Woods concludes:
"The New York and Hawaii cases show that the Army is pulled in various directions. The New York conflict is a sign that it remains serious about its religious mission; the Hawaii project evinces a focus on secular social services.

The Salvation Army’s anniversary celebration should reinforce its founding ideals. It should be about 125 years of needy people seen as created in the image of God, deserving of both immediate care and the holistic charity that characterized William Booth’s vision. Booth branded his charity work The Salvation Army because that was what made his charity work."

Without Salvation, the Army becomes just another materialist oriented social service, a more-efficient public bureaucracy.