Martin, John (2022) Maintaining traditions, managing transitions : towards a re-contextualisation and re-imagination of music as missional practice within The Salvation Army. Three autoethnographic case studies in London. (PhD thesis), Kingston University, .
Abstract
My research asks how and why music is used as missional practice within The Salvation Army, part of the Christian Church. What music is considered to be effective within a changing missiology, and how does the practice of Army worship differ according to location, leadership, and resources? As an officer (Minister of Religion), worship leader, composer and instrumentalist who has contributed to, and participated in music and mission, I recognise the importance and value of music to the Army and myself. The use of music is an important and interesting feature of missional practice in the Christian Church. Within the Salvation Army tradition, Salvationists have witnessed how Army ecclesiology has been shaped by the introduction of new musics to existing repertoire. In particular, the Army has embraced new songs, new styles and genres, new sounds and instrumentation, new formulae and methodology in order to promote its mission objectives within the changing and challenging marketplace of consumerism, multiculturalism, cultural practice and diversity. This mixed-method, autoethnographic empirical research is contextualised, using the Army's mission statement, 'Save souls, grow saints, and serve suffering humanity'. I make use of qualitative and quantitative data, together with my own reflective practice, in order to examine the interplay between music as missional practice of three diverse case studies, based in London: Regent Hall Band, Stepney Corps, and the annual Commissioning and Ordination event, held at Central Hall, Westminster. I use three concepts, Sodal and Modal and Nodal to contextualise congregational type, and apply and refine four 'evaluative frames' - Expression, Materials, Construction and Values - as well as my own notion of Parochial Protectionism, in order to assess and evaluate current practice within different Army congregations. My research demonstrates that Army music is used within the context of its location, congregational type, resources and tradition and, in so doing, provides musicians, congregants and bystanders with opportunities for worship, service, moments of reflection, and response. It recognises and acknowledges the diversity of music and mission within the Army, and celebrates the unique contribution both make to the embodied witness of the gospel message, developing community, and a sense of belonging. Although my case studies were all based in London, they are representative of similar expressions of Army worship and music throughout the Army world. The results of this thesis will contribute to the widening field of Practical Theology and Ethnomusicology. As the Army enters its 157th year, my conclusions highlight the way in which traditional and transitional music as missional practice are being adopted within 'traditional conservative' and 'radical liberal' Salvationist traditions.
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