Blueprint for Better Choices

A territorial framework with questions and focus areas to guide decision-making.

The 'Blueprint for Better Choices' will be officially launched at Officers' and Territorial Envoys' Councils 2025 (27–29 October).
Keep an eye on this page for further information or pick up a copy of 1 November issue of Salvationist magazine.

At the heart of the ‘Blueprint for Better Choices’ are the five key focus areas which we will commit to and which we believe are pivotal to the overall aim of enabling local mission to flourish and bear greater fruit in this next season.

Alongside these, we are intentional about fostering a culture of discernment in all our decisions, ensuring that every step we take is guided by thoughtful reflection and collective wisdom.

We believe that the five focus areas will help us ensure that local mission can reach its full potential, supported, shaped and tested by this ‘Blueprint’. If we are to ensure that we are effective in the five key focus areas, and to truly embed a discerning approach throughout, there are some questions which should be taken into consideration when testing proposals.

This framework asks some foundational questions to help us make better, more impactful decisions:

What is the unique or distinctive contribution of The Salvation Army in this area of work?
Who else operates in this field?
What is the impact you expect to see from this service and how will you measure this?
What does the ‘fullness of life for all with Jesus’ look like for the people incorporated into this proposal or programme?
What is God saying to us in this proposal?
What steps have been taken in discerning this?
What would you do if your budget increased (by 5 or 10 per cent) and what would you do if your budget decreased (by 5 or 10 per cent)?

There are some questions which should be asked about every proposal or programme:

What does ‘fullness of life for all with Jesus’ look like for the people incorporated into this proposal or programme?
Why is now the right time for this proposal or programme?
How will we know when it is finished or is time to stop?

Focus areas

To develop people who are bold and faithful followers of Jesus Christ, whose lives embody and enact the grace of God in every aspect of life.

How does this proposal make space for God’s call to follow Jesus?
In what ways does this initiative help to mobilise disciples?
How does this work integrate spiritual life development with outward-facing mission?
What is the intentional pathway that will offer opportunities for people to encounter God?
How well are the current pathways working?
How will you cultivate the seeds of discipleship?

To echo in public and private the just and righteous intentions of God for the whole of creation.

What is prophetic about this proposal?
How does this initiative reflect the pursuit of individual and corporate holiness?
In what ways does this plan bring about justice and reconciliation?
How have you incorporated ‘creation care’ into your thinking?

To remain unreservedly committed to those most in need. Predominantly this is grounded in socio-economic terms.

How does this initiative connect with the most marginalised?
In what ways does this plan move beyond ‘meeting needs’ to relational ways of working?
How have the target group given input into this proposal?
How does this proposal or programme support the empowerment of individual people?
How is this releasing and building on the strengths and gifts (assets-based approach) of individual people?

To focus on children and young people in corps, centres and communities means ensuring they can be active participants in the whole life of The Salvation Army.

How is this proposal encouraging children and young people to take responsibility for their faith journey?
How will children and young people encounter and respond to God’s love through this work?
How do your plans enable children and young people to participate in God’s mission and the whole life of The Salvation Army?
How does this help us grow younger?
How does this proposal recognise the important responsibilities of the wider corps and community in relation to encouraging children and young people?

To identify, develop and work with people of all generations, gender and ethnicity, including leaders with a breadth and variety of gifts, experiences and styles.