A recent statement from the Salvation Army has revealed the new administrative plan regarding the European School for Officers' Training (ESFOT), which will come into effective from July. The change has not been given an in-depth explanation, but it is promised that the original vision and mission of the school will be fully maintained.
The ESFOT is in Basel, Switzerland. In 1983, three European Salvation Army territories - France, Germany and Switzerland - formed an association and entered an agreement to provide the capital with the construction of a school as well as the annual contribution required to fund the operations. The school was used as a centre to train all the European Salvationist cadets.
However, the statement explained, "In the 21 years since this initial agreement, many things have changed. The realities in each of three partner territories are vastly different to the time when the agreement was entered into. The introduction of flexible training, as well as new training methods, standards and requirements, have made it impractical to maintain the existing agreement."
In order to liquidate all the assets and liabilities of the France-Germany-Switzerland association, a plan to search for a buyer of the school was proposed two years ago. Till now, no suitable purchaser has been identified. After further discussion, the Switzerland, Austria and Hungary Territory will now purchase the building from the other two partners.
Starting from 1 July, the ESFOT will become a territory facility of Switzerland, Austria and Hungary. Training programmes will be managed by the three territories, and is available to other territories, keeping alive the vision of the European School for Officers' Training.
School reform is now under progress, which is geared at the recognition of the theological basic training according to international standards. The reform working committee has sought clarification from four different theological institutes but it ensures that the theological orientation is in accordance with the Salvation Army doctrine.
Additionally, to promote the sense of identification and commitment to mission among Salvation Army officers, additional themes are to be implemented in the theological training curriculum.
With its long standing 139 years of history, the UK-based Salvation Army, has been one of the largest social service providers in the world. It was founded by William Booth, following the Wesleyan tradition of Methodism.