Sunday is the day on which Salvationists especially enjoy opportunities for worship and witness. The Salvation Army accepts that the observance of a day of rest is taught in the fourth commandment (Exodus 20: 8 - 11) and confirmed by the example and teaching of Jesus. In its recognition of Sunday as this day of rest, The Salvation Army aligns itself with what came to be the custom of the early Church in joyful celebration of Christ's resurrection.

The Salvation Army affirms that all people need a balance of work and rest. Rest is needed on a regular basis for the maintenance of health.

In any highly organised society some forms of labour will be essential on Sunday. The Salvation Army considers that activities such as commercialised sport, political meetings and unrestricted trading secularise the day intended for renewal and spiritual refreshment. It is recognised that legislation in itself - in a multicultural and secularised society - cannot safeguard Sunday as the Lord's day.

The Salvation Army believes that the legalising of unrestricted retail trading on Sundays will have adverse social and cultural effects. We support the efforts of groups opposed to unrestricted Sunday trading.

Those whose beliefs or consciences will not permit them to work on Sundays will be particularly harmed by unrestricted trading. Where Sunday trading is permitted, there should be legal safeguards against unreasonable discrimination in recruitment or deployment of staff.

Whatever changes may be made in the secular regulations relating to Sunday, Salvationists will continue to use the day for worship and the proclamation of the gospel. They will demonstrate by their own use of Sunday that it is a recognisably different day in which the worship of God has priority.

Approved I.H.Q. July 1992