The Greatest Speeches Ever Recorded at a Salvation Army High Council

I would love to be a fly on the wall at the gathering of the 2018 High Council of The Salvation Army. Despite the fact that a fly would probably make too much noise and only live for a fraction longer than a duration of the High Council, it would be a great opportunity!

While I'm clenched to the roof of the Hotel, I would hear leaders of the global Salvation Army wrestle with the big issues of our movement. I would hear well articulated speeches that cut to the heart of the core of what matters. I would witness the sacred privilege of reflective prayer and consideration to the very will of God in these days for The Salvation Army.

The Chief of Staff Commissioner Brian Peddle has called together 111 qualifying officers to convene as the High Council, beginning on 17th May, 2018 at the Renaissance Hotel in West London.

Salvation Army friends, it is time to believe for God to descend on the High Council like a dove, and bring wisdom, revelation and insight into the will of God for our movement. We pray that God would look upon this High Council 2018, as God did on the baptism of Jesus, and say 'I am well pleased.'

Before the High Council 2018 begins, I thought it would be good to consider speeches given by nominated and successful Generals of The Salvation Army in previous High Councils. It is in these well considered words of leaders that we glean something of the passion, and focus that drive The Salvation Army forward.

General Frederick Coutts started his 1963 High Council speech by saying, 'I would apply to the office of a General a saying of John Quincy Adams concerning the Presidency of the United States - that it an office neither to be solicited nor to be declined. I have not done the former, and happily the decision on the latter rests with the High Council.' (Larsson, 2013, p. 95).

He continued with three aims if elected:

The first would be to confirm the faith of the Army in its divine mission...In the second place, to confirm the faith of the Army in its place and function in the church universal...

We must spell this out for people - particularly our young people - so that they may understand that they have no need to seek elsewhere for the essential grace which can be found within our own walls, nor can any churchly blessing make them more truly members of the heavenly kingdom than they are by faith in Jesus as Saviour and Lord. And spell it out for our officers as well so that nowhere will any of them - woman or man, single or married - be received as any other than a minister of the gospel, 'as poor, yet making rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. (Larsson, 2013, p. 95)

The third place would be, 'to confirm the faith of the Army in the integrity of its own government. This calls for informed leadership...especially when, as with our structure, a General is both the source of authority and the final court of appeal. This means that he must be free from the very appearance of partiality and never allow any domestic conversation to interfere with, much less take the place of, the counsel of his appointed officers...' (Larsson, 2013, p. 95).

General Jarl Wahlstrom speaks of spiritual leadership at the 1981 High Council. As John Larsson highlights in his book Inside a High Council (2013, p. 96), General Wahlstrom says:

Leadership in the Army must first and foremost be spiritual leadership...A spiritual leader must have inner balance, and it is important that his leadership is equally balanced... There must be an adequate balance between the desk and the pulpit...A Salvation Army leader must promote the balance between the Army's evangelical and social work...Further, he must strike a balance between sound conservatism and courageous new thinking...  

Hear some of the visionary words of General Bramwell Tillsley before he was elected as General at the 1993 High Council of The Salvation Army:

I long for an Army whose motto is 'holiness unto the Lord'... I long for an Army open and responsive to the leading of the Holy Spirit...I long for an Army that will serve in the spirit of the Master...I long for an Army that will remain true to its principles, no matter what the cost... I long for an Army that has a deep appreciation of its young people and that encourages them to find their full potential in Christ...I long for an Army committed to prayer and the ministry of the Word... I long for an Army that is international in its outlook and recognises its responsibility to the whole world... I long for an Army whose cardinal reason for existence is to bring glory to God (Larsson, 2013, p. 97).

As we listen in to the events of the 2018 High Council, we seek that God would continue to raise up visionary, passionate, wise leaders, women and men, who can fly the flag of redemption right across this globe. While we minister in our own local contexts, we share the same Soldier's and Officer's covenants. We are united behind the same international mission statement.

[Here are some of my thoughts during the 2013 High Council, with the election of General André Cox.]

What an exciting opportunity this High Council affords The Salvation Army. Let me explore General John Larsson's own words communicated at the 2002 High Council, that resonate with me some 16 years later:

In this process of renewal I believe we are also recovering the vision of what the Army is meant to be. We are rediscovering the genius of the original vision. That is essential, for in some parts of the world we have been through a time of lack of confidence in ourselves. Everyone has thought us to be wonderful - everyone except ourselves! And there have been - and remain - pressures for us to become pale imitations of other churches and movements. I would aim to encourage the renewal of confidence in the unique contribution that the Army was raised up to make.

The Army is a force, not a flock...It is a force that is visible...A force with a mission to the whole person...A force with a genius for inclusion and releasing of potential...A force with a special mission to the disadvantaged...

I believe that God is powerfully at word in our midst to renew our passion for mission. I believe that he is at work to renew our vision of all that he wants the Army to be in the 21st century. My main focus would be to seek to encourage that process of renewal by every possible means (2013, p. 99).

I may not be able to be a fly on the wall at this historic 2018 High Council, but I sure do pray that when God sees all that transpires, God would look at The Salvation Army and say... 'I am well pleased.'

Please keep the High Council delegates in your prayers, in these days.

God bless you.

Please note: The International Salvation Army 'website will also carry regular updates during the High Council, and a live stream of the announcement of the new General as it happens. As much notice as possible will be given of this broadcast via IHQ’s social media channels @SalvArmyIHQ on Twitter and @SalvationArmyIHQ on Facebook.'  

Much of the content of this blog post can be found in John Larsson's 2013 book, Inside a High Council. 

General André Cox - The Salvation Army's 20th General - My insights!

Who is the next General of The Salvation Army?

On the 3rd August, 2013, The Salvation Army High Council decided that Commissioner André Cox would become the next General of The Salvation Army. He becomes the 20th General within the history of the movement, that began under General William Booth in the late 1800s.

Many have commented and reflected in recent days about the life and ministry of The Salvation Army. Those who are Salvationists have, for the most part, been very keen in praying for and discussing the ins and outs of the global movement.

What has been the consensus?

For what it is worth, let me offer you some of my own insights.

The Salvation Army must keep its eyes focussed on Christ. Sure, you may say that is a given. Maybe you even say that sounds too simplistic. Maybe it should go without saying. The challenge, from my perspective, is to keep this the main thing. In the ever increasing complexities of social policy, engagement with media, keeping a well respected global brand, administrative and financial demands and the like, we MUST keep our eyes on Jesus. We must, continue to be a movement that reconciles the world back to its creator, through an ever increasing impact on the global environment.

Anything less sells us out to the devil.

Many other debates within The Salvation Army are flowing freely:

• Should the Commissioners who gather for the High Council be so old? Does that affect positively or negatively on the life of The Salvation Army?
• Should the candidates who are selected by the High Council members be reflective of the demographics of the global Salvation Army?
• Should we have a General who is innovative and forward-thinking, or an administrator, or can they co-exist?
• What about gender equality?!

People on the grassroots, expressing Salvationism on the streets with the broken and hurting of our communities, are concerned about these particular issues. Many are hoping their voice would be heard.

Let me push the controversy a little. Why is it that most Salvationists who are in 'high-level' executive leadership are so behind the times when it comes to leveraging the potential impact they could have on social media? Bar a small number of Commissioners, and a few retired Commissioners, many are technologically inept. Now, I'm not trying to sound condescending, what I am wanting to say, is that if Salvation Army Officers in positions of bureaucratic influence were more connected technologically with the grassroots Salvation Army, they would create the following:

• A flattening of perceived distance between a Commissioner and a soldier.
• A greater level of discourse about Salvation Army policy and procedure
• An increase of their understanding of what makes The Salvation Army tick
• A deeper appreciation for the priesthood of all believers
• Less of a 'us and them' mentality

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The General of The Salvation Army needs to freely, continually and passionately communicate to The Salvation Army the vision and dreams for the future. This should not be done just within conventional avenues of communication. IHQ (International Headquarters), should be challenged to continue to pursue to a greater degree the dissemination of inspiring resources and vision-casting within all the practical realms of communication offered to us in the 21st Century.

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We must pray for the General. We need to ask the Lord to bless General André Cox. We should be supporting them for the sake of the Kingdom of God and what God intends to do through The Salvation Army in the future.

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I am absolutely convinced of one thing. Absolutely convinced, without a shadow of a doubt.

The best days are still ahead for The Salvation Army. Not just great days, but the best days. Let me go further (and this is where I might lose some readers...), to say that I believe that God will use The Salvation Army is such a mighty and powerful way in the future, that will lead many to the cross of Calvarly. When the power and presence of the Holy Spirit comes upon The Salvation Army in this new season, the world will not be the same. The whole world will once again be impacted by the Blood and Fire to a new degree. Who knows, it may even bring on the return of Jesus himself!

You may not believe it. You may have theological justifications to support other claims and God bless you in those God-inspired pursuits. What I am saying is that, God wants to FIRE UP The Salvation Army to be more than what it even is at present.

I praise God for the new General of The Salvation Army. I praise God for what is happening in many parts of the global Salvation Army.

Though, I cannot be satisfied.

More is yet to come.


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For more on the 20th General of The Salvation Army, see the following:

• Wikipedia - General André Cox
• The Salvation Army International Headquarters Media Release
• You Tube clip of General André Cox when he was Territorial Leader of The Salvation Army in UK & Ireland
• Special High Council Edition of the Journal of Aggressive Christianity
• Major Stephen Court on everything Salvation Army
• SalvoKat - The Generals in pictures!!
• That Jeff Carter Was Here - God bless the General

 

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The Salvation Army High Council 2013 - UPDATE

NEW: The newest General has been elected. For insights into the results of the High Council 2013 click here.

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The Salvation Army will convene another High Council very shortly. The information below spells it out for you, but here is some other interesting things about Salvation Army High Council's in the past:

Edward Higgins was elected General during the tumultuous High Council of 1929. He negotiated a change of legislation in 1931 that replaced the former method that William Booth had created to choose a General. Prior to the High Council (where Generals were and are elected by fellow Salvationists, with the rank of Commissioner), the method was one in which William Booth would seal in an envelope the name of the next General. This was seen by many to not be a preferred method of choosing a General to lead The Salvation Army.

Federick L. Coutts was a Scot elected to be General in 1963. He was known as the 'Army's Literary General', as he wrote many Salvation Army books, devotions and articles on topics such as holiness, leadership and spirituality.

In 1986, Eva Burrows, became the General by a slim margin of 24 to 22 votes on the fourth ballot. The Australian was 56 at the time of becoming General and was the youngest elected to the office.

Jesus is Lord! Let's keep that in focus.

Here's an excerpt from the High Council 2013 Facebook Page:

"Chief of the Staff, Commissioner André Cox, has summoned members of the High Council to meet on 29 July 2013 for the purpose of electing the 20th General of The Salvation Army. All leaders who are commissioners on active service or who are territorial commanders or territorial presidents of women’s ministries of whatever rank qualify for membership of the High Council.

This High Council will be t...he largest in the history of The Salvation Army. There will be 118 members – 64 women and 54 men – with an average age of 59. Fifty-four will be attending a High Council for the first time. Twenty-six have appointments in the Americas and Caribbean Zone and 24 in the Africa Zone. The South Pacific and East Asia Zone supplies 21 members, Europe 18 and South Asia 15. Fourteen International Headquarters commissioners complete the total of 118 members.

The High Council will not meet at its usual venue of Sunbury Court in Sunbury-on-Thames, United Kingdom, as this historic venue is presently undergoing a major refurbishment. Instead, it will meet at the Renaissance Hotel, near Heathrow to the west of London. This is not the first time the High Council has convened away from Sunbury Court – in 1934 and 1939 proceedings took place at Clapton, in the East End of London.

The Chief of the Staff will preside over the opening of the High Council until such time as a president and vice-president have been elected. The deliberations of the council will then be directed by the president, preparing the way for nominations for the office of General and the election of the next international leader of The Salvation Army.

International News Releases will be issued from time to time during the course of the High Council and will be available on the International Headquarters website. The announcement of the new General will be webcast so people all around the world will learn the identity of the new General at the same time.

For the latest information go to www.salvationarmy.org/HighCouncil2013

See my previous blog in relation to the retirement of General Linda Bond and who will be the next General of The Salvation Army.

Find more up to date happenings at Major Stephen Court's Blog: Army Barmy.

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Salvation Army High Council 2011 - Predestination or Foreknowledge?

The Salvation Army is close to deciding who will be the 19th General of The Salvation Army. As leaders gather together at the High Council one question races through my mind.

Firstly, though, if you want all the information on The Salvation Army High Council 2011, you're best to go to www.salvationarmy.org for the updates.

Now, stay with me. The question is, does God predestine, or preplan someone to be THE next General of The Salvation Army, or does God allow humanity the privelege, guided by the Holy Spirit, to choose this person, even though God already knows the outcome (foreknowledge). Clearly, The Salvation Army's theology sits on the later of the two. We believe that God has not simply foreordained leaders to fulfil particular positions, but that we as a people are responsible to seek the heart of God, and respond accordingly.

We no longer should delve into discussions (as fun as they are) on this person smells better, and this person uses the Internet better or worse, or this person is married or female or almost retired, etc, etc. We need to pray and ask God to guide (which we believe he will), the decision of the next General - but not based on superficiality. I DO agree though that we must ask the difficult questions of nominees, nine of which are nominated so far. Here are some questions I would ask (helped along from blogs like Mjr. Stephen Courts (Army Barmy - on the right) and Commissioner Joe Noland (www.joenoland.blogspot.com):

* What strategies do you have for the turn around of the decline of The Salvation Army in the Western World?
* In what ways will you inspire the world wide Salvation Army for future ministry?
* What is your greatest passion?
* What is your vision for The Salvation Army?
* Will you promote male and female equality, and if yes, then how?
* What are your strategies for equipping the local corps' soldiery?

Many more questions could be asked. Join the discussion at the Disciples in Training Page on facebook.

God bless. May God guide the High Council 2011, to decide who should be The Salvation Army's 19th General!

Lt. Pete.

Salvation Army High Council 2011 - Predictions?

The Salvation Army is in the process of deciding who will be the next General. Commissioners have gathered together from right around the world to join together as the 'High Council' and to pray and seek God's guidance on who should lead this movement forward. The Salvation Army will soon install its 19th General, and some are asking, "Who will be the next General of The Salvation Army?"

You can check out some of the Commissioners as they comment briefly on the process of the High Council:
Commissioner Raymond Finger (Australia Southern Territory) - TC Today
Commissioner James Knaggs (USA Western Territory) - TCSpeak
The Salvation Army International Website: http://www.salvationarmy.org/ will keep things up to date.

Should we be concerned with WHO will be the General? I think we are called at this point to pray and believe God for his guidance. To set up some betting system, with predictions on who will be the next Salvation Army General is ridiculous and not in the spirit of the occasion. Can I challenge some of us, to spend more time on our knees seeking the direction of God, than to be gossiping about the future leader of The Salvation Army??! Just a thought.

Also read: More on the High Council HERE.

May God guide his people. These are exciting days for The Salvation Army, as we embark on a new journey, into new leadership and into a new year, filled with opportunities for Kingdom impact.