Set Apart In Christ

Come with me on a journey. A journey outside the box. This year is a year of significant anniversaries. For The Salvation Army the most significant was celebrated last month in London at the Boundless Congress; our 150 th anniversary. There is another one coming, though, that I think is worthy of note. October 4 this year will be 125 years since the death of Catherine Booth.

Let me just say at the outset that if my wife were ever elected as General of The Salvation Army I would happily and faithfully fulfil my role as International President of Women’s Ministries. Today the names have been released out of the High Council of the five nominees as to who will become the next General of The Salvation Army; Commissioner André Cox, Commissioner Kenneth Hodder, Commissioner James Knaggs, Commissioner Dick Krommenhoek and Commissioner Barry Swanson.  Almost immediately the news was being shared around social media sites and just as quickly conversations have turned to the gender and ethnicity of this group. All men. All white.

Here are some videos of the announcement of the 19th General of The Salvation Army, Linda Bond. Long version (25 mins) Short version (2 mins) Enjoy! Adam

Live stream no longer active... Go to this post for access to the videos Thanks Adam

Some more footage from High Councils of the past. No sound on these, but in the first clip you will see inside the High Council of 1954. In the second  General-elect Wilfred Kitching exits to great those waiting, shortly after the retiring General Albert Orsborn greets the new General. Clip 1 Clip 2 Enjoy! Adam

A step back in time to when Evangeline Booth was elected General of The Salvation Army. Fascinating stuff.

1954 High Council Looking at the latest update  from the High Council is mind boggling. The stats on how many people are accessing information about this important event are incredible. Keep in mind that the High Council has only been going for just on a week now, and yet there are thousands of people all over the world engaged in online discussions about it. 

Tomorrow sees the commencement of the 17th High Council of The Salvation Army to elect the 19th General of The Salvation Army. For those unaware there is only ever one active General in The Salvation Army, and technically (since General John Gowans) Generals are the only officers to have an (R) signifying "retired" after their name. Further, this is the only place within the Army where voting is permitted. Gowans believed that officership was for life. Generals are elected for a period of five years, but are not permitted to go past the age of 68. Gowans and Larsson were two whose terms were shorter than the 5 year period due to their age. It is possible at the end of their 5 year term for the General to be extended, if enough support is given from Commissioners throughout the world. This occurred for General Eva Burrows back in the early nineties; her term being extended by 2 years.