High Council 2011 The Western Territory’s news source for 29 years
February 4, 2011 • Vol. 29, No. 2
LINDA BOND NAMED GENERAL-ELECT Other nominees
n Largest-ever High Council elects 19th Salvation Army General.
Following a week of meetings and fervent attention to the future of The Salvation Army, the 2011 High Council announced on Jan. 31 that Commissioner Linda Bond—a former leader of the Western Territory—will be the 19th General of The Salvation Army. Commissioner Bond will assume office April 2, following the retirement of the current General, Shaw Clifton. Bond, 64, is the third woman and fourth Canadian to become General. After her election, Bond spoke to the High Council: “I love the Lord Jesus Christ and pledge my utmost obedience to him. I am absolutely committed to a life of praise and thanksgiving to God,” she said. “We, The Salvation Army need to be an Army of praise and thanksgiving to God and we must place our trust in God. We need his Holy Spirit to come mightily on The Salvation Army.” Bond currently serves as territorial commander and territorial president of women’s ministries of the Australia Eastern Territory, a position she has held since 2008. With 42 years of experience in the Army, Bond began serving in the Canada and Bermuda Territory as an officer in her local corps—an ordained minister in the church—in Winnipeg, Canada, in 1969. She became divisional commander in 1993. Other appointments include divisional commander in the Manchester region of the United Kingdom from 1998 to 1999 and territorial commander of the USA Western Territory from 2002 to 2005. Bond also served at the Army’s International Headquarters (IHQ) in London as under secretary for personnel from 1995 to 1998 and returned as secretary for spiritual life development and international external relations from 2005 to 2008. GENERAL-ELECT, page 7
Inside: Organizational chart The Salvation Army’s organizational structure can appear complicated, but in essence there are just six steps from a soldier in the local corps to the General at International Headquarters. See page 6 Frontlines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 The West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 The Musician . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 The World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Promoted to Glory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Prayer Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 From the Desk of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Spice Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 On the Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Doing the Most Good
n The following officers were also nominated to be the Army’s 19th General. Commissioner Max Feener Territorial Commander U.S.A. South
Commissioner William Francis Territorial Commander Canada and Bermuda
Commissioner Dick Krommehoek Territorial Commander Finland and Estonia
Commissioner M. Christine MacMillan Director International Social Justice Commission
Commissioner John Matear
Commissioner Linda Bond has been selected as the 19th General of The Salvation Army.
An abundance of leaders n Knaggs elected President of High Council. After the nomination of nine Salvation Army leaders for General, Western Territorial Commander Commissioner James Knaggs was elected President of the 17th High Council—he was also nominated for General but declined. Throughout the High Council, events unfolded dramatically, creating a number of firsts in Salvation Army history. With 109 members, this High Council was the largest ever, and included 57 women and 52 men— the first time women have outnumbered men. This group of leaders also put forth the largest number of candidates to stand for election as General. When original High Council President Commissioner William Francis declared himself a candidate for General, he was required to step aside from the presidency.
Vice-President Commissioner Betty Matear assumed the position for a brief time, before she too stood down since her husband was a candidate. This unprecedented situation—both the President and Vice-President stepping down—required a suspension of the Orders of Procedures to allow for new elections. Knaggs was elected President; Colonel Birgitte Brekke was elected Vice-President. In reflection, Knaggs said: “We were honored to join the nations of The Salvation Army to elect the 19th General of our beloved movement. Notable among the members were the eight commissioners originally commissioned in the Western Territory USA [the Bells, Burgers, Hodders and Seilers]. We sought the will of God and will support General-Elect Linda Bond as she takes office in April. We too celebrate the service of General Shaw Clifton and Commissioner Helen Clifton as they enter honored retirement.”
Territorial Commander United Kingdom with the Republic of Ireland
Commissioner William Roberts National Commander United States of America
Commissioner Robert Street International Secretary Europe
Commissioner Barry Swanson International Chief of the Staff
Commissioner James Knaggs, Territorial Commander U.S.A. West, was also nominated, but declined candidacy.