It’s time to abandon the High Council in
The Salvation Army.
In recent days the High Council of The
Salvation Army (TSA) have been gathering to determine who will be the next
General of TSA. So far, to my knowledge, five men have been selected, one of
whom will spend the next few years as General. I don’t know these men
personally, so I can only assume that each of them are capable, that they are
deeply committed to Jesus and committed to the mission of The Salvation Army.
But I fear they will be discredited before
they start.
And that is because they are male and they
are white.
This photo appeared on my facebook feed,
and while there are some clear errors on the list (the years don’t seem to add
up) it is the comments that appeared that concern me most. Here are a few, (I
have chosen not to include the names)
·
While each of these
candidates have my respect, I am waiting for the day we have a General from the
Two Thirds world that represents the most significant growth in The Salvation
Army.
·
majority of them have
spent 30 odd years working at in a office playing with the photocopier machine!
lol And not working in the "field"
·
I would actually have
liked to have seen a Commissioner from somewhere like Africa, India, or South
America nominated. I think they would have a good new perspective on evangelism
and living a Christ-like life that they could bring to the rest of the Army.
Add these thoughts to the blog that I read
from a current Corps Officer, - the-next-general - and I’m left with an uneasy feeling.
I have an uneasy feeling that until a
married woman is appointed as General, too many salvo officers will not believe
that the current General is the right person.
I have an uneasy feeling that until an
officer from Africa/Asia is appointed as General, the current General will not
be accepted by current officers.
But I add to that a very uneasy feeling
that when someone in these categories is appointed, many will feel that he/she
is just a token general.
So maybe it’s time to just abandon the idea
of the high council. I don’t have any suggestions for an alternative, but maybe
it’s time for a change.
