General of The Salvation Army

Last updated
General of The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army - General.svg
Rank insignia of General
Standard of the Salvation Army.svg
Standard of the Salvation Army
Lyndon Buckingham at Sunbury Court.png
Incumbent
Lyndon Buckingham
since 3 August 2023
Standard of the Salvation Army.svg The Salvation Army
Style General
Type Chief Executive Officer
Residence London, United Kingdom
Appointer High Council,
but must be under 68 years old
Term length Five years,
extendable up to a maximum of seven years
Constituting instrumentThe Salvation Army Act 1931 and Salvation Army Act 1980 via the Parliament of the United Kingdom
Formation2 July 1865
First holder William Booth
Deputy Chief of the Staff

General is the title of the international leader and chief executive officer of The Salvation Army, a Christian denomination with extensive charitable social services that gives quasi-military rank to its ministers (who are therefore known as officers). The general is elected by the High Council of The Salvation Army and serves a term of five years, which may be extended to seven years. According to the organization, the general is purported to be chosen by God, and the council identifies that person. [1] Lyndon Buckingham is the current general, who assumed office on 3 August 2023 upon the retirement of Brian Peddle. The organization's founder, William Booth, was the first and longest-serving general. There have been 22 generals as of 2023.

Contents

History and procedures for election

Usage of the title "General" within the context of The Salvation Army, began with the founder of The Salvation Army, William Booth. His wife, Catherine Booth, the organisation's co-founder, became known as the "Mother" of The Salvation Army. General Booth served as General until his death in 1912; Booth selected his son, Bramwell Booth as his successor. It was William Booth's intention to have each General dictate their successor, but the Salvation Army Act 1931 passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom requires that each General is selected by the High Council of The Salvation Army. Every General after Bramwell Booth has been selected by the High Council. [2] In accordance with the Salvation Army Act 1931, a General must retire at age 68 and may serve as long as seven years. [3] The General is elected by the High Council when their predecessor retires or dies (known within the Salvation Army as being promoted to Glory). William Booth was the only general to die in office. The High Council is composed of the Chief of the Staff, all active commissioners, except the spouse of the incumbent General, and all territorial commanders. The High Council may also remove a General from office for violations of their "covenant to God", disability, or the inability to fulfill their duties, though this has never happened.

The officer of the Salvation Army who is elected general is the worldwide spiritual leader of the Salvation Army and the Chief Executive Officer of the organization. The General has a role that is similar to the Pope's role within the Catholic Church. Since The Salvation Army maintains a hierarchical, quasi-military structure, all appointments and regulations are issued under the General's authority.

Three women have been elected General of the Salvation Army: Evangeline Booth, William Booths's daughter, in 1934, Eva Burrows in 1986, and Linda Bond in 2011.

On January 31, 2011, after 10 days of meetings which began on January 21, 2011, the 17th High Council elected Linda Bond as the 19th General of The Salvation Army. Bond was the third woman to hold the post and the fourth Canadian. This election was handled by the largest High Council in history and was especially significant due to the number of women delegates (57) outnumbering the number of men delegates (52). [4]

On 3 August 2013 the then-Commissioner André Cox was elected by the High Council of 2013 as the 20th General of The Salvation Army. [5] The High Council of 2018 selected Brian Peddle as Cox's successor in May 2018; he took office in August 2018.

On 26 May 2023 the High Council of 2023 elected Lyndon Buckingham as Peddle's successor.

Vacancy

In the event of vacancy, either by death or resignation, the Salvation Army Act 1980 requires that the Chief of the Staff of The Salvation Army serve as acting general if a successor had not already been elected. [6] The most recent instance of vacancy was in 2013 when Linda Bond retired unexpectedly; Andre Cox served as acting general.

List of living retired Generals

There are four retired generals living. The most recent general to die was Shaw Clifton on 29 May 2023.

Leadership

The General serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The Salvation Army at the international level, but the organization is divided into many subunits controlled by other individuals. For instance, Commissioner Kenneth Hodder, appointed by Peddle, serves as the National Commander of The Salvation Army of the United States.

Generals of The Salvation Army

No.PortraitName
(birth–death)
Term of officeNationality Chief of the Staff
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
1 William Booth.jpg William Booth OBE
(1829–1912)
2 July 186520 August 1912 †47 years, 49 days Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bramwell Booth
2 Bramwell Booth 1910-1915.jpg Bramwell Booth CH
(1856–1929)
21 August 191213 February 192916 years, 176 days Flag of the United Kingdom.svg T. Henry Howard
Edward Higgins
3 General Edward Higgins.jpg Edward Higgins
(1864–1947)
14 February 192911 November 19345 years, 270 days Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Henry Mapp
4 Evangeline Cory Booth.jpg Evangeline Booth OF
(1865–1950)
11 November 19341 November 19394 years, 355 days Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
Flag of the United States.svg
John McMillan
Alfred G. Cunningham
5 THE SAVELOY CLUB of the Salvation Army (cropped) George Carpenter.jpg George Carpenter
(1872–1948)
1 November 193921 June 19466 years, 232 days Flag of Australia (converted).svg
Charles Baugh
6 General Albert Orsborn (1951).jpg Albert Orsborn
(1886–1967)
21 June 19461 July 19548 years, 10 days Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Allan
Edgar Dibden
7 Installatie van Kolonel Palstra tot territoriaal leider van het Leger des Heils,, Bestanddeelnr 911-0245.jpg Wilfred Kitching CBE
(1893–1977)
1 July 195423 November 19639 years, 145 days Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
William J. Dray
Norman F. Duggins
Erik Wickberg
8
Leger des Heils 80 jaar. Wethouder Jan Tabak van Amsterdam begroet Generaal Fre..., Bestanddeelnr 920-3452.jpg
Frederick Coutts CBE
(1899–1986)
23 November 196321 September 19695 years, 302 days Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
9 Erik Wickberg
(1904–1996)
21 September 19696 July 19744 years, 288 days Flag of Sweden.svg Arnold Brown
10 Clarence Wiseman OC
(1907–1985)
6 July 19745 July 19772 years, 364 days Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Arthur E. Carr
11 Arnold Brown OC
(1913–2002)
5 July 197714 December 19814 years, 162 days Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg W. Stanley Cottrill
12 Jarl Wahlström
(1918–1999)
14 December 19819 July 19864 years, 207 days Flag of Finland.svg
Caughey Gauntlett
13 GeneralEvaBurrows (cropped).jpg Eva Burrows AC
(1929–2015)
9 July 19869 July 19937 years, 0 days Flag of Australia (converted).svg
Ron Cox
Bramwell Tillsley
14 Bramwell Tillsley
(1931–2019)
9 July 199318 May 1994313 days Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Earle Maxwell
15 Paul Rader
(born 1934)
23 July 199423 July 19995 years, 0 days Flag of the United States.svg
16 Gowans Congress.jpg John Gowans
(1934–2012)
23 July 199913 November 20023 years, 113 days Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Larsson
17 John Larsson
(1938-2022)
13 November 20022 April 20063 years, 140 days Flag of Sweden.svg Israel Gaither
18 Shaw Clifton 30 juni 2007.jpg Shaw Clifton
(1945-2023)
2 April 20062 April 20115 years, 0 days Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Robin Dunster
Barry Swanson
19 Bond College for Officers training.png Linda Bond
(born 1946)
2 April 201113 June 20132 years, 72 days Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg
Andre Cox
20 General Andre Cox.jpg André Cox
(born 1954)
3 August 20133 August 20185 years, 0 days Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg William A. Roberts
Brian Peddle
21 Peddle IHQ.png Brian Peddle
(born 1957)
3 August 20183 August 20235 years, 0 days Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Lyndon Buckingham
22 Lyndon Buckingham at Sunbury Court.png Lyndon Buckingham

(born 1962)

3 August 2023Incumbent199 days Flag of New Zealand.svg Edward Hill

Timeline

Below is a timeline of Salvation Army Generals' terms in office.

Lyndon BuckinghamBrian PeddleAndré CoxLinda BondShaw CliftonJohn LarssonJohn GowansPaul RaderBramwell TillsleyEva BurrowsJarl WahlstromArnold Brown (General of the Salvation Army)Clarence WisemanErik WickbergFrederick CouttsWilfred KitchingAlbert OrsbornGeorge Carpenter (Salvation Army)Evangeline BoothEdward HigginsBramwell BoothWilliam BoothGeneral of The Salvation Army

Notes

    Related Research Articles

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">High Council of The Salvation Army</span>

    The High Council of The Salvation Army elects a new general in the event of a vacancy or prior to the retirement of the existing office holder. It can also remove a general who can no longer fulfil their duties. The council is made up of the chief of the staff, active commissioners who are territorial commanders or who hold an international or national headquarters or territorial leadership appointment, territorial commanders with the rank of colonel, and territorial leaders with the rank of colonel. It is not a governing body of the Salvation Army, and is regarded as having no continuity of existence between meetings.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Chief of the Staff of The Salvation Army</span>

    The Chief of the Staff of The Salvation Army is a Commissioner appointed by the General of The Salvation Army as the second in command internationally. The Chief of the Staff is stationed at International Headquarters in London.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Bramwell Booth</span> General of The Salvation Army

    William Bramwell Booth, CH was a Salvation Army officer, Christian and British charity worker who was the first Chief of Staff (1881–1912) and the second General of The Salvation Army (1912–1929), succeeding his father, William Booth.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Evangeline Booth</span> British General of the Salvation Army

    Evangeline Cory Booth, OF was a British evangelist and the 4th General of The Salvation Army from 1934 to 1939. She was the first woman to hold the post.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Edward Higgins</span> General of The Salvation Army

    Edward John Higgins was the third General of The Salvation Army (1929–1934).

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaw Clifton</span> General of The Salvation Army (1945–2023)

    Shaw Clifton was an Salvation Army Officer born to Salvation Army officer parents stationed in Northern Ireland, who served as the 18th General of the Salvation Army. He succeeded John Larsson on 2 April 2006.

    Commissioner Barry C. Swanson is an American Salvation Army Officer who was commissioned as an Officer in The Salvation Army on June 11, 1978 and who was the 23rd Chief of the Staff of The Salvation Army under Salvation Army Generals Shaw Clifton and Linda Bond. He was succeeded by Andre Cox in February 2013. Swanson was also a candidate for the 20th General of The Salvation Army in August 2013, but he was not elected.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Theodore Kitching</span>

    Commissioner Theodore Hopkins Kitching CBE was a prominent officer in The Salvation Army, acting as Secretary and confidant to Generals William Booth and Bramwell Booth, and was The Salvation Army's International Secretary for Europe from 1914 to 1916.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Commissioner (The Salvation Army)</span> Second highest rank

    The rank of Commissioner in The Salvation Army is the second highest rank attainable by Officers in the organisation, and many of the Army's Territorial Commanders and even the Chief of the Staff hold this rank. The rank of Commissioner has been an active rank since 1880, and is one of the original ranks created by General William Booth, the first appointed Commissioner being George Scott Railton.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Linda Bond</span>

    Linda Bond is a former General of the Salvation Army; she was the 19th person to hold the position. She was born in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">André Cox</span>

    General André Cox is the former chief executive officer (CEO) and 20th General of The Salvation Army. He was commissioned as an Officer in The Salvation Army on 25 May 1979. He was elected to the position of General by the 18th High Council of The Salvation Army on 3 August 2013 and retired on 3 August 2018; he was succeeded by Brian Peddle.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">William A. Roberts</span>

    Commissioner William A. Roberts is a retired American Salvation Army officer who served as the Chief of the Staff of The Salvation Army from October 2013 to November 2015 under General Andre Cox.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Peddle</span> 21st General of The Salvation Army

    General Brian Peddle was the 21st General of The Salvation Army from 3 August 2018 to 3 August 2023. He was formerly the 26th Chief of the Staff of The Salvation Army from 1 November 2015 until 3 August 2018 under General André Cox.

    Minnie Lindsay Carpenter, née Rowell, was an Australian writer and an officer in The Salvation Army in Australia. She authored more than twelve books about Salvationist history. She also helped establish the Salvation Army International Nursing Fellowship and served as World President of the Home League. She married George Lyndon Carpenter, a Salvationist who was later elected as the fifth General of the Salvation Army in 1939.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Lyndon Buckingham</span> Salvation Army officer

    Lyndon Vernon Wayne Buckingham is a Salvation Army officer and Christian minister from New Zealand, currently serving as the General of The Salvation Army since 3 August 2023. He is the first person from New Zealand to hold the office.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunbury Court</span> Salvation Army building in England

    Sunbury court is a historic building located in Sunbury-on-Thames. Since the 1920s the court has been owned by The Salvation Army and has been the meeting place of the High Council of The Salvation Army

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Salvation Army Act 1980</span> United Kingdom legislation

    The Salvation Army Act 1980 is the legislation that governs the International Headquarters of The Salvation Army. The act limits and regulates the authority of the general of The Salvation Army, who serves as the organisation's chief executive officer (CEO). The legislation gained royal assent from Elizabeth II on 1 August 1980 and took immediate effect.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Salvation Army Act 1931</span> United Kingdom legislation

    The Salvation Army Act 1931 was an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that was passed in 1931. Until it was amended in 1963 and again in 1980, the legislation governed the International Headquarters of The Salvation Army. The act limited and regulated the authority of the general of The Salvation Army, who serves as the organisation's chief executive officer (CEO), and removed his ability to act as the sole owner of Salvation Army trusts. The legislation gained royal assent from George V on 31 July 1931 and took immediate effect.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Edward Hill (Salvation Army officer)</span> Salvation Army officer

    Edward Hill is an American minister and Salvation Army officer with the rank of commissioner who serves as the 28th Chief of the Staff of The Salvation Army. He assumed office on 3 August 2023 and serves under the leadership of General Lyndon Buckingham.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry Mapp</span> Salvation Army officer

    Henry Mapp was a British minister and Salvation Army officer who served as the 4th Chief of the Staff of The Salvation Army.

    References

    1. "2023 High Council: Day One". salvationarmy.org. 22 May 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
    2. "The Salvation Army International - What is the High Council?". www.salvationarmy.org. Retrieved Dec 2, 2020.
    3. Coutts, John (1977). The Salvationists. Oxford, England: A R Mowbray & Co Ltd. p. 27. ISBN   0-264-66071-4.
    4. "Linda Bond Named General-Elect". Caring Magazine Online. Caring Magazine. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
    5. "The Salvation Army International - Commissioner André Cox elected 20th General of The Salvation Army". www.salvationarmy.org. Retrieved Dec 2, 2020.
    6. "IHQ Announces Retirement of General Linda Bond". salvationist.ca. The Salvation Army. Retrieved 30 May 2023.