General of The Salvation Army

High Council Archives - Salvation Army Texas

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General is the title of the international leader and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) 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. André Cox, the General, assumed the position in June 2013 as Acting General upon the resignation of Linda Bond, and was formally elected in August 2013. Its founder, William Booth, was the first and longest serving general. There have been 20 generals as of 2018.

Video General of The Salvation Army

History and procedures for election

Usage of the term General began with the Founder of The Salvation Army, William Booth. His wife, Catherine Booth, became known as the "Mother" of The Salvation Army. General Booth passed on the command to his eldest son, Bramwell Booth, but all Generals after Bramwell Booth have been elected.

The office of General is not restricted by gender. Evangeline Booth, Booths's daughter, was elected the fourth General of the Army, and Australian Eva Burrows was elected the thirteenth General. On January 31, 2011 Commissioner Linda Bond, a Canadian national, was named General-Elect of The Salvation Army and assumed office on April 2, 2011 following the retirement of General Shaw Clifton.

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. Since The Salvation Army maintains a heriarchical, quasi-military structure, all appointments and regulations are issued under the General's authority. Since the results of the 1929 High Council, and with the passage of The Salvation Army Act in the British Parliament in 1931, a General must "retire" at age 68. As of April 2018 there are 5 retired Generals still living.

The General is elected by the High Council when his predecessor is removed by the High Council, retires, or dies (known within the Salvation Army as being promoted to Glory). 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.

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).

On 3 August 2013 the then Commissioner Andre Cox was elected by the High Council of 2013 as the 20th General of The Salvation Army. In February 2018, Cox revealed that he would retire on 2 August 2018 at midnight. Therefore, the High Council of 2018 will begin its deliberations on 17 May 2018 to elect the 21st General of The Salvation Army.

Maps General of The Salvation Army

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 David Hudson, appointed by Cox, serves as the CEO of The Salvation Army of the United States.