International Theological Council Addresses Priorities
THE opening of the latest meeting of the International Theological Council (ITC) – formerly known as the International Doctrine Council – was attended by the Chief of the Staff (Commissioner William Roberts), who gave a thought-provoking devotional message and outlined some aspects of General André Cox’s agenda for the ITC and its work in the coming days. This will include work in partnership with the International Social Justice Commission and the International Moral and Social Issues Council.
The majority of the remainder of the Council’s four-day meeting included a significant amount of work on the General’s assigned priorities. Some prepared theological papers were considered, with work in group and plenary sessions.
The ITC also reviewed a draft response from The Salvation Army to the World Council of Churches paper The Church: Towards a Common Vision. The draft was finalised for the General’s consideration.
ITC writings were discussed briefly, including the series on Salvation Army doctrines that has been published in The Officer magazine over the past two years as well as a number of papers from the 2014 International Theological Symposium. These articles are available on the ITC webpage, www.salvationarmy.org/doctrine. Other planned writings are being prepared.
The Chair, Lieut-Colonel Karen Shakespeare, shared a report regarding the success of the 'Boundless Grace' theological seminar at the International Congress in July 2015. A capacity crowd showed excellent engagement, with the level of participation in the seminar indicating a desire among Salvationists to engage in helpful theological conversation.
Report prepared by Major Geoff Webb
Vice-Chair, International Theological Council