The General sends greetings to Anglican world leaders

Every 10 years the Archbishop of Canterbury invites all the Anglican bishops around the world to gather in conference at Lambeth Palace in London. The General has sent ecumenical greetings on behalf of all Salvationists to those who will attend the Lambeth Conference 2008 (the Conference will be held from Sunday 20 July to Sunday 3 August). The General's greeting to the Conference is as follows:

GREETING FROM GENERAL SHAW CLIFTON
WORLD LEADER OF THE SALVATION ARMY

TO HIS GRACE THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY AND TO THE ANGLICAN BISHOPS GATHERED FOR THE LAMBETH CONFERENCE 2008

Warmest greetings in Christ from all Salvationists, scattered throughout 115 countries of the world, to our Anglican brothers and sisters in Christ.

It is a privilege to greet you as you gather on this historic occasion and to pledge our prayers for all of you as you consider, under the presiding hand of God, themes which have high significance not only for the Anglican communion but for the entire Body of Christ on earth.

The Salvation Army awaits keenly the outcomes of your prayerful and patient deliberations. May the Holy Spirit be your Chief Guest, inspiring you, directing and guiding you, and gently holding you back from error.

May your fellowship be rich within the bonds of Christ. May your mission for saving the world be enlarged. May your oneness in Christ be deepened. May the unity of the Body be preserved.

The Salvationists of the world surround you with Christian love and prayers. The Lord is with you!

Yours in Christ,

Shaw Clifton
GENERAL


The General also sent a personal letter of encouragement to the Archbishop of Canterbury , the text of which is as follows:

Dear Archbishop,

It was both pleasing and affirming to receive an invitation from the Rev Canon Flora Winfield to send an official greeting from The Salvation Army to the Lambeth Conference 2008.

However, it has been upon my heart and mind to send to you a rather more personal word of greeting and encouragement as the Conference draws nearer. This I now do.

As this letter is compiled I have before me the Conference Schedule. I pledge to uphold you personally in prayer every day throughout this historic event. By the gracious action of the Holy Spirit may you know inner calm, warmth of heart, clarity of mind, and holy courage to meet whatever particular stresses or demands may arise for you day by day during the Conference.

The themes for each day have about them a rightness and timeliness, not only for our Anglican brothers and sisters but for the whole Body of Christ.

May you emerge from the Conference feeling that the Lord has smiled upon it, has poured out abundant blessings, and has guided all of you safely through. May you also sense from those present much personal affirmation and encouragement for your godly leadership in the sacred task to which you have been appointed under God.

Yours in Christ,

Shaw Clifton
GENERAL

The Salvation Army's representative at the Conference will be Colonel Michael Marvell, who will be present throughout and will also participate actively in discussions, with opportunity to address attendees on the subject of Christian mission and ministry among the poor. For more information about the Lambeth Conference, go to http://www.lambethconference.org