THE Salvation Army's International Theological Council (ITC) and International Moral and Social Issues Council (IMASIC) held an historic joint meeting with representatives from the International Social Justice Commission (ISJC) at Sunbury Court, near London. Discussions at the two-day joint meeting were around a shared project on international social justice issues.
The two councils then continued for another two days in separate discussions. At the ITC’s meeting, under the leadership of Lieut-Colonel Karen Shakespeare, the focus was on the General’s theological priorities. Commissioner Johnny Kleman was welcomed as vice-chair and thanks were expressed to the outgoing vice-chair, Lieut-Colonel Geoff Webb. There was also an update on emerging trends and current theological issues together with the sharing of some ecumenical questions from around the globe.
Information was shared on the continuing development of the council's support to The Salvation Army's Europe Zone in its preparation for the upcoming Luther Symposium, which will take place in October this year in Wittenberg, Germany. The symposium is being held to acknowledge the 500th anniversary of the Reformation and its effect on today’s Christian ministry.
The IMASIC advises the General on contemporary moral and social issues, and recommends statements of official position on such issues. The most recent positional statement – designed to provide information to the public and guidance to Salvationists – was published in January, on the theme 'Ancestral Worship'. All international positional statements can be found on the International Headquarters website.
Based on a report by Commissioner Johnny Kleman
