Part of a series on The Salvation Army

Background Christianity · Protestantism · Pietism · Anglicanism · Arminianism · Methodism · Holiness Movement · Evangelicalism

Organization General · Chief of the Staff · High Council · Officer · Soldier · Corps

Persons William Booth · Catherine Booth · Bramwell Booth · Florence Eleanor Soper · Evangeline Booth · Ballington Booth · Catherine Bramwell-Booth · George Scott Railton · T. Henry Howard · Emma Churchill · Ray Steadman-Allen · Eva Burrows · John Gowans · John Larsson · Shaw Clifton ·

Other Band · International Staff Band · Promoted to Glory · Order of the Founder · Limelight Department · Christmas kettle · War Cry · Articles of War · Reliance Bank

Related organizations Volunteers of America · Skeleton Army · The Blind Beggar

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General is the title of the International Leader 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).

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, William's daughter, was elected fourth General of the Army, and Eva Burrows was elected the thirteenth General.

The Officer of The Salvation Army who is elected General is the worldwide spiritual leader of The Salvation Army throughout the world. Since The Salvation Army maintains a quasi-military structure, all appointments are made, and all regulations 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 70. It has become common practice in recent years for a General to serve five years and step down, although they are not required to, and can serve more than five years if they have not reached the mandatory retirement age of 70.

The General is elected by the High Council when his or her predecessor is removed by the High Council, retires or dies (known within the Salvation Army as being promoted to Glory) while still in office. The High Council is made up of the Chief of the Staff, all active commissioners, except the spouse of the General, and all territorial commanders.

The 2006 High Council was held in Sunbury near London, England, from January 20 to January 28, 2006. The High Council elected Shaw Clifton who took office of the General after General Larsson retired on April 2, 2006.

[edit] List of Generals of The Salvation Army

1. (1878 - 1912) William Booth
2. (1912 - 1929) Bramwell Booth
3. (1929 - 1934) Edward Higgins
4. (1934 - 1939) Evangeline Booth
5. (1939 - 1946) George Carpenter
6. (1946 - 1954) Albert Orsborn
7. (1954 - 1963) Wilfred Kitching
8. (1963 - 1969) Frederick Coutts
9. (1969 - 1974) Erik Wickberg
10. (1974 - 1977) Clarence Wiseman
11. (1977 - 1981) Arnold Brown
12. (1981 - 1986) Jarl Wahlström
13. (1986 - 1993) Eva Burrows
14. (1993 - 1994) Bramwell Tillsley
15. (1994 - 1999) Paul Rader
16. (1999 - 2002) John Gowans
17. (2002 - 2006) John Larsson
18. (2006 - Present) Shaw Clifton

[edit] External links

• Website of the General