General appoints Commission on Membership, Covenant and Belonging

Following discussions at the International Conference of Leaders in March, General Lyndon Buckingham has appointed a Commission on Membership, Covenant and Belonging.

The Commission’s principal purpose is ‘to analyse and determine The Salvation Army’s membership structures in alignment with Army doctrine, Orders and Regulations and other official Army publications’.

Its work will be guided by a commitment to doctrinal fidelity, covenantal integrity, holiness formation, mission integration, ecclesiological clarity, global unity with contextual wisdom, and youth and intergenerational formation.

The Commission aims to strengthen Salvation Army discipleship by fostering clearer belonging, deeper covenant teaching, meaningful service, robust holiness formation, authentic youth engagement and greater ecclesiological clarity across the global Movement. Its vision is to help The Salvation Army become more welcoming without becoming less covenantal, more contextual without becoming fragmented, more accessible without becoming vague and more missionally effective without becoming less holy.

The General has appointed an 11-member Commission, co-led by Commissioner Geoff Webb (IHQ) and Colonel Dean Pallant (Germany, Lithuania and Poland Territory), with representatives from across the international Salvation Army. Members are Major Amy Reardon (IHQ), Colonel Bishow Samhika (International College for Officers), Lieutenant Emily Betts (IHQ – Americas), Commissioner Evie Diaz (USA Central), Commissioner Henrik Andersen (IHQ, based in Sweden), Major Juanita Wright (IHQ – Youth), Songster Leader Karl Westwood (UK and Ireland Territory), Lieut-Colonel Nigel Cross (Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand Territory) and Commissioner Yusak Tampai (IHQ – South Pacific and East Asia Zone).

The General will also be appointing consultant members to provide additional expertise, including Territorial Leader Commissioner Jenine Main.

Corresponding members will be engaged throughout the process, ensuring voices from young people, South Asia, Central and Southern America, and other parts of the international Army are heard.

The Commission will work to an ambitious timetable, with territorial leaders consulted at key stages. Its recommendations will be presented to the International Conference of Leaders for consideration in November 2027.

Your prayerful support for the Commission will be gratefully appreciated as it undertakes this significant work for the future of The Salvation Army.