Released 6 November 2009
Dr James Read, ISJC Senior Policy Analyst, was guest speaker at the
Salvation Army Pan-American Leaders Conference in São Paulo, Brazil,
21-23 October 2009.
General Shaw Clifton, Commissioner Helen Clifton (World President of
Women’s Ministries), Commissioner Larry Bosh (International Secretary for
the Americas and Caribbean), Commissioner Israel L. Gaither (USA National
Commander) and the senior territorial leaders of the 11 territories in the
Americas and Caribbean Zone were present to hear Dr Read address challenges
facing The Salvation Army ‘in a world of shifting values’.
According to Dr Read, although the Army may not have used the language of
‘social justice’ until recently, it has been part of the
Army’s DNA from the earliest days, as it must be because of the key place
social justice has in the mission of Jesus.
Dr Read sees positive missional opportunities for the Army because this is
an age in which the pursuit of social justice resonates with many people,
Christians and others. There are stiff challenges nonetheless, according to Dr
Read, since not everyone is agreed as to the meaning of social justice or the
priority issues demanding attention. In this context, Dr Read argued that the
call on the Army ought still to be undoing the injustice experienced by those
whom the world regards as ‘the worst’.
Dr Read with Major Joan Burton, Brazil MASIC
In his second paper, Dr Read discussed the value of official Positional
Statements. He contended that Positional Statements can continue to play a
significant role, especially as the Army acts on its rights and
responsibilities as a ‘global citizen’, but that what Positional
Statements can accomplish on their own is limited. Dr Read urged the gathered
leaders to develop methods, tools and trained personnel to meet the needs.
While in Brazil, Dr Read, who is also Vice Chair of the International Moral
and Social Issues Council (IMASIC), was able to meet with the members of the
Brazil Territory’s Positional Statements Committee. He was encouraged
that this Committee has now been made a permanent rather than ad hoc body, and
that they have been given an ambitious agenda of articulating current
Salvationist thinking on a range of issues pressing on the life of Brazilians.
Long-term collaboration between this and similar groups in other territories
and the IMASIC is hoped for.
Report by Dr James Read
Dr Read is the Executive Director of The
Salvation Army Ethics Centre in Winnipeg, Canada
www.salvationarmyethics.org