General Bond Retires, Questions Rise

It was announced today Linda Bond, 19th General (international leader) of The Salvation Army is retiring effective June 13th - today. Though it isn't likely to create the same buzz among the blogosphere that retirement of Pope Benedict created back in February, it has caused a fair bit of consternation among Salvationists around the world (and especially among those of us who just saw her speak in St. Louis, Missouri last weekend.)

The announcement of her retirement came in the form of a terse (and uninformative)  letter from the Chief of the Staff, André Cox:

I write to inform you that General Linda Bond is entering into retirement.

Following a period of personal reflection and prayer, General Bond has decided that she should relinquish the Office of the General with effect from 13 June 2013. The General’s decision to step down comes after 44 years of ministry.

As is required by our constitution, contained in the Salvation Army Act 1980, the Chief of the Staff will perform the functions of the General pending the election of a new General.

With no real explanation coming from the International Headquarters, it's difficult for many of us to understand.  The temptation to speculate is compelling.  And, at the very least, many are asking why?  We'd rather not have to speculate, and we don't want to get into gossip or slander.  We'd just like to know what's going on. We're not tryin gto be nosy, or busybodies.  If it's a matter of health, we'd like to be able to pray about it.  If there are other family issues, we can accept that - without getting into personal details.

Some of us wonder (and without information, all we have are questions) if it's something more 'political.'  The 2nd General of the Salvation army, General Bramwell Booth (son of the founders, William and Catherine Booth) was effecitvely desposed by the Salvation Army's High Council (The Salvation Army equivalent of the Papal Conclave) - in fact, that's pretty much why the first High Council was convened.  In the case of Bramwell Booth it was the result of his ill health (both mental and physical) and his refusal to willingly retire.

Is that the case with General Bond?  I cannot say that it is - but I cannot say that it isn't.  In fact I can't say much at all about it beacuse we just don't know.  I don't want to speculate.  I don't want to have to speculate. I'm hoping that we'll be given some more information soon.