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This biographical article or section is written like a resume. Please help improve it by revising it to be neutral and encyclopedic.(December 2007) |
| Shaw Clifton | |
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 Shaw Clifton |
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| Born | September 21 1945 Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Occupation | General of The Salvation Army |
| Spouse | Helen Clifton |
Shaw Clifton (born September 21, 1945 in Belfast, Northern Ireland) is the General of The Salvation Army. He succeeded John Larsson as the 18th General on 2nd April, 2006. He has the academic qualifications LLB(Hons), BDTheol(Hons), PhD and AKC(Theol).
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Career
Clifton was commissioned as an Officer of The Salvation Army on July 5, 1973. His first appointment was a British Territory Corps in Burnt Oak, North London, England in July, 1973. He went briefly to continue his theological studies at International Headquarters in October, 1973, before being appointed in January 1975 with his wife, Helen, to Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia), initially to the Mazowe Secondary School and then to the Bulawayo Corps as Corps Officers. He returned to the United Kingdom in 1979 to take charge of the Enfield Corps, North London. In June, 1982 he became the Legal and Parliamentary Secretary at International Headquarters. This was followed by an appointment in 1989 to the Bromley Corps in South London. In May, 1992 he became Divisional Commander in the Durham & Tees Division of the United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland. He would serve in that post until 1995 when he became Divisional Commander in the Massachusetts Division of theU.S. Eastern Territory for a couple of years with the rank of Lt. Colonel. He was appointed as the Territorial Commander of the Pakistan Territory for the Salvation Army in 1997 with the rsank of Colonel, later promoted to Commissioner whle still in Pakistan where the work of the Army prospered during those years. In 2002, he became the Territorial Commander for the New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory. In 2004, he was moved back to the United Kingdom Territory this time as Territorial Commander until, at the Army's 16th High Council held at Sunbury Court, Sunbury-on- Thames, London, he became General-elect for the Salvation Army on January 28, 2006, taking office in succession to General John Larsson on April 2, 2006. He will serve a full five years term. He is married to Commissioner Helen Clifton (nee Ashman), who was born in 1948 in Edmonton, London. The two have been married since July 15, 1967. In the course of their travels together, they have always encouraged full participation by men and women in the church. They have three children, Matt, John and Jenny (Collings). Matt and Jenny are officers in The Salvation Army. Commissioner Helen Clifton is World President of Women's Ministries and has been a Salvation Army officer since 1973. In 1984 they jointly edited a book 'Growing Together' about marriage and family life. [1] On September 13th, 2007 he became a Freeman of the City of London. In November, 2007 he was diagnosed with early and operable cancer and, on medical advice, all overseas travel until the end of June 2008 has been cancelled or postponed. Meanwhile he continues to carry out all the usual functions of the office of the General of The Salvation Army. For more, see the 'General of The Salvation Army' website.
Education
- LLB, University of London
- Bachelor of Divinity, University of London
- PhD (History of Religion) at King’s College, University of London[1]
Views and politics
Clifton has maintained a close interest in the connection between Christianity and social ethical issues. He has helped to shape current Salvationst stances on issues such as abortion, war, race and ethnicity, gender, marriage and family life, euthanisia, human sexuality, pornography. He is known for writing and speaking on the practical possibility of living a pure and holy life in the secular world, by divine indwelling and grace. He draws upon the writings of the Reformers, John Wesley, William Booth, Catherine Booth, Samuel Logan Brengle, and Edward Read. Clifton advocates a role for churches in social action, not just in social service, important though this latter is. Such a role should be a non-party role and it is not for the churches to tell believers or members how to cast their vote. As world leader of The Salvation Army Clifton is actively working for heightened awareness of, and greater opposition to, human trafficking. His convictions on the Army's calling to work for social justice have given rise to the establishing of the International Social Justice Commission based in New York near to the United Nations. He brings to his present role the same interest in ecumenical relations shown in earlier appointments around the world. He is encouraging still greater freedom of contact beteen the Army and other branches of the Body of Christ, including the Roman Catholic Church and enhanced communication with the Vatican. A strong believer in the equality of men and women in Christian leadership, Clifton has consistently sought to promote talented women Army leaders into more senior roles. He is emphasising the use of modern communication techniques in Christian ministry, though still encouraging a proactive book publishing programme by the Army's International Headquarters in London and around the world.
Bibliography
- What does the Salvationist say ...? (about divorce, abortion, race relations, euthanasia, war) (Salvationist Publisher & Supplies 1977) ISBN 0-85412-287-7
- Growing Together by Shaw Clifton and Helen Clifton (International Headquarters of the Salvation Army, London; Dec 1, 1984) ISBN 0854124454
- Strong Doctrine, Strong Mercy (International Headquarters of the Salvation Army, London 1985) ISBN 0854124713
- Never the same again: Encouragement for new and not-so-new Christians (Crest Books 1997) ISBN 0965760103
- New Love Thinking Aloud About Practical Holiness (Flag Publications 2004) ISBN 1-877359-04-1
- Who Are These Salvationists?: An Analysis for the 21st Century (Crest Books 2004) ISBN 0965760162
| Preceded by John Larsson |
General of The Salvation Army 2006 – present |
Incumbent |
