With the World Council of Churches (WCC)

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Written October 2023
' ..... that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. ...'
(John 17:20)
 
In 1978 The Salvation Army suspended its membership of the WCC.  It cited several reasons, among others charging the council of being governed by politics rather than the gospel. The decision was seemingly precipitated by the murder of Salvationist missionaries in Zimbabwe, allegedly by members of the Patriot Front, one of the liberation movements to which the WCC had given grants. But there had been other growing concerns over years. There had been questions on whether The Salvation Army is a church and whether its ministry was valid. There was also concern that its voice was small, given just the single vote because of its global constitution. 
 
In 1981 the council agreed it 'fraternal membership', allowing contributions to debates, but without a vote. I was asked to join the four-person delegation to the 1983 assembly being held in Vancouver. I expressed my reservations but agreed to speak in defence of the position that force and even legislation alone would not establish kingdom values. It is a deep within the heart and mind of humankind where change needs to take place. 
 
The assembly was for me yet another wonderful experience of fellowship and learning. I valued the singing, listened to endless presentations from Canada and around the world. I attended a special session on Namibia hosted by SWAPO, listened to Northern Ireland's Ian Paisley on a street corner, listened to Philip Potter, WCC general secretary, met 'Mr Pentecost', my namesake, David du Plessis, and discovered that both of us shared a strong commitment to matters ecumenical. 
 
Then it was The Salvation Army's turn to speak. Victor Keanie explained once again the background to the suspension and appreciation for accepting the denomination in a fresh relationship. There were bursts of applause as he spoke. 'It's what's best for us,' he explained, ' And we're glad to be back.' He concluded with a commitment to continuing in the spirit of cooperation by quoting words of a Salvation Army song. 
 
My life must be Christ’s broken bread,
My love his outpoured wine,
A cup o’erfilled, a table spread
Beneath his name and sign.
That other souls, refreshed and fed,
May share his life through mine.
 
'We're so glad you're back,' said someone sitting next to me in the gallery as we watched and listened.  
 
Please Lord,  give us the grace to live up to our commitments to unity of purpose. 

October 2023