Background

The International Moral and Social Issues Council (IMASIC) is the body of The Salvation Army that advises the General and recommends statements of official position on contemporary moral and social issues.

Chaired by Colonel (Dr.) Wendy Swan, IMASIC is comprised of Salvation Army officers and soldiers from all over the world. These officers and soldiers are appointed by the General and usually embody a specific expertise, eg. theological or scientific. The Council may also call upon expertise from outside The Salvation Army when necessary.

What is a positional statement?

A positional statement is an articulation, crafted with careful and prayerful thought, of the official viewpoint of The Salvation Army.

As well as stating the position, each document expresses the scriptural and theological grounds for the statement and the underlying principles. They must be approved by the General before publication.

How do the statements apply?

As the official position of The Salvation Army, officers and others representing The Salvation Army must speak consistent with the position. It is understood, however, that individual Salvationists may hold different views on some subjects and acceptance of position is not essential to membership.

The Positional Statements are subject to periodic review, and therefore represent the considered view of The Salvation Army on a subject at a certain point in time.

Who are the statements for?

The Salvation Army recognises that many people do not share the same perspective and does not discriminate against those who do not when providing care.

The Positional Statements are intended to provide information and guidance to members of The Salvation Army. The Positional Statements are public documents available to anyone who is interested in the official view of The Salvation Army on a particular subject.