General Buckingham unveils roadmap for the Army’s future
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BY IHQ COMMUNICATIONS
Staff and officers gathered in London on 2 June 2026 for the official launch of a five-year strategy designed to strengthen how International Headquarters (IHQ) supports the General and serves The Salvation Army around the world.
The strategy will guide IHQ’s work through to 2031, helping ensure that its efforts remain focused on People, Mission and Legacy. It unpacks how IHQ will deliver and demonstrate spiritual direction, strategic leadership and operational excellence.
“Essentially, what this means is that we aim to improve the way we support the General’s leadership of The Salvation Army and support the movement’s work – internally and externally,” explained Major Peter McGuigan, Secretary for Communications.
“We have developed an internal strategy for the work of IHQ that is intrinsically linked with the Compass framework, and we are in the process of developing materials and a strategy committee made up of a cross-section of IHQ staff."
For more information on the Compass Strategic Framework, click here.
A shared vision
Opening the strategy launch at IHQ, Chief of the Staff Commissioner Edward Hill reflected on both the opportunities and challenges facing The Salvation Army worldwide.
“The Salvation Army of 2026 has a lot to celebrate,” he said. “Exciting, significant ministry is being replicated in thousands and thousands of locations around the globe. We are part of a great, gifted and still-growing Salvation Army.”
He encouraged staff to embrace the journey ahead: “We begin a journey today, and we have a road map. It’s a good plan, created through partnership and fuelled by divine power. Let’s take that step together today with faith and joy and confidence.”
From strategy to action
Commissioner Garth Niemand, who was instrumental in its development, highlighted the practical nature of the strategy and the importance of translating plans into action.
“This is not just a strategy. It’s a strategy with a to-do list,” Commissioner Niemand said. “The success of this strategy will not be defined here today. It will be defined by what happens tomorrow morning.”
He also stressed that lasting change depends on people: “Even the best strategy will stall if behaviours don’t change,” he said. “Transformation at IHQ will not come from one big moment. It will come from many small, consistent actions across all of us.”
Commissioner Niemand will be installed as the new Chief of the Staff in October when Commissioner Hill retires.
READ MORE: New-Chief-of-the-Staff
Attendees also viewed a video featuring staff and officers sharing their hopes for the future and reflecting on how the strategy will strengthen IHQ’s support for the worldwide Salvation Army.
Working together
The IHQ Strategy was developed through extensive consultation involving staff from across IHQ, with support from Moore Kingston Smith. Nearly 190 people contributed to shaping its priorities and implementation plan.
Officially launching the strategy, General Lyndon Buckingham celebrated its alignment with the values of The Salvation Army and reminded staff that the strategy is ultimately about advancing God’s mission.
Drawing on the biblical account of Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, the General highlighted the power of teamwork and shared responsibility.
“A big task becomes much more manageable when it is divided into smaller parts and when many people get involved,” he said. “When people work together efficiently and faithfully, they can achieve extraordinary results. We can, too.”
Looking ahead
Expressing confidence in both the strategy and the people who will deliver it, the General declared: “I officially launch this IHQ Strategy with confidence that the Lord will use the plan – and, more importantly, us – to ensure flourishing within the house that impacts the global Salvation Army.”
As implementation begins, the strategy will help strengthen how The Salvation Army International Headquarters supports staff, officers, volunteers and people in need around the world.
This article first appeared in the International Salvation Army website.
