International Theological Symposium: Bali
by Colonel Richard Munn
Since 2001, The Salvation Army has hosted a series of symposia with intentional doctrinal, theological, and ethical themes—stirring content discussed in far-flung locations.
2001 – Doctrine of the Trinity (Winnipeg, Canada)
2006 – Salvationist Ecclesiology (Johannesburg, South Africa)
2010 – Doctrine of Holiness (Sunbury Court, United Kingdom)
2014 – Jesus, Universal Lord and Savior (Sunbury Court, United Kingdom)
2021 – On Earth As It Is in Heaven (IMASIC Video Symposium)
To this list, we can now add God So Loved the World: Following Jesus in a Fractured World, in Bali, Indonesia, October 2024.
These significant and substantive gatherings bring together thinkers and presenters who over five days share papers and field questions in the crucible of academic rigor. The papers stand the test of time and become unalterably part of Salvation Army historical record, contributing to our self-understanding and mission around the world.
The caliber of the content, presenters, and attendees stands with the very best of evangelical scholarship. So, it is with particular interest and delight to note that the USA Eastern Territory was represented by our very own Major (Dr.) Dean Satterlee, ARC Command.
SAconnects caught up with Dean upon his return to give you, our readers, the story behind the story.
What was the aim of the symposium?
The aim was to “deepen an understanding of authentic discipleship that impacts and transforms the way we share life in our Christian communities, neighborhoods and the world.”
Each day considered a particular dimension of the theme. These were:
- From fractured relationships to reconciled communities.
- From fractured self to wholeness in Christ.
- From fractured planet to responsible stewardship.
How many delegates attended and participated, and from where?
Seventy-five delegates attended the symposium, representing all five international zones of the Army world.
Who were the leaders and presenters?
The symposium was led by the International Theological Council headed by Lt. Colonel (Dr.) Karen Shakespeare, chair. International leaders General Lyndon and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham and Commissioner Yusak Tampai, Indonesia territorial leader, also had key leadership roles.
Presentations were made by the following:
- Lt. Colonel (Dr.) Karen Shakespeare, keynote: God so loved the world: Following Jesus in a fractured world
- Colonel (Dr.) Bishow Samhika: From fractured relationships to reconciled communities: Biblical foundations for living well together
- Dr. Caleb Louden: Working towards a reconciled community: A biblical example—Galatians 2
- Dr. Petra Kjellen Brooke: Hospitality beyond borders: A biblical lens for healing fractured relationships
- Dr. Coralie Bridle: From fractured self to wholeness in Christ: Biblical foundations for abundant life
- Colonel Donna Evans: Loving myself as I love my neighbor: Self-care as a spiritual discipline
- Major (Dr.) Dean Satterlee: Where is joy when life is hard?
- Major (Dr.) Constanze Pfund: From fractured planet to responsible stewardship: Biblical foundations of creation care
- Captain Crystal Porter: Living in harmony with creation: What does it mean to be a faithful trustee of our world?
What subject matter, papers, or presenters especially stood for you?
The papers presented by Colonel Bishow Samhika, Dr. Caleb Louden, and Dr. Coralie Bridle were particularly impactful for me.
What do you bring back to your appointment and our territory as a result of attending?
Dr. Bridle’s treatment about ministering to those with fractured bodies and fractured minds resonated deeply with me with respect to my present appointment as an administrator of an Adult Rehabilitation Center. There are important principles from her work which will have application in this context.
I also bring back a renewed sense of gratitude and awe at the international Salvation Army, with many of the delegates coming from situations where Christianity is the minority worldview who are standing strong for the truth of the gospel. We experienced wonderful times of sanctified fellowship, coming together as one, with our commonality in Christ surpassing all other differences.
I have a desire to see these kinds of discussions develop at the grassroots level in the territory, at corps, institutional, divisional levels. We need to be thinking biblically about the big questions in life and always measuring our thinking to the standards of Scripture.
Any final insights or thoughts for our readers?
In the final session, General Buckingham gave a spirited message during the Sunday morning worship together. He challenged the delegates to follow the example of the small boy described in John 6 who gave his little lunch to address the needs of the multitude. He recognized that the needs of our fractured world can seem overwhelming at times but noted that what God is looking for is our submission to his leadership, bringing our fractured personhood to him.
Somehow, in that moment, he said, we become “touched by the divine, by the pure, by the holy, by the all-powerful Creator of the universe, the One who knows the beginning from the end. Somehow in that offering, in that beautiful covenantal moment, in the bringing of my sincere but broken self, something beautiful happens, something sacred happens.”
The General’s message was followed by a beautiful response to a call for prayer. As we sang “Faithful God,” some delegates moved forward for prayer, with others kneeling at their seats in dedication, committing ourselves afresh to following Christ in a fractured world.
I am deeply grateful to the territory for the privilege of participating in the symposium. I am confident that, by God’s grace, the work achieved over these days will continue to bear fruit for the Kingdom in the months and years ahead.
Thank you, Dean. We are so glad you had the opportunity to participate and present in such a prestigious gathering. You can be sure of this, the SAconnects team is cheering you on. Let us know if the papers are made available to the public.
