What is OCF Really About? Second in a Series

Lieutenant General Bruce L. Fister, USAF (Ret.) Executive Director, Officers' Christian Fellowship

Last month we began to answer the question, "What is OCF really about?" I introduced a summary of and a slogan for the OCF Vision and Purpose: Christian officers exercising biblical leadership to raise up a godly military.

That's what OCF is really about.

I stated that OCF starts with local fellowships composed of all ranks from cadets and midshipmen to senior officers and retirees, who are edified and educated by publications, recharged at conference centers, matured at gateways, and mentored and supported by regional staff. I concluded with the emphasis "OCF is about ministering to the whole military society."

Today I would like to discuss further how we might minister to the military society by supporting our chaplains and chapel programs and by including enlisted members and their families in various fellowships.

OCF was founded upon the premise that there will always be a need for officer-to-officer fellowship. This premise remains true today; however, this does not mean we should not include enlisted personnel and their families in OCF activities. To minister to the whole military society, we must reach out to our enlisted members just as we reach out to other officers, both saved and unsaved. "…In Christ we who are many form one body; and each one belongs to all the others." Romans 12:5

As ambassadors for Christ in our military, our first duties are to set a biblical example on-duty as leaders and professionals, and off-duty in social and personal relationships. This establishes a framework from which we can minister through fellowship, in our chapels, and through other OCF activities.

How we include enlisted members and their families in Bible studies and fellowships should be determined by how God speaks to you at the local level. It might mean fellowships led by OCF members for all ranks in the unit or aboard ship, it might mean inviting NCOs to a weekly Bible study, or it might mean leadership in a chapel-based fellowship.

A good starting point may be with your unit, post, or base chaplain. A "Pray and Obey" format may be appropriate. Find out how you can help make the chaplain's program successful for all ranks and for all families and don't worry about who gets the credit. Just be a servant leader. Our chaplains have a huge load to carry and helping them will also help to minister to the whole military society.

Besides supporting our chaplains through fellowship activities, we might employ a unique OCF opportunity, the use of OCF conference centers for special chapel retreats. For those bases and posts within driving distance of Spring Canyon or White Sulphur Springs, you may be able to offer a made-to-order location and program for a chapel family weekend retreat.

Whether fellowship is in the unit, aboard ship, or in the chapel there are a few important things we should remember. First, we are still active or retired members of our military and appropriate customs and courtesies should be observed.

While there is no need to lord authority over others, there remains the need to respect positions of authority and maintain the proper officer-enlisted relationships. Romans 13:7 provides guidance on this issue.

Second, however we may serve, there is no need to try to take over the chaplain's programs. Chaplains are assigned a position of authority that we should respect.

Remember it is all about servant leadership. And Third, maintain a special respect for our NCOs and their families. The strength of the American military is in our NCO Corps. That NCO strength is the singular distinction that makes the U.S. military different from most other militaries of the world.

You can set the example through biblical leadership. But as an officer, you may not be able to directly minister to a young enlisted person; however, a godly NCO can. Christian NCOs are an important part of reaching out to the whole military society.

In summary, listen to what God is telling you about how your local fellowship might reach out to enlisted members, young officers and their families to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the whole military society. Within the bounds of respect, protocol, and service regulations, there are no limits. Catch the Vision where the rubber meets the road-in our units, in the field, on our flight lines, on board our ships, and with our families at bases and posts around the world.

Christian officers exercising biblical leadership and ministering to Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coastguardsmen, and their families

Christian officers exercising biblical leadership and ministering to Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coastguardsmen, and their families any time, any place, any way.
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