Taking Stock of OCF: Why do We Exist?

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

A few weeks ago, Chris Braddy, our Quantico staff representative, suggested I read The Purpose Driven Church, by Rick Warren. I found myself captivated by the principles that Pastor Warren has applied to build Saddleback Church. It is one of the most effective churches in America at reaching seekers, and at gaining and developing members that are committed and capable of ministering to others.

Many principles also apply to OCF and "exercising biblical leadership to raise up a godly military." We have developed OCF around a purpose, and a vision that defines a future state. Our mission statement succinctly combines both our purpose and vision to provide direction throughout our ministry on a daily basis. However, The Purpose Driven Church can be a tool to evaluate what we do, why we do it and how we minister.

Using The Purpose Driven Church as a basis, I plan to write a series of articles that discuss the following topics:

• OCF purpose, vision and mission
• Our foundation relative to purpose*
• The "mainspring" of OCF
• Our health and "sending capacity"*
• Membership-why attract members? Why grow?*
• Our organization, supporting the purpose*
• The military society, "circles of commitment" and our purpose*
• Reaching out, defining the "community," and bringing in the crowd*

I hope these articles will stimulate your thinking about ministry that has a focused intent and purpose. After all, God not only called us to be faithful, but fruitful (John 15:16). We in OCF believe that we have God's vision of spiritually transforming the military. As Warren says, "We cannot do it without God but he has decided not to do it without us!"* As we walk in the power of His Holy Spirit, let us focus our ministry so that we are making disciples-intentionally. My goal is to provide new insights to apply in your local fellowship or your part of the OCF ministry.

I've asked Chris Braddy and Steve Wade to serve as contributing editors. They are applying The Purpose Driven Church to the OCF Quantico and Air Force Academy ministries. They have young adults in their families, and they love to work with cadets, officer candidates, and young officers. I am excited about the subject and our team.

Let me close with one other piece of exciting news and a giant "thank you." As many of you know, I have been fighting follicular lymphoma since February of this year. I completed my chemotherapy in June and all subsequent reports indicate that the cancer is in full remission. While the disease may well return, I thank the Lord for each new day and for each of you who have been praying for me. I now look at my life in the context of God's greater purpose and I look at our OCF purpose as the Lord's means for changing the military society for the glory of Jesus Christ.

Warren, Richard, The Purpose Driven Church, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49530, 1995.