Taking Stock of OCF - Part 5
Organizing for the Fight
Lieutenant General Bruce L. Fister, USAF (Ret.)
Executive Director, Officers' Christian Fellowship
Last month we talked about the "mainspring" of OCF and the
effectiveness of our fight for the souls of men and women in the whole military
society. We discussed the implications of evaluating what are essentially
results that belong to God and said we can only evaluate the quality of our
work and our obedience toward the assigned tasks of "planting" and "watering."
From this point, if we want to be more effective through our obedience to the
Lord's calling in OCF, we should consider how we are organized to obey that
calling. So how is OCF organized to grow "Christian officers exercising
biblical leadership to raise up a godly military?"
Acts chapter six says that when the number of disciples was
increasing, they appointed seven people to attend to the daily distribution of
food to widows so the "Twelve" would not have to neglect the ministry of the
Word and prayer.1 The seven formed a support function so other parts of the
ministry could focus on their primary missions. Acts chapter thirteen says the
Holy Spirit set aside Barnabas and Paul for a special work.2 Paul and Barnabas
functioned much like our regional staff, encouraging leaders and fellowships
and proclaiming the Word.
Daily, our OCF local fellowships, or other groups organized and
led by OCF members, impact the greatest number of military people with more
frequency than other parts of the ministry. Whether at home, in Iraq, in
Afghanistan, aboard ship, or at another deployed location, the local fellowship
is the heart of the OCF ministry. If this is true, then every other part of our
ministry must, at least in part, contribute towards "planting" and "watering"
in local fellowships.
Our regional staff provides direct support for our local
fellowships. Most of these staff members are located in the areas of greatest
military population like the Norfolk/Hampton Roads area. A few cover a
particular region. Over the next couple of years, we will place more staff
couples in other key strategic military communities. We desire to have OCF
influence in every military center of mass across the country. For example, in
2005 we plan to place a couple in Washington to serve the National Capital
Region and occasionally Europe.
The next greatest impact we can have on local fellowships is to
have ministries that identify Christian officers and their families and equip
and encourage them to be OCF leaders. This occurs most extensively in our
Education Center ministries, Fort Leavenworth, Quantico Marine Base and Maxwell
Air Force Base. Typically, military members at these locations are on
stabilized tours. This allows an opportunity to concentrate on developing new
leaders. Each Education Center ministry looks a little different, but they all
have the common tasks of leading people to Christ, bringing in new members,
equipping them with biblical tools for life in the military, and training them
to exercise biblical leadership in follow-on assignments.
Our Academy and ROTC ministries perform functions similar to our
Education Center ministries. They focus on evangelism and fundamental Christian
training as well as on raising up future officers who are equipped to exercise
biblical leadership once they are commissioned and enter our military
forces.
Both active duty and retired families and singles need the
opportunity to refresh and grow closer to the Lord. Our conference centers at
White Sulphur Springs and Spring Canyon provide that opportunity. Conference
centers are also direct supporters of all other parts of the OCF ministry,
particularly ministry to young people and children through various outdoor
programs. They are critical pillars in the OCF structure.
All of our ministries need information. Providing information on
Christian living in our military is the prime responsibility of the OCF
Communications and Publications ministry. OCF books, pamphlets, COMMAND
magazine, and the OCF web site support every part of our ministry. The
publications ministry is also critical in disseminating the OCF vision to you
our members.
Our ministry would not run without administrative support, and
guidance from our Council. The Home Office helps the other parts of the OCF
ministry to carry out their responsibilities, and the Council sets the course
for the ministry.
It takes the whole organization to make the OCF ministry
effective, from the home office to all the staff in the field. You too, are
Christ's ambassador and play an important role in this organization. Thank you
for your part in advancing His kingdom in the military.
That brings us back to the Apostle Paul's words, "I planted,
Apollos watered, but God made it grow."3 To God be the glory. May His kingdom
come and His will be done in the United States military.
- Acts 6:1-4, NIV
- Acts 13:1-3, NIV
- 1 Cor. 3:6, NIV
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