Chapter 8: Responding to the Challenges of Military Ministry
“In Caesarea there lived a Roman army officer named Cornelius, a captain of the Italian Regiment.
He was a devout man who feared the God of Israel, as did his entire household.
He gave generously to charity and was a man who regularly prayed to God.”
Acts 10:1-21 (NLT)
An impossible dream?
You've been pastoring the church for about a year, when you begin to wonder how you could minister to military members and their families residing in the area. There's a military installation about 5 miles away, and you'd like to get acquainted with the chaplains who serve there but don't know how to go about that. Though you've wondered why you should try to reach out to the military, since they're not going to become a "permanent" part of your congregation, you're still convicted you ought to do something to try to help them. You're passionate about evangelism, but also are beginning to understand that the unique needs of military families call for holistic care. You're dreaming . . . but also doubting. The challenges seem almost too much to deal with.
If you see yourself in this situation, this chapter will help you consider ways you can respond to the challenges of military ministry. With God's help, and some practical guidance from those experienced in ministering to the military, you can effectively serve those who serve our country.
Challenge # 1: Understanding how Christians can serve in the military
- Read helpful books
Church Guide for Ministering to the Military
Published by Campus Crusade for Christ International; Box 120124 Newport News, VA 23612
An Introduction to the Bridges to Healing Ministry
Published by Campus Crusade for Christ International
God and the Military - Is it right to bear arms?
A study guide (with video) published by Hudson Productions, 7160 Dallas Pkwy,
Plano, TX 75024 (1-800-729-0815)
In His Service – A Guide to Christian Living in the Military
by Rick Bereit; Dawson Media; P.O. Box 6000; Colorado Springs, CO 80934
Ready for War -- What Does the Bible Say?
by Rich Bereit; Dawson Media; P.O. Box 6000; Colorado Springs, CO 80934
The Faith of the American Soldier by Stephen Mansfield
Examines the role of faith in the lives of America's military members
Available from Amazon
Challenge # 2: Realizing the value of short-term ministries with the military
- Military families have many “moving experiences”
They're not going to be around your church very long, so why bother?
They are NOT A MISSION FIELD! They ARE MISSIONARIES to the world! - Charm people to Christ, build them in their faith, send them into the world to impact it for Christ!
The military provides church with a unique group of folks government sends all over the planet!
If they're Christians committed to the Great Commission, they will influence the world for Christ!
Challenge # 3: Demonstrating compassion to all concerned
- Use a holistic approach in ministering to military members and their families.
- Care for the total person -- practically, emotionally, financially, morally, spiritually.
- Build relationships -- don't make military members an “evangelistic project.”
- Show heartfelt care everywhere -- family, base/installation, community, church.
Challenge # 4: Building bridges between civilian and military worlds
- Build bridges . . . not barriers!
Between civilian churches and military chapels
Between civilian pastors and military chaplains
Between civilian agencies and military agencies
Between military commanders and civic leaders - Share resources with other leaders
Avoid a spirit of competition and judgmentalism
“Leave your logo and ego at the door!” - Minister to people . . . don't get obsessed with numbers!
Statistics are irrelevant! - Use networking support systems “on both sides of the gate”
Airmen and Famiy Readiness Center – military installations
Family Life Center – civilian churches - Promote working together -- Chapels and Churches
- Pursue bridge-building ideas with teams of military and church communities
Try to understand each other -- study culture, experience, lifestyle, needs
Learn to accept others who are different from you
Utilize chaplains proficient in suicide prevention training to teach pastors
Establish monthly ministers/chaplains get together
Put together an associational welcome packet
Chaplains/Ministers invite one another for special ministries
Organize Operation Appreciation for single soldiers living in barracks – provide food, fun
Have a Giant Block Party
Organize a Children's field trip to community park, museum, etc.
Contact Family Support Groups and offer to help families any way you can
Get to know the wives/husbands of chaplains better
Encourage spouses of chaplains when they're deployed
Church team present special programs for chapel – puppets, drama, etc.
Host a meal for single military members
Chapel post community churches information on bulletin board or at in-processing areas
Promote regular interaction between military chapel and civilian church
Combine youth ministries of churches and chapels
Adopt a millitary unit for prayer and partnership
Combine music programs of chapel and church
Combine annual Christmas program of chapel and church
Invite ministers of local church to orientation on base / post
Develop a Joint Community Resource Manual - help available from military & civilian communities
Link Ministers to Chaplains as prayer partners
Share information about pastors who specialize in counseling ministries
Publicize Bible studies in both chapel and church
Host a Military Chaplain Sunday in church – chaplain preaches, is recognized, prayed for
Host a Pastor Appreciation Sunday in chapel – pastor preaches, is recognized, prayed for
Combine Revival / Spiritual Renewal
Combine quarterly Ladies Prayer Luncheon (alternating locations)
Chaplains serve on staff at local churches—Associate Pastor to Military
Invite civilian ministry teams to visit service members during training exercises
Network! Get to know military chaplains, socialize with them, pray for them! - Plan an annual Military Appreciation Sunday in church, nearest Veterans Day
Recognize veterans - appreciation gift, names and dates of military service in the bulletin,
Have a luncheon in honor of the veterans and their families
Invite a guest speaker -- a military chaplain or a decorated military member of the church
Present the colors, repeat the Pledge of Allegiance, use patriotic music, invite a guest soloist
Decorate church with service flags, hang the American flag beneath the cross,
place military memorabilia of veteran church members in the vestibule
Pray for the President, service members serving in combat, national peace and spiritual health
Challenge # 5: Imagining the possibilities . . .
- Conduct a pre-deployment spiritual self-assessment for deploying service members
-
Partner with chaplains in joint ministry to returning service members
- Offer Bible study materials to deploying service members
Personal Disciplemaking by Christopher Adsit
Connecting with God by Christopher Adsit
Personal Disciple Making Mini-Kit - Offer MasterLife Discipleship Training
Available as a book, or in 4 6-week interactive workbooks with leader’s guide
Published by LifeWay Christian Resources - Lead a study of Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing God’s Will by Henry Blackaby
Available as a book or a 13-week interactive workbook with leader’s guide
Published by LifeWay Christian Resources - Encourage deploying service members to pray regularly.
Cycle of Prayer - Encourage deploying service member and family to read the Bible together.
181 Day Bible Reading Challenge – a plan to read through Psalms and Proverbs over a 6 month period, which is a standard length of deployment. Print this out and encourage family members at home and deployed military member to read same passage each day. (See Supporting Documents) - HomeBuilders – numerous workbook-based Bible studies for strengthening marriage
- Consistently employ our ultimate resource – prayer!
Claim the promise of Ephesians 3:20
Adopt a military member for prayer through the Presidential Prayer Team
Use Pray for our Nation booklet as a prayer guide
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