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Leadership Q&A

by COL Doug Mastriano, USA Q: How do you strike a balance between being both an effective military officer and a bold witness for Christ?  A: The idea of balance between being an officer and a Christian hints at a bifurcation between the two. I do not believe that we should separate these. The Bible says to do all things as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:17). This means that your work as a military officer should be an extension of your faith. The output of your duties, as such, should be the best possible. The quality of your work and […]

What is Required of Me?

[…]there will be trials. Whether our trials cause us to reflect on a moral crisis or to regain our balance after a misstep, they will be times of great transformation. What we become through the experience is what ultimately matters. I envy each of you who is about to enter the profession of arms as both leader and ambassador. Good luck and Godspeed. by Lieutenant General Bruce L. Fister, United States Air Force, Retired, OCF Executive Director from 2000 to 2010 Co-authored with Colonel R. Michael Tesdahl, USA, Retired, OCF Director of Operations   [i] Nouwen, Henri J.M., The Way […]

TTP – Competition

[…]of “Love thy neighbor as thyself?” I learned a very useful technique for achieving this balance in Marine Corps Officer Candidate School. Early in the course, the staff sergeant in charge, our “Sergeant Instructor,” sat us down for instruction on the roles and missions of the various military services. We were expecting a presentation praising the Marine Corps and putting down the rest of DOD. Instead, our Sergeant Instructor presented the different services this way, “The United States Air Force is the premiere air force in the entire world. They rule the sky and are the very definition of air […]

Time, Talent, Treasure: ROTC

[…]to be gentle, but consistent supporters in the background, ready to help them be successfully find balance in their lives.”  He and Penny also host occasional dinners, help link up cadets with local churches and church services, and send letters to cadets during their stressful summer training events.   Rob says the VT cadets, always observing the ever-growing morally confused, anti-God culture around them, most often want to discuss topics such as “how to truly live as a Christian in the military, what they are allowed to share of the Gospel, and balancing military life pressures with their walk with […]

Time, Talent, Treasure: OCF small group fellowships

[…]snapshot of all the other OCF small groups whose military, civilian and family member attendees balance their ever changing, demanding schedules and constant deployments by regularly meeting for Bible study, and often times, meals. These OCF small groups often instantly become both family and lifeline to the attendees. And when emergencies arise, the small group members often rally together to provide meals, take care of children, and provide comfort and encouragement through prayer, Scripture and time spent together. Every Wednesday, Naval Base Kitsap OCFers gather at the aptly named Anchor of Hope church, filling long tables with delicious smelling casseroles, […]
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Service Separations

[…]handled the money?” “What will he say when he finds out I couldn’t get the checkbook to balance and overdrew our account by $533?” “What if he doesn’t like the purple velvet loveseat that the salesman said was such a steal for only $2,000?” Back to square one–communication! Let him know what’s been going on. These are not the kind of “surprises” he is looking for when he comes home! Your husband may also feel left out regarding friends you’ve made. You and your new friend, Hildegard, may have enjoyed a very special rapport while he was away, but if […]

Professional Perspectives for Senior Officers

[…]environment and duties (discussed in the introduction) can quickly skew your priorities out of balance if you do not maintain a godly perspective. The following study examines biblical priorities. We encourage you to think of them as ever-increasing concentric circles. Your relationship with God MATTHEW 6:33. Your most important relationship is how you stand as an individual before God. This relationship provides the basis and perspective for all your other relationships. Having accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, you know that God’s Word provides several very clear commands that you are to practice in order to maintain […]
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Preparing for Active Duty

[…]profession. (Joshua 1:8-9, 2 Chronicles 1:10) Stewardship An individual who demonstrates proper balance in his or her stewardship of resources. (1 Corinthians 4:2, Luke 16:11) Outreach An individual who can carry the gospel message through the medium of ordinary relationships within the military community. (Romans 1:16-17, 1 Peter 3:15-16) Ownership (Ministry) An appreciation for and a commitment to the OCF vision, purpose, and mission. (Ephesians 4:11-13, Colossians 3:23, Acts 4:13) Air Force Academy “firsties” sometimes ask: “Why should I have to attend the Basic Course at Maxwell? It just  rehashes what I’ve spent four years learning.” Not true! You will […]

For All Leaders

[…]a little shy in this area, most people consider it a compliment when you ask their advice. Seek balance in being “salt and light” in the world, without being “of the world.” Jesus charged the disciples to be the “salt of the earth” and to let their lights “shine before men” (Matt. 5:13-16). However, John cautions us in 1 John 2:15 to, “…not love the world or the things in the world.” John goes on to describe more specifically those things he is referring to. “…the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of […]

Financial Responsibility for Children

[…]to get the hang of it. There were a few times (and still are) when the difference between our balance and the bank’s was off a few dollars and cents. Our children are now grown. I am convinced the experiences of their high school years have yielded solid financial training and an appreciation for the value of money. By God’s grace we hope to have raised four good stewards who will contribute to the needs of the kingdom and who will be saved the painful lessons of our carefree-spendthrift […]

A day in the life of OCF

[…]and women. They and their ministry teams’ schedules are jam-packed. Fruitful ministry requires balance, by prioritizing God time and family time with ministry time. The Burts especially, still raising three children, make family time together key as Bryan and Sherri coordinate their schedules so one parent is usually home when the kids are.    1100 Having received his “marching orders” during his quiet time with God, the Simpsons’ home office is up and running planning the next Spiritually Smart Family retreat, OCF’s family outreach to the military society. Before heading off to an OCF workplace luncheon, Larry reads a thank-you […]

Two Greedy Institutions

by COL Al Shine, USA, Ret & COL Don Snider, USA, Ret. It was Thursday of a very intense and exciting week at White Sulphur Springs where we had been focusing on the role of the Christian officer (or officer-Christian) in his or her profession. Through Paul’s letter to the believers at Colossae, God challenges us that “just as we received Christ Jesus as Lord,” we are called to “continue to live in him.” This means that if we are military officers, we are to continue to live in Christ in the role of military officer. But we also have […]

WSS Winter Retreat #4

[…]student declared this year that there are no good New Testament role models for how to live a balanced life in the military. He said that the apostles and writers of the NT books all seems to be a bit extreme. That got me thinking about what I encourage students and permanent staff and retirees to pursue. I am usually found reminding believers to not be ashamed, to share in suffering, to endure everything for the sake of the elect, and to preach the Word. Have I missed something by using Paul’s words to Timothy in this way? Do the […]
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