[…]you to have time to yourself and to experience the company of other adults. We all know we’ll be better mothers to our children if we can get away from them once in a while! Even the most stable mother can become slightly batty if she has no one over the age of eight to talk to, day after day! What is important is that we improve the quality of the time we do spend with our children. Contrary to popular opinion, it’s not enough just to be physically present. If we’re there, but we’re too wrapped up in keeping […]
[…]a social contract–a sometimes tenuous agreement between the leader and those he leads that must be jealously safeguarded. Although it may be politically incorrect to discuss moral authority, it nevertheless remains the true underpinning of leadership and the key to its preservation. Subordinates may be supervised, directed, managed, cajoled or compelled by nearly anyone in a position of authority, but they will follow only those whom they respect, those in whom they have confidence, those in whom they have trust and, ultimately, those in whom they have faith. Leadership, the hard currency of the military, relies upon that faith and […]
[…]absolutes on how He expects us to respond. You have two choices, as follows: Will I choose to be obedient to God in living out my faith? A positive response is unquestionably God’s will. This is the most important choice. We are convinced, from almost fifty years of ministering to military men and women, that if you consider your career to be more important than faithfulness to God, you will be unfulfilled. Will I be actively involved in the OCF as I live out my faith? We are asking you to honestly consider this before God. The six sections that […]
[…]represent the real man under the rank insignia. Confidence To inspire confidence the commander must be confident. Leaders must firmly believe that they can handle the job, seeing obstacles as challenges rather than a cause for apprehension. The commander must be able to understand and analyze problems, make firm decisions, give clear orders and then forcefully carry out their will despite difficulties. There must be that character which is willing to accept responsibility, to reason out problems, make decisions and then push them through to success. Possessing this basic trait of character, they must then prepare themselves intellectually to face […]
[…]do not give it a second thought. We have been warned! As Christian leaders, it is our duty to be obediently devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ, so that we may speak with His authority and “free the captives.” Christian leaders must remember to acknowledge the Lord in all their tasks and decisions. The bottom line is that we want to go in the right direction-or better yet, follow the Lord as He leads us. The more we get to know the Lord, the more we know He is always right. We also learn over time that He is always […]
[…]of Christian officers is a need that continues to exist. The traditional OCF ministry approach must be adaptable to continue assisting officers in successfully exercising biblical leadership in the challenging days ahead. Nominated by: LtCol Todd Ferry, USMC; MajGen Mel Spiese USMC (Ret.); LtCol Mike West, USMC (Ret.) LTJG Nathan Barnes, USCG Education: USCGA, Mechanical Engineering, 2011 Present assignment: SECTOR New York Ministry involvement: OCF member since 2009, USCGA OCF President, OCF Bible study leader; assisted chaplain (Portsmouth Naval Shipyard prayer breakfast, COC and retirement ceremonies); USCGC TAHOMA lay leader; Seacoast Community Church youth group leader (weekly Bible studies, […]
