Priorities - Part Four
In the previous three posts, I have discussed some things that I believe are Scriptural priorities for every church. Today, I am going to share a priority that is particular to our context. That being said, your church has its own cultural context that will give you opportunities for Kingdom ministry as well. We are in a military community. You might have a community of farmers, factory workers, etc. Just think about the following statement and let it serve as a springboard for envisioning ministry through the people in your community.
A fourth priority for Enon Chapel is to advance the Kingdom through ministry to and with and through the military.
In Scripture, we see God's salvation extended to various people groups. Therefore, it is not inconsistent to believe that God has a redemptive concern for the military community in contemporary culture. In the gospels, one can find numerous examples of God's interaction with the military establishment. In fact, Jesus was born, grew up, ministered, died, and was resurrected in a land occupied by the Roman Empire. Rome ruled by the strength of its army. The Roman army had a pervasiveness presence in Israel, so Jesus would have often come in contact with them. One should not view this contact as mere chance for the sovereign and omnipotent God was harnessing the might and influence of the Roman Empire's military for his missionary purpose.
If God could do it in the First Century, He can do it again in the Twenty-first Century!
Gary Sanders points out several factors that make the military a natural vessel to carry the Gospel. I will list his factors in bold type and quotation marks and then will make a couple of comments: "First, the military is racially integrated." Some have called 11:00 o'clock on Sunday the most segregated hour in America. If we are going to reach the nations, we need to reach all races and learn how to worship and follow God together.
"Second, the military population is very young. The U.S. military has the nation's highest concentration of adults less than thirty five years of age." This is the very generation we are in danger of losing. We need to reclaim our young people for the cause of Christ and mobilize them to reach succeeding generations.
"Third, the military population is very transient and nomadic." This mobility will take them to places we may never go. Their very mobility can take the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
"Fourth, the discipline and honor involved in military service, along with the gravity of the duty that is required, make this 'people group' more receptive to truth than others in the general population. Too, the dangerous nature of their particular service often makes for open hearts." Do you remember what Jesus said about the centurion in Luke 7:9? "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith."
"Fifth, a high percentage of individuals within the military are generally influential in human societies. Especially in some nations where the military and the government are virtually one and the same, military leaders are government leaders. To influence the military is to shape the nation." Even in our own nation, military leaders have tremendous influence in the political and social order. They can also bring their experience and expertise to leadership within the body of Christ.
Imagine with me what can happen if we come alongside military personnel and their families with authentic, Holy Spirit empowered, Gospel ministry and see God change their lives. We can then see God change the world through their changed lives. In a very real sense, they become a missionary force that spreads out across the face of the world and only heaven will know the results.
A fourth priority for Enon Chapel is to advance the Kingdom through ministry to and with and through the military.
In Scripture, we see God's salvation extended to various people groups. Therefore, it is not inconsistent to believe that God has a redemptive concern for the military community in contemporary culture. In the gospels, one can find numerous examples of God's interaction with the military establishment. In fact, Jesus was born, grew up, ministered, died, and was resurrected in a land occupied by the Roman Empire. Rome ruled by the strength of its army. The Roman army had a pervasiveness presence in Israel, so Jesus would have often come in contact with them. One should not view this contact as mere chance for the sovereign and omnipotent God was harnessing the might and influence of the Roman Empire's military for his missionary purpose.
If God could do it in the First Century, He can do it again in the Twenty-first Century!
Gary Sanders points out several factors that make the military a natural vessel to carry the Gospel. I will list his factors in bold type and quotation marks and then will make a couple of comments: "First, the military is racially integrated." Some have called 11:00 o'clock on Sunday the most segregated hour in America. If we are going to reach the nations, we need to reach all races and learn how to worship and follow God together.
"Second, the military population is very young. The U.S. military has the nation's highest concentration of adults less than thirty five years of age." This is the very generation we are in danger of losing. We need to reclaim our young people for the cause of Christ and mobilize them to reach succeeding generations.
"Third, the military population is very transient and nomadic." This mobility will take them to places we may never go. Their very mobility can take the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
"Fourth, the discipline and honor involved in military service, along with the gravity of the duty that is required, make this 'people group' more receptive to truth than others in the general population. Too, the dangerous nature of their particular service often makes for open hearts." Do you remember what Jesus said about the centurion in Luke 7:9? "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith."
"Fifth, a high percentage of individuals within the military are generally influential in human societies. Especially in some nations where the military and the government are virtually one and the same, military leaders are government leaders. To influence the military is to shape the nation." Even in our own nation, military leaders have tremendous influence in the political and social order. They can also bring their experience and expertise to leadership within the body of Christ.
Imagine with me what can happen if we come alongside military personnel and their families with authentic, Holy Spirit empowered, Gospel ministry and see God change their lives. We can then see God change the world through their changed lives. In a very real sense, they become a missionary force that spreads out across the face of the world and only heaven will know the results.
Sandy (Comment this)