32: Learning from Military Life

The desire for community with those who share their military lifestyle and Christian values led to a Bible study in a Washington, D.C., home that continued for several years. In [December of] 1943, at the urging of the British Officers’ Christian Union (OCU), leaders incorporated OCU in the United States and was renamed Officers’ Christian Fellowship (OCF) in 1972. This chapter provides a short overview of OCF’s 75+ year history. The full OCF Handbook can be viewed and downloaded at www.ocfusa.org/handbook. Send thoughts or questions to [email protected].

This chapter is a reading of the OCF Constitution and a summary of what is found in the OCF Bylaws. The full OCF Handbook can be viewed and downloaded at www.ocfusa.org/handbook. Send thoughts or questions to [email protected].

STATEMENT OF FAITH STATEMENT OF PARTICIPATION PURPOSE VISION MISSION PILLARS (CUE LINES) DISTINCTIVES GUIDELINES FOR OCF MEMBER CONDUCT (OCF Bylaws) GUIDELINES FOR OCF LEADER CONDUCT (OCF Bylaws) OCF FOUNDATIONS GRAPHIC The full OCF Handbook can be viewed and downloaded at www.ocfusa.org/handbook. Send thoughts or questions to [email protected].

Our ministry is run and coordinated from OCF’s Home Office, a name harkening back to when OCU communication and accounting was accomplished in the basement of Buck and Louisa Buxton’s home. The Home Office is where most member inquiries are handled and where we respond to your requests for materials to support local fellowships and conferences. Think of the Home Office as a small nerve center that helps connect OCF members to one another by doing things like managing the OCF member database, providing linkups between members, and working to keep the online OCF Directory up to date. The full OCF Handbook can be viewed and downloaded at www.ocfusa.org/handbook. Send thoughts or questions to [email protected].

INITIATE THE CONNECTION Since OCF operates within the larger body of Christ’s church, our leaders in the field should be aware of like-minded parachurch ministries who are laboring nearby and should be the initiators of coordinating and supporting relationships. The full OCF Handbook can be viewed and downloaded at www.ocfusa.org/handbook. Send thoughts or questions to [email protected].

IN THIS CHAPTER The OCF Council governs the ministry of OCF, and they hire the Executive Director of OCF. The staff of OCF supports the members of OCF by encouraging Christian obedience and integrity, equipping Christ’s body in accession and education locations, connecting members to one another, developing resources for the field, sending laborers to the field, caring for ministry monies, maintaining and developing OCF’s facilities, communicating the ministry of OCF outside the organization, and praying. The full OCF Handbook can be viewed and downloaded at www.ocfusa.org/handbook. Send thoughts or questions to [email protected].

IN THIS CHAPTER Every OCF member needs to know how to find the OCF Directory, use it, and help others navigate the Directory to connect men and women in fellowship around the world—this connects us to other family members. The full OCF Handbook can be viewed and downloaded at www.ocfusa.org/handbook. Send thoughts or questions to [email protected].

IN THIS CHAPTER If there were no enemy, then there would be no need for a military. If Satan and rulers in the heavenly places were not a real threat to the Christian, then the church would have had no need to stay alert, to put on armor and to hold fast in the face of lies, threats, deceptions, and mockery. Study the truth and draw near to Him whom we eagerly long to see at the end of days when He returns. The full OCF Handbook can be viewed and downloaded at www.ocfusa.org/handbook. Send thoughts or questions to [email protected].

IN THIS CHAPTER Those who serve in the military will be changed before they separate or retire, so what follows are some ways to think intentionally about capturing the good while resisting the bad of military culture. It is good that we get to serve alongside people different than us. It is also good that we learn to live disciplined lives, but serving within the government can make us dependent on government privileges if we are not alert to the danger of the insidious expectation that we deserve something. The full OCF Handbook can be viewed and downloaded at www.ocfusa.org/handbook. Send thoughts or questions to [email protected].

IN THIS CHAPTER God works in the lives of His adopted children during the years they wear the uniform and are within the military community. Military life may yield promotions and good assignments, but we will also experience non- promotions and assignment locations we didn’t see coming. In good times and in bad, we always grow, change, and are made into Christ-like servants learning to trust God’s provision. Having served in the military will impact us and the people we serve with for the rest of our lives. The full OCF Handbook can be viewed and downloaded at www.ocfusa.org/handbook. Send thoughts or questions to [email protected].