I had an awesome opportunity to speak to the ROTC Leadership Program at the University of Kentucky this week. As a proud supporter of our military, and loving to invest in young leaders, this was a real honor.
As I waited outside one of the classes, I saw the posters in this picture on the wall. When I inquired about them, I was told these are the Army’s Warrior Ethos, which are “guiding principles of our profession” according to my Lieutenant Colonel host.
If you can’t read them, they are:
- I will always place the mission first
- I will never accept defeat
- I will never quit
- I will never leave a fallen comrade
Another banner asked: Are you Army strong?
I couldn’t help but wonder: Could these work for a church also?
What do you think? Should we adopt an Army Warrior Ethos?
What other similarities are there between the military and being a believer?
I know I'm late to respond, but I just found your blog. As an active duty Army officer I am very interested in the Army Values. It's my contention that the Christian Church needs to support our young men and women who show an interest in leading in a military capacity. Our culture is moving further away from the Judeo-Chrustian ethic, where these Army values are rooted. Unless we encourage those who are raised with these values to serve and lead, I fear our Armed Forces will suffer. I'm still working out all of my reasoning, but I think the basic premise is intuitive. Thanks for speaking to those cadets, and for bringing the topic up for discussion. http://amodernarmylife.blogspot.com/
Thank you for serving well. God bless you in your service.
Thanks!
Absolutely….!!!
Ron,
I loved this picture and thought process. The church needs more militant prayer and militant action. I sent it straight to our church planting team to read. LOVE YOUR IDENTITY!
Thanks Becky
Other similarities are there between the military and being a believer:
The army warriors are taught discipline, character, dedication and purpose. So is the case of believers too.
Again, army warriors have a definite objective and are willing to pay the price of hard work and rigid discipline in order to receive the training. Such should be the mentality of believers too.
At Army training, cadets are living separated, dedicated and disciplined lives in order to be officers in the military. They are being trained for future leadership and service. Similarly, the greatest need today in Christendom is a revival within the church of dedicated, separated, disciplined Christians, living for the Lord Jesus.
That's awesome. If you move to the U.S, I'd love you on my team! 🙂
Thanks for the great compliments Ron!
I will never forget these gratuitous remarks from a great servant of God. I will be cherishing and preserving it forever.
I am taking these words from YOU to my treasure trove!
Kind Regards
Uma
Ron,
I retired from the Army four years ago and am now an associate pastor of a vibrant, young and growing church in East Texas. I have often pondered the very questions you pose. I lived the Army values for 21 years and believe in them today. The acronym LDRSHIP is used to describe them: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. From the values is born the Warrior Ethos; the deep conviction that I am a part of something much bigger than me, but requires me to do my part.
The mission the Lord has handed us is much bigger than any one individual; yet it requires each one to do his or her part. The Warrior Ethos of the church should be that we all discover the heart inside that says "I am determined to do my part while being part of a greater whole that is on a mission that cannot fail–lives depend on it."
Love your thoughts and ideas, pastor, keep it coming!
Scott
Thanks pastor. And, thank you for your service to our country!
I've been thinking about this for a while. The Warrior Ethos were actually instituted after 9/11 as a summation of The Army Values and the Soldiers Creed/Code. I believe the church would do well to adopt the Army Values, not as something new, but as a return to the principles already laid out in scripture. Here are the Army Values
Loyalty – Bear true faith and allegiance to the U.S. Constitution, the Army, your unit and other Soldiers.
Duty -Duty – Fulfill your obligations.
Respect -Treat people as they should be treated.
Selfless Service -Put the welfare of the nation, the Army and your subordinates before your own.
Honor -Live up to Army values.
Integrity -Do what’s right, legally and morally.
Personal Courage -Face fear, danger or adversity (physical or moral).
There's a neat acronym they taught us to remember the values – LDRSHP (Leadership)
http://www.army.mil/values/index.html
Thanks Carlo. I saw this, but didn't have time to get them down. Love them!