(an aid to understanding the mission of the Church)
I wrote this NOTE because the Church in America seems to think that life is to be viewed as an amusement park rather than a battlefield. Christians need to understand that we are in a global conflict and the enemy is taking more ground every day. America is now in the cross hairs and Christians are the primary targets. If people do not align with Christ and His Church, if they do not become part of local bodies of believers, they stand in great jeopardy. This could be a good discussion starter, for a group studying The Church Universal and the church locally. Not only does it address Ecclesiology, but also Missiology, as well as Biblical Management (leadership and administration).
Hebrews 10:23-31
(23) Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
(24) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
(25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
(26) For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
(27) But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
(28) He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
(29) Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
(30) For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
(31) It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
A MIGHTY MARCHING ARMY (the Church)
(warriors of love and peace)
Warriors of Love and Peace
God has called together an army of redemption. The military model helps us understand the nature and the mission of the Church. HOWEVER, we wrestle not against flesh and blood, and our weapons are not carnal (material). Our objective is to defeat Satan and liberate his prisoners, who are being held in darkness and sin.
Armies, as well as other military branches, and other military bodies, array themselves in various configurations and sizes, dedicated to specific tasks, but committed to one leader and a common objective in the army of God.
In this NOTE, we will look at the various levels of service in the military, moving (in reverse order) from the individual through some of the operational units, to help us understand the Christian’s place in the army of God, from the top of the Field Army down to the individual warrior. There are various levels of leadership in a human army, but God is the Leader of every level of His spiritual army, though He recruits men to share His leadership.
In this NOTE, I give the various operational units in the US Army, but my focus is on the fact that we are part of a larger and well planned ministry force. Obviously, this NOTE is limited to the very specific idea of helping us understand the order and the assignment of the Church and the local church.
US Army Organization
FIELD ARMY (includes all units and personnel), led by a General.
I wrote this NOTE because the Church in America seems to think that life is to be viewed as an amusement park rather than a battlefield. Christians need to understand that we are in a global conflict and the enemy is taking more ground every day. America is now in the cross hairs and Christians are the primary targets. If people do not align with Christ and His Church, if they do not become part of local bodies of believers, they stand in great jeopardy. This could be a good discussion starter, for a group studying The Church Universal and the church locally. Not only does it address Ecclesiology, but also Missiology, as well as Biblical Management (leadership and administration).
Hebrews 10:23-31
(23) Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
(24) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
(25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
(26) For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
(27) But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
(28) He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
(29) Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
(30) For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
(31) It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
A MIGHTY MARCHING ARMY (the Church)
(warriors of love and peace)
Warriors of Love and Peace
God has called together an army of redemption. The military model helps us understand the nature and the mission of the Church. HOWEVER, we wrestle not against flesh and blood, and our weapons are not carnal (material). Our objective is to defeat Satan and liberate his prisoners, who are being held in darkness and sin.
Armies, as well as other military branches, and other military bodies, array themselves in various configurations and sizes, dedicated to specific tasks, but committed to one leader and a common objective in the army of God.
In this NOTE, we will look at the various levels of service in the military, moving (in reverse order) from the individual through some of the operational units, to help us understand the Christian’s place in the army of God, from the top of the Field Army down to the individual warrior. There are various levels of leadership in a human army, but God is the Leader of every level of His spiritual army, though He recruits men to share His leadership.
In this NOTE, I give the various operational units in the US Army, but my focus is on the fact that we are part of a larger and well planned ministry force. Obviously, this NOTE is limited to the very specific idea of helping us understand the order and the assignment of the Church and the local church.
US Army Organization
FIELD ARMY (includes all units and personnel), led by a General.
The Field Army has 2 to 5 Corps; a Corp has 2-5 Divisions; a Division has 3 Brigades; a Brigade has 3 or more Battalions; a Battalion has 3 to 5 Companies; a Company has 3 to 4 Platoons; a Platoon has 3 to 4 Squads; a Squad has 4 to 10 Soldiers. Obviously these configurations change to a degree with branches of service and with nations.
CHURCH application... Consider the worldwide Church, the Church around the world, obviously led by God. Christ is the head of His Church, the Leader of His Army.
CORP, (deployable levels, comprised of 20,000 to 40,000 soldiers each), led by Lieutenant Generals. Sometimes a Corp works in concert with multinational warriors.
CHURCH application... Consider the National churches, such as African, European, American, Asian. These groups of believers are given operational responsibility in their given area, though they may work closely with ministries sent to them from other countries.
DIVISION, (performing independent tactical and support operations, comprised of 10,000 to 18,000 soldiers), led by a Major General. This includes integrated units (Brigades) in an area that work together.
CHURCH application... Local congregations with a strong ministry base or smaller local congregations working together through associations or conferences (denominational and cross denominational alignments), though separately and independently, to evangelize and minister to the needs of their community.
BRIGADE, (significantly large unit that can work independently, comprised of 1500 to 3200 soldiers), led by a Colonel or Brigadier General.
CHURCH application... A very large local congregation with abundant resources, able to perform a very wide range of ministries, which might otherwise require the cooperative venture of several smaller congregations.
BATTALION, (tactically and administratively self sufficient unit, capable of independent operations in battle, but with limitations, comprised of 300 to 1,000 soldiers), led by a Lieutenant Colonel.
CHURCH application... A medium to large local congregation, which is able to carry out a full range of ministries independently of outside resources.
COMPANY, (cohesive, tactical sized unit that can perform a battlefield function on its own, comprised of 60-200 soldiers), led by a Captain.
CHURCH application... a small to medium sized local congregation, which can reach its own community with the Gospel and hold the Standard of Christ in the face of a resisting enemy.
PLATOON, (basic combat unit, capable of fundamental combat operations, comprised of 16-44 soldiers), led by a Lieutenant.
CHURCH application... A small local congregation or a ministry department (such as evangelism, education, mission, youth, music, etc.) within a local congregation. This group works with other departments for the common cause but they are ministry specific, using gifts, talents, skills, abilities.
SQUAD, (smallest unit in the army, assigned to a tactical unit and serving the larger operation, comprised of 8 to 16 soldiers), led by a Staff Sergeant.
CHURCH application... This could either be a small ministry group in a local church, doing specific ministries or it could be a church planting team, comprised of people with specific abilities and gifts for establishing a new church.
SOLDIER, the individual person essential to all of these units.
CHURCH application... Individual believers, totally committed to the leading and authority of God and His Church in their lives, and to the service of other believers, and to the evangelizing of the lost.
In a military organization there are many different facets to the job of defense and advancement, such as infantry, cavalry, artillery, mechanized, engineering, aviation, intelligence, communications, psychological, chemical, medical, transportation, supply, ordinance, training. Likewise, in the CHURCH and in the local church specifically, there are many different ministries, which work together for the fulfillment of God's call.
2 Timothy 2:3-4
(3) You therefore must endure hardship, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
(4) No soldier on duty entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6
(3) For though we walk in the flesh, we don’t wage war according to the flesh;
(4) for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds,
(5) throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ;
(6) and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience will be made full.
1 Timothy 1:18-19
(18) This instruction I commit to you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which were given to you before, that by them you may wage the good warfare;
19) holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust away made a shipwreck concerning the faith;
Hebrews 13:7
(7) Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith.
Hebrews 13:17
(17) Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy, and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you.
CHURCH application... Consider the worldwide Church, the Church around the world, obviously led by God. Christ is the head of His Church, the Leader of His Army.
CORP, (deployable levels, comprised of 20,000 to 40,000 soldiers each), led by Lieutenant Generals. Sometimes a Corp works in concert with multinational warriors.
CHURCH application... Consider the National churches, such as African, European, American, Asian. These groups of believers are given operational responsibility in their given area, though they may work closely with ministries sent to them from other countries.
DIVISION, (performing independent tactical and support operations, comprised of 10,000 to 18,000 soldiers), led by a Major General. This includes integrated units (Brigades) in an area that work together.
CHURCH application... Local congregations with a strong ministry base or smaller local congregations working together through associations or conferences (denominational and cross denominational alignments), though separately and independently, to evangelize and minister to the needs of their community.
BRIGADE, (significantly large unit that can work independently, comprised of 1500 to 3200 soldiers), led by a Colonel or Brigadier General.
CHURCH application... A very large local congregation with abundant resources, able to perform a very wide range of ministries, which might otherwise require the cooperative venture of several smaller congregations.
BATTALION, (tactically and administratively self sufficient unit, capable of independent operations in battle, but with limitations, comprised of 300 to 1,000 soldiers), led by a Lieutenant Colonel.
CHURCH application... A medium to large local congregation, which is able to carry out a full range of ministries independently of outside resources.
COMPANY, (cohesive, tactical sized unit that can perform a battlefield function on its own, comprised of 60-200 soldiers), led by a Captain.
CHURCH application... a small to medium sized local congregation, which can reach its own community with the Gospel and hold the Standard of Christ in the face of a resisting enemy.
PLATOON, (basic combat unit, capable of fundamental combat operations, comprised of 16-44 soldiers), led by a Lieutenant.
CHURCH application... A small local congregation or a ministry department (such as evangelism, education, mission, youth, music, etc.) within a local congregation. This group works with other departments for the common cause but they are ministry specific, using gifts, talents, skills, abilities.
SQUAD, (smallest unit in the army, assigned to a tactical unit and serving the larger operation, comprised of 8 to 16 soldiers), led by a Staff Sergeant.
CHURCH application... This could either be a small ministry group in a local church, doing specific ministries or it could be a church planting team, comprised of people with specific abilities and gifts for establishing a new church.
SOLDIER, the individual person essential to all of these units.
CHURCH application... Individual believers, totally committed to the leading and authority of God and His Church in their lives, and to the service of other believers, and to the evangelizing of the lost.
In a military organization there are many different facets to the job of defense and advancement, such as infantry, cavalry, artillery, mechanized, engineering, aviation, intelligence, communications, psychological, chemical, medical, transportation, supply, ordinance, training. Likewise, in the CHURCH and in the local church specifically, there are many different ministries, which work together for the fulfillment of God's call.
2 Timothy 2:3-4
(3) You therefore must endure hardship, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
(4) No soldier on duty entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6
(3) For though we walk in the flesh, we don’t wage war according to the flesh;
(4) for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds,
(5) throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ;
(6) and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience will be made full.
1 Timothy 1:18-19
(18) This instruction I commit to you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which were given to you before, that by them you may wage the good warfare;
19) holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust away made a shipwreck concerning the faith;
Hebrews 13:7
(7) Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith.
Hebrews 13:17
(17) Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy, and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you.
