in high school i considered military service for a lot of reasons. i even met with representatives from the army and navy but for some reason i opted not to join the armed forces and went to college instead. at iwu i met many people who served in the national guard. when i graduated i went to what is the "real world" and it seemed the majority of people i came into contact with was or had served in one of the military branches.
while i was in my junior year of college 9/11 happened i felt a longing to serve my country as som many had before. for some reason i didnt. while i saw a few friends go over to iraq and afghanistan, i longed to be apart of something bigger then myself. i wanted to help. but didnt know how i could.
a good friend of mine is now back from iraq after serving a year there as a captain in the army. he was awarded several medals showing his bravery and leadership during the war. i sit and think about the brave men and women over there serving and wonder what if that were me. i couldnt join because i have a condition called scoliosis. i have a crooked back.
i love my country and would join in a minute if i could but i also know on top of my back God had some control in me not going over there. he knew that he needed me here serving as a youth pastor and that was more important (for myself) in being a part of His kingdom serving being in something bigger then myself.
the wesleyan church takes a a stand on peace and military service and i just wanted to bring it to your attention what they do believe.
(2) Peace. The Wesleyan Church, knowing that war results in great
suffering for the bodies, minds and souls of men and women, staggering
economic loss with its legacy of debt for future generations, and the
unleashing of the baser passions of life, urges that persons and nations seek by
every legitimate means to avoid armed conflict among the peoples and nations
of the world. The Wesleyan Church also urges that holy people everywhere
pray earnestly for those in authority, so that peace may prevail (1 Tim. 2:2),
and for the quick return of the Prince of Peace.
(3) Military Service. The Wesleyan Church teaches respect for
properly constituted civil authority and the proper loyalty to one’s country. It
recognizes the responsibility of the individual to answer the call of government
and to enter into military service. However, there are those within the
fellowship of The Wesleyan Church who believe that military service is
contrary to the teaching of the New Testament and that their consciences are
violated by being compelled to take part in such. The Wesleyan Church will
therefore lend moral support to any member who asks and claims exemption
by legal processes from military service as a sincere conscientious objector and
who asks to serve one’s country as a noncombatant.
just to analyze it real quickly twc believes
1. "urges that persons and nations seek byevery legitimate means to avoid armed conflict among the peoples and nations of the world."--peace is obviously the best answer. no one wants to go to war. it should be avoided.
2. "urges that holy people everywherepray earnestly for those in authority, so that peace may prevail" we can never do this too much. we need to pray for everyone involved that peace may prevail.
3. " teaches respect for properly constituted civil authority and the proper loyalty to one’s country." i think this is one of the hardest for us. we have trouble respecting others in the idea that we are always second guessing their authority. so many people are attacking bush as if he is doing a horrible job. but i wonder what would of happened if someone else were president. we would just be complaining about him. one reason this country is not headed in a good direction is because we are not united and until then we will never go forward. and then there are others who have more loyalty to the country then they do Christ. just ask yourself where you might be.
4. "However, there are those within the fellowship of The Wesleyan Church who believe that military service is contrary to the teaching of the New Testament and that their consciences areviolated by being compelled to take part in such. " conscientious objector will always lean toward peace. and personally as much as i want to serve my country i think i would rather do it in a peaceful setting. these guys take a stand in their faith and show what they believe.
i wonder everyday if i had not had scoliosis what my life would have ended up like. but i do know i am where i am supposed to be. today if you got anything from, get this, pray for our leader, pray for our military. they need to know we are supporting them in what they are doing.
4 comments:
I enjoy how you are parsing the Wesleyan Discipline. It is amazing to me how ambiguous some of our discipline reads. Great job Nate.
Thanks Nate for pointing out the various positions we hold firmly in the Discipline. We have both Quaker and warrior roots and TWC position does allow for both.
my job here is not to tear apart the discipline but to bring awareness of what it says. maybe it is just for myself but i hope it helps others too.
thanks kevin and coach d
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