A Leadership "Briefing"

Brothers & Sisters:

It has been an interesting week for many of us who have been called to serve in our God-ordained profession. That said, one of the main issues I deal with both as an officer and as a police chaplain continues to be the subject of leadership and the lack of true servant-leaders in our profession. Accordingly, we’ve begun our second major series on the subject of leadership as it applies law enforcement and the military (based loosely on Col. Ray Fairman’s work, Are you Destined to Lead? A Biblical Examination of Leadership). What makes this new series unique is that I’ll be able to share a significant portion of each discussion with everyone who receives our newsletters or checks our website. Starting today, I'll include a web link to each chapter as posted on Col. Ray Fairman’s website, www.rayfairman.com. Accordingly, last week we introduced our new series by discussing a number of important points Ray makes in his forward: see http://www.rayfairman.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=54&Itemid=9.

This week we’ll be tackling Chapter 1: Leadership Briefing. Don't miss this special opportunity to develop and/or enhance your leadership skills while at the same time deepening your faith and walk with Christ.

Of course, those outside the Denver metro area will miss out on the spirited exchange of ideas, my own unique take on each lesson, and a great time of "warrior fellowship" and prayer.

That said, a series such as this combined with (for example) Deputy Mike Dye’s The PeaceKeepers Bible Study (http://www.christianlawenforcement.com/index.html) provides outstanding material for other Christian law enforcement fellowship groups. Indeed, we are in fact purposely encouraging all law enforcement personnel to become active in a profession-relevant Bible study/fellowship. The Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers (FCPO -- www.FCPO.org) and Mike's website both list study locations around the country and, if none can be found in your area, we strongly encourage you to prayerfully consider starting one of your own. The FCPO and I have the resources and personnel to help you establish your own chapter. Bottom line: pray, act, and LEAD!


Upcoming MEETING SCHEDULE:

-- REGULAR MEETING (Thursday, 01/28/10, 1900-2030 hours, Calvary South Denver -- www.CalvaryCSD.org, Littleton. We'll meet in classroom #7 unless noted otherwise.)

-- Thursday, 02/04/10: NO MEETING (I will be attending a family event).

-- Thursday, 02/11/10: Regular meeting (same time/place).


"OFFICER DOWN" NEWS:

Our brothers with Ten-Four Ministries have posted a great story written by a LEO from Louisiana who attended the funeral for the four Lakewood (WA) officers who where slain last November 29th. This is a very special "MUST read:" http://www.tenfourministries.org/lakewood.html.


WEBSITE UPDATED:

I've updated our website LINKS section. In particular, check out our ministry page on our "home" church's new website: http://www.calvarycsd.org/bible-studies/centurion-law-enforcement-ministry/. Regardless of your own home church (YES, you should be part of a church fellowship), the Calvary South Denver (CSD) website has a plethora of great resources. It should also be noted that CSD is a VERY "cop friendly" church (Pastor Gino Geraci is also a police chaplain and quite a few officers -- myself included -- are actively involved in various ministries there).

Speaking of being "cop friendly" and the scheduling issues endemic to our profession, I highly recommend Calvary's "Tuesday Night Dialogue" service that starts at 1900 hours. You'll almost always find me there as I'm heavily involved in this unique service/ministry. See http://www.calvarycsd.org/bible-studies/tuesday-night-dialogue/ for more.


PRAYER REQUESTS (as always, send me your requests and praise reports and I'll post them here as appropriate):

(1) PRAISE REPORT! I've received news that a strong Christian law enforcement leader for whom we've been praying has been nominated to be the new US Marshal for Nevada. See http://www.lvrj.com/news/obama-nominates-lv-police-lieutenant-for-us-marshal-post-82236597.html. Let's continue to pray that our country's elected leadership (hmm) will turn to Christ and lead biblically.

(2) Pray for a brother officer whose wife has left him (strength, reconciliation, comfort, peace, etc.).

(3) I attended the farewell party for Mahnomen County (MN) Deputy Chris Dewey last week (bagpipers were awesome) but have just learned that Chris will need yet another surgery. Please pray for Chris and that Emily will stay strong as she stands by her warrior-husband. Emily writes, "Based on the most recent CT scan, as well as consulting with two other neurosurgeons, Chris needs to have another shunt placed. A CSF-filled cyst independent of his ventricles developed. This may be putting pressure on the deeper structures of his brain, and could be why he hasn’t spoken since his crinkliesty. He was also moving his right side a bit prior to surgery, and has since been unable to. We need continued prayers that he has a successful surgery, quick and infection-free recovery, and that this resolves his communication problems. Although there are no guarantees, I am cautiously optimistic that there will be some positive results from this. I’m really trying not to get my hopes up, but if it be His will, improvements will occur. "

(4) PRAISE REPORT! I've received news from Lebanon (NH) Police Chief Jim Alexander that his son Nick has made the US Winter Olympic Team as a ski jumper. How cool is that!

(5) Pray for the Grant Wolf's wife Ruth (illness).

(6) Pray for two brother officers who are struggling with alcoholism and related sin issues: one has already lost his job because of this issue and the other is getting precariously close.

(7) Pray for the mother of a fellow officer (surgery).

(8) Finally, please continue to pray for the people of Haiti and all the police officers and military personnel serving there in the midst of mind-numbing tragedy. God can and will use this for His glory (see also http://www.gotquestions.org/natural-disasters.html). While your at it, please pray for one of our "regulars," Lupe Pruneda (ICE), who will be assisting in the relief effort for the the next month or so.

Virtus et Honor -- "Strength and Honour"-- in Christ (1 Peter 4:11)!