Biblical Police Leadership: Are you a delegator or micro-manager?

RECAP from last week and PREVIEW of this week’s meeting:

We had a FULL house at last week’s meeting as we took a phrase from a popular movie and explored it biblically as it relates to those of serving both in law enforcement and as Christian men and women in general. In Gladiator, the fictitious character Maximus used the term “Strength and Honor” (Virtus et Honor in Latin) when addressing and encouraging his men before battle. The phrase was not a true Roman motto but rather represents an ideal. So how does Strength and Honor relate to us as Christians and as Christian warriors in particular?

Dr. Greg Bourgond (www.heartofawarrior.org) wrote an excellent short article on the subject that served as a template for our study. While Greg supplied a superb list of relevant scripture passages with his article, the text for our study centered around II Samuel 22:33-35 (God is my strength and power, and He makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places. He teaches my hands to make war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze) and Psalm 144:1 (Blessed be the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle).

So what is the meaning for all of us in this? Both passages are more about the fact that, for the true Christian, it is God who fights the battle for us. Throughout scripture, God’s people always found themselves in a mess when they tried to do things their way instead of God’s way. God repeatedly defeated Israel’s enemies for them so long as they trusted Him and were obedient to his laws and commands. In fact, these passages are less about actual physical combat than they about trusting God to empower us to “run to the battle” under His leadership in all aspects of our lives.

In addition, the Strength and Honor concept has great meaning for us in terms of moving us to not be “retired on duty” (ROD) when it comes to our faith. On this topic Greg writes,
"I am sick and tired of mediocre Christianity that never has truly believed and never has truly received. You would think I would be encouraged about the continual reports we hear of many people coming to a saving knowledge of Christ. If so many are coming to the Lord why aren't we having a greater impact on our culture? If you and I lived our lives with the same furiosity, intentionality, focus, and purpose as this pagan Roman general but for the cause of Christ what could we accomplish for the kingdom?"

Bottom line here is the biblical concept of Strength and Honor is central to our calling as God’s servant-warriors both on the job and at home. What about you? Are you a ROD spiritually? Please review Greg’s article and study the list of relevant Bible passages: http://www.heartofawarrior.org/Strength%20and%20Honor.pdf.

This week we’ll tackle another chapter from Col. Ray Fairman’s outstanding leadership series by exploring the art of delegation from a biblical view. We all know supervisors who make our lives miserable through micro-management, insecurity, and other related leadership flaws. The Bible has the answer! Join us Thursday as we continue our “field training” towards becoming godly leaders at home and on “the job.”

Until then, “Strength & Honour!”


UPCOMING MEETING SCHEDULE:

3/11/10 1900 hours, Calvary South Denver (www.calvarycsd.org for address/directions), Room #7.

3/18/10 NO MEETING (speaking at conference)

3/25/10 Same place/time as above.

4/01/10 Pre-Easter Meeting! Same place/time as above

UPDATED: Other New Law Enforcement Bible Study Groups (See the “Law Enforcement Ministry Sites” page on our website -- www.TheCenturionLawEnforcementMinistry.org -- for more):

(1) Ofc. Marcus Pulido of Alton, Illinois (near St. Louis) has started a PeaceKeepers study group. Check out their website and join them if you are in the Alton/St. Louis area: www.riverbendpeacekeepers.com. I’ve added their site link to our website.

(2) Grand Junction (CO) PD Ofc. Steve Huskey attended the FCPO conference in Colorado Springs last year and is being led to start a Bible study for law enforcement personnel in the GJ area. Steve can be contacted at huskey@bresnan.net.

(3) If you are in the Lewiston, Maine area, their FCPO chapter is meeting on March 13th. Contact Vito at wopcop@myfairpoint.net for more info.

Speaking of law enforcement Bible studies, Dep. Mike Dye (author of The Peacekeepers – A Bible Study for Law Enforcement Officers) has posted his latest blog and it is EXCELLENT. Check out “Are you 10-8 in Service for God?” at http://christiancop.blogspot.com/.


PRAYER REQUESTS! Please take the time to read and pray:

(1) The son of a godly Colorado police chief who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Please pray (healing and other issues)!

(2) GJPD Officer Steve Huskey (see above) is heading back on duty after battling some painful and debilitating injuries. Thanks to all who prayed for him!

(3) Emily Dewey has posted an update on her husband’s status (wounded Deputy Chris Dewey of Mahnomen County, MN). Please keep them in prayer during this difficult transition period. See http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/chrisdewey.

(4) A colleague in Grand Junction writes, “Please pray for Lane Jochums who has fallen gravely ill while serving in Iraq and has been airlifted to Germany for treatment.” Lane is a former Fruita (CO) PD officer.

(5) Pray for an officer from here in the Denver area who can’t work until he undergoes hip surgery. This brother has no insurance and is in constant pain. Cost for the surgery is $71,000!

(6) Continue to pray for a Western Slope colleague who is battling a plethora of cancer-related issues. She is a “trooper” but needs our prayers and support.

(7) Pray for a local officer who is on the verge of losing his job due in part to a lack of true servant-leadership in his agency.

(8) Continue to pray (salvation, healing, etc.) for the girlfriend of a Los Angeles PD officer. She was severely burned in an accident and is currently in an induced coma.

(9) Finally, pray for me as I prepare to speak at an upcoming retreat/conference at Glen Eyrie in Colorado Springs later this month.

Stay safe and LEAD biblically!