This week's Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry/FCPO newsletter and devotional has gone out to our many worldwide subscribers but here it is again. Take the time to read not only the announcements and news but also the recap of Chaplain Jim Wattles' Bible study from last week. Click on Cops Under Conviction.
Secondly, I continue to be disturbed by an almost constant barrage of possibly well-intended but dangerous (as in eternal consequences) posts that falsely suggest that we (LEOs, first responders, military, etc.) can somehow "earn" a free-ride into heaven or out of hell by our service. Rest assured, we canNOT "badge" our way into God's house or out of our otherwise just destination (hell)! Rather, it is ONLY by repenting of our sin and entering into a life-saving/life-changing personal relationship with God in Christ that we can be saved. If you doubt that, then your argument is with God alone. See the links on the left side of this website under "Know God (AKA True Officer Safety)?"
Finally, I ask for your prayers for all those still dealing with the fallout from the Aurora theater shooting that occurred 1 year ago this weekend. Many wounds still not healed. Moreover, in speaking at a COPS (Concerns for Police Survivors) event this weekend at the Colorado Law Enforcement Memorial, that point was further driven home. Let's have a Code 3 sense of urgency in sharing Christ with our own.
Church Security and Threat Conference!
Calvary Chapel Albuqueque will be hosting a Church Security and Threat Training Conference on July 23rd from 9 AM - 5 PM. Retired Albuquerque PD detective and current Calvary ABQ Dir. of Security Vince Harrison, a leading expert on church safety and security issues, will be a one of the instructors along with Dr. Larry Allen and Gil Baca, Jr.. They will be covering such topics as active shooter and knife attacks, the security role of ushers and greeters, CCW liability issues, and more. Pastors, ministry leaders, ushers, security, police and fire personnel are encouraged to attend. To register and obtain complete conference information, email Vince at vinceharrison@comcast.net or call Rachael Chance at 505-974-1730.
Stay safe -- but BOLD in Christ.
MC
Lt. Michael "MC" Williams
Director, The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry
Showing posts with label Church Security Seminar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Church Security Seminar. Show all posts
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
As Iron Sharpens Iron -- A Lesson in Accountability
Fellow Paladins:
So how goes the “battle” (biblically speaking of course – see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL7cL_p5_84)? Rest assured, the battle we face in law enforcement goes hand-in-hand with the spiritual warfare we are engaged in daily. That said, part of girding (preparing for combat) ourselves for the battle should be regular fellowship with other believers – both with fellow Christian officers and as part of your local fellowship – aka “church.” Last week’s study centered around that very topic and the issue of biblical accountability. Here’s the recap:
Our foundational text was Proverbs 27:17 -- As iron sharpens iron, so one man (or woman) sharpens another. God’s infallible and inerrant word, the Bible, calls us to be accountable both to Him and to one another (fellow believers – aka those who have turned from their sin and trusted Christ as Lord and Savior – the definition of a “Christian”). Moreover, the concept should not be lost on any of us who have been through a military boot camp and/or a police academy. The issue is also central to what we do as a ministry and fellowship. One of the major reasons we should be meeting regularly with fellow Christian law enforcement personnel is so that we can be lovingly accountable to one another. Of course, accountability involves both the willingness to be held accountable and trusting those we are accountable to.
Finally, let’s not forget that we are ultimately accountable to God above all else: Hebrews 4:12-13 (NLT) says, For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes, and He is the one to whom we are accountable; Romans 14:12 says, So then each of you shall give an account of himself to God. Of course, knowing that we must one day answer to a just God should be a powerful incentive for holiness and obedience -- For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each may one day receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad (2 Cor. 5:10).
The following links provide for a very solid overview on biblical accountability and make for an outstanding individual devotional study on the topic:
(1) http://www.middletree.net/accountability.asp
(2) http://encouragingbiblequotes.com/verseshonestya.html
(3) http://www.gotquestions.org/accountability.html
(4) http://www.intouch.org/site/c.cnKBIPNuEoG/b.4944113/k.9535/Life_Principle_25__What_the_Bible_Says__Accountability_Relationships.htm
To whom are YOU accountable?
This week we will dig into our next chapter on Christian law enforcement leadership using veteran Marine and police officer Col. Ray Fairman’s Are You Destined to Lead? Mission Ready Leadership Essentials from the “Ol’ Gunner” as a template. If you are local or visiting, please join us and invite a friend or colleague for this thoroughly biblical and profession-relevant series. As always, I’ll post a recap in next week’s newsletter and here on our website for all those outside our area. Stay tuned!
TRAINING OP:
Chief Jake Shirk, the Monument (CO) PD, and a number of faith-based organizations are sponsoring a one-day church safety and security seminar on Saturday, June 19th, from 0800-1600 at 8710 Lexington Drive in Colorado Springs, CO. Yes, you'll discover it is a LDS church but this is not a LDS event (and perhaps you’ll have an opportunity to witness the true Gospel to our LDS friends). Visit the Monument Police Department website at http://www.monumentpd.org/ for more information and RSVP Chief Shirk at jshirk@pd.townofmonument.net or 719-481-3253. If you plan on attending, simply advise that you are with The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry or your local church when you check in. Don’t forget to “carry” when you’re off-duty -- especially when at church!
MEETING SCHEDULE updates & latest PRAYER REQUESTS are posted and updated regularly here on our website. In fact, the latest post is here now -- immediately follows this one (below). Check back frequently and please time the time to pray for our hurting brothers and sisters.
Finally, let me take this opportunity to wish all the father’s out there a very special Father’s Day. As some will remember, my Dad went to be with the Lord just before Father's Day last year so don't forget to wish your own dads a happy Father's Day. Moreover, strive to be the loving and godly dad that our own heavenly Father has called you to be. I’ll have more on this next week but, for now, check out: http://christianity.about.com/od/prayersverses/qt/fatherbiblevers.htm and http://www.christianitytoday.com/holidays/father/. Spend the day with your families if you can.
Let’s be sure to wear both our physical and spiritual body armor (Ephesians 6:10-18) so that we can stay in the fight and finish strong!
So how goes the “battle” (biblically speaking of course – see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL7cL_p5_84)? Rest assured, the battle we face in law enforcement goes hand-in-hand with the spiritual warfare we are engaged in daily. That said, part of girding (preparing for combat) ourselves for the battle should be regular fellowship with other believers – both with fellow Christian officers and as part of your local fellowship – aka “church.” Last week’s study centered around that very topic and the issue of biblical accountability. Here’s the recap:
Our foundational text was Proverbs 27:17 -- As iron sharpens iron, so one man (or woman) sharpens another. God’s infallible and inerrant word, the Bible, calls us to be accountable both to Him and to one another (fellow believers – aka those who have turned from their sin and trusted Christ as Lord and Savior – the definition of a “Christian”). Moreover, the concept should not be lost on any of us who have been through a military boot camp and/or a police academy. The issue is also central to what we do as a ministry and fellowship. One of the major reasons we should be meeting regularly with fellow Christian law enforcement personnel is so that we can be lovingly accountable to one another. Of course, accountability involves both the willingness to be held accountable and trusting those we are accountable to.
Finally, let’s not forget that we are ultimately accountable to God above all else: Hebrews 4:12-13 (NLT) says, For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes, and He is the one to whom we are accountable; Romans 14:12 says, So then each of you shall give an account of himself to God. Of course, knowing that we must one day answer to a just God should be a powerful incentive for holiness and obedience -- For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each may one day receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad (2 Cor. 5:10).
The following links provide for a very solid overview on biblical accountability and make for an outstanding individual devotional study on the topic:
(1) http://www.middletree.net/accountability.asp
(2) http://encouragingbiblequotes.com/verseshonestya.html
(3) http://www.gotquestions.org/accountability.html
(4) http://www.intouch.org/site/c.cnKBIPNuEoG/b.4944113/k.9535/Life_Principle_25__What_the_Bible_Says__Accountability_Relationships.htm
To whom are YOU accountable?
This week we will dig into our next chapter on Christian law enforcement leadership using veteran Marine and police officer Col. Ray Fairman’s Are You Destined to Lead? Mission Ready Leadership Essentials from the “Ol’ Gunner” as a template. If you are local or visiting, please join us and invite a friend or colleague for this thoroughly biblical and profession-relevant series. As always, I’ll post a recap in next week’s newsletter and here on our website for all those outside our area. Stay tuned!
TRAINING OP:
Chief Jake Shirk, the Monument (CO) PD, and a number of faith-based organizations are sponsoring a one-day church safety and security seminar on Saturday, June 19th, from 0800-1600 at 8710 Lexington Drive in Colorado Springs, CO. Yes, you'll discover it is a LDS church but this is not a LDS event (and perhaps you’ll have an opportunity to witness the true Gospel to our LDS friends). Visit the Monument Police Department website at http://www.monumentpd.org/ for more information and RSVP Chief Shirk at jshirk@pd.townofmonument.net or 719-481-3253. If you plan on attending, simply advise that you are with The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry or your local church when you check in. Don’t forget to “carry” when you’re off-duty -- especially when at church!
MEETING SCHEDULE updates & latest PRAYER REQUESTS are posted and updated regularly here on our website. In fact, the latest post is here now -- immediately follows this one (below). Check back frequently and please time the time to pray for our hurting brothers and sisters.
Finally, let me take this opportunity to wish all the father’s out there a very special Father’s Day. As some will remember, my Dad went to be with the Lord just before Father's Day last year so don't forget to wish your own dads a happy Father's Day. Moreover, strive to be the loving and godly dad that our own heavenly Father has called you to be. I’ll have more on this next week but, for now, check out: http://christianity.about.com/od/prayersverses/qt/fatherbiblevers.htm and http://www.christianitytoday.com/holidays/father/. Spend the day with your families if you can.
Let’s be sure to wear both our physical and spiritual body armor (Ephesians 6:10-18) so that we can stay in the fight and finish strong!
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