PODCAST · business
The OCF Handbook
by Officers' Christian Fellowship
A chapter-by-chapter reading of Officers' Christian Fellowship's 2022 Handbook, a vision for military ministry and how we serve within the military community.
Episodes
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C: A Brief History of OCF
The desire for community with those who share their military lifestyle and Christian values led to a Bible study in a Washington, D.C., home that continued for several years. In [December of] 1943, at the urging of the British Officers’ Christian Union (OCU), leaders incorporated OCU in the…
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B: Constitution & Bylaws
This chapter is a reading of the OCF Constitution and a summary of what is found in the OCF Bylaws. The full OCF Handbook can be viewed and downloaded at www.ocfusa.org/handbook. Send thoughts or questions to [email protected].
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A: OCF Foundational Statements & Thoughts (Summarized)
STATEMENT OF FAITH STATEMENT OF PARTICIPATION PURPOSE VISION MISSION PILLARS (CUE LINES) DISTINCTIVES GUIDELINES FOR OCF MEMBER CONDUCT (OCF Bylaws) GUIDELINES FOR OCF LEADER CONDUCT (OCF Bylaws) OCF FOUNDATIONS GRAPHIC The full OCF Handbook can be viewed and downloaded at…
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37: OCF’s Home Office
Our ministry is run and coordinated from OCF’s Home Office, a name harkening back to when OCU communication and accounting was accomplished in the basement of Buck and Louisa Buxton’s home. The Home Office is where most member inquiries are handled and where we respond to your requests for...
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36: Like-Minded, Military-Focused Ministries
INITIATE THE CONNECTION Since OCF operates within the larger body of Christ’s church, our leaders in the field should be aware of like-minded parachurch ministries who are laboring nearby and should be the initiators of coordinating and supporting relationships. The full OCF Handbook can be…
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35: Council & Staff
IN THIS CHAPTER The OCF Council governs the ministry of OCF, and they hire the Executive Director of OCF. The staff of OCF supports the members of OCF by encouraging Christian obedience and integrity, equipping Christ’s body in accession and education locations, connecting members to one another,...
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34: The OCF Directory
IN THIS CHAPTER Every OCF member needs to know how to find the OCF Directory, use it, and help others navigate the Directory to connect men and women in fellowship around the world—this connects us to other family members. The full OCF Handbook can be viewed and downloaded at...
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33: Threats & Opposition
IN THIS CHAPTER If there were no enemy, then there would be no need for a military. If Satan and rulers in the heavenly places were not a real threat to the Christian, then the church would have had no need to stay alert, to put on armor and to hold fast in the face of lies, threats, deceptions,...
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32: Learning from Military Life
IN THIS CHAPTER Those who serve in the military will be changed before they separate or retire, so what follows are some ways to think intentionally about capturing the good while resisting the bad of military culture. It is good that we get to serve alongside people different than us. It is also...
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31: Assignments, Promotions, Retention
IN THIS CHAPTER God works in the lives of His adopted children during the years they wear the uniform and are within the military community. Military life may yield promotions and good assignments, but we will also experience non- promotions and assignment locations we didn’t see coming. In good...
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30: Authority, Submission, Ethics, Morality
IN THIS CHAPTER The military is a great place for uniformed leaders to learn how to submit to God and to those He places over us. Officers usually serve in positions of influence that give them an opportunity to do good to all those around them, whether to Americans, to allies, or to the people…
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29: Professional Calling
IN THIS CHAPTER Understanding the idea of professional calling flows from our grasp of God’s sovereignty over all His creation. The Bible speaks repeatedly of His unfolding plan as He directs the steps of men and women. In light of God’s sovereignty and His step-directing work, entire military...
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28: Worldview
IN THIS CHAPTER Worldview informs our priorities, which then determine our use of time. Our understanding of creation, fall, redemption, and living under Christ’s new covenant impacts how we live our lives, prioritize our use of resources, and engage the people around us. If we think deeply now...
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27: For a Lifetime
IN THIS CHAPTER We hope your OCF participation will extend beyond the few years one spends in uniformed service. We are constantly seeking to connect men and women serving, and who have served, for the rest of their lives according to their gifts and capacities. Once you have connected and met…
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26: Special Events, Conferences, Retreats
IN THIS CHAPTER OCF members plan and host many different gatherings for the benefit of the military community around them. There is no limit to the creativity involved in these gatherings, but each one requires an initiator, an organizer, and help from the larger fellowship to execute the...
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25: OCF Conference Centers
IN THIS CHAPTER OCF owns two conference centers (Spring Canyon in Colorado and White Sulphur Springs in Pennsylvania) for the purpose of bringing the military community of singles, families, and friends together for mutual growth, edification, rest, and refreshment. Guests should leave the...
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24: OCF Volunteers Who Participate
IN THIS CHAPTER The various seasons of life bring about different abilities and capacities to volunteer within OCF and within your local church. This chapter gives ideas for some of the many ways you can volunteer to serve the military community and OCF by using your gifts, time, talent, and...
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23: Member Roles Within OCF
IN THIS CHAPTER There are three main roles an OCF member can volunteer to fill and become visible in the OCF Directory. These volunteer roles are OCF Local Leader, OCF Contact, and OCF Hospitality Home. The OCF Directory also makes OCF Coordinators visible. If someone desires to support a larger...
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22: Local Church Membership
IN THIS CHAPTER OCF members serve where the local church does not have access or the opportunity to impact lives, but where military members can. OCF gathers Christian believers together so that the gospel, and the impacts of the gospel, might go into places where their military credentials…
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21: OCF Membership
IN THIS CHAPTER OCF is a ministry body composed of members (regular, associate, honorary) who are all committed to OCF’s Purpose (to glorify God by uniting Christian officers for Biblical fellowship and outreach, equipping and encouraging them to minister effectively in the military society)....
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20: Singles, Couples, Children
IN THIS CHAPTER The family of Christ is commanded to love our neighbor, so that means singles, couples, and children loving “our neighbor” unique to our time of life. Singles have great freedom in action and can focus on serving one Lord and Master. Marriage, as God gave it to His creation, is...
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19: Nurturing the Family
IN THIS CHAPTER Our enduring and eternal family relationship is that which God has established through His adoption of those of us who belong to Christ. In light of this, we no longer look at one another as acquaintances and friends, but as brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, sons, and…
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18: Chapel Programs
IN THIS CHAPTER Chapel programs vary widely among military installations and among the branches of the military, but chapels are generally a place where religious conversations are welcomed and where Christians can serve to make the gospel of Jesus Christ visible. They are great places to grow in...
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17: The Military Chaplaincy
IN THIS CHAPTER Our nation is blessed to have a military chaplaincy, and OCF wants its members to reach out to their chapel staff, build good relationships with them, and seek to bless the chaplain teams whenever possible. We are careful to say that we support the chaplaincy, but we do not ask...
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16: Christian Mentoring
IN THIS CHAPTER Mentors need mentees, and mentees need mentors. This two-way process of spurring one another on in Christian faith, specifically in the context of Christian and professional living, is Christian mentoring. This chapter gives ideas for starting, developing, and sustaining a…
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15: Transitions & Handoffs
IN THIS CHAPTER Ensure you stay connected to Biblical fellowship through a PCS or TDY/TAD. You and your group can use the OCF Directory, OCF staff, and friends who can help connect people in various locations. The habits and rhythm of TDY/TAD locations and new assignments tend to be established…
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14: Hosting & Facilitating Bible Study
IN THIS CHAPTER It can be overwhelming to think about being the host or facilitator of a small group Bible study, so this chapter will be an encouragement to facilitators who wrestle with getting a group started on time, ended on time, or staying focused on the Bible text at hand. Prayer time...
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13: Starting & Sustaining Fellowship
IN THIS CHAPTER If a small group does not already exist, you can lead a PDO to ask God to grow a local OCF fellowship where you live. We challenge you to take a step of faith with others, and in doing so, may you be blessed by those who join in! Every group requires a willing leader to get…
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12: Small Group Bible Study
IN THIS CHAPTER Small Bible study groups develop resilient, maturing Christian believers who grow in their ability to integrate faith into every area of their lives. Lifelong friendships are developed, comfort and encouragement are found, and family bonds are built within small communities…
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11: Financial Life
IN THIS CHAPTER If you are in the military, then you are managing great wealth. Now consider what it means for God to be the owner of every financial asset that He has entrusted to your care. What follows is a brief discussion of using money to meet current obligations, to give generously, and to...
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10: Pray-Discover-Obey (PDO)
IN THIS CHAPTER The PDO process emphasizes prayer first, planning second, and obedient action third. This model helps OCF members to be still before God, asking Him for wisdom and direction before future actions are planned out. The full OCF Handbook can be viewed and downloaded at...
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9: Engaging in Prayer
IN THIS CHAPTER Prayer is personal and corporate, it is spontaneous and intentional, and it changes us as we lay concerns, griefs, praises, thanks, and supplications before our God who is over all. The full OCF Handbook can be viewed and downloaded at www.ocfusa.org/handbook. Send thoughts or...
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8: Centering on Scripture
IN THIS CHAPTER Enduring ministry flows from work that is anchored in the Scriptures. The Bible is a trustworthy, reliable text inspired by God that is useful for all of life. As such, it is the authoritative source for knowing God, His work and promises, and His commandments, and for aligning…
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7: Evangelism
IN THIS CHAPTER Followers of Christ must be ready to give an answer for what they believe, why they live a certain way, and for how they face difficulties with hope. This chapter focuses on evangelism within the context of the military society. You are free to express your beliefs while in…
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6: Integrating Faith and Profession
IN THIS CHAPTER Christ-followers are made visible in the way they integrate their faith into every part of their personal and professional lives, expressing confidence that God is working all things according to His plan. We reject attempts to make much of ourselves or of our professional...
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5: Spiritual Habits for Daily Life
IN THIS CHAPTER Developing lifelong habits for spiritual growth, knowledge of God, obedience to His commands, and faithful ambassadorship requires daily discipline so the worries of each day do not neutralize believers. The full OCF Handbook can be viewed and downloaded at…
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4: The Military Steward
IN THIS CHAPTER A Christ-like steward-leader is one who thinks, plans, and acts in obedience to our Lord’s directions. The leader will give an account to God for decisions made using His resources and talents. These talents are to be used for the good of others both while in uniform and after...
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3: The Ministry Pillars of OCF
IN THIS CHAPTER These Pillars express the essential traits of our Fellowship. They speak to what OCF is known for doing, are a summary of OCF priorities, and help give focus to ministry work. You can memorize these pillars using the acronym “CUE LINES.” The full OCF Handbook can be viewed and...
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2: OCF Distinctives
IN THIS CHAPTER We are a ministry to the military community by those who are serving, or who have served, within the military community so that Biblical fellowship happens around the world in a way that positively impacts the entire military community. This chapter helps you answer, “What makes…
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1: OCF Purpose, Vision, Mission
IN THIS CHAPTER OCF exists to gather Christian military leaders together for Biblical encouragement and growth so the entire military society is impacted positively wherever these leaders serve. Currently serving Christian leaders will be encouraged and helped in their spiritual journey by being...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
A chapter-by-chapter reading of Officers' Christian Fellowship's 2022 Handbook, a vision for military ministry and how we serve within the military community.
HOSTED BY
Officers' Christian Fellowship
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The OCF Handbook have?
The OCF Handbook currently has 40 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The OCF Handbook about?
A chapter-by-chapter reading of Officers' Christian Fellowship's 2022 Handbook, a vision for military ministry and how we serve within the military community.
How often does The OCF Handbook release new episodes?
The OCF Handbook has 40 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
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Who hosts The OCF Handbook?
The OCF Handbook is created and hosted by Officers' Christian Fellowship.
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