Happy New Year from ChristianFighterPilot.com. 

Each year is a unique challenge to a military Christian.  Deployment schedules vary, family situations change, new faith challenges arise, and the rules on religious practice and expression in the military change.  ChristianFighterPilot.com has attempted to remain a viable and valuable resource for information as varied as “how to become a fighter pilot” and “military Christians and ‘church/state separation.'”  Many people have contacted CFP; some were like-minded active duty military, some were ROTC cadets wanting to know how to secure a pilot’s slot, and some were high school students wanting to understand the relationship between Christ and the military profession.  Chaplains, Army soldiers in Iraq, and even atheists and opponents to religion in the military have corresponded with and commented on the site.  Though small, the presence and ministry of ChristianFighterPilot.com is being felt.

As always, ChristianFighterPilot.com seeks to improve and expand.  If you would like to contribute content or commentary, or if you have suggestions for the site or ministry, please feel free to contact CFP, either through the form or email.  If you know of others who may be interested in the newsletter, site, or topics, please let them know about the website or forward the newsletter to them.

Each new year brings the traditional resolutions and, regrettably, a new wave of controversies.  Weinstein’s lawsuit and recent accusations against Campus Crusade (previous posts 1, 2) are the latest, but they will certainly not be the last.  Military Christians should live their lives for Christ, mentor others in faith, and support each other’s spiritual growth.  They should also stay informed as to the current events surrounding their Christianity and their profession.  When necessary, Christians should be prepared to speak or act intelligently in defense of their faith–whether that be to correct a fellow believer in the appropriate conduct of a military Christian (whether professionally or spiritually), or to respond to those who would incorrectly attempt to restrict religious freedoms in the military.

Focus on the Family Action recently published a list of the “Top Ten Attacks on Faith, Family and Freedom,” in which they said

We say we want to influence the culture for Christ…and our Constitution guarantees us the rights to do so. But those rights are only as secure as our willingness to resist attempts to take them away, whether they come from the halls of Congress, our state legislatures or our schools.

For military Christians, not every situation is appropriate for “political” action (see appropriate guidance, for example) or “resistance.”  Still, when permissible and wise, military Christians must be willing to speak or act in their own defense.  If they do not, who will?