On active duty (and I don't mean the US military)

The elders and deacons convened this weekend for a "retreat" of sorts. It was a time to get away from the business of church leadership to consider some strategic issues. And to think about spiritual matters that sometimes get thrust aside by the fire fights of every day.

Our first discussion (Friday evening) centered on spiritual warfare. Not theory, but practise. We reviewed the theology of spiritual warfare first. Anyone who thinks a follower of Christ is settling for "wimpdom" doesn't understand what we're called to be: soldiers engaging a spiritual enemy who seeks our destruction.

Against the backdrop of our military presence around the world, mitigating conflicts in several countries; we agreed we face principalities and powers. The armor of the God, interestingly enough doesn't really cover our backs. Which means two things:

1. We must face our enemy face-on. We don't dare turn our back on it.
2. We must cover each others' backs: that's where prayer comes in.

Satan and his followers (demons) are not omniscient, they are very legalisitic, and they are out-numbered by the angels and followers of Christ. And if we follow through on our battle orders from our Lord and Commander, they number even less than when they started out.

A recent discussion with my Junior-High class shocked the kids when they realized that God and Satan are not opposite co-equals. God created Satan (he was originally the archangel "Lucifer"). So there's no way he can be considered an evil version or side of God. We're not talking light and dark sides of some force.

Spiritual warfare is not something openly taught or discussed much in sophisticated, cosmopolitan, southwestern Connecticut where I formerly lived and served. Most problems were attributed to "psychological" and "emotional" problems which were addressed by "therapy."

I've discovered in my 18 month-tenure, that this church takes spiritual warfare seriously. I truly believe its much healthier for it.