TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction: Getting the Military on your Ministry Radar

Chapter 1– Understanding the Military Culture of Today

• Who’s in uniform?
• What’s life in the military like?
• How about their spirituality?
• What’s it like to ride the deployment roller-coaster?
• The Stages of Deployment
• What strategies can families use to survive deployment?
• Does it get any easier when Johnny comes marching home?
• How can families cope with the turmoil of reunion?
• How can the military cope with today’s high-stress environment?

Chapter 2– Appreciating Unique Needs of the Military Lifestyle

• Dispelling the Myth of “Sameness”
• The Hierarchy of Needs
• What are the unique needs of the military?
• Separation & Loneliness
• Feelings of Isolation
• Sense of helplessness
• Fear
• Handling Financial frustrations
• Child care
• Health care

Chapter 3– Ministering on the Front Line . . . and the Home Front

• What can the military member and family do to cope with separation?
• What can the church do to minister to the military family?

Chapter 4 — Identifying Helpful Military Resources

• Resources to help understand the Military
• Resources to help find help for Military Families
• Resources to help Guard and Reserve Family Members learn about their benefits
• Resources to help military families deal with stress
• Resources to help service members transition back into everyday lives
• Resources to help military families with practical relationship issues
• Resources to help military families with financial management
• Resources to help with finding answers and solutions to health problems
• Resources to help in emergency situations

Chapter 5 — Partnering in Ministry in times of Grief

• Casualty Notifications
• Serious Injury Notifications
• Types of military services in casualty situations
• The role of the local pastor
• What the military service member is entitled to
• How to get information from the Home to the Field

Chapter 6 — Discipling “Foxhole Converts”

• The Challenges
• Potential Issues at Home
• Follow-up for New Believers

Chapter 7 — Responding to the Challenges of Military Ministry

• Seek to understand the dynamics of Christians serving in the military
• Realize short-term ministries with the military are worth the effort!
• Using a holistic approach to ministry
• Build bridges…not barriers!
• Share resources with other leaders
• Partner with chaplains in joint ministry to returning service members
• Do a pre-deployment spiritual self-assessment with deploying service members
• Offer Bible study materials to deploying service members
• Encourage deploying service members to pray regularly
• Encourage deploying service members and families to read the Bile together
• Consistently employ our ultimate resource—Prayer!

With Heartfelt Thanks To . . .

Appendices

• Appendix 1– 180 Day Bible Reading Challenge
• Appendix 2– In Him We Move
• Appendix 3– Coming Home: A Guide for Service Members
• Appendix 4– Coming Home: A Guide for Spouses of Service Members
• Appendix 5– Coming Home: A Guide for Parents, Extended Family Members or Friends of Service Members
• Appendix 6– National Guard Family Program Offices in each state
• Appendix 7– Guide to Reserve family Member Benefits
• Appendix 8– Disciple Making Mini-Kit (PDF)

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