Training

Today my battalion is officially in the pre-deployment training program.  It is still about eight months until we deploy but I have been struck with how much training we need to do and how little time there is to do it.  It has been said that there is a moral imperative in command.  The moral imperative shows up in many aspects of command, but the one I am most aware of right now is the need to properly train my Marines and Sailors to be ready for the rigors of combat.  It is incumbent on me to ensure that they get the training they need to do their job as well as possible - lives may depend on it.  It is a heavy responsibility. 

It brings to mind a similar responsibility - that of pastoral shepherding.  There is a moral imperative for training there too, one that is so often neglected in the church today.  The pastors and elders have a responsibility to train the congregation to get them ready for the rigors of spiritual warfare.  The weapons and equipment are different than in physical combat, but every Christian should be proficient in their use.  The way most churches train their congregations in doctrine, in love and in service is like if the Marine Corps emptied out a few elementary schools and sent the students to Afghanistan.  Shameful!  May God have mercy on us and give us the grace to do better - to train the new believers to properly wear their armor and to skillfully use their swords and shields. 
The battle is joined! To arms!