The Moral Component of Fighting Power

I had a chat with Major General Tim Cross (retired) the other day, I have never spoken to a general before, though I have had a curry with a brigadier.

Anyway, he has a really interesting take on our society today based on his experiences in the Army. To paraphrase his argument

The British Army believes that an important part of their fighting effectiveness is the Moral Component; which is all about the ability to get soldiers to fight, and if necessary to die for the cause. At the heart of Fighting Power is the ‘Will to Fight’; the determination to succeed against all the odds.

What is it that gets a soldier out on a patrol in Afghanistan each morning, knowing that there is a fair to middling chance that he will be injured or killed? The answer to that question lies in words like character and moral courage; friendship and love; honour and integrity; a sense of duty, trust and commitment.

The point he then goes onto argue is that it’s the same with our society. Focusing solely on the economy or ASBO’s or law enforcement etc. are not enough to build a great nation. For that we need our Society and our Communities to be built on a solid Moral Component. Unfortunately over the last 30 or so years we have abandoned our Biblical Morality and our Christian heritage and replaced it with …..nothing. 

So why are we then so surprised/frightened/angry that we now have a generation of youngsters who have no sense of a Moral Component in their own lives, or see it in the leadership of the Nation? Recent events - including the scandals in the City, Parliament and the Media along with the recent rioting seem to underscore this point And what are we going to do about it?! 

I think it’s a really interesting point of view and whether you agree that Christianity is the solution or not, it’s an important area of public life to wrestle with.

So we have invited him to come and speak at our next Woking Business Matters lunch and if you would like to come along you would be very welcome

Venue: The Beijing Restaurant, 95-99 High Street Horsell GU21 4SY

Date: Tuesday 8^th November 12.40 for 1.00pm, till 1.50, but it is a case of come when you can and go when you must.

Costs: No charge, but we invite a contribution of £10/head to cover costs. Lunch provided.

Booking: To help us get the catering right, please book either by phone me on 07795 973814 or email me at  martin@peoplecentred.co.uk  

 

 

Costs: No charge, but we invite a contribution of £10/head to cover costs. Lunch provided.

Booking: To help us get the catering right, please book either by phone me on 07795 973814 or email me at  martin@peoplecentred.co.uk

Woking Business Matters - Business Lunch - 1.00pm 15th June

Jonathan Veira is more than just an excellent opera singer. He has just celebrated 25 years on the international operatic stage and he appears regularly at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, English National Opera and Glyndebourne Festival. Being a natural comedian it is no surprise that he specializes in comic roles.

In addition to his operatic roles, Jonathan regularly broadcasts on BBC radio and television and has recorded numerous cd’s and television programs in many genres including light entertainment and religious broadcasting, particularly with Songs of Praise. Tracks from his cd’s are often featured on radio programs across the globe.

It is rare these days to be able to entertain and make people of all ages laugh - without causing offence. In his One Man Show, Jonathan has established a reputation for just this. Singing magnificently, causing great hilarity and inspiring – all at the same time. His easy conversational style of sharing his faith journey combined with superb music and riotous anecdotes is both enthralling and engaging.

Venue: The Coign Church, Church Street West, Woking, Surrey, GU21 6DJ
 
Date: Wednesday 15th June 12.45 for 1.00pm, till 1.50, but it is a case of come when you can and go when you must.

Costs: No charge, but we invite a contribution of £10/head to cover costs. Buffet Lunch provided.

Booking: To help us get the catering right, please book either by phone to Martin Smith on 07795 973814 or email martin@peoplecentred.co.uk

We are a group of churches world who want to be of service to our neighbours in the world of work – Facebook Group – Woking Business Matters

Some Thoughts on Marketplace Ministry

Hi All

I know a lot of people are interested in this area of market place or workplace ministry and would like to know more, but it’s not a subject that get a lot of coverage at Church, so I thought it might be helpful to collect together a number of web articles and videos on this general topic and email them out occasionally

 Here are some I thought you might like to take a look at, and please do let me have any feedback/suggestions you might have for futureblogs

New Years Resolutions - This is the time of year for taking stock of last year and setting some New Year’s resolutions or even some fresh goals so here’s some thoughts that may encourage you in that task http://www.businessasmissionnetwork.com/2010/12/whats-ahead-for-2011-for-c12-group.html

You may also like to try my friend’s template, which you can find on http://www.expressionspartnership.com/Admin/Uploaded/Downloads/new%20year%20goal%20setting%202011.pd

Microfinance scheme – interesting article on a Centre for Community Transformation workplace ministry in the Philippines  - they offer a range of services to the poor, but  its microloan programme and its instruction in Christian living, coupled with teachings on sound business practices are at the centre of its work.  http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/september/31.70.html

Evangelism – we hope that the Woking Business Matters will be more effective in 2011 and this is a short video – 12 minutes long by Mark Green on the Sacred Secular divide  http://conversation.lausanne.org/en/resources/detail/11359

Models Ministry - Biblical models for a marketplace ministry from the Old Testament http://imf-arise.blogspot.com/2010/12/market-place-ministry-models-in-bible.html

 Peter’s Thought Piece – Peter Haslem from Transforming Business a Christian Think Tank based in Cambridge publishes thoughtful, occasional articles, here is the latest - The Genius of Savings banks  - http://blog.transformingbusiness.net/

Happy New Year everyone

Best wishes

Martin