Fellowship

There is an urgent necessity to reach police and corrections officers in the United States and throughout the world. Good officers who do not want to fail.

Many officers have found that it is possible to be a committed Christian in the police and prison professions but with the rigors of shift work and other commitments it is often difficult to be fully involved in the life of the church.

CPA-USA supports the fellowship with others as important, especially those who understand the problems associated with police and prison work. CPA-USA desires to support other believers, as well as colleagues who do not profess a faith, and be there for them in times of need.

CPA-USA desires to share the means of coping with a career in police and prison work. As many have found through regular fellowship it is possible to have a different view of life and experience a different way of life through a personal faith in Jesus Christ.

Fellowship is seeking individual growth and support in their Christian faith through various contacts and with like- minded officers around the world. From gathering of 2 or more for local encouragement to a few hundred gathering for larger events is imperative.

Fellowship is to realize opportunities to be reaffirmed in successes as well as be supported through difficulties and setbacks. Fellowship is realizing that occasional failures is a reality and so is overcoming them and finding forgiveness.

Fellowship is taking time to learn about the things of God and one another and to being willing to ask each other how we are doing.

Fellowship also encourages the cause of Christ through participation in a local church of choice to also inspire a growing moral and spiritual affirmation

Identify officers with various levels of maturity in the faith within your sphere of influence. Invite them independently to a non -agenda meal to get to know them and begin to share the idea of regular fellowship. Fellowship can be informal on a local basis or identify applicable events to attend together.

Talk in terms of opportunity for a CPA-USA fellowship group. It is important to sell the vision and not a program, tasks or ourselves! Talk in terms of the vision to equip officers for real life survival to affect individuals, families, careers and communities. Be sure not to emphasize numbers.

In a step of faith ask officers if they would like to experience what God is doing within the larger purpose of law enforcement and corrections. Invite them to forward a cause; justice, fairness, righteousness – they already believe in they may just not realize it.

Personal Reflection Questions

What unique opportunities do our careers provide us?

How do those opportunities affect our self image and self esteem.  Do continuing education and new assignments improve these?
Is there also an advantage to Christian police fellowship and networking?
Can we pursue and apply training, including spiritual training, without commitment, hard work and discipline?
Do we establish safeguards to help resist temptations and use our assignments as opportunities to obey God and truly serve others having their best interest in mind.

Why is it important to evaluate career goals?

Do others know just how important our professional careers are to us?
When goals are not met and realized do we often seek alternate courses for action taken.
Is there a plan to realize the goals you have for yourself or others?
How important is it to know Christ personally at this point in the career?

What qualities do you consider important to our ability to impact our careers?

What work habits and lifestyles prevent officers from keeping those qualities identified more consistently?
What might prevent an officer from seeking positions of rank or greater responsibility?
How do the thoughts and attitudes of society affect our actions?  Does it explain the arrogance and profanity of some officers?
How do our motives and thoughts affect our service to others and our positions before Christ?

How does an officer balance responsibilities of a career, family and other commitments?

What changes are required and necessary to keep identified priorities as priorities?
What important steps can we take in getting to know others better and invest in their lives.
How does an officer find time to realize God’s presence in our lives and careers, and appreciate the influence of God’s Spirit on a daily basis.
God’s word refers to newer Christians as rookies (infants). Why is that?

How do officers develop close relationships with those outside of our respective careers?

Is it important for an officer to be part of a local civic group or church, based upon the purpose and work of the local church?
Can officers be truly set apart from the society we serve and increase the level of effectiveness in the Christian faith?
Do prayers for fellow officers help play a part in our own spiritual growth process?
What else can an officer do to develop a better understanding of God and develop a close relationship with God and others?

Does having a trusting faith in others make any difference in our careers?

What are the expectations when we encounter difficulty due to our changing careers and tasks?
How do you truly feel God views our careers and the tragedies that afflict our society?
As an officer do I claim and maintain a private faith?
Does a proper understanding of Gods view of our careers, and His overall plan for individuals provide us any hope now and in the future?

What is the danger of an officer serving if having not been adequately trained and informed?

Am I living a complete and balanced life and career in which actions show observable, and measurable behavior?
As officers do we recognize the role of social justice if not understanding absolute truth?
How do officers recognize a God they do not know, and seek a God they do not believe wants to know them?
Can officers realize God’s purpose and role in the authority of government and in our professional careers and assignments?

Is it necessary to be an urgent voice to motivate ourselves and encourage others for effective service?

Do I seek to maintain a level of trust and reconciliation in times of misunderstanding?
Do I practice good stewardship of equipment and resources both at work and home?
Am I an ethical person in relationship to understanding the principles found in God’s word?
Personally do I desire to be a follower of Jesus Christ and offer Him to others?

Is my commitment to being an officer and a Christian apparent to those around me as I seek steps to seek a more influential lifestyle?

As officers “in authority, under authority” do we seek a God who desires our respect and allegiance.
What is there in my life that dishonors God and others?
Would you agree that prayer requires patience, practice and consistency?  Do officers have the time, or reason, to develop this habit?
Are there characteristics not thought of as normal in our careers that can be viewed as unchecked emotions?

Is it possible to feel successful in our careers and still feel unfulfilled?

Do we think of ourselves in the career as God’s calling and work-in-progress.  Do we desire to be used by God in some significant way?
Have our lives and positions been tested to see where we are more accomplished or where we are possibly in need of additional direction?
Are there any standards and goals we can find believable and achievable?  Does the Bible help identify any of these?
Do we seek another who we ultimately feel the urge to imitate?  Have we considered Christ?