Armed Forces Day: The Christian Soldier and the Church

Following World War II, President Truman proposed that the separate military services -- Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard -- be consolidated into the Department of Defense. This was accomplished in 1947.

Armed Forces Day was created in 1949, with one day replacing the separate days of the five military branches. Armed Forces Day was set as the second Saturday of May, with Armed Forces Week being observed from the second Saturday through the third Sunday of May. The day is often marked by cities with proclamations, parades, open houses, speeches, air shows, and picnics.

Armed Forces Day is one of those civil observances that has found its way into many churches, perhaps especially those with a significant number of military families among their members. In some churches, there is tension between what is understood to be a faith of peace and love for all people and an activity of war. Indeed, at times in our history, we have even been uncomfortable with using the language and imagery of spiritual warfare. Some churches will not sing Wesley's hymn "Soldiers of Christ Arise" (UM Hymnal 513) because they are unable to distinguish between the Bible's spiritual warfare with actual human warfare. The 1989 Hymnal Revision Committee voted to remove "Onward, Christian Soldiers" (UMH 575), another spiritual warfare hymn, but restored it when the church responded in protest.

And what of the Christian soldier today? Military service is one way Christians have lived out their biblical obligation of civic service. The removal of military and war images and language from worship and hymns is perceived as dishonoring those who answered and may have died following the call to serve God and country. The removal of The Navy Hymn ("Eternal Father, Strong to Save") from the 1989 hymnal is often cited as an example of this dishonoring. It was included in The Faith We Sing. Military metaphors in hymns and worship affirm the Christian's duty of honorable civic service.

How should we honor and recognize the Christian soldier in the church? One megachurch in Nashville each year during Armed Forces Week brings in a military band, plays each of the service songs, and invites veterans of each military branch to stand during the playing and singing of their song. The observance includes stirring patriotic videos and the congregation waving hundreds of American flags, with a military honor guard, reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance, singing of the National Anthem, posting of the flag immediately behind the Communion table, interviews of wounded service members or family members of service members killed in action -- all of this IN and AS worship. Other churches simply ignore any recognition, while some include some act of recognition through songs and prayers.

So what should the church do with Armed Forces Week and supporting its Christian soldiers in worship? Our liturgy and hymns should affirm the biblical command of civic duty and service, including military service, and should support those persons in such roles. We should recognize, affirm, and thank them for their service. We should also go out of our way to offer support to their families left at home, but who serve right along with the family member under the most difficult of circumstances.

Worship provides an opportunity for the entire church family to come together in a visible and unified moment of support, recognition, and thanks. There are hymns in The United Methodist Hymnal and there are worship resources available on the Discipleship Ministries website.

But we must take care not to turn our worship services into an opportunity to worship our nation, its military, or the flag. We must never glorify war or place the church or our faith in the role of cheerleader for politicians, political parties, or government policies. God must remain the object and center of our worship.