MCF FAQs
Sometimes our surveys, visits to bases, and Area Reps report that military Christians have questions about MCF that are not answered in our Constitution or Statement of Beliefs. If you have a question, check the answers below and if not already covered email the Chairman. All questions will be listed anonymously.
1. Doesn't the ADF fund MCF?
Answer - No, MCF does not receive any direct funding from the Department of Defence. However, in recognition of MCF's value and decades of service the Department of Defence gives MCF an office in Campbell Park, and access to resources such as messes for the Staff Worker visits. All other costs, including the Staff Worker salary, airfares, travel expenses, printing costs for magazines etc are funded by donations to MCF. For more information about MCF funding see here.
2. Is MCF for all Christians or just specific denominations?
Answer - MCF's mission is to promote Christian faith in the ADF. Constitutionally it is non-denominational and has a Small Group Code of Conduct (here) that all small group leaders must follow. But MCF is just the bus, those who attend each group decide where their "bus" goes. Christian belief concerns the eternal and the critical, and therefore we should expect Christians to be passionate about what they do and don't believe. MCF just asks that we all respect that of everyone. If MCF discovers an MCF group that is not ecumenical then it will either ask the group to change or withdraw its support for that group. If the group is adhering to the MCF Small Group Code of Conduct then it is very unlikely that the group will offend any other Christian's beliefs.
3. Why doesn't MCF publish a list of members so that Christians can see who is in their area?
Answer - Due to security and privacy reasons MCF does not make its membership roll accessible outside of the Council and Office. The database itself is kept secure on the DRN, not the WWW. If we were to put it on the WWW, or as an open list on the DRN, then it would be a security risk, especially for those members from Special Operations Command. But, Area Rep contact details are published on this website (here) and in each Crossfire magazine (here). If no Area Rep is listed in your area how about becoming one? Alternatively contact the MCF Office (here) and they can contact members in your area to get you together.
4. Why does MCF accept those with more liberal, or more conservative, theological views than mine?
Answer - MCF is not a church, nor a denomination. Both those organisations are designed to accommodate specific views and outworkings. Rather MCF is a means for Christians of all types to support one another, support Chaplains, and to bring the Gospel to non-Christians. As long as a Christian accepts the MCF Statement of Belief then they are welcome to be a member of MCF. MCF groups themselves will decide if they wish to include anyone beyond that at their meetings. Occasionally people are unable to accept that MCF is accepting of all Christian denominations, and especially those represented by the ADF Chaplaincy. That is okay, there are other military Christian ministries that have non-ecumenical views and we would encourage those Christians to express themselves within those ministries. Essentially MCF will remain ecumenical unless the membership changes the MCF Constitution.
5. If I give money to MCF what does it go towards?
Answer - See here.
6. Why doesn't MCF write more resources/bible studies for small groups to use?
Answer - MCF is organised by volunteers and supported by a part-time Staff Worker. We would love some well-grounded military theologians to write some more studies for us! As it is, MCF has about 26 weeks worth of MCF studies on the website, along with helps from other military ministries, and that grows as people within MCF get time to devote to writing. Check out the websites of our sister Fellowships around the world (here), they also have studies and resources.
7. Why doesn't the Staff Worker visit my area?
Answer - MCF budgets for four Staff Worker base/area visits each financial year. The Staff Worker will try to get around to all regions on rotation, but is limited by time (a part-time job) and resources.
8. Why does the Council concentrate on "running the business" of MCF and not do more ministry themselves?
Answer - The task of the MCF Council, as outlined in the MCF Constitution, is to provide "oversight, guidance, and administration to MCF". Often these folk are also Area Reps, or lead MCF groups, or write MCF Studies, or contribute to Crossfire, as well as volunteering as an MCF Council member. So whilst they often do contribute to the ministry of MCF, their main task is to "run the business" so that the real ministry of MCF can be done by military Christians at the coal-face in bases and units around the ADF, supported by the Staff Worker.
9. Does it cost anything to become a member of MCF?
Answer - No. The MCF constitution specifically prevents any levying of members for membership fees. So, membership is free. That said, MCF relies upon the generosity of its supporters to ensure that it continues to do the work of the Lord in the ADF.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|