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Active-duty soldiers can keep their faith close by with this pocketbook. Inside are prayers, creeds, psalms, hymns, orders for emergency baptism, and more to share the faith with others or continue practicing your own. Find this title and others listed in Lutheran Life at cph.org/llresources. ARMED FORCES DEVOTIONAL BOOK Serving in a microculture like the United States mili- tary is a great place to experience and practice "new" ways of reaching diverse communities. Fewer than 1 percent of Americans serve in the U.S. military, but surprisingly enough, the military is very diverse with regard to ethnicity and economic status. The Chaplain Corps is committed to bringing "soldiers to God and God to Soldiers." The military is a unique environment in which to serve, but the approach to reaching people from diverse communities is the same as anywhere: it is about posture and attitude. Here are some approach- es that are transferable to civilian life: First, I put myself in their shoes, listening and seek- ing to understand their point of view. Everyone wants to be understood. Working to un- derstand means seeking ways to listen and learn from them and validating them with participation in aspects of their lives. Sharing meals or joining in activities unique to their culture shows effort to understand. When I did my rounds in the field, I would ask soldiers for their MOS (Military Occupational Specialty), and they were always happy to tell me about their military job. I would then ask if I could come by so they could show me. They always answered yes. I particularly enjoyed learning about how to do laundry and showers, two essentials to soldier morale in the field. Second, I would strive to be "where it sucks the most" and join them in the suffering. Rather than sitting at my desk and sipping on coffee in my office in the TOC (Tac- tical Operations Center), I loved putting on my boots, cover, and gloves to go get dirty. Putting up tents can be a chore, but it is necessary work because shelter in the field makes all the difference. Joining the soldiers in putting up tents gave me the opportunity to have conversations and demonstrated to them that I am accessible and put my pants on one leg at a time, just like them. Most of all, being where it sucks the most demonstrates compassion. Soldiers find you approach- able when they know you are willing to share in their suffering. Third, I would strive to "lead from the front with hu- mility," meaning no task is too small to engage in for the sake of others. One of my favorite military tradi- tions was enjoyed during special occasions, like the holidays, when the leadership takes their place in the serving line. Senior leadership was not to be served but to scoop up the grub for the enlisted men and junior officers. Humility is not for humility's sake, but instead, for the sake of others. Being willing to step into spac- es simply to serve others shapes a culture of serving others in an organization. Humility is the key to re- maining useful for others. Reaching others from other micro cultures in Ameri- ca requires us to seek to understand, join in suffer- ing, and cultivate humility through acts of service. My experience in the military was formative and transfor- mative. Currently, I work for an organization in Hous- ton that serves diverse communities from all over the world, LINC Ministries. Serving ethnically diverse com- munities gives me the opportunity to continue to work and live out approaches to life learned in the military. w Humility is not for humility's sake, but instead, for the sake of others. Lutheran Life 19

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