Beyond the Yellow Ribbon: Ministering to Returning Combat Veterans

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon: Ministering to Returning Combat Veterans, written by David A. Thompson and Darlene Wetterstrom and published by Abingdon Press in 2009, discusses ministering to a population many churches ignore either because they’re unaware of their needs or just don’t know how to address them. The book’s scope goes beyond the title to not only instruct churches on how to minister to returning combat veterans but also how to help their families before, during, and after deployment, and in the case of a military casualty.

Both authors are well qualified to deal with the issues they address. David A. Thompson is a Licensed Professional Counselor who assists deploying and returning soldiers and their families and has personally experienced several military deployments. Darlene F. Wetterstrom is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker experienced with military families. It is clear that they have a handle on the unique mental, emotional, and spiritual challenges faced by those in the military and their families. Throughout the book there are case histories of military personnel which help the reader see into the soldier’s psyche; this understanding of the inner life of these individuals is essential for those in the church who wish to address their specific needs as well as the needs of their families.

The tone of the book is respectful of the military but also recognizes that those in the church have varying viewpoints on the moral issues regarding war and the military. Chapter Six addresses moral and spiritual issues facing soldiers and their families and has an overview of Christian teaching on war and peace with descriptions of topics such as the pacifist position, just war theory, and ethical situations in war. This background is important so that a person ministering to veterans can “be a helpful resource for a service person seeking guidance on ethical issues and actions.” The point is made that some veterans will struggle with moral or ethical failure due to their wartime service and those ministering to them need to “share the gospel of grace and forgiveness.”

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon is well organized and laid out and covers an impressive amount of material in under 120 pages. It is full of practical tips; the first six chapters each conclude with a “Tips for Ministry” section with clear instructions for putting the information just presented into practical use. Chapter Seven deals with how to create a military family-friendly church and lists specific ideas for military outreach at the pre-deployment, deployment and post-deployment stages. There is information about programs such as Adopt a Soldier and Operation Paperback which can get the entire church involved in this ministry. The authors have provided a valuable tool for today’s church to reach out to this often forgotten population.

For Heaven’s Sake! Parenting Preschoolers Faithfully (Quill House Publishers, 2010) makes an excellent addition to the usual outpouring of gifts welcoming a new baby. Unlike the cute little outfits and baby toys which the new arrival will soon outgrow, the parent who takes this book to heart will be helping their child take the first steps of a lifelong spiritual journey.

The importance of Family Ministry is now being recognized by many in the church today and there are excellent resources to help churches in addressing the spiritual needs of families. For Heaven’s Sake! is specifically geared toward parents, although it can be a valuable resource as well to other family members and church leaders who deal with children.

The author, Marilyn Sharpe, is a mother, grandmother, and parent educator who recognizes the need for faith to be nurtured in all areas of life. The book is much more than a list of specific exercises and practices; it shows parents how to initiate faith and awareness of God in every moment of a child’s life. It is built on Rev. Dr. David Anderson’s concepts of Four Keys for Nurturing Christians and AAA Christians and provides simple, everyday ways to nurture faith through caring conversations, family devotions, rituals and tradition, and family service by Christians who are authentic, available and affirming.

An important message in the book, especially in our media-saturated world, is to have times when you’re fully attentive to your child. Sharpe gives specific ways to do this, beyond the obvious such as turning off the TV and computer, such as “face your child and be on the same level. Crouch down…” For parents unsure of what to say, Sharpe gives specific simple statements.

There is also valuable information on the development of preschoolers and what we can realistically expect of them, which is done in a practical and easy to understand way. For instance, in a section about decision making, the author takes us step by step through the process of helping a four year old decide whether to attend a birthday party.

It’s obvious the author has genuine love and a heart for children. While never forgetting that a parent’s job includes discipline, she sees discipline as primarily modeling behavior for children while loving them unconditionally. As she says at the beginning of her book: “The whole point of parenting your child of God is to express unconditional love.” For new parents, this book can provide inspiration and practical advice for one of their most important tasks--raising children to have a lifelong transforming faith.