At an institution world-renowned for creating multifaceted leaders, little emphasis is placed on creating religious leaders. The United States Military Academy at West Point has been situated atop granite bluffs on the Hudson River since 1802. The Academy has been contributing military and world leaders just as long. Cadets face a tiered leadership system that trains us to be moral and ethical leaders of character, military leaders, physical leaders, and academic leaders. However, spiritual development can only be found by those who search for it. While the Academy cannot endorse or sponsor any specific group or religion, dozens of religious events take place on a weekly basis catering to every religion, sect, and denomination imaginable.
It is here at the Canterbury Club of West Point where I first discovered and began to embrace spiritual and religious leadership. Beginning my Plebe (freshman) year, I took an active role in the club and soon found myself among the leadership of the group. Here, a slightly different approach must be taken to recruiting and what some would call evangelism. Since the Academy is a federal institution, Officers and Cadets, specifically upper-class Cadets, must abstain from actively discussing their faith unless specifically asked by a subordinate. While this sounds like a restriction, it can actually serve to help our efforts. When I speak with someone about faith, they often ask what or how I practice. Only then am I able to actively discuss my beliefs and attempt to plant a seed of interest in them.
I find that this approach is the least threatening and most comfortable one to take. Everyone has been put in one position or another where someone has attempted to “push” their faith or religion on them. In my opinion, this can lead to uncomfortable and sometimes unprovoked situations. The best method I have found is a passive approach to religious leadership. I know many clergy and lay-persons would adamantly disagree but I also know many who would stand behind that statement.
Specifically in the military context, passive leadership is rarely, if ever, successful. In general, leaders must take an active role and lead by example and prowess. However, with a subject as delicate as religion, the truly soft-spoken, passive approach usually tends to be the most successful. I find that far too often, people will immediately resort to defending their religion rather than listening to the criticisms and discussing them. While I am not discouraging active recruitment for congregations that fall outside of a military post, I am simply encouraging a more holistic approach. I believe that a passive, caring approach to spiritual development will open more doors and create more relationships, thus increasing the size and dynamic of the church.
Douglas Hexel is a Firstie (Senior) at the United States Military Academy. He is studying Constitutional Law and Civil Engineering. He currently serves as the Cadet-In-Charge of the Canterbury Club of West Point. After graduation, he plans on serving as an Armor Officer in the United States Army. |
