A retired pastor once shared with me the “COMA” method of reading the Bible. It stands for Context, Observation, Meaning, Application. It is a helpful way to ask yourself some basic questions about a passage, to help you more clearly understand what it is about. I recommend it to you.
I am convinced that the local groups of FCAP have a big part to play when it comes to the “A” in COMA, the Application.
The Context of a passage, the Observations of its content, and the author’s Meaning don’t change; the teachings of the Bible are still the same, whether they are read by a pastor, a high school student, the unemployed, or an airline worker. “Love your enemies”, “pray constantly”, “work as if for the Lord” are true commands for every Christian.
Variance in Application
However, the Application for our lives does vary depending on our own situation, or what Mark Greene from the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity calls our “Frontline”. For example, what it looks like to “turn the other cheek” will be quite different for a stay-at-home parent versus for a CEO.
And using that example, wouldn’t it be more helpful for a parent to discuss this with other parents, rather than with a CEO? Wouldn’t it be most beneficial for CEOs to meet with other CEOs who understand what that Frontline is like?
So it is with FCAP. In my experience, I have found nowhere else to meaningfully discuss following Jesus at work than with my fellow Christian airline workers. Friends at church mean well, try hard, and empathize. But they can’t really help me much. They just don’t understand the stress of recurrent simulators, multiple nights away from family each week, another 0415 sign-on, the environment in my company, or having so little control over your calendar.
But all I have to say to another pilot is, “I’m junior and have another east coast trip over the weekend”, and they know exactly how I perceive turnarounds with an aircraft swap, ATC delays and flight cancellations, and missing all my kids’ free time off school. Oh, and also, it’s another week that I can’t get to church.
If I say that to someone at church though, I’m likely to just get one of the standard questions like, “Do you eat the same food as the passengers?”, or, “Do you do international or domestic flights?”
Can I get an “Amen”? I know you get those questions too!
A Network of Like-Minded Believers
The most common reaction I get when a Christian airline employee hears of FCAP is, “I thought I was the only Christian at work.” And even before taking part in any sort of get-together, they are greatly encouraged to know that there is a whole network of like-minded believers out there.
I encourage you, therefore, to get involved. You are missing out if you don’t. Depending on your role, it may be unrealistic to get to every meeting or your group may have to be creative in how best to organize yourselves with rosters and shift work. However, you will not regret making this effort. At a time in history where a sense of community is waning, and loneliness is on the rise, we need each other. I challenge you to look past your perception of being too busy and ask if, actually, you can make it work to get there. You will benefit from it, and so will your colleagues.
How about you start by committing to one meeting and give it a go? If you don’t know where to start, contact the FCAP Office today.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go get ready for that trip…
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.”
Hebrews 10:23-25
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