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Military Service
Sarah...
I am a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and ordained UPCI minister, so I do have a personal perspective on this issue.
I believe the particular section of the Articles of Faith you have referenced is being completely ignored for the most part in the last 15-20 years. Many of our churches are located near major military bases and have large memberships and ministers who are active duty military personnel. In some cases, UPCI executive officers have pastored churches with extensive military membership and military members holding ministry positions in the assembly.
There is a clear and distinct principle in scripture that allows both a society and an individual to defend hearth and home as well as defend country in time of war. Years ago, young ministers were encouraged to register as conscientious objectors...however, now, as with many church issues that are being examined carefully in light of scriptural foundation and reference, the military issue has died from neglect...
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