Campus Minister Debbie Roberts has joined peace church groups from across the nation who are meeting with Selective Service representatives this week to discuss alternatives to military service in the event the draft is reinstated.
As the only representative from Southern California, Roberts is part of a 12-member Church of the Brethren delegation at the invitation-only event, happening today and tomorrow in Elgin, Ill.
“I was surprised when I was asked,” Roberts said. “It's a big responsibility.”
Roberts, who is an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren, has been at ULV for nine years. In addition to her role as the campus minister, she directs the peace studies minor and summer service program.
Her involvement with education and religion among young people made her an ideal choice to represent the Church of the Brethren, said La Verne Church of the Brethren pastor Susan Boyer.
“She is positive, articulate and displays good skills in conflict resolution.” Boyer said.
Anabaptist leaders, representatives and youth from various Christian denominations across America will also participate in the event, held at the general offices of the Church of the Brethren. At least two Selective Service representatives will attend to answer questions.
Many peace-based churches are concerned with the real possibility of a military draft in this climate of heightened military recruitment efforts and rumors that a draft could be immanent.
Further speculation has come from conversations between Brethren Church staff and Selective Service members. On one occasion, a Selective Service member visited the Brethren Service Center, known as a historical site for organizing around issues of conscience and military service.
The Selective Service is a federal agency that keeps track of young men between the ages of 18 and 25 in order to maintain an account of those available in case of a military draft. By law, all male U.S. citizens, as well as male immigrants residing in the United States, must register within 30 days of their 18th birthday.
Selective Service staff, as well as White House and Pentagon statements, claim that there is no reason for a draft nor will there be one in the immediate future. This leads some in the church to question why Selective Service initiated encounters with Brethren staff.
“Personally, I would like to know why the sudden interest from Selective Service,” Boyer said.
The Council of Moderators and Secretaries, a group of leaders from Anabaptist denominations, is sponsoring this weekend’s consultation involving about 80 people.
Roberts and other participants in the consultation hope to question the Selective Service's motives and to prepare alternatives in case a draft does ensue.
Representatives also want to see if Selective Service has any desire to work with these peace-based churches to find alternatives to military services.
Another issue that will be addressed is how to increase education about options other than the military.
Many peace-based churches believe the option of joining the military often seems the most attractive choice for youth in impoverished areas. Anabaptist churches want to get their message across and prove that there are other options for those in poorer communities.
One way Anabaptist churches hope to get their message across is by training college-aged youth to speak with high school students similarly to the way the military does in schools across the country.
“I think it's very important that the Anabaptist churches and those of us with concerns for peace be working together,” Director of Brethren Volunteer Service Dan McFadden said.
McFadden said he hopes the consultation can build connections and relationships that will better prepare young people for the future.
Tracy Spicer can be reached at tspicer@ulv.edu.