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 According to the Life of St. Martin of Tours
by Sulpitius Severus, while still a Roman soldier
Martin encountered a shivering beggar on a cold winter night and gave him half
of his cloak. Shortly after that Jesus appeared to Martin and with the half of
his cloak and said, "Martin...clothed me with this robe,"
reminding him of Mt. 25:40: "The King will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
" Later Martin completely committed his life to Christ and devoted his life to the church.
His cloak came to symbolize care and compassion for those in need.
The strength and conviction of his compassion was so great, that kings
carried the cloak into battle, accompanied by priests who tended to the
king's religious needs. These priests came to be known as the
"keepers of the cloak" or cappellanus -- and today are known
as chaplains.
Chaplaincy in the Church of God goes back to the middle of the last century, but it was not until 1978 that the Church of God Chaplains Commission was formally established. At that time, there were only 11 Church of God military chaplains and 2 prison chaplains. These chaplains had already established a tradition of demonstrating the love of God in combat situations, during long hours in hospitals and prisons, and with hospice patients. Many of these chaplains are now retired, but they left a legacy of dedicated ministry to a new generation of chaplains. Today, there are more than 1,200 chaplains representing 30 different specialized areas of ministry in 31 different countries.
The world since 11 September 2001 has opened up an entirely new vista of opportunity to chaplains to minister to those affected by the war on terrorism and by terrorism itself. The response of Church of God Chaplains in both military and civilian settings has been without precedent in the history of the church.
Military Chaplaincy
The Church of God sent no military chaplains to World War II. Even though many Church of God members served both in WWI and WWII, our church teachings encouraged both ministers and membership to exclude themselves from any appearance of war activities. On V-J Day, 1945, during the General Assembly held at Sevierville, Tennessee, the Church of God changed its teachings from "not allowing its members to serve in the military" to a position of "individual consciousness for service." In other words, if one felt within their own conscious that it was within the purview of the Word of God to fight for one's country, especially in a just cause, it was permissible. If one, however, chose to be a conscientious objector, the Church would definitely back that individual's rights as well.
Following World War II, the Church of God played "catch-up" to other denominations in taking advantage of the great military harvest field. In the late 1950's two significant things happened that opened the door for the Church to enter this ministry. First, a Church of God Chaplain, Air Force Chaplain Ed Shoupe, was assigned as a Reserve Chaplain and in 1958 he went on active duty. Paralleling this chaplaincy entry, our Ministry to the Military Program kicked off in Europe in the late 1950's and was formally organized in 1960. From that date until the present, the Church of God has had a vast program of chaplaincy and military outreach ministries. Many of our chaplains have risen to the top in rank, with many battlefield honors and in prestigious assignments. During Operation Desert Storm, 17 Church of God Chaplains were deployed to the Gulf Region, making their mark in winning hundreds to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Like in previous assignments in Vietnam and other major conflicts, Church of God Chaplains became known as the "chaplains in the trenches" where the action was the greatest. With the war in Iraq, Church of God Chaplains topped all other previous records. Twenty-seven Ordained Church of God Chaplains were deployed. They baptized troops in the middle of the Kuwaiti and Iraqi deserts, conducted memorial and worship services so packed that many were turned away. Church of God Chaplains were their troops at the Baghdad Airport, with Marine Units in downtown Baghdad, exited an airplane for a combat jump in Northern Iraq and in so many other areas of significance.
Institutional Chaplaincy
The Church of God also has a long and productive history of prison and jail
chaplaincy. The earliest prison and jail chaplains were Ron Padgett,
Raymond Lankford and Robert Dawkins. These chaplains have served with such distinction
that national television programs have been made of their unusual service. Today, there are
hundreds of full-time and volunteer chaplains serving the incarcerated around the world.
The other chaplaincy programs, primarily those in clinical settings and various
institutions are some of the newest opportunities for ministry. The Church of God is
fortunate to have a number of clinically trained hospital and crisis intervention chaplains,
CPE supervisors and others serving such diverse medical services to include Hospice, nursing
homes and other agencies which care for troubled individuals and families.
Other, more recent, programs also include chaplaincy to the Civil Air Patrol, railroad systems,
the race- track ministry, benevolence programs and many other specialized areas. Probably the
fastest growing chaplaincy programs are outside the US. Numerous countries have their own
chaplaincy directors, boards and programs to work with government and private agencies in
bringing about a moral reformation of care and concern for individuals and families.
Community Service Chaplaincy
One of the most exciting Church of God chaplaincy ministries is our
Community Service Chaplaincy Program which is designed for the local pastor. By
training the local pastor in community chaplaincy programs, we have been able to place hundreds
in such diverse agencies as the FBI, state and local correctional institutions, hospitals and
many other community agencies. It is the conviction of the Chaplains
Commission that every pastor should have a two-phased, focused ministry: the local church
and a community agency. By reaching out to these secular institutions we are able to build a
bridge between the local
church and the millions of persons who work and are confined to these institutions. In this
manner, the Commission fulfills the mandate of Hebrews 13:12-13 which says,
" as Jesus suffered
outside the gates on behalf of mankind, " so the church goes outside the gate of the local
setting to a wounded society.
Past and Future
One the best accounts about this ministry of love is written by Army and Veterans Affairs Chaplain, Richard Y. Bershon, in A History of Church of God
Chaplaincy, With the Cross of Jesus. Chaplain Bershon traces the history of our chaplaincy by way of the Church of God Ministry to the Military lay witness programs beginning in World War II and continuing until this day (The book can ordered either through Pathway Press, Cleveland, Tennessee, or the Church of God Chaplains Commission). However, the future of Church of God chaplaincy ministries is yet to be written. It will be written by hundreds of men and women who are currently being trained for this vast, modern day, harvest. If you are interested in joining this force of specialized professionals, call or write us at the address below.
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