Church of God Chaplains Commission

Church of God

Chaplains Commission

Weekly Update____ 14 Jan 2007

Choice Christian greetings!

As most of our chaplains know, Dr. George Barna, religious researcher, is highly respected for his national public opinion religious surveys. This renowned researcher traditionally ends each year by identifying some of the unexpected and significant findings of the passing year. Following are some of his most significant issues: 1) Three out of every four teen-agers have engaged in at least one type of psychic or witchcraft-related activity; 2) Personal holiness has slipped out of most peoples’ consciousness; 3) More individuals identify themselves as “born-again Christians;” 4) House church involvement is rapidly growing; 5) Spiritual maturity remains an elusive process both for clergy and non-clergy; 6) Most youth disengage from organized religion during their 20s; 7) Though September 11, 2001, affected most of us, there is very little permanent religious change as a result of this and other critical events;  Among eight to twelve-year-old, he discovered that only one third of them say that church has made a positive difference in their lives; 9) Just one of six surveyed believe spiritual maturity is meant to be developed within the context of a local church or some other community of faith; 10) Most of the high profile Christian leaders are unknown to the majority of population; 11) Faith contours in America continue to shift significantly, often quickly and without explanation.

If you want additional information concerning Dr. Barna’s findings, visit his website at: www.barna.org. As you will see from this survey, our chaplains, like all ministers, have their work cut out for them. According to Dr. Barna, some obvious patterns are developing that include: 1) Americans are comfortable with their religious faith, but have been highly impacted by the scandals which have occurred among high-profile religious leaders; 2) American Christians are not as devoted to their faith as they would like to believe; 3) Americans are basically spiritually lukewarm; 4) Americans are departing from the conventional forms and communities of faith; and 5) For the most part, religious leaders are not significantly tracking the behavior and beliefs of these nascent segments of religious society today. As chaplains, we must understand these vast, pluralistic and unique challenges. While we must be contemporary in our approach, it behooves us to stay anchored to the Word of God and our deep Pentecostal tenants. This year and beyond will be a challenge. But I believe our chaplains’ faith will remain strong, and we will continue to see unbelievable ministry results.

A STRONG, PASSIONATE FAITH:

Retired Army Chaplain Randy Imhoff and his family continue their vigilance at the bedside of their daughter, Sheena. I want to share with you his recent email concerning Sheena’s condition, and the faith which is maintaining them through this vigil: “Sheena’s neurosurgeon will put a shunt in Sheena’ brain to drain fluid from her brain to her abdomen. The surgery will take place this next week. We continue to believe God’s promises. As I was reading to Sheena this week from Psalm 145, I came to verse 13, The Lord is faithful to all His promises, and loving towards all He has made. As the song says, Great is Thy faithfulness. We know God is doing a work, and we do not want to rush Him. My desire is for us all to keep His Word in our minds and hearts, and when this trial is finished, we will be closer to maturity and completeness in God.”

TAX RECEIPTS FOR 2006:

We deeply appreciate the sacrifices you have made to contribute financially to our work at the Chaplains Commission during 2006. A letter of receipt for tax purposes will be sent to all contributors next week. Your faithfulness enhances our ministries considerably, and we thank you sincerely.

MILITARY CHAPLAINCY NEWS:

1. We just received notice from the Army Chief of Chaplains announcing the Chaplain (COL) assignments for winter/summer, 2007. The list included two Church of God chaplains and their future assignments. The are Chaplain (COL) David Moran, to be assigned as the Command Chaplain for V Corps, Heidelberg, Germany; and Chaplain (LTC-P) Charles Howell, to be assigned as Command Chaplain, Walter Reed Medical Center, Washington, D.C. As most of you know, Chaplain Howell was recently selected for the rank of Colonel (O-6) and will shortly put on that rank. Our prayers are with Chaplains Moran and Howell as they take on these added responsibilities of supervision and ministry.

2. Air Force Reserve Chaplain (LTC) Chuck Perry, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, just returned from a year’s deployment to Iraq, and has now taken a position as a prison chaplain. Concerning this new ministry, he writes: “I did not think anything could be as satisfying as ministering to our troops in Iraq, but this new position as a prison chaplain comes close. Let me share with you one testimony of the many ministry opportunities I am finding. A couple weeks back, I was asked to speak to an individual who the staff feared would take his own life due to the news about gang related deaths back home. He did not want to talk to a chaplain; and besides, I am white and he was bitter towards white males after 15 years in prison. The moment I faced him, I felt God’s love begin to flow. The inmate began to cry immediately and said he was a hardened gang member and never cries. But he felt love coming from me that he had never felt before. I opened the Word and handed it to him and allowed the Holy Spirit to minister. He accepted Jesus as his savior and was transformed. This man now comes to my office twice a week for discipleship training.”

3. Veterans Affairs Hospital Chaplain Michael Doan, Marion, Illinois, informs us that this week, Director of VA Chaplaincy Services, Hugh Maddry, suffered a severe stroke and is still listed as critical. Chaplain Maddry is a close, dear friend of the Church of God. We are asking our chaplaincy family to keep Hugh in your prayers, as well as his wife, Janet, and other family members.

4. All military chaplains work closely with chaplains of other denominations to make sure their denominational members receive the very best religious care. Recently, Chaplain (MAJ) Steve Cantrell, Fort Benning, Georgia, was given special thanks by the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheehan Foundation for his endorsement of a Catholic war time prayer book for soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, coast guard and others. The Church of God Chaplains Commission believes that we can give genuine support to other religious groups without compromising one bit of our own deep Pentecostal faith.

5. Air Force Chaplain (CPT) Lance Giannone, San Antonio, Texas, reports: “I just completed my first year with the Air Force Chaplaincy Recruiting Team. My assignment has been to recruit Catholic chaplains for the Air Force. I have had the opportunity to visit Catholic Seminaries and other important agencies to seek to recruit Catholic Priests for Reserve and Active Duty service. This is a significant assignment in that there are now 19 Air Force bases that do not have a Catholic Chaplain.”

6. Air Force Reserve Chaplain (CPT) Chris Underwood, Cobbs Creek, Virginia, reports: “In addition to my Reserve chaplaincy duty, I am now a full-time pastor at Cobb Creek. During the holidays, our church collected and gave food to 63 families in need. I had the privilege of talking with each family and praying with them.”

7. Army Chaplain (CPT) Everett Franklin, who just completed the career course at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, after completing a one-year deployment to Iraq, notified us that his new assignment will be Fort Rucker, Alabama.

8. Join us in prayer for AF Chaplain (CPT) Thomas Baize, Wichita Falls, TX and his family. Chaplain Baize’s father, Mr. Bill Baize, died this week; His funeral will take place at Herrin, IL on Monday, 11:00 AM. Send your notes of prayer support to Chaplain Baize and his family at: Thomas.baize@sheppard.af.mil

INSTITUTIONAL CHAPLAINCY (prison, hospital, industry, campus, etc.):

1. Nursing Home Chaplain Judy Ramsey, Oxford, Ohio, reports: “During the holidays, I was able to take 42 children to sing at four different nursing homes. The kids passed out candy, cards and other gifts. I had the opportunity to speak and pray with the residence.”

2. Prison Chaplain Barbara Pettitt, Gray Court, South Carolina, reports: “I had the privilege of visiting a prison 90 miles from my station. We had services with 94 women; and thanks be unto God, 15 gave their hearts to the Lord!”

3. Prison Chaplain James Stogner, Ely, Nevada, reports: “On Christmas Eve, Sunday around 5 a.m., a young inmate took his life while confined to our infirmary. It was my responsibility to give the death notification to the family and to counsel the staff that experienced this incident. On Thursday before New Years, another inmate murdered a fellow inmate. I assisted with preparing and loading the body for transport 300 miles across the state. I prayed with the officers as they prepared for this long journey. On January 4, an inmate in the infirmary, propelled a cup of urine towards my face (thanks to the Lord, none got into my mouth, nose or eyes!) On January 5, I assisted in the trauma room with an inmate suffering from the latter stages of HIV-induced dementia. I am humbled and astonished at the grace and presence of the Lord throughout these ordeals. I do not have what it takes to deal with such things, but He, my Lord, is truly more than enough. To my amazement, I did not even get angry when the inmate flung urine on me…that has to be the Lord!”

FINALLY:

There are times when our Chaplains Commission office feels like a hospital trauma center or some military command center during the heat of the battle! We are, indeed, thankful for all the marvelous ministries conducted by our more than 2,500 chaplains, serving in 68 different countries. There are large baptismal services in Romania prisons, marvelous Christmas services in Iraq, and, on a daily basis, caring hands of chaplains as they reach out to desperate individuals and families. But also, we serve as the first line of defense when our chaplains are dealing with their own personal problems. There are the transitions due to down-sizing, non-select for military chaplains, or, in many cases, the stress that goes with chaplaincy ministry in trying to do “too much with too little.” Also, there are marriage tensions due to multiple reasons, children who are sick or in trouble with the law, or, for many of our chaplains, physical illness. Thank God for our chaplains. They carry on their shoulders some of the most adverse and difficult situations you will find in society today. And, for a few of them, they also carry their personal pain. I know you will be praying for our chaplains. In my book, they are some of the greatest missionaries of care you will find anywhere in the world today!

Sincerely,

Dr. Robert D. Crick

Director, Chaplains Commission

Director’s email: cricksot@worldnet.att.net

Office email: Chapcm@bellsouth.net

Website: www.cogchapalins.com

RDC/vja