Church of God Chaplains Commission

Church of God

Chaplains Commission

Weekly Update           13 Apr 2007

Choice Christian Greetings!

The key word for describing our chaplains, across the board, is “faithfulness.”  When the Chaplains Commission was organized in 1978, chaplains were basically an independent group, simply doing their “thing.”  With the organization of the Chaplains Commission, the chaplains embraced some basic responsibilities which included monthly reporting, upholding our Pentecostal doctrines and practices and contributing a monthly fair share donation.  Think of this fact:  95% of our chaplains, 95% of the time, have remained faithful to these promises.  There is an occasional forgetfulness that goes with our chaplains’ reporting or getting a month or two behind in fair share contributions.  But across the Board, Chaplains are a faithful group; now 2600 strong in 69 different countries, you would think that these numbers would greatly erode.  Not so!  When we put out the call for chaplains to come to the General Assembly or some other conference, they are faithful in response.  When we ask chaplains to contribute resources to pastors and other leaders that will enhance their ministries, they are faithful to the task.  I do not believe you could say the same thing about all other denominations.  Our chaplains are not only faithful to their ministries and their families, but they remain connected with their colleagues.  If we ever lose that which keeps us unified, mainly faithfulness to large and small responsibilities, we lose our identity as a group.  When visiting military commanders or command chaplains, or visiting hospital or prison administrators, I am thrilled to hear them say, “Your chaplains are always up to the task.”  Why is that?  Instilled in Church of God chaplains is the principle of “doing the right thing for the right reason, always on time and with a right spirit.”  Thank God for Church of God chaplains; you can count on them in regard to the tasks of ministry, their own personal lifestyle and family responsibility, and to be right and right on time.

 CHAPLAINCY NOTES FROM THE FIELD:

1.      Disaster Response Chaplain Kathryn Schuck, Lanett, Alabama, notes:  “I am still receiving reports and phone calls from those to whom we ministered during the Enterprise, Alabama tornado.  One of those who called was the recipient of the meals we provided to some of the surrounding areas.  I am grateful for the opportunity to build a strong bridge from our church to the larger community of need.”

2.      Detention Center Chaplain Shelia Unthank, Knoxville, Tennessee, reports:  “I have been ministering to 88 ladies in the Anderson County Detention Center.  This new ministry provides worship, teaching and needed fellowship.  We have been teaching these female inmates life skills and family relationship programs.  The group ranges in age from 18 to 62.”

3.      Army Chaplain (CPT) Thomas Lesh, Fort Lee, Virginia, writes:  “My chapel congregation recently sponsored a marriage retreat in which half the families who attended were soldier families from outside our congregation.  Additionally, I conducted two funerals and had great Easter services.”

4.      Army Chaplain (CPT) Barron Wester, recently wounded in Iraq and recovering at a hospital in Germany, writes:  “First, I want to thank everyone for their prayers.  The gunshot wound in my arm is healing rapidly.  This past weekend, I had the privilege of being hosted at the local Ministry to the Military Center with Reverend Phil Burton.  He took this walking wounded chaplain on a driving tour of the surrounding beautiful countryside.  We visited castles and cathedrals, with one having a picture of Martin Luther engraved in their stained glass.  As soon as the doctors are convinced my wound is healed, I will be headed back to Baghdad to join my unit.”

5.      Army Chaplain (MAJ) Mickey Jett, Iraq, reports on his Easter weekend:  “We had great Easter services which were filmed and aired on CNN Network.  Our Easter sunrise service at the renowned site of Abraham’s first 75 years.  I felt I was on holy ground.”

6.      This report comes from Retired Army Chaplain and Pastoral Counselor Randy Imhoff, Carthage, New York.  He states:  “It looks as if Sheena will be coming home Saturday.  We are trying to finish the house and make all the preparations for her homecoming.  Many people have helped with the construction necessary to accommodate Sheena’s rehabilitation.  Thank you for your prayers and support.”

7.      Susan Gregory, wife of Army Chaplain (CPT) Clayton Gregory, currently on deployment to Korea, serves as one of our pastoral connections to the families of the chaplains who are deployed.  She reports:  “I contacted Lisa.  As you know, her husband, Army Chaplain (CPT) Bill Martin, is deployed to Iraq.  Their son, Nate, just turned one on March 22nd.  Lisa is happy that Bill was still home for this special event.  Also, I spoke with Dawn, wife of Army Chaplain (CPT) Barron Wester, recovering from his combat wounds.  She gave a good report on the kids, and is thankful for our prayers for Barron.  In speaking with Nanette, wife of Army Chaplain (MAJ) Mickey Jett, deployed to Iraq, she gave a good report on her family and her on-going support of other families experiencing deployment.” (We are thankful that Susan volunteers her time to support our chaplains’ families and many other tasks here at the Commission offices.)

8.      Law Enforcement Chaplain Ron Countrymen, Big Timber, Montana, recently completed a Crises Intervention Team Training Course.

9.      Correctional Chaplain James Stogner, Ely, Nevada, writes:  “A few months ago, I reported that a young inmate housed in our infirmary, with many emotional problems, threw a cup of urine into my face.  If you will remember, I told of washing my face and neck, and reporting back to the cell door and quietly stating to the inmate, My Lord did not curse those who crucified Him, and I will not curse you.  Then I left to be disinfected.  Last week, this inmate requested that I visit with him, and genuinely apologized for his actions.  I pray the Lord will continue to work on this young man’s heart; surely, the presence of the Lord is in this place.”

10.  Pray for Hospital Chaplain Ruth Bordeaux, Metairie, Louisiana.  This week, she will be having surgery for gall stone problems.  Also, pray for her husband, Clinical Chaplain Gene Bordeaux, who will be having surgery soon to repair a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder. 

11.  Racetrack Chaplain Rick Mann, Martinsburg, West Virginia, states, “Recently, I was asked to conduct a baptismal service.  A Franciscan Monk attended the service; and at the baptism, he gave comments that sounded more like a Church of God pastor than a Catholic Monk.  Four people attending that baptismal service gave their hearts to the Lord.”

FINALLY:

This week, I had the privilege of meeting with eight of our clinical chaplains as we plan a series of books directly related to our clinical ministries.  The first release will be within the next six months, zeroing in on ministering to individuals and families as they struggle with loss.  We are also planning an international clinical chaplains’ website, which will serve as a platform to dialogue with each other and to provide a number of resources to the general Church.  You will be hearing more about these programs.  When we concluded our time together, we broke bread and took the cup in remembrance of our Lord’s crucifixion and resurrection.  We were reminded that, basically, this ritual describes our ministries in hospitals, pastoral counseling centers and other clinical sites.  The day of crucifixion represents the pain, shock and agony people initially bring to us; then, the day between Good Friday and Easter, that awesome silent Saturday, represents the anguish our clients and parishioners feel as they await a word from the Lord; and represented by the resurrection, the break-through that comes, not as a result of our training or expertise, but through the work of the Holy Spirit.  May He give you the necessary strength to care for those who are the results of a broken world.

Sincerely,

Dr. Robert D. Crick

Director, Chaplains Commission

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

Office email:  Chapcm@bellsouth.net

Website:  www.cogchaplains.com

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