Church of God Chaplains Commission

Choice Christian greetings!

Chaplaincy is about the person, the process and the perspective.  Anyone who has been in chaplaincy for any length of time understands that our most effective tool is the person who carries the message of Christ.  If the chaplain is a person of deep honesty, maturity, integrity and all the other qualities the Word of God lifts up, he/she will be readily received.  In other words, it is not just what we say; it is “who we are.”  Secondly, it is about the process.  Our Pentecostal faith and doctrine never allows us to simply do or say “the right thing,” but always for the “right reason.”  It means we create a process whereby the Word of God is presented, and ample time is made available for it to be applied at all levels.  There is a lot of talk about holiness; but often it is in a process that is not all that holy.  If we do not allow soldiers, patients, inmates and all the others we serve to reflect with us on the Word, then we are doing the “right thing” in a “wrong process.”  A good chaplain knows that our best information concerning a situation comes from those who are experiencing it first hand.  Soldiers know more about what combat is like than we do; patients know more about what pain is like than we do; inmates know more about hopelessness and loss of family than we do.  Our Pentecostal process calls for us to empower those that we serve, thus making us both a teacher and a true learner.  Finally, chaplaincy is about perspective.  Do we really believe and practice that the very “least of these among us” embodies the very heart of  Jesus Christ, Himself?  There is a word in the English language, not often used, “equihuman.”  It simply means that, regardless of how small or insignificant a person may seem, they are truly our equal.  Would it not be good if we really believed that the ground at the foot of the cross is level, and those we serve are just as important as we are?  In some ways, they may be more important; especially since the Word says they embody the very reason why Christ came to this earth.  There you have it, the person, the process and the perspective.  Thank God for Church of God chaplains; they know that this “ministry beyond the gates” keeps the focus in the right direction.

CHAPLAINCY NEWS:

Prison Chaplaincy Director for Mississippi, Chaplain Gene Wigelsworth, Jackson, Mississippi, recently hosted the American Correctional Chaplains’ Association South Central Regional Conference.  This event brought together 53 correctional chaplains.  In addition to the chaplains, many other guests attended the workshops, general sessions and worship services.  The theme for the conference was, “The Changing Faces of Correctional Chaplaincy.”  Chaplain Wigelsworth noted, “This regional conference proved to be the best attended in recent years.”  A special highlight came when the Regional President was presented with a Proclamation of Recognition signed by Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour.  Our commendations go to Chaplain Wigelsworth for hosting this critical conference. Dr. Betty Standifer, University Professor and volunteer prison chaplain, Cleveland, Tennessee, ministers weekly to women who are in lock-down at their prison.  She gives incredible stories of these women’s pain and plight in life.  I am encouraging Dr. Standifer to produce a book so the entire Church can hear the cries of desperate mothers, sisters and wives who, for the most part, have been written off by our churches and society.  In a recent visit, Dr. Standifer notes, “I met a woman tonight who has been in and out of jail 62 times.  She is beautiful.  Her entire family has been involved with drugs, pornography and many other social sins.  We sat together on her cell floor and wept over the fact that she will never be able to again be with her 6 children.” Pastoral Counselor Randy Imhoff, (Retired from military chaplaincy) Syracuse, New York, gives this latest report on his daughter, Sheena:  “Sheena is back in the hospital where she will remain for the next several weeks.  This last hospitalization resulted in the removal of her shunt that had created an infection throughout her body.  She is no longer having seizures, but is “storming.”  Storming is when the neurons in the brain are trying to make connections.  Since the connections are not occurring, her brain is basically overloaded.  This causes irregularity in her heartbeat and breathing.  If any of my fellow chaplains would like to call the hospital to talk to Darlene, Sheena’s mother, call 315-464-5158; when the operator answers, ask for Sheena Palmer in 7C.  The nurse’s station on 7C will answer, and then ask for Darlene.  Above all else, keep Sheena and her extended family and friends, who are supporting her on a daily basis, in your prayers.” Chaplain James Mucha, formerly an Active Duty Navy chaplain, and now a Reserve Navy chaplain, San Antonio, Texas, gives us this exciting report:  “As you know, God laid on my heart some years ago our Church of God ministry in San Antonio.  When I left the Navy, that was to be our assignment.  After several months of waiting on the Lord (since last September), what seemed like wandering in the wilderness, things have now been worked out.  The silence has broken.  April and May have been our breakthrough months.  I am now temporarily working as a chaplain at Northeast Baptist Hospital and will begin my duties at the Navy Reserve Center in June.  We have closed on our new house in San Antonio and moved in last week; and I was told that I am now officially appointed as Senior Pastor at Shepherd of the Hills Church of God.  God is so faithful.”  (If you would like to send notes to the Mucha family, do so at:  jamesmucha@yahoo.com. Hospice Chaplain Gene Bordeaux, Metairie, Louisiana, notes:  “I am doing well since my surgery.  My range of emotions, considering all I have gone through, is also very good.  I thank God for my chaplaincy family prayers.” Army Chaplain (COL) David Smartt, Washington, D.C., recently had the privilege of representing the Chief of Chaplains’ Office at the National Day of Prayer ceremony held at the White House.  Concerning this special event, also attended by Chuck Swindol, James Dobson, members of Congress, the President’s Cabinet and many special guests, Chaplain Smartt notes:  “President Bush, in his address, stated that prayer has the power to change lives and the course of history.  In a room filled with law makers of both parties, and religious leaders of many faiths, the President called the nation to prayer.  From a Church of God perspective, we believe in prayer:  it is integral to our worship and devotion.  We have all seen and felt the power of prayer.  Prayer is not optional.  As a nation at war, clearly we must pray.” Army Chaplain (MAJ) Joseph Melvin, Baumholder, Germany, tells us he was recently invited to teach a chaplaincy course at the European Bible College.  Some 60 students and guests were in attendance.  Retired Prison Chaplain Aaron Mize, Booneville, Mississippi, requests prayer for Barry Hallmark, aged 19, who was in a serious automobile accident this week.  It is reported he will be going in for extensive surgery; and most likely, will be paralyzed for life from the neck down.  Also, pray for Chaplain Mize’s wife, Martha, who anticipates back surgery. Law Enforcement Chaplain Jeffrey Wolf, Milford, Ohio, was recently given the Oath of Office as the chaplain for the Miami, Ohio Police Department.

NEW ARMY CHIEF OF CHAPLAINS:

The President has nominated Chaplain (BG) Douglas Carver as the next Army Chief of Chaplains.  Chaplain Carver is an Ordained, Southern Baptist endorsed chaplain.  Prior to this new appointment, Chaplain Carver served as the Deputy Chief of Chaplains.

CHAPLAINCY VACANCY:

We just received from Hospital Chaplain Ruth Bordeaux, Metairie, Louisiana, an advertisement that they have two CPE residency openings for 2007-2008 at the East Jefferson Hospital.  If you want additional information concerning these vacancies, contact Chaplain Bordeaux at:  rbordeaux@ejgh.org.

IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO REGISTER:

Please note that the Community Service Chaplains Basic Course will be taught on the campus of the Seminary June 4-8, 2007.  This is a great opportunity for our active chaplains to send those who are interested in chaplaincy ministries for this vital course.  Course instructors will include Dr. Robert Crick, Dr. Jake Popejoy, Dr. Doc Williams, Prison Chaplain Dean Yancey, Campus Chaplain John Unthank, Executive Liaison Dr. Tim Hill and others. 

FINALLY:

The Chaplains Commission is about partners in ministry.  We could not do without our donors, our professional colleagues, our Board, the Seminary…and the list goes on.  Who would want to manage 2600 chaplains in 69 countries without the support of a team of individuals who know and love this ministry?  Like all chaplaincy ministry, it does not belong to us, it belongs to the “team.”  The entire Church could learn something from this reality.  If you are a chaplain in the hospital, it is not your program; it is the program of the hospital administrator.  The same is true for a military unit.  Chaplains who serve in the military know it is never “our program” but the “commander’s program.”  I think God could move in very special ways if, like chaplains, leaders would move out of the spotlight and into the shadows; for after all, most of the people in need, whether patients, soldiers or inmates, live in the shadows.  Thank God for Church of God chaplaincy; they are part of the team and thrilled to be included.

Sincerely,

Dr. Robert Crick

Director, Chaplains Commission

Director’s e-mail: cricksot@worldnet.att.net

Office e-mail: chapcm@bellsouth.net

Web Site/Page: www.cogchaplains.com

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