Chaplains Commission Weekly Update
Saturday, October 20, 2007 at 10:54 pm
Choice Christian greetings!
The paradox of chaplaincy is found in its many ministry activities within a wide pluralistic context. In addition to providing worship and other ministry opportunities out of their own Protestant/Pentecostal faith, they must also provide religious opportunities for many other faith persuasions. That not only includes hundreds of different expressions of the Christian faith, but also groups such as Orthodox, Buddhist, Hindu, Islam, etc. In this dual role, centered in their own faith expressions and providing an accommodation for other faith groups, do they lose themselves in the process? I have observed our chaplains in this sea of pluralism for many years; and I can say, without doubt, that not only do they not lose their Pentecostal identity, but their identity is strengthened in this process. Why would that be? First, through their training and faith development, they know that if they are to go “beyond the gates” into the vast post-modern world, they must be mature, deeply committed to their Christian practices and theology, and have a family that is equally mature. Therefore, we can say without doubt that we have in our chaplaincy ministries some of the most dedicated and mature servants of the Lord that you will find anywhere. Secondly, they must feel called to this ministry “beyond the gates.” While they provide for other religious groups, they are driven by a passion to see all creation honor Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior; that is, they have not forgotten that ultimately, “every knee will bow and every tongue confess Him as the one and only Lord.” Thirdly, they are driven by an unconditional love for the wounded; so they can truly care for individuals and families without being burdened with “what brand do they come to me with?” Without unconditional love for a wounded world, chaplains, like all ministers, could fall into one of two traps: 1) refusing to minister to those not identified as being part of their “unique faith persuasion;” or 2) giving unconditional care out of a distorted and dysfunctional view of their own Pentecostal foundation. While we give unconditional care, we know that unconditional love flows out of a deep, passionate belief that God created on this earth a unique body of Pentecostals, who equally believe in holiness. It is out of the strength of our uniqueness, not out of our plurality, that we are able to give such unconditional care. God has blessed us with chaplains mature and dedicated deeply enough to be sent to a divided, pluralistic and wounded world.
CHAPLAIN BEGINS HIS SECOND DEPLOYMENT TO IRAQ:
Army Chaplain (CPT) Jeff Bartels, Fort Riley, Kansas, is one month into his second deployment to Iraq. This deployment was a little more difficult to take in that Jeff and his wife, Teresa, had just adopted a beautiful daughter, Maygan. In fact, the adoption became final only a day or two before Jeff left for his deployment. From Jeff’s own words, he shares with us this initial experience in an article entitled, “Covered in Prayer and Covered by Oil.” Let me share with you a part of that article: “It may seem odd to some, but just like I did in my last deployment, I anointed those who are going into harm’s way by simply drawing a small cross upon the vessel that is carrying them; in this case, an aircraft. Once the anointing is complete, I speak to the pilots and crew members about the power of prayer, read Psalm 91 and spend some time in prayer with them. I tell them I am not praying for mechanics, speed or great weather; I am praying that God will protect their journey and guide them safely to their next destination. As a Pentecostal, I believe in being covered. Many songs we sing are about being covered by His blood. This small act of compassion has sparked a multitude of conversation among my soldiers. My Battalion Commander told me, Chaplain, you need to pour oil over all of our aircraft that aren’t working! As always, I told him, I pray for the crews, not the mechanics! Another soldier said, Chaplain, there is something about that oil…you can even see it with all this dust in the air! So, regardless of the place or time, I find prayer is the right call. We are just beginning our 15-month deployment. Keep my men and women, who are making such sacrifices, close to your heart. We need your support and prayers. Someday soon, we hope to return home giving praise to God for what He has done in our lives through this deployment.”
CHAPLAINCY NEWS:
1. Law Enforcement Chaplain Doug Hardy, Carrollton, Georgia, sent us an article which appeared in his local newspaper that gave testimony of how God sustained him through a critical heart attack. The article speaks of the fact that an amazing amount of technical care was given to him at a local hospital that was not known to be a major heart care center. Chaplain Hardy is convinced that God prearranged these doctors and this special care center for “such a time as this.”
2. Army Chaplain (CPT) Danny Claypoole and his wife, Leah, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, recently celebrated the arrival of a new baby boy, Elihu Samuel Hunter Claypoole. We all celebrate this new member of our chaplaincy family. Send your congratulatory notes to the Claypooles at: d claypoole@hotmail.com.
3. Local Church Chaplaincy Coordinator Jack Smith, Newport News, Virginia, sent us an extensive report on a chaplaincy training trip that he and members of his team recently conducted in the country of Uganda. At each site, Chaplain Smith offered chaplaincy course and worship services; and the team provided funds to help churches that were destroyed by flooding; purchased bicycles for pastors; supplied school tuition for orphans; provided safe wiring for a local church, concrete for a church with dirt floors, windows for churches and mosquito netting for a prison hospital. Chaplain Smith, a long-term prison chaplaincy administrator, has helped us pioneer the concept and programs of “local church chaplaincy ministries.” This trip to Uganda, like his previous training for local churches in Virginia, proves that chaplaincy is a process of ministry that works at all levels. If you would like a full report from Chaplain Smith, contact him at: srchapjack@cox.net.
4. New Zealand CPE Supervisor/Chaplain Ray Bloomfield sent to this office an annual report. Let me highlight just a few of his ministries: “A chaplaincy team of 15 trained chaplains; many worship and memorial services for patients and staff; special support for a Zimbabwean nurse whose son had died in Zimbabwe, who had no way of going back for the funeral and to care for the family; supervision of students, clergy and staff; a clinical pastoral education program that is strong; several chaplaincy conferences; an active case load of patients and others needing specialized chaplaincy care; working with New Zealand Veterans, some who are still suffering from cancer caused by agent orange; with a total of more than 12,000 patient visits and working with the staff of some 238.” We are fortunate to have chaplaincy leaders at this level.
5. Law Enforcement Chaplain Jeffrey Wolf has recently been added to the Miami, Ohio, Township as a staff chaplain. Chaplain Wolf is also the pastor of the House of Restoration in Miami Township. When receiving this recent appointment, the Chief of Police noted: “Chaplain Wolf brings an amazing level of experience and training to our police department.”
6. Dr. Betty Standifer, Cleveland, Tennessee, ministers primarily with female inmates. Let me lift up a couple prayer requests that she forwarded to us: “Inmates’ kids and grandkids; inmates’ court dates; inmates’ husbands who are not Christians and are most abusive.” One inmate stated, “My mother started me on crack cocaine at the age of two. My entire childhood was full of abuse. I was able to go to college and Bible College. I have two degrees. I am now facing a murder trial.” Chaplain Standifer’s hope to this inmate was, “The world may have caused you to lose your trust, virginity and all the other indignities that have come upon you; but they cannot take from you your Christian purity.”
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
Army Chaplain (LTC-P) Charles Howell, Washington, D.C., just notified us that “Chaplain (COL) Donald Rutherford, a 52-year-old Catholic Priest, has been nominated as the next Army Deputy Chief of Chaplains.”
FINALLY:
You have heard me say it many times, “Chaplaincy flourishes in and through good relationships.” My relationship with the Grassano family goes back to the early 1960s. I met this amazing woman, living with her family in Brooklyn, New York, who was the epitome of “Christian hope.” In that poverty and crime-infested area, she remained faithful. Consequently, her kids and grandkids became active Church of God ministers. One of those sons, a very close friend, is Reverend Thomas Grassano, long-term pastor, State Administrative Bishop and Missions Administrator. On December 20, 2007, he and his wife will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. Is that not unique in today’s world…someone, not only living together for 60 years, but spending those 60 years in active ministry? Where did this spark begin? It began with a Godly mother who stood against the forces of this world to see that her kids and grandkids were grounded deeply in the Word of God and the passion of the Pentecostal faith. Our congratulations go to Brother and Sister Grassano, and to all of our chaplains who will grow older serving a Christ that they met at an altar of prayer with a call that gave them a life-long walk in ministry with Him! May all of our chaplains have such a long and fruitful ministry; and may their families, into future generations, never forget where this deep passion began.
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
RDC/vja
Categories: Weekly Update
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