Church of God Chaplains Commission

Chaplains Commission Weekly Update

Monday, April 21, 2008 at 12:30 am

Choice Christian greetings!

Every one of our endorsed chaplains has a “story” to tell, and rightly so. They are involved in some of the most exciting ministry found anywhere in the world today. They can be found in Iraq, in clinical centers, heading up large prison programs, at race tracks, on college campuses and the list extends on. I tell our chaplains, because of the strategic place God has allowed them, to “write, write and write!” They should do so because they are qualified to do so. Most of our chaplains have a Master of Divinity Degree or higher, have been exposed to some of the best clinical training possible and have so much to share with the Church in general. They know how to deal with those who have been traumatized by terrorist attacks, combat experiences or tragic automobile accidents. They are trained in the area of alcohol, drug and pornography addictions, ministry with dying children, AIDS victims or other tragic individual and family situations. More than anything else, they have the expertise to work in a pluralistic environment, approaching individuals regardless of their gender, ethnic background or situation in life with the saving knowledge of the Lord, Jesus Christ. There is another principle involved here; the world will no longer come to us…we must go to them. Chaplains know this better than anyone else in the Church. They do not wait for people to come to their chapel services. They go to them; those confined to hospitals or prisons, or, you will find them witnessing to a young Soldier at the motor pool. Our chaplains have the vital resources to help the Church stay grounded and relevant in such a time as this.

A COUPLE SIGNIFICANT VISITORS:

1. This week, we were privileged to host Army Chaplain (CPT-P) Everett Franklin, his wife, April, and their 14-year-old daughter, Lindsey. Chaplain Franklin has completed two deployments to Iraq, and is now stationed at Fort Rucker, Alabama. It is hard to believe that he has been on his chaplaincy journey for 8 years; part of it in prison ministries, and the last 6 years in Army chaplaincy. Shortly after being assigned to his first Army post at Fort Stewart, Georgia, a tragic accident took the life of their oldest daughter. A few months later, he was deployed to Iraq. After being back from Iraq for only a year, he was redeployed to Iraq. This would be enough to crush any family. Because of the tremendous insight they had into their own grief, and their willingness to get proper professional help, they have “a story to tell.” At some future date, they will publish a book about their journey with chaplaincy, their daughters and how their relationships have been taken to a deeper and more profound level as a result of their loss, deployments and the opportunities God has afforded them in military chaplaincy.

2. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Clayton Gregory came by our office, along with his wife, Susan, and we welcomed him home from a deployment to Korea. He spent a year on the DMZ, face-to-face with North Korea. Clayton, as typical with his chaplaincy journey, did not see this as a hardship…only an opportunity. Susan, one of the most joyful chaplains’ spouses we have in our great family, equally saw this as “God’s way of putting Clayton in the right place at the right time.” Susan spent this year assisting us in our Chaplains Commission offices by calling other spouses and families whose fathers/husbands were deployed to combat areas. Welcome home, Clayton! He will shortly begin a 15-month residency in Family Ministries at Fort Benning, Georgia.

UPCOMING PRE-GENERAL ASSEMBLY CHAPLAINS CONFERENCE:

Let me encourage any of you who would like to attend our Chaplains/Families Pre-General Assembly Conference in San Antonio, Texas, to notify our office immediately. If you, as a CSC chaplain or a supporter of this ministry, want to attend this three-day conference, you will need to make your reservation without delay. There is no fee for the conference, but we must know if you and your spouse will be joining us so that we can plan our group meals and other events appropriately. Of course, your hotel accommodations and travel expenses are on your own. The conference begins Saturday, August 2, with a general worship service at the Hilton Palacio del Rio; and ends Monday at noon, August 4. The General Assembly sessions open Monday evening. One of the highlights of our Pre-Assembly Chaplains Conference is the Honors Dinner, a formal affair that brings focus to our vast chaplaincy programs around the world. You must have reservations to attend this and other Pre-Assembly chaplaincy events. Send us a note of your interest to: chapcm@bellsouth.net.

CHAPLAINCY NEWS FROM THE FIELD:

1. Community Service Chaplain Marlene Giordano, Bellevue, Nebraska, gave us an outstanding report of her sponsorship of a health fair at their local church. She reports they had 19 vendors highlighting many community programs.

2. Prison Chaplain Constance Pettitt, Millbrook, Alabama, reports: “Alabama is developing a new pre-release for inmates to help minimize potential for prison violence, escape or institutional misconduct. It is also intended to reduce recidivism. We are part of that program, and we covet your prayers.”

3. New Zealand Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisor, Chaplain Ray Bloomfield, gave us a report of his ministry activities to include: a retreat for new CPE students, a BBQ for staff/chaplaincy team, various professional events including the Interchurch Council on Hospital Chaplaincy. He always includes a personal testimony of his one-on-one bedside ministry. In one situation, he worked with a family as their child was dying; blessing the baby and committing him to the Lord. In another situation, an elderly man dying in ICU was encouraged to share memories with family around his bedside.

4. Hospital Chaplain Alexis Smith, Greensboro, North Carolina, requests prayer for her mother who has dementia. She also requests prayer for her brother.

5. Community Service Chaplain Rhonda Hall, King George, Virginia, has a most unique chaplaincy outreach ministry. She has organized a team of individuals to go into distressed areas and offer free haircuts. This gives her a chance to conduct “in the field” chaplaincy ministry. She also, in a timely fashion, visits families anticipating court dates that could result in incarceration.

6. Navy Chaplain (LT) Harry Hansen, serving on the Island of Crete, reports that he had the opportunity to host the Air Force Deputy Chief of Chaplains, Chaplain (BGN) David Scott during his visit to Crete. Chaplain Scott notes, “Chaplain Hansen did an outstanding job and his wife, Kristie, is a wonderful addition to a great team. We are fortunate to have them in such a strategic place of ministry.” Chaplain Hansen, prior to completing his Seminary training and choosing chaplaincy ministry, was a Delta Airline pilot.

FINALLY:

There are many burdens that come with my job as Director of the Chaplains Commission; but so many benefits. The greatest benefit is that I never get bored! Every day, we receive critical reports of our chaplains’ needs and accomplishments around the world. Like all ministries, we have the “good, bad and ugly.” Thank God, 90% of it falls in the category of the “good.” Sure, we deal with chaplains’ pass-over for promotion, family struggles, financial needs, multiple deployments and all the other things that might be categorized as the “bad” or “ugly.” But all that gets overshadowed by the day-in and day-out success of our chaplains’ ministries. Keep our chaplains and their families in your daily prayers.

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