Chaplains Commission Weekly Update – 4/3/2009
Friday, April 3, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Choice Christian Greetings!
This Sunday is Palm Sunday. Throughout the world, our Chaplains will be having special Palm Sunday services celebrating that final movement of Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem, eventually crucifixion on Good Friday, and resurrection on Sunday. It was as if Jesus, in humble fashion, was announcing that “God has changed the world’s agenda.” As the crowds cheered him, and I am sure some booed, it was the beginning of a new age where the world would be turned upside down. All the old boundaries would be erased! The well-defined separation of the exclusive from the common would come crumbling down, and, as the Scriptures said, that which the world considered foolish now became the very wisdom of God. God always changes our agenda when we think we have Him figured out. He breaks in on our well-defined solutions, takes that which is the lowest and makes it the highest; and lets us know, regardless of professional training, we are still subject to His in-breaking power. The moment we get too sophisticated to be touched by Him, He brings about something as catastrophic as turning water into wine, feeding a multitude with a few loaves and fishes, and protecting a prostitute from being stoned by religious do-gooders. That is what His entry into Jerusalem ultimately would mean, a changed agenda!
What are your best memories of the Easter festivities? In the late 1960s, I was doing a clinical year at the National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Maryland. I was covering a ward of 30 patients, all diagnosed with terminal cancer. For the most part, they had been told that they would live anywhere from 3-6 months. As we approached Easter, I asked them what they would like to do in preparation for Holy Week. They said, “Let us gather and talk about dying.” That shocked me. What I found out is that dying patients may be sick, but not powerless. We gathered together, most in their beds as they were rolled into our conference room; and we spent two hours discussing dying. They openly shared their fears with each other, their dreams for their kids and grandkids, and all those other common things that we struggle with and celebrate in our final phase of life. God had changed their agenda, and I learned a great lesson from my patients. They were far more ready for God’s changed agenda than I was willing to experience with them. Masterfully, they took me into their confidence and shared with me their deepest hopes and their deepest fears. In the process, I began to realize that there is not only fear, but a lot of excitement in God’s changed agenda. So whether for a Chaplain or the entire church, when God is up to something, and He begins to change our agendas, watch out! The old becomes new; the young expresses wisdom beyond their age; and, as the Scriptures say, we have new visions and new dreams. I trust that all of our Chaplains will enter into the Holy Week and Easter with an expectation that while the agenda may be changed, the Everlasting One who changes our agenda is still our Redeemer and our coming Lord.
Responses on the Issue of Diversity
Last week we pointed out that there is a difference between “tolerating diversity” and “embracing diversity.” I raised the issue of why in the church are African Americans and other subgroups (women, laity, and those in need) are excluded from our “ecclesiastical tables?” Why is it that such inequality is allowed within the body of Christ? I did not realize that I was pushing a most sensitive button. We received numerous emails describing how people had suffered from this lack of “embracing diversity.” I share with you, prayerfully, one letter from a female Chaplain. She writes:
“Dr. Crick;
So many painful memories flashed through my heart and my mind as I read last week’s update. My dad was my mentor. He spent more than 50 years in the ministry; took me everywhere he went. I played the piano for his revivals; he taught me the Word. In fact, he was standing over me when I was baptized in the Holy Spirit. He taught me how to love unconditionally. Unfortunately, there are not many mentors like him.
Now, when it comes to women in ministry, you pushed another button. I am an Ordained Minister. But, I must say that I do not feel that I have been appropriately affirmed. When I was ordained, I received a letter from the general offices, but no one came and told me that I needed to be mentored. At one campmeeting, I sat with pain in my heart, as new ministers were being ordained and prayed over. I thought, ‘I wish somebody had a desire to pray for me.’ Then I get painfully reminded of those times when a church official, not recognizing our female ministers, even though there are so few of us, addresses a ministerial letter ‘Dear Brother so-and-so.’ In some meetings, women ministers must choose between a business session where they have very little voice, or the ‘women’s banquet.’ And, there are so few of us who are ever put on an official board. And where are the young women being called into our ministry? Could it be that they find very early that at best, they are going to be treated secondarily? We need a forum with our general officials; we need to be heard before it is too late.
I must say that being endorsed as a Church of God Chaplain is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Both in my chaplaincy ministries, and the way I am treated by the Commission, I finally feel that I am ‘welcomed at God’s table.’ I send this letter on behalf of my young sisters, looking for a better reason to totally commit themselves to Church of God ministries.”
In later updates, I will share with you others who wrote to us concerning this issue of “diversity.” Could it be that God is truly trying to fulfill within our denomination and every denomination around the world the vision that “your sons and your daughters (regardless of their diverse statuses) will in the last days prophesy?” Chaplains know the tremendous benefits that come to us corporately and spiritually when we make room for everyone at His table.
News From The Field
· Mental Health Chaplain Dennis DuPont, Odenton, Maryland, sent us this touching report: “This past week, I had the privilege of speaking at the funeral of our Evening Admissions Coordinator, Curtis. He was a brother in Christ; baptized in the Holy Spirit, with a deep love for his wife of 33 years, his children and his grandchildren. He was deeply committed to justice; fought for employees and the poor of Baltimore city. When he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he remained faithful to the end. He constantly shared with us that he was at peace with God and ready to go home. I shared with the congregation out of Psalms 1, depicting Curtis as a spiritual tree, having been known by all of us at the hospital as one who loved God, loved his family, and loved his neighbor. Together the church praised, sang and celebrated the life of this, my brother.”
· We now have two new Community Service Chaplains in New Zealand; Eugene and Esther Dupu. Both are graduates of the European Theological Seminary in Germany where they took our chaplaincy courses. They are now pastoring in New Zealand and serving as Chaplains in their local hospital, as well as, their law enforcement and correctional institutions.
· Dr. Hector Chiesa , Assistant Chaplaincy Director, New York Prison Department, Bronx, New York, was recently honored by “Partners in Healing,” an organization which brings together various faith groups for better understanding, healing and reconciliation.
· We continue to pray for Robert and Libby Dawkins, Troy, North Carolina. As you know, Bob and Libby recently buried their 34-year-old daughter who died suddenly of a heart attack. Bob writes: “I have never felt pain like I now feel. And, I have never felt closer to the Lord than I feel today. I thought I understood suffering, but now I know that I was spiritually only in kindergarten. With the loss of my beautiful daughter, I am getting closer to knowing the depth of the pain that our Lord experienced on our behalf. The funeral director said that this was the largest turnout ever witnessed in their town. My daughter provided care for the sick and the elderly; and she always spoke of her mom and dad with deep love. My many thanks for those who have sent notes of prayer support. We will need your prayers as we continue to deal with this great loss.”
· Army Chaplain (MAJ) David Santiago-Cruz, Germany, tells us that he is being reassigned this summer to Fort Polk, Louisiana. He is asking for your prayer support.
· Ireland Chaplain John Walsh sent this report: “Among our other ministries, we are now working with the ‘Dial-to-Stop Drug Dealings.’ This is a joint effort by many chaplaincy and social organizations to say, ‘enough is enough.’ A recent survey showed that of people ages 15-64, that 25% reported taking illegal drugs at some stage in their life. Keep us and this ministry in your prayers.”
Special Reports
¨ Air Force Chaplain, Captain, Gabriel Rios, serving with an expeditionary operations squadron in Ecuador, gave this report to the 12th Air Force Monthly Magazine: “Imagine a child who only has one meal a day, or one who spends hours in the dump looking for something to eat or sell. My deployment to South America gave me the opportunity to work with these individuals in dire poverty on a daily basis. Additionally, I had the privilege to serve as the installation Chaplain for 40 active duty airmen, 200 contractors, and dozens of crews flying counter-narcotic missions in the Eastern Pacific. Typically, I plan two or three special events each week to bring groups of 10-25 volunteers to the city dump, local schools, hospitals and orphanages. We bring donations, serve hot meals, and fix broken-down facilities. While I was not expecting this type of deployment, I feel deeply satisfied. Since I have deployed, my many thanks go to individuals and organizations that have sent diapers, clothing, school supplies and other needed items. I rotate back to my permanent unit this July.”
¨ Hospital Chaplain Joseph Schuck, Lanett, Alabama, gives this brief testimony: “Part of my ministry is ministering to families of the deathly ill. In this case, it was a 38-year-old man; who was on life support and not expected to live. His wife had to deal with the issue of when to let him go. He had a bleeding disorder that was incurable and had progressed to the point where he was bleeding internally without warning. She struggled with the decision; but, in the end, she asked all of us to leave the room so she could be alone with her husband while he died. She showed a tremendous amount of love, faith and courage; and I am so thankful that I was allowed to be a part of this critical decision.”
Finally
This week I had the privilege of meeting with Gerald Holloway, Director of the Word for the World Fellowship, Manila, Philippines. He shared with me that God had enabled his faith group to have access to a 24-hour, seven day a week, television channel. As I listened to his passion for this new ministry opportunity that will take the gospel into many countries, including China, my memories went back many years when I had the privilege to visit the Philippines for the first time in 1967. I took a C-130 plane load of soldiers out of Vietnam for a retreat at Baguio City, Philippines. In that retreat, every soldier who was not a Christian gave their hearts to the Lord, except one. As God would have it, our flight back to Vietnam was delayed, and we were stuck at the airport for a few hours. Those young soldier converts insisted that we find a room where we could continue worshipping, praying and fellowshipping. In those couple of hours, this lone holdout gave his heart to the Lord. We will be back in the Philippines in May providing chaplaincy training, consultation, and an International Care Conference. I am sure that when the plane lands I will think of those who took that trip out of Vietnam, possibly some who never made it home, and how God makes possible these “new beginnings” that start at an altar of prayer.
Sincerely,
Robert D. Crick
Weekly Bible Verse
I am overcome with joy because of your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul.
Psalm 31:7 (NLT)
Contacts
Director, Dr. Robert D. Crick, cricksot@att.net
Full-time Chaplaincy and Public Relations, Dr. Jerry McNabb, jmcnabb@cogchaplains.com
Community Service Chaplaincy and Training, Dr. Doc Williams, dwilliams@cogchaplains.com
Community Service Chaplaincy Administrative Information, wroberson@cogchaplains.com
Disaster and Compassionate Care, Reverend Tom Offutt, tomoffutt@att.net
Prayer and Family Care, Elaine Offutt, elaineoffutt@att.net
General Information, chapcm@cogchaplains.com
Web Site/Page: www.cogchaplains.com
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