Chaplains Commission Weekly Update – 5/29/2009
Friday, May 29, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Choice Christian Greetings!
The hardest transition for a leader is the move from being an “outstanding player” to that of “outstanding coach.” Pentecostal ministry, by nature, calls for tremendous players. We want our pastors and leaders, especially in their developing years, to “run faster than bullet trains and jump over tall buildings.” Our greatest heroes, like in the sports industry, are those who can throw the longest and most effective touchdown, hit a homerun to win the game at the bottom of the ninth inning, and, who can keep this up through those developing years. But like all great “players,” there comes a time when you simply do not have that energy and inspiration to continue to be a great player. Naturally, during those years as a tremendous preacher/player, we have acquired great experiences and knowledge of ministry; all of which should be passed onto the next generation of clergy (our team members). But, because of the thrill of being a great minister/player, we often continue to put ourselves into the game, and, abort the spiritual mandate of developing a great team, not just great players. But how do we move from being a great player to a great coach?
It means, in Biblical terms, that we take seriously the role of the bishop. Or, take a look at the Apostle Paul as he vigorously poured his gifts of ministry into Timothy and other young followers, knowing that sooner rather than later, he was going to have to step aside and pass the mantle to the next generation. It is my belief that when we hit our late 40’s and 50’s, we should have begun to move significantly towards the role of coach. As I travel throughout the US and overseas, I am amazed at how few of us are significantly fulfilling that role of coach. Being a coach is not “my ministry;” but it is “our ministry.” Coaches see the bigger picture, not the smaller issues. Being a coach is not whether or not I preach a great sermon, but whether or not my team members are preaching great sermons. Coaches preach less and listen lots. They reflect, integrate, and, when issues have to be dealt with, can readily recognize that they have the “entire team” in mind. Without good coaches, we have great players, but they are simply “doing their own thing.” You recognize immediately a sports team who has a weak coach. The team may have the greatest, most skilled players, but everyone is out to improve on their own batting record, their own three-point shots, regardless of who wins or loses the game. A denomination, like a sports team, must have skilled, thoughtful and reflective coaches. Without them, we may produce lots of super stars, but we will miss out on the opportunity to produce a denomination that is unified, productive in reaching a hurting and lost world, and is recognized as having a great team and not just great players.
Philippine Chaplaincy and Care Conference
I just returned from the Philippines a couple of days ago. I am still feeling the effects of going half-way around the world, with 12 hours difference between their time and Eastern US time. Just getting there and returning, one spends approximately 30-35 hours in airports and on planes; and yet, this proved to be one of the most effective events I have experienced in recent months. The conference was sponsored by Word for the World Christian Fellowship, whose Director is Dr. Gerald Holloway. In the 1970’s, Brother Holloway took on the challenge of ministry in the Philippines after a three year assignment to the Gilbert Islands. He and his wife Sue recognize that in order to build an effective Pentecostal ministry in the Philippines, one must understand the culture and adjust accordingly. During these last 30+ years, this missionary couple has seen their congregation grow from a handful of worshippers to a vast ministry that now reaches into 17 different countries.
We began the week with our Chaplains Commission and Care Division teams conducting a Community Service Chaplaincy course for more than 200 participants. It is significant to note that of these 200, ninety came from other charismatic and Pentecostal faith groups. That has been one of the note-worthy accomplishments of Brother Holloway; he builds a strong bridge from his international ministries to those other evangelical and Pentecostal groups who have a similar vision. After the three-day course, we presented certificates to the participant in an atmosphere of fellowship, celebration and anticipation of chaplaincy assignments to jails and prisons, hospitals, college and university campuses, and especially to some of the poorest and most destitute people throughout Manila and other areas of the Philippines and beyond.
After the chaplaincy training course, Word for the World Christian Fellowship sponsored a one-day Care Conference, which gave focus to care and benevolence, as well as disaster response ministry needs for the Philippines. We ended a very exciting Care Conference with a celebration meal, worship and fellowship. Dr. Timothy Hill, First Assistant General Overseer, was one of the keynote speakers for the Care Conference. Others who participated in both the Care Conference and the Chaplains Course included: Dr. Bob Crick, Reverend Tom and Elaine Offutt, Dr. Johnny Sweet, Dr. Jake Popejoy, Reverend Steve Wallace, and a number of Filipino leaders.
News From The Field
· We received a great report from Army Chaplain (MAJ) David Santiago-Cruz, Stuttgart, Germany, concerning his open-heart surgery. Chaplain Santiago writes: “After a five-hour quadruple bypass surgery, I am doing well. My special thanks to all of my chaplaincy family who have been praying for me; especially Glenn and Diane Gravatt, Ministry to the Military Center Directors, who have supported us through the surgery and the aftercare. I am looking forward to a full recovery.” Send your prayer notes to Chaplain Santiago, and his wife Loida, at: david.santiagocruz@eur.army.mil
· Our sincere congratulations to Chaplain (MAJ) Terry Simmons, Fort Jackson, South Carolina, in his recent selection to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Send your notes of congratulations to the Simmons’ at: terry.simmons1@us.army.mil
· Community Service Chaplain Judy Ramsey, Oxford, Ohio, in her prayer request, gives us an idea of the vast ministries of our volunteer chaplains. The following persons are those that she is working with in her chaplaincy ministries: A young, single mother who is suffering from post-partum depression; diabetic diagnosis of one who was recently married; a 55-year-old woman suffering from stage four ovarian cancer; a nine-year old with autism, who is actively violent towards his mother; and the list goes on and on. We send our special thanks to the more than 4,000 Community Service Chaplains who serve faithfully as volunteers in 71 different countries.
· Army Chaplain (CPT) Dasha Somaratna, Belgium, sent this note: “I am the pastor of the SHAPE International Chapel Protestant Congregation. The congregation previously numbered approximately 55, but we have been consistently running more than 100. SHAPE Headquarters is an international operation that includes military and civilian personnel from many countries. We have been most effective in reaching these individuals and families through our children’s ministry programs.”
· Clinical Chaplain Scott Melton, Asheville, North Carolina, tells us that they have added a four-year-old foster child named Adrin to their family.
· Chaplain Donald Williams, recently sent us this report of the tremendous chaplaincy work in England. He states: “We now have 20 paid Church of God Chaplains, another 15 volunteer Chaplains across all disciplines, and between 200-300 local church volunteers who send out chaplaincy teams of 10-20 to conduct ministry in local prisons, hospitals, and long-term care facilities. We are now recognized as a denomination to put chaplains into the military. This past Sunday, one of our chaplains had a water baptismal service for four inmates, and reported that just this past year, he has baptized more than 50 inmates. I know that you will keep England and all of Europe in your prayers.”
· We are asking our chaplaincy family to pray for Sergeant Robert Eastham, the son of Army Chaplain (LTC) Calvin Eastham and his wife Barbara. Robert was recently deployed to Afghanistan. He has had similar deployments to Iraq. Robert is one of my “spiritual grandsons.” If you would like to send him notes of encouragement, do so at: eastham.robert@gmail.com
· Clinical Chaplain Joseph Schuck, Lanett, Alabama, reports: “Kathryn has been released from the hospital and is recovering. Please keep her in your prayers.”
· Next week, June 1-5, the Chaplains Commission will be sponsoring a 40-hour Community Service Chaplains Course. The course is offered for undergraduate or graduate credit; as well as for chaplaincy certification. This is the only time that we offer this course in Cleveland, on our seminary campus. If you are interested, even at this late date, contact us immediately at: chapcm@bellsouth.net
· Army Chaplain (MAJ) Charles Kuhlman, recently transferred from Fort Campbell, Kentucky to Fort Benning, Georgia, after a deployment in Iraq. He just began a 15-month Marriage and Family Course/program at Benning. He reports: “We are enjoying fellowship with other Church of God Chaplains’ families. We moved into a house right across the park from Army Chaplain (MAJ) Clayton Gregory and his family. It is great to have folks you know nearby to ease the transition.”
Finally
As you know, the Chaplains Commission offices are located on the campus of our seminary. Since 1980, when we moved the Commission from our Headquarters building to the Seminary campus, we have had a great relationship and shared vision. This is an exciting week for the seminary; commissioning service on Friday night, with the graduation ceremony on Saturday. Several of the graduates will be going into either full-time or volunteer chaplaincy ministries. The seminary was established in 1975. Since that beginning, the seminary has now graduated hundreds of ministers who are serving in strategic positions around the world. They are pastors, evangelists, more than 200 chaplains, directors of educational institutions both in the United States and overseas, Overseers of US states and overseas regions, and hold many other strategic positions. The seminary has impacted the church by producing ministers who are thoroughly grounded in their Pentecostal faith, taking on the challenge of presenting this wonderful faith in pluralistic settings in some of the world’s most desperate situations. We congratulate Dr. Land, the faculty and staff, and, most especially the students, with Paul the Apostle’s words, “a job well-done!”
Sincerely,
Robert D. Crick
Weekly Bible Verse
For the Lord our God is our light and protector. He gives us grace and glory. No good thing will the Lord withhold from those who do what is right. O Lord Almighty, happy are those who trust in you.
Psalm 84:11-12
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
RDC/als
Correspondence
Categories: Weekly Update
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