Chaplains Commission Weekly Update – 9/25/2009
Friday, September 25, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Choice Christian Greetings!
Some years ago, we turned down a candidate for full-time chaplaincy ministries because – after pastoring a small church in a rather small town for approximately six years – he did not know the police chief, the mayor, the Director of Human Resources, or any other persons responsible for the ebb and flow of his community. He was asking for a significant ministry, “beyond the gates,” having lived out his ministry on a small island, unto himself and a handful of others.
A man I deeply respect, Dr. Darrell Waller, has been pastor of the Winchester Church of God (Winchester, Virginia) for 25+ years. During that time, the church has radically changed its structure, outlook, and practical ministry many times. Some time back he made the statement that, “If you pastored 10 years ago, quit, and came back as a pastor, you would be shocked at the changes that have taken places in your absence.” This doesn’t mean that the old-time gospel has changed; but it does mean that society has changed. The world has been brought to our front door through the internet, TV, and other media means; the result is a radical shift in the way people think and live. That is why, often times in our chaplaincy courses, we tell pastors unashamedly “think like a chaplain and not like a traditional pastor.”
Now why is this relevant? Well, let’s look at what a chaplain is and does. First, chaplains must, of necessity, think outside the box. This means to think about ministry as multi-racial, gender inclusive and multi-faith inclusive as they sit at the table with diverse chaplains as peers and as fellow travelers. While maintaining the integrity of their Pentecostal faith, ministry must always be approached inclusively, not exclusively. That is, chaplains are strong enough in their faith to enter into deep, one-on-one relationships with persons of other faith persuasions. Chaplains do not just pastor a church or agency; they pastor an entire community.
Second, in chaplaincy, care always leads and evangelism follows. That is, in our initial encounter with hurting humanity, the basic issue is to take care of the need and to trust the Holy Spirit to do the convicting. Ultimately, it is the job of the Spirit to lead that desperate soul to an altar. Does this mean that chaplaincy is not interested in evangelism? Well, let the facts speak for themselves. Let’s look at a simple case study. Private Jones’ wife has just left him; his mother is sick with cancer; and he is desperate for the chaplain to help him get home. As the chaplain assists him in his moment of desperate need, he opens up, and, as is so often the case, he gives his heart and life to the Lord. Chaplains have seen this repeated time and again. Care led, evangelism followed.
I would invite your comments concerning this matter. We are all looking for a new paradigm to lead lost humanity to the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. Could it be that we are trying too hard to do the work of the Holy Spirit? Is it possible that God is simply calling us to that which our chaplains do daily…unconditional care at the point of a desperate soul’s need?
State/Regional Chaplaincy Programs
This week, I had the pleasure of meeting with the State of Tennessee’s Chaplaincy Committee, under the spiritual directorship of State Overseer J. David Stephens. The committee is chaired by Dr. Keith Munford, long-term Hospital Chaplain and CPE Supervisor. Their primary goals were stated as follows:
1. To develop chaplaincy ministries throughout Tennessee;
2. To give special attention to strengthening existing chaplaincy programs;
3. To implement the new Local Church Chaplaincy Program.
Tennessee already has a very strong chaplaincy ministry. During the meeting, we reviewed the fantastic work of Law Enforcement Chaplains in the Knoxville area. In the greater Knoxville area, Church of God chaplains have trained more than 100 pastors for Law Enforcement Chaplaincy ministry. On the strength of these existing programs, State Overseer Stephens envisions a strong state chaplaincy ministry, one that takes seriously pastors and laity as effective spiritual voices to their entire community. We encourage other state bishops to contact this office for information on ways to strengthen their state chaplaincy programs.
Health in the Workplace
With the possibility of a swine flu or some other epidemic, the Chaplains Commission is enforcing the following guidelines in regard to general office health:
1. All of our employees are encouraged to get the flu shot; and for some, the H1N1 influenza vaccination when it is available.
2. We are encouraging the regular use of hand sanitizer; asking employees to refrain from making close, personal contact with others who display flu-like symptoms.
3. To avoiding persons who are coughing, sneezing, or displaying other symptoms; and, to be observant in regards to your own coughing or sneezing; avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, and other cautionary matters.
4. And, finally, if one is sick (with a fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, and other symptoms), to “stay home.”
If you are interested in our full commission health procedures, we would be happy to share a copy with you.
Chaplaincy News
· Air Force Chaplain, Captain, Tom Baize, currently deployed to Kuwait, tells us that last week he had 56 in his course on “Financial Peace.” Those attended included two Colonels and 10 field-grade officers.
· Chaplain Lucius Edmondson, McDonough, Georgia, Director of Team Jesus Ministries Outreach, reports: “Recently, we certified 10 new volunteer chaplains for this vital ministry. During this past month, we have seen 25 come to the Lord and 12 baptized in the Holy Spirit.”
· Gospel Rescue Center Chaplain Julius Martin, El Paso, Texas, has been in this specialized ministry for many years. He tells us that they are currently in a new building project that will double their floor space and make possible many new ministries.
Chaplaincy Activities for October
· October 3, 2009: The wedding of Air Force Chaplain, Captain, Gloria Tyner and Toshihisa Bun
· October 8-10, 2009: Community Service Chaplain Basic Training & Specialized Law Enforcement Courses, Metro Church of God, Birmingham, Alabama
· October 9-11, 2009: Community Service Chaplain Basic Training Course, Weatherford, Texas
· October 15-17, 2009: Local Church Chaplaincy Course, Winchester Church of God, Winchester, Virginia
· October 27-29, 2009: Hispanic Conference on Care, Abundant Life Church of God, Lakeland, Florida
· October 29-31, 2009: Community Service Basic Chaplain Basic Training Course, Rio-180 Church of God, Maryville, Tennessee
If you are interested in one, or any of these events, please contact this office.
Finally
At the present time, we have several chaplains in Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan and other critical areas. Some of these chaplains are experiencing their second and third deployment. You can only imagine the great opportunities these chaplains have for ministry: persons separated from their families; those, for the first time, considering making a major change in regard to their relationship with the Lord; and, the privilege of ministering on a regular basis to men and women who are serving their country faithfully at this critical time. That is the great news. What about the sacrifices of these chaplains, and especially, their family members? Can you imagine leaving the full responsibilities with a spouse who may have as many as 5 or 6 children? Or, can you imagine the spiritual and other support she/he would need during this deployment? As a veteran who experienced such a deployment (at the time, my wife was given the responsibility of caring for three children, ages 5, 3 and 2), I know the burdens she bore in support of my military ministry. And, I know first-hand that this burden does not simply end when the chaplain returns home. There is a long period, a year or more, when the chaplain, spouse and children must debrief and process the pain of this deployment in order that they get back to “family normality.” That is, a time to flush out those emotions and images that could affect one’s relationship and one’s ministry. We are very conscious that in sending chaplains to these critical areas of ministry, there is a personal and familial “price to pay.” So, we want the entire church to be involved in the celebration of these ministries and to be genuinely present with our chaplains and family members as they overcome some of the wounds resulting from such a critical mission. Continue to pray for our military chaplains and family members, the troops they serve, their families, and all of our other chaplains who are asked to give sacrificially to a world that is wounded and needs our chaplaincy care.
Sincerely,
Robert D. Crick
Weekly Bible Verse
Give all your worries and care to God, for He cares about what happens to you.
1 Peter 5:7 (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. Jake Popejoy, jakepopejoy@aol.com
Community Service Chaplaincy Administrative Information, wroberson@cogchaplains.com
Special Projects, 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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