Church of God Chaplains Commission

The Chaplains Pre-Assembly Conference was an outstanding event; and on a personal level, one of my favorite. Everyone involved seemed to be strategically placed to speak “for such a time as this”. I am sure I will remember the messages and conversations for years to come.

There are two things in my own history that I parallel this biennial event with; one being “a family reunion” where everyone in the extended family comes together to join hands, hug one another, exchange words of compassion and love and just do what families should do; and that is “love one another”. Another event quite similar, yet unique is “a company picnic”. What I always loved about a company picnic was the fact that while we were on the job doing our work, we had to be a certain way, dress in an expected style and exchange conversation typically in a particular formal manner.  And yet, during the company picnic we could “let our hair down” and just be friends! I once heard Walter Brueggemann say, “The children of Israel went into the wilderness for forty years to have a family picnic”. Now, I’m not ready to grasp his version of this spectacular moment in Hebrew history; however, I am fully assured that they saw life up close and personal each and every day with one another. And, during a General Assembly Chaplains Meeting, we do get the privilege to be close to one another much in a similar manner. After all, we do stay in the same area of the city, even in the same hotel!

When I woke up on Tuesday morning, after our final Honor’s dinner, I felt an unusual sense of loss, much like I felt when I was 5 years old and my parents took my sister shopping and left me with my 10-year-old brother. It’s not that my brother was a bad person, but it was just the fact that I felt quite alone without Mom and Dad. Until that moment (Tuesday morning), I had been busy working with the many transitions throughout the Care Division, and I didn’t have time to think much about my dear friend Bob Crick retiring.  But it finally hit me and I felt a sense of loss. Later, I shared my feelings with Tom and Elaine Offutt, and eventually with Bob. Being the dear friend that he is, he assured me that he wasn’t going away and would always be available if I needed him. As I have since reflected on my feelings and what I personally experienced, I realize that we are all so dependent upon one another and we all feel a sense of loss if we are not all present. You see, after my Mom passed away, we attempted to have a family gathering, but we quickly learned it wasn’t the same without her. And this is the fabric and core of our spiritual family in all our assorted relationships with one another. We are lost without each other!

Most of you know how close Barbara and I are and if you know us very well you know how important our family is to us. Our two sons, our daughter-in-laws and our five grandchildren light up our lives each and every day. They are our family! But, so are you. We already miss you and wish it was time for us to gather together once again. I want each of you to know that we love you and are praying for you and we trust that God will help us to be there for you when you need us. 

In the coming weeks, we will examine each of the ways we communicate with you and will seek to provide for you the best manner of contact possible. We will want to continue to keep you informed concerning the needs, prayer requests and blessings upon our vast chaplaincy family. 

Thank you for allowing us to work with you in this capacity. I am deeply honored to know that the Executive Committee thought enough of us to allow us to extend our arms toward a more direct relation with the Chaplains Commission and all of you involved in this great ministry. Also, thank you for bearing with me as I have stepped aside from the usual chaplain communiqué to speak on a personal level to each of you as we begin this new journey together!

Sincerely,

Director of Ministries, Chaplains Commission

Executive Administrator, Care Division