BASIC CHAPLAINCY E-COURSE
LESSION #2
WHO IS A CHAPLAIN
By definition, a chaplain is "an individual called by God to serve in a pluralistic environment ministering to persons in unique settings". Chaplains, like other ministers, experience a definite call from God to serve. Without the call, a chaplain will not survivein the secular environment. He will "pack his bags" and leave the chaplain ministry at the first sign of conflict. A chaplain basis his life and ministry on God's call. Survival in any environment for a chaplain depends on his faithfulness to God's call. No greater calling exists!
God calls a chaplain to minister in a pluralistic environment. The word, "pluralism", simply means, "various persuasions". A chaplain will meet people from many different backgrounds including lifestyles, secular and religious beliefs, races, denominations, cultures, divorcees, fractured families, agnostics, atheists, post-moderns, and many more. If a chaplain feels uncomfortable with people who are "different", his ministry will be seriously limited or ineffective. We live in a pluralistic society. God calls the chaplain to minister to all people, even those he dislikes.
God calls the chaplain to minister in unique settings. "Unique" means non-church settings and non-church people. The chaplain goes to those in their own setting who are unable to come or will not come to church and ministers where they are. They may never enter a church building, but the chaplain's goal is to express the love of Christ and minister to them to reach them for the God's Kingdom.
A Chaplain is either male or female, a born-again, baptized believer in Christ, an active member of a local Baptist church, a person of proven integrity and trustworthiness and a person who knows and understands who he is. Let's consider each of these in detail. First, a "born-again baptized believer in Christ". A chaplain's beliefs form the basic foundation for his ministry. A chaplain's relationship with Jesus Christ forms the criteria for building relationships. A chaplain who is firm in what he believes does not waver when challenged. A chaplain's life reflects what he truly believes. Second, "an active member of a local Baptist church". Every chaplain ministry is an extension of the local church. The chaplain represents his church wherever he serves and needs his church's support. The chaplain receives prayer and encouragement from his pastor. As a member of a Sunday School class, the chaplain shares his testimony and involves his class in financial and volunteer support of his ministry. Third, "a person of proven integrity and trustworthiness". When a chaplain loses his trust and compromises his integrity, he loses his ministry. Therefore, the chaplain lives his life in a way that is exemplary of his calling and honors the Lord. The chaplain builds trust in his relationships with those he serves and never destroys the trust people place in him. He is always a person of true integrity. Fourth, "a person who knows and understands who he is". The way a chaplain sees himself reflects in his ministry. For an effective ministry, the chaplain needs to introspect. Honestly facing the reality of self leads to self improvement, which the chaplain realizes through a more effective ministry.
Personal Introspection: * Do I really know who I am? * Am I who I think I am? Am who I am, what I am? * Will the real me please stand up! Look at the answers. Who am I? - I am me. Who is me? - I am who I am. Remember what Moses said to God, Who am I that you would send me? Moses did not know who he was until God gave him meaning and significance. How about you? Do you know who you really are? The answer will significantly impact your ministry and witness as a chaplain.
Theoretically, we are a product of our parents, our grandparents, our friends and acquaintances, the influences in our world and control or lack of control of our minds. As a by-product of these influences and experiences, we carry baggage which impact our chaplaincy ministry. A person who knows himself does not allow his "baggage" to interfere with his relationships or ability to minister.
When you look in the mirror each morning and see the person in the mirror, can you truthfully say, "I am a person I like", "I am a person I love"? God's Word teaches us, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor, as thyself". To love others we must first love ourselves with a healthy self-love.
A person who knows himself possesses the following: * A positive attitude * Reflects high self-esteem * Lives realistically * Reflects authority and self-control * Knows his limitations and when to say, “no” * Is self-confident and secure * Lives and ministers expectantly * Is not threatened, when challenged
A happy chaplain is a happy person. A chaplain who accepts himself and loves himself , accepts others and expresses genuine love to them.
A chaplain who knows his strengths and weaknesses understands the strengths and weaknesses of others.
A chaplain who is grounded and genuine in his faith will respect the faith of others and command respect.
A chaplain who has experienced the good and bad of life will understand those who experience the same.
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, mind, soul and strength and the second is like unto it; thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”
Chaplains are personal soul-winners. A chaplain carries a small Bible and soul-winning tracts with him to always be ready to share a witness when God opens the door. A chaplain knows the plan of salvation and how to share it with the lost. He shares his personal testimony within 3-5 minutes when given the opportunity. He shares with compassion and without pressure and prays the sinner's prayer when indicated by the person seeking salvation.
Chaplains live exemplary lives. A Chaplain "walks the walk" and "talks the talk". He talks like a Christian; he acts like a Christian; he relates with others as a Christian; his life glorifies the Father in Heaven, who saved him, walks with him daily and called him to Chaplain service.
Chaplains train to serve effectively. A chaplain ministers more effectively when trained in his chaplaincy specialty. He desires to maintain his training and participates annually in specific opportunities to update his training and remain current in his specialty. The better the training, the better the ability to minister.
Chaplains develop good listening skills. A chaplain always listens more than he talks. He seeks to understand people through their words, facial expressions and body language. He desires to empathize with them, share their feelings and help them face their fears. He develops a trusting relationship with them which encourages them to open-up and talk freely.
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Knowing who you are personally is vital to your witness and ministry. The better you know and understand yourself, the better chaplain you will be. Lesson #2 has presented the basics of who a chaplain is and the
The Advanced Chaplain's Course, "Who Am I?" provides additional opportunity for the chaplain to better understand himself. The course, a personal self-evaluation, helps the chaplain look inward and develop a deeper self-awareness. If interested, email Marc Johnston, director of chaplaincy for the Florida Baptist Convention, at mjohnston@flbaptist.org.
Lession #3 examines the basics of how a chaplain ministers within a facility environment. Complete the Lesson #2 Review, then proceed to Lesson #3.
