A Woman Chaplain’s Story

This story was written and submitted by Beth Rogers one of our chaplains.

About three years ago, my husband and I were blessed to start a ministry for bikers and other ‘invisible people’. I decided to see about getting my chaplain’s license, hoping it would help us have a little more ‘authority’ in some situations. So I did a little research and found Biker Bible Institute and signed up.

I bought the book and started the program and got about half-way into it, and for some unknown reason, I just laid it aside. I finally picked it back up earlier this fall and finished the program and got my license. Within two weeks, I was asked to perform a wedding, and I am so glad I was able to do that!

BBI has a wonderful support system in place- all the folks in the Facebook group have been very helpful in answering questions- sometimes, even questions I didn’t know I had!

Just one example- right after I was asked to perform the wedding (and let’s be honest – it was basically because I was in the same town as the couple, rather than them having to drive an hour- but I am glad I was able to help), another young lady in the FB group said she had been asked to perform a wedding, and asked for advice and suggestions. The things others shared with her also helped me get ready; and afterwards I was able to tell her how my service went, to help her a bit.

Some things I’ve learned:

• go ahead and get the program done- don’t do like me and make a job last 3 years instead of 3 months

• be ready to be challenged in lots of areas; I’ve had people say ‘you can’t really perform a wedding, can you?’ I have to pull out my phone and show them the law that says I can; and just being a woman in ministry challenges some people- just be who you are in Jesus and talk to them.
• it’s amazing how that piece of paper gives you a sense of authority and purpose – of course, the work behind it, and beyond it are very important, but that piece of paper is as much as honor to me as my own marriage certificate.
• on that same note- I’ve found several sources of good coursework to use as continuing education in my ministry work- I don’t ever want to quit learning and growing; BBI has some other good courses, and there are several other places that offer free online work, including the Dallas Theological Seminary.
• make sure the couple puts their rings on the LEFT hand!