Philosophy of Ministry

My philosophy of ministry as a chaplain derived from a study, I define a chaplain as the
fundamental nature of a representative of any religious tradition and may be attached to a
Secular institution.

Though initially, the word chaplain referred to representatives of the Christian faith it is now also applied to people of other religions or philosophical traditions–such as the case of chaplains
serving with military forces and an increasing number of chaplaincies at American universities
and healthcare. [https://en.Wikipedia.Org/wiki/Chaplain]

The chaplain has a foundational belief that is his, meaning the chaplain may be a Christian but
ministering to a Muslim.

The bedrock foundational philosophies I will operate by are:
“ministering to people where they are now.”

My philosophy of ministry in regards to being a chaplain is meeting the people where they are
currently. If they are a saved born again, Christian, I will move within their Circles of Christianity, however, if the audience or individual is of the Jewish faith, for example, I would respect their boundaries regarding the Messiah.

“healing, worship, love, and biblical study transcends the specifics of
denominational religion, tradition, cultures, and beliefs.”

I have never had a problem with ministering to people of different faiths and beliefs and traditions and culture. My spiritual bones are of a mixed nature; I consider myself a Christian with Native American spirituality. I have been amazed and amused at how many of my Christian
friends I have lost over the years because of being a Christian with Native American spirituality.

I have found that healing, worship, love, and biblical study transcend the specifics of
denominational religion. The more I read of Jesus, the more I see him ministering to individuals
and groups “where they are” meaning “as they are,” “how they are” and “who they are”
currently. Jesus spoke life to the beggar, the dying, the homeless without demanding they
convert. He spoke of truth, and life through love and that is the primary force behind a
chaplaincy ministry.

The above principles of love, life, and respect for different paths will be the driving force in my
heart and ministry.

Thank you & God bless you and yours.
– Brian “Eagle Hawk” Dessauer