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When asked to write a Philosophy of Ministry, I was immediately filled with so many expectations for my future. My expectations of myself have always been based on what others need from me. When I was younger, I played multiple sports extensively and competitively. One thing that I loved about Sports was that my Coaches and teammates always needed me to help them to achieve their goals. I chose to become a Law Enforcement Officer for the same reasons. Citizens, along with my fellow Officers, need me to help them for Safety and Quality of Life purposes. I love to serve! So a few years ago when I purchased my first motorcycle, I met several members of multiple groups within the motorcycle community. I noticed very quickly, that there was a large need for faith based service from within.
I saw the need for people to be prayed over during bike blessing events. I saw a need for people to be prayed for during and after motorcycle crashes. I saw a need for clubs / groups to be prayed over before they went for a group ride, or on a long trip. Even the most secular groups you could imagine still sought after someone from the Christian faith to be present during some very difficult times. Between my job as a Police Officer, and this new found need within the motorcycle community, I was immediately compelled to provide service to these two areas of my life. This led me to serving in the capacity of Chaplain.
Some key lessons that I learned from the first 6 Chapters of “The Work of the Chaplain” will be discussed in the next few paragraphs. These key lessons are what I will hopefully utilize when I minister to those in my life.
The first thing that stuck out to me is that people in the world are constantly in need. But what people sometimes needed isn’t always actions. They don’t need us to fix things for them in every situation. Sometimes what they need is Presence. They need encouragement, compassion, and spiritual care. It is “caring for the needy at their point of need”. It is care being provided without conditions or expectations. It is care provided with genuine love always being at the forefront of our efforts.
I learned that while physical presence is sometimes all that is needed, also are emotional and spiritual presence. People do not always need us to have just the right thing to say. We are to be genuine and emotionally available. We are to communicate God’s assurance of “always being with us” by being with those who need us. According to the reading, “Most people seek the Chaplain for good listening, not good replying.” In my opinion, when a Chaplain is a good listener, that is the first step for the person to understand God’s grace.
We are to demonstrate compassion for ALL persons by sharing ministry action first. I am called to avoid Proselytism, and never try to convert someone to my belief system. I learned that only when given an invitation from the person of need, may I share the truth of my own beliefs.
Who will I minister to? I will minister to those in crisis, those suffering, those in despair, and those mourning. I will also minister to those who are going through high points in their life, sharing in the joys that the Lord has given them. I will minister to those who do or do not have a church home. The opportunity to minister to those in need is found both inside and outside the walls of a church building. I will seek out and care for “the least of these” as instructed by Jesus. The reading states that, “We are all created in the image of God. We are all entitled to compassionate ministry and respect.” We are called to GO to the least of these, not wait for them to come to us. Therefore, I will be active in my role of Chaplain and not just use the credential as a stagnant title.
As Chaplain we are called to be pluralistic. We are called to be faithful to our own faith and beliefs, but also to be respectful and supportive of those from different faiths and traditions. While we may not know everything there is to know about every belief system or faith, we can still love on everyone at the human level. I loved the French proverb about Chaplains from the reading that stated, “To heal sometimes, to remedy often, to comfort ALWAYS.” When it comes down to the fundamental need that everyone needs, no matter the person or their background, everyone needs love and comfort. We can serve so many people by simply pushing everything else that is worldly aside, and loving on God’s children.
As a Chaplain it is vital to remember that we are not experts in every field and in every situation. We must remember that sometimes it is necessary to refer those of need to specialists. People may have serious needs that a Chaplain cannot fully help them with. Some of these topics include, “Stress management, conflict resolutions, money management, premarital counseling, divorce recovery, cultural diversity, grief and mourning”. Referring someone to a professional in these areas may be the best thing a Chaplain can do to help them. As a Chaplain I will become familiar with such professionals in my community. I will learn what services they offer, and how one might be able to contact them to receive the help they need.
My overall vision for becoming a Chaplain is to simply love on all of God’s children in their moments of need. No matter the need, I want everyone in my daily life to know that I am there for them. More so, I want them to know that God loves them, and that He is there for them too.