Philosophy on Chaplaincy

By Jerry McFarlen (North Dakota)

John 3:17 – “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
Mark 16:15 – He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”

Jesus tells us to go out into All the world and preach the gospel. One of my favorite verses is a less used one in John 3:17 but this I believe is exactly what the world needs to know. I believe we as Christians, not just chaplains, are called to go tell everyone we come in contact with that Jesus did not come to this earth as fully man and fully God to judge the world but to save it. We are called to show love, compassion and show the light of Christ to those we come in contact with.

As someone who used to be an atheist but married to an amazing Godly woman. I learned from her what a chaplain truly is. She showed me love, compassion, and used understanding during my darkest days. She didn’t push anything on me but she did show me Christ’s love. That is what I believe we are called to do to those around us. Sometimes that can look like just listening and occasional that will call us to use words.