My Next Steps

By Larry Seely

Let me begin my next step by saying that I strongly believe that according to scripture in Proverbs 16:3 that I must fully commit to God for my ministry to others in all I do for it is God that will establish my plans for in Proverbs 16:9 it says that we plan our course but it is God that establishes our steps. As I move forward in ministry I will look to God to establish each and every step I take as I follow God”s example by loving and caring for each and every person I minister to no matter what regardless of ethnicity, religion, age, sex, etc. As a chaplain, I understand that there is no cheat sheet, manual, or an easy button to use when performing the many different tasks of a chaplain and that I must always keep an open mind, be flexible, be a good listener, to always encourage others, give others hope, and be supportive in any manner necessary while understanding that I will be ministering to people with many different backgrounds and different spiritual beliefs or none at all which will call for me to be patient and to always remain professional, sincere, and compassionate to others needs even if it first begins with meeting their basic needs such as food, clothing, housing, etc.

I’m now prepared to keep watch as Jesus calls us to do in Matthew 26:36-45 and to seek out those in need of spiritual care and by doing this that I will be ministering to a lot of different people in many traditional and non-traditional settings especially outside the church walls as I become the church going out into the streets and other buildings and being a representative for God by showing those I’m ministering to not only my physical presence but a spiritual presence and also by being an emotional presence through listening to them so I can properly assess their needs and diagnose what ministry to apply to properly gain their trust so that they invitation would come for me to be able to minister spiritually using the Word of God without them not Wanting to accept it openly. I also understand and accept the responsibilities and duties that go along with becoming a chaplain such as being able to be called upon to unite people in Holy Matrimony which is not done lightly, as well as doing a great task as Jesus calls us to do in Matthew 28:19 which he tells us to go unto the whole world baptizing “in the name of the Father, and in the Son and in the name of the Holy Spirit” and to make Disciples and the other tasks of being as an umbrella and wearing many hats such as Minister, Pastor, Counselor, Advocate, Liason, and many more.

As I plan my course as I minister to the “lesser ones” it is God that will establish my next step but my planned course for my next step I’m going to use my chaplaincy to minister to the many homeless and less fortunate within my community as well as my city. I also plan on ministering to those unable to step foot inside of church doors due to the inability of doing so because of a disability, illness, being bedridden, in hospice or a nursing home or where ever may be neccesary. I want to be the church beyond the walls and lead others to Christ. I want to let others know that God is willing to meet you right where you’re at. I plan to minister to others within my church as needed or called upon and to always remember to keep watch and be ready to seek out those needing spiritual or supportive ministry while being held accountable first and foremost by God, but as well as my pastors at my church as I minister, study, and further my ministry education, and perform my chaplain duties under their supervision and guidance to better my calling as a chaplain.

As a chaplain, I also plan to minister to bikers and their families and to one day have a goal of becoming the chaplain of the motorcycle ministry I am a current member of but most of all I want to be a disciple and lead others to Christ and to show others the love of Christ through my ministry. I have set a goal for myself hopefully in alignment with God’s Will and become a pastor one day as I study and prepare during my time as a chaplain. this is my next step according to my phlilosophy of ministry and what I have learned while studying and applying myself to this course and also know I have not done this alone but with the power and grace of Jesus Christ who through him all things are possible.