Master of Chaplaincy essay. Colin Burgess.
I was only a private and if I had a problem with my immediate family whereas the Padre was a Captain and could boldly act as a go between for myself and the higher ups I dare not approach, since they have a working relationship with everyone. Their role seems to be very passive or neutral.
Regardless of their religious background (Muslim; Jewish; Christian) their task was as a moral officer and I could choose to seek them on a religious capacity if I so chose to.
I can see the importance of Chaplains not only being trained in their religious views but also in counseling.
In view of disastrous events taking place their training in counseling is much needed. Something as simple as a Chaplain in a mall or an airport (someone who is readily available to talk to) may be what prevents someone from taking their life or someone else. This may be the bit of advice a person needs to prevent their marriage that is on the rocks from failing or falling into an extra-marital affair.
I believe chaplaincy is something (from my Christian perspective) we are all called in some way or another to do. The scripture says in 1 John 2:26-27
“These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you. As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you.; but as His anointing teaches you about all things and is true and not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.”
My goal through this course (and through other courses I have taken is not to replace what the Holy Spirit is teaching me as I grow in my faith but to polish and refine the way I present it to the world.
Apart from my career goals as a minister I want to be ready with an answer at all times, prepared to counsel; admonish and build up anyone in need.
The job of a Chaplain is not a lot unlike therapist. You are in a position of trust and when you are called upon to function as a Chaplain you are put in a position of trust. You cannot violate their trust (unless their or another persons life is in danger.)
I loved the term in Lesson 2 of this course. “The divine Mark.”
One thing I have certainly notices what separates an army Chaplain apart from the other commissioned officers is their gentleness. Their goal is not to teach people to harm other (they cannot even touch a weapon apart from their pocket knife.) but their goal is to build up and help those in distress from a rough tour or a crisis at home. After seeing how the role these people play it is my desire to re-enlist in the forces to be a mediator between the troops and the higher ups who have forgotten how hard it is to be at the bottom. These young guys need an advocate and I would also love to start Bible studies on the base in my town for the weaker Christians who have gotten caught up in the military behaviour.
One thing that separates a Christian apart from a Christian who preaches the word of God is they really have to hunger and thirst for Gods word. They jealously guard their time alone with God in prayer and reading the word. In order to grow as a Christian you have to feast upon the word of God and in order to help others mature as a Christian you have to be maturing yourself. While doing this you yourself have to be in a position of humility and knowing you too sin and have the same weaknesses. It is you however who has a bit of education and a “WHOLE BUNCH” of Gods Holy Spirit anointing upon you. Without the Holy Spirit your education is dead.
Pertaining to Lesson 3.
I like the listening part. As Chaplains we have accrued a lot of head knowledge and knowledge puffs up. When someone is chattering away we might want to chime in. The best way to help someone is to simply shut up and listen. By the end of the conversation they may have talked themselves through the problem and all is left for you to do is shake their hand.
But in the case of being a teacher. I so firmly believe a teachers Bible must be worn out from use and they are surrounded in their own time by books authored by strong teachers.
I believe teachers should rise early and be on an exercise routine to keep their minds alert as well as their bodies. Their diet is clean and they present themselves well not as an act of deception to mask their inadequacies, but if I see a pastor wearing a stained shirt covered in potato chip crumbs all over his protruding stomach I am going to say, “this man simply does not care.”
Lead by example. Set a good one. This I believe falls in line with Titus 1:8 where it says an elder must be self-controlled. Not given over to their own lusts.
We must also take into consideration before opening taking the role of a teacher or chaplain James 3:1.
“Not many of you should become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgement.”
Before acting in the capacity of a Chaplain. Examine yourself first so you can carry out the role not out of an act of arrogance or being tempted but out of a position of being led by the Holy Spirit.
If you yourself catch yourself being led astray I sure hope you have a life line to God through prayer and have surrounded yourself with godly friends. Proverbs 27:17
“Iron sharpens iron,
So one man sharpens another.”
There are so many places that need chaplains.
The course pointed out a few.
- Shopping Malls; Cruise Ships; Police/Fire departments; Militaries; Nursing/Care homes. These are all opportunities to help people with practicing their faith if you share their practices and to pray with them or simply talk. If someone is dying in a hospital you may be the one they trust and you can also offer comfort to their families.
This as lesson 8 puts it building a relationship and not being a random person that enters their lives.
Once you take someone under your wing as a pastor you need to be consistent and follow through with meetings with them or to be somewhat available to them. This may involve getting a cell-phone (no matter how much you hate the things) in order to be reachable. If you seem like a phantom to someone in need this may lead to distrust; discouragement or depression.
In the interest of keeping this essay somewhat short and sweet I cannot cover every lesson.
But in conclusion. Pray, pray and pray more. Get into Gods word. He will put you in the position that suits you best.
While in the military my observances of a Padre or a Chaplain (more general term) is a go between.
I was only a private and if I had a problem with my immediate family whereas the Padre was a Captain and could boldly act as a go between for myself and the higher ups I dare not approach, since they have a working relationship with everyone. Their role seems to be very passive or neutral.
Regardless of their religious background (Muslim; Jewish; Christian) their task was as a moral officer and I could choose to seek them on a religious capacity if I so chose to.
I can see the importance of Chaplains not only being trained in their religious views but also in counseling.
I believe chaplaincy is something (from my Christian perspective) we are all called in some way or another to do. The scripture says in 1 John 2:26-27
“These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you. As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you.; but as His anointing teaches you about all things and is true and not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.”
My goal through this course (and through other courses I have taken is not to replace what the Holy Spirit is teaching me as I grow in my faith but to polish and refine the way I present it to the world.
Apart from my career goals as a minister I want to be ready with an answer at all times, prepared to counsel; admonish and build up anyone in need.
The job of a Chaplain is not a lot unlike therapist. You are in a position of trust and when you are called upon to function as a Chaplain you are put in a position of trust. You cannot violate their trust (unless their or another persons life is in danger.)
I loved the term in Lesson 2 of this course. “The divine Mark.”
One thing I have certainly notices what separates an army Chaplain apart from the other commissioned officers is their gentleness. Their goal is not to teach people to harm other (they cannot even touch a weapon apart from their pocket knife.) but their goal is to build up and help those in distress from a rough tour or a crisis at home. After seeing how the role these people play it is my desire to re-enlist in the forces to be a mediator between the troops and the higher ups who have forgotten how hard it is to be at the bottom. These young guys need an advocate and I would also love to start Bible studies on the base in my town for the weaker Christians who have gotten caught up in the military behaviour.
One thing that separates a Christian apart from a Christian who preaches the word of God is they really have to hunger and thirst for Gods word. They jealously guard their time alone with God in prayer and reading the word. In order to grow as a Christian you have to feast upon the word of God and in order to help others mature as a Christian you have to be maturing yourself. While doing this you yourself have to be in a position of humility and knowing you too sin and have the same weaknesses. It is you however who has a bit of education and a “WHOLE BUNCH” of Gods Holy Spirit anointing upon you. Without the Holy Spirit your education is dead.
Pertaining to Lesson 3.
I like the listening part. As Chaplains we have accrued a lot of head knowledge and knowledge puffs up. When someone is chattering away we might want to chime in. The best way to help someone is to simply shut up and listen. By the end of the conversation they may have talked themselves through the problem and all is left for you to do is shake their hand.
But in the case of being a teacher. I so firmly believe a teachers Bible must be worn out from use and they are surrounded in their own time by books authored by strong teachers.
I believe teachers should rise early and be on an exercise routine to keep their minds alert as well as their bodies. Their diet is clean and they present themselves well not as an act of deception to mask their inadequacies, but if I see a pastor wearing a stained shirt covered in potato chip crumbs all over his protruding stomach I am going to say, “this man simply does not care.”
Lead by example. Set a good one. This I believe falls in line with Titus 1:8 where it says an elder must be self-controlled. Not given over to their own lusts.
We must also take into consideration before opening taking the role of a teacher or chaplain James 3:1.
“Not many of you should become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgement.”
Before acting in the capacity of a Chaplain. Examine yourself first so you can carry out the role not out of an act of arrogance or being tempted but out of a position of being led by the Holy Spirit.
If you yourself catch yourself being led astray I sure hope you have a life line to God through prayer and have surrounded yourself with godly friends. Proverbs 27:17
“Iron sharpens iron,
So one man sharpens another.”
There are so many places that need chaplains.
The course pointed out a few.
- Shopping Malls; Cruise Ships; Police/Fire departments; Militaries; Nursing/Care homes. These are all opportunities to help people with practicing their faith if you share their practices and to pray with them or simply talk. If someone is dying in a hospital you may be the one they trust and you can also offer comfort to their families.
This as lesson 8 puts it building a relationship and not being a random person that enters their lives.
Once you take someone under your wing as a pastor you need to be consistent and follow through with meetings with them or to be somewhat available to them. This may involve getting a cell-phone (no matter how much you hate the things) in order to be reachable. If you seem like a phantom to someone in need this may lead to distrust; discouragement or depression.
In the interest of keeping this essay somewhat short and sweet I cannot cover every lesson.
But in conclusion. Pray, pray and pray more. Get into Gods word. He will put you in the position that suits you best.
He may put me in the role of a military chaplain but He may put you in the role of an evangelist that reaches millions on television telling them about the redemptive power of God.
Keep yourself from becoming proud and at the end of your sermon or your teaching no one should know your name so much as they do the name of God who inspired it in you.
So whether you are performing a funeral or preaching to the masses. Do it for God.
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