The State Chaplain in the Minnesota Air National Guard participated in a traditional “changing of the stole” as Army Chaplain (Col) John Morris passed the stole to Air Force Chaplain (LtCol) Tim Martenson, Air Force chaplain.
The Minnesota National Guard command Read more
The Navy Chaplaincy now has a complete website for its own.
The blog will focus on how the Chaplain Corps meets its mission through the following core capabilities:
*To provide and facilitate religious ministry.
*Care for all with complete confidentiality.
*Advise leadership on morale, the moral and ethical command climate, and religious matters that affect the command’s mission.
The articles headlining the blog now seem to focus on ministry of presence — that is, chaplains in foxholes — and the protection of religious liberty.
Visit the site here.
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The Baptist Press recounted the stories of two US Army chaplains from the Vietnam War as it recalled the 40th anniversary of the end of that conflict.
Chaplain Charlie Clanton talks about a tragic realization that his “ministry was worthwhile.” Chaplain Clanton — a non-combatant — would eventually be awarded a Silver Star
for his term in Vietnam for leading troops through hostile territory and back to base camp after an injury to a commanding officer.
Chaplain Steve Gantt recalls performing services in the field — with a special escort from the commander: Read more
A group of Soldiers at Fort Bliss, Texas, was busy with readiness training — but their chaplains were right there with them:
“In the Army we talk about readiness,” said Chaplain (Maj.) Doug Downs, 2/1 AD chaplain. “In all different ways, folks have to be ready. Spiritual readiness is just as important for soldiers who are getting ready to, or who will potentially go to war.”
The chaplains provided a variety of services Read more
Several news reports over the past few months note that faced with growing concerns from its chaplains, the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board — which sends chaplains to the US military — has updated its guidance in light of the repeal of DADT and the open service of homosexuals in the US military:
“Our chaplains want to uphold the authority and relevancy of Scripture while continuing to serve in a very diverse setting,” said Doug Carver, the retired Army major general who leads NAMB’s chaplaincy efforts. “We believe these updated guidelines will help them do that while still sharing the love and the hope of Christ with everyone.”
In short, SBC chaplains must conduct every part of their ministry in accordance with the Christian faith — which reflects the “historic, natural and biblical view of marriage…” The specificity and clarity was praised by retired Chaplain (Col) Ron Crews of the Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty.
The guidelines also seem to specifically call out marriage retreats, like the US Army’s Strong Bonds: Read more
Chaplain (Capt) Joseph Wright describes how he and his family prepared for his first deployment, six months after he arrived at his first assignment:
We prayed, and we prepared. We read a book about preparing for deployment. It advised not to simply survive deployment, but thrive during it. Two retired colonels authored the book and emphasized the importance of trusting God and His plan. They shared the conviction that God is directing my family’s time of separation, because through it, He would be growing, maturing, and developing all of us in ways impossible if we stayed together.
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An Air Force article highlights the opening of the first US Air Force Chapel on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.
The location chosen for the most recent worship space was specific:
The non-denominational Christian worship service’s unique characteristic is its location inside the entry control point where it can reach airmen who otherwise may not be able to attend a worship service.
“The other chapels on base do an outstanding Read more
A US Marine Corps article highlights the fact that no matter where US troops go — from their doorstep to the front lines of combat — chaplains are right there with them:
The Marines started their day by getting out of their dirt-floor beds with rifles in hand. Next to them, however, was one person who was not a Marine but was wearing a camouflage uniform and worked, ate and slept just as they did. The sun caught the golden cross on his lapel as the greetings of “good morning Chaps” started.
The article goes on to explain the role Read more