AM I CALLED TO BE A CHAPLAIN

By Patricia Wileman and Barbara Odom

Learning about there's many different kinds of chaplains. The importance of praying as a Chaplain. If your spirit filled, it helps to pray in the spirit. And learning how the Holy Spirit will lead you. You'll be learning as a Chaplain you are a servant of God. Helping you to understand sometimes being a C

• Language: English
• Publisher: Book Writer Online
• Release date: Jul 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9781088196113

Book preview

Am I Called To Be a

CHAPLAIN

CHAPLAIN PATTY

Copyright © 2023 Patricia Wileman

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at the address below.

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DEDICATION & APPRECIATION

God inspired me to write this in hopes that others will understand the mission chaplains are called to. I could not have done it without Him. He led me, He trained me and gave me resources that I can now share with you because God has an assignment for you to reach people that might never hear about His goodness.  I dedicate this book to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I also want to say thank you to Dr. Barbara Odom. Not only is she my spiritual mother, but she also encouraged me to write this book and helped me in the writing of it. 

CONTENTS

PREFACE

After selling my business, I moved from the business of Southern California to Mohave County in the beautiful deserts of Arizona.  I thought I was moving there to retire but God had other plans.  After my husband passed away God opened an opportunity for me to receive my license as an ordained minister/chaplain, and then He opened a door to chaplaincy. I stepped through that door not knowing what was to come, but I trusted the Lord.

I learned that chaplains have similarities with other ministers, but also many differences as well. I wanted to understand the differences of chaplaincy work and in understanding the varieties of chaplains then that would help me to grow into the kind of chaplain God called me to be.

Training was provided at my local church for Disaster Relief Chaplains, and I knew I needed that course.  After that I took many more courses, some online and some in other cities, and each one helped me to build the knowledge I needed to serve as a Disaster Chaplain.  Although saddened by the tragic events, it’s also been very rewarding.

In addition to being sent out on disasters I’ve also spent time serving people in convalescent homes, visiting with people one on one, praying for them, and teaching the word in a group setting.  That too has been very rewarding.

I believe this book will help you to also understand the varieties of chaplaincy and perhaps you’ll find where you fit and where God can best use the gifts, He created you with.  My hopes are that you’ll make yourself available to the need.

CHAPTER 1

What is a Chaplain’s Life and Ministry?

Chaplains and pastors share many tasks and abilities. Both have experienced a special call to ministry and service. Many chaplains are teachers, caregivers, witnesses of their faith, and advocates for people. Very similar to the calling of a local pastor.  Both have the desire to equip people to grow in spiritual maturity. So, what's the difference? The most significant difference is the setting in which the ministry is provided.

Chaplains are clergy members from a myriad of various religious faiths who have chosen to minister to people outside the walls of a church or other house of worship. They can be volunteers or employed by an institution or agency and serve the institution's clients, employees, and families. From a Christian perspective, their role is pastoral, prophetic, and priestly, even while simply talking to those who profess no religion, and sometimes no God. They enter the ministry opportunity with no personal agenda and the attitude of a servant.

Here are a few verses that will help you to understand why we are chaplains because there's so much more to being a chaplain than having a card in your wallet.

Reading out of the NLT Bible Jesus told us in Luke 10:27 "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’"

A chaplain is representing Jesus as His ambassador, and love is the culture. Therefore, you want to be the best you, by God’s grace. Once you were born again, you changed citizenships.  Consequently, you are not of this world, and you don't live like the world, or act like the world.  You’re of a different Kingdom.

Jesus continues the conversation and gives us a mandate through this parable found in Luke 10:29-37 NLT:

The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, And who is my neighbor? Jesus replied with a story: "A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.

By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by.  A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 

Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him.  The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’

Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?, Jesus asked. The man replied, The one who showed him mercy. Then Jesus said, Yes, now go and do the same.

We take the time to love people right where they are and we do so not expect anything in return.  That was the heart of the good Samaritan and that should be the heart of every chaplain.

As Christian chaplains, we love peace, and model it. We do our best to not get angry and we never promote or escalate conflict during a crisis.  It is not about you and your political opinions; it's all about Jesus and the person, or people you’re serving at the moment. Again, you represent Jesus when you stand in the office as a chaplain. A church leader (or chaplain) is a manager of God’s household (or people), so he must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money. Titus 1:7

Chaplains do not take their assignment lightly.  We must be honorable to the Lord when we accept this calling. If you're married, please be faithful to your spouse.  If you're single, remain faithful to the Lord avoiding sexual promiscuity. When you step into the ministry of chaplaincy you must remember you are a servant of the Lord and you’re His ambassador, representing Him, the Body of Christ (aka: the Church) and the Kingdom of God. 

When it comes to drinking alcohol, it might be a controversial subject but what I need to address is the problem of drinking heavily. I recommend that you don't drink at all because it will affect your ability to answer emergency calls if your blood alcohol level is too high. However, if you do drink alcohol please do so in moderation.  

While we’re talking about substances it's vital that you do not use illegal or addictive drugs.  It would be disconcerting to you, and to the ministry you represent, if you arrived on the scene of a tragedy and were arrested because you were intoxicated. It would be detrimental if you were en route to a crisis and were in a car accident where someone might be killed or badly hurt because you were under the influence.  That unfortunate scenario would bring a reproach on the ministry and the