JULY 2018
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PASTORS
CHAPLAINCY A LIGHT IN EVERY CORNER COMING SUMMER 2018
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Published by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Read by clergy of all faiths.
04 Letters “I have not left the ministry!” 06 Dick Stenbakken 05 Guest Editorial This author experienced a depth of ministry fulfillment beyond anything he had ever imagined. Explore aspects 26 Dateline of chaplaincy not previously considered. 28 Practical Pointers
My bucket is running empty: Cumulative 30 Resources 10 stress in ministry Claudio Consuegra and Pamela Consuegra MINISTRY® INTERNATIONAL EDITORS International Journal for Pastors Chinese-Robert Wong Those who serve people are the most vulnerable to stress 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, French-Bernard Sauvagnat MD 20904-6600 U.S.A. Japanese-Masaki Shoji overload—even suicide. Read what you can do, from www.ministrymagazine.org [email protected] Korean-Soon Ki Kang persons who have seen the worst. Portuguese (South America)-Wellington EDITOR Barbosa Pavel Goia Russian-Michael Kaminsky ASSOCIATE EDITOR Spanish (Inter-America)-Pablo Perla Chaplaincy: Are you called? Jeffrey O. Brown Spanish (South America)-Marcos Blanco CONSULTANTS TO EDITOR INTERNATIONAL John Fowler, Clifford Goldstein, ADVISORS Lisa Clouzet Myrna Tetz, Gerald Wheeler 14 Ron Clouzet, Michael D. Collins, “Okay, chaplaincy is a calling.” Read about how to EDITORIAL SPECIALIST Daniel Devadhas, Carlos Hein, Patrick Sheryl Beck Johnson, Victor Kozakov, Geoffrey G. determine whether or not this calling applies to you. FINANCE AND Mbwana, Musa Mitekaro, Passmore TECHNOLOGY MANAGER Mulambo, Daniel Opoku-Boateng, John Feezer IV Hector Sanchez, Houtman Sinaga, Elias STUDENT WORKER Brasil de Souza, Ivan L. Williams, Ted The healing place Joshua Venn N. C. Wilson 17 Nigel G. David Sr. Chaplains and pastors are similar, but learn how a ADVERTISING SUBSCRIPTIONS chaplain approaches the place of healing for distress, [email protected] 12 issues: United States US$32.99; Canada SUBSCRIPTION and overseas US$47.00. To order: send grief, and loss. ASSISTANT name, address, and payment to Ministry® Kathleen Burton Subscriptions, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600 U.S.A. SUBSCRIPTIONS/ www.ministrymagazine.org/subscribe. RENEWALS/ADDRESS DIGITAL DELIVERY Sharpening saws and saving lives CHANGES Print subscribers can sign up for digital delivery [email protected] Larry Yeagley at www.ministrymagazine.org/digital. 20 +1 301-680-6511 Continuing education in ministry is a must. Get started +1 301-680-6502 (fax) TO WRITERS We welcome unsolicited manuscripts. COVER with timely suggestions—from someone who has been Before submitting, review the writers’ LightStock / 316 Creative guidelines at www.ministrymagazine.org. there. LAYOUT Please send manuscripts via email to 316 Creative [email protected]. Jesus and Eli: Antithetical portraits of spiritual care models Host: Anthony Kent 22 Cohost: Ivan Williams Sikhumbuzo Dube www.MinistryinMotion.tv The wounded need healing—from wounded healers.
Learn how to identify right and wrong models of spiritual Ministry® has been published monthly since PRINTER Pacific Press® Pub. Assn., 1350 N. Kings Rd., Nampa, ID 83687 care. 1928 by the Ministerial Association, General Standard mail postage paid at Nampa, Idaho. Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.® (ISSN 0026-5314) Ministry is a peer-reviewed journal. Member of Associated Church Press. Adventist®, Seventh-day Adventist®, and SECRETARY Jerry N. Page Ministry® are the registered trademarks BIBLE CREDITS Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the King James Version. Scripture quotations marked MEV are scripture taken from the Modern English Version. of the General Conference Corporation of Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, ASSOCIATE SECRETARIES Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. Scripture quotations marked NIV® are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW Seventh-day Adventists®. INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Scripture marked NKJV is taken from the New King James Jonas Arrais, Jeffrey Brown, Robert Costa, Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture texts credited to NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Vol. 90, No. 7 © 2018 © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken Pavel Goia, Anthony Kent, Janet Page PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. www.ministrymagazine.org LETTERS
Preach on I very much appreciate the erek Morris gave great advice for Dall preachers of the sacred text! (“Effective Sermon Delivery,” September article. It has given me another 2017). This is, I believe, the “missing jewel” in most preachers. And this is the single most important reason (aside avenue through which I can from prayer and fasting) that makes most preaching fall on deaf ears. We need a resurgence of a George Whitefield, Daniel respond to my congregations. Rowlands, and Charles Spurgeon style in a post-Christian society that we are Thank you so much. suffering from right now. —Elijah Spurgeon, by email Right on he article by Stanley Patterson T(“Seven Rules for Pastoral Interns,” Speak on Lloyd-Jones. This man’s journey is an November 2017) was an eye-opener thoroughly enjoyed Dr. Kendall’s arti- amazing account of the unpredict- for me. I can actually say that it is “right Icle, “The Holy Nudge” (March 2018). able track upon which God places His on.” I’m pastoring one church and a Now more than ever, I am convinced people. Fine article! small company which included three God still speaks to us in a sanctified way —Lawrence Downing, DMin, retired pastor different congregations: Spanish, English (as we are committed to obedience and conservative, and English very conserva- His voice while sold out to His will alone Keep on tive. This, at times, is a challenge for me for our lives). appreciated Shaunti Feldhahn’s article to deal with, but thanks be to God for As I read, I was hoping to read a I(“Game Changers: Five Transformative His leading. I very much appreciate the verse that has been very helpful for me Truths Every Pastor Needs to Know,” article. It has given me another avenue through the years as I have learned to March 2018) in understanding our sexu- through which I can respond to my listen to God, and perhaps since this is ality as married persons. We need more congregations. Thank you so much. part of a book it’s referenced elsewhere. such discussions because they help —Jose J. Gutierrez, pastor, Palmdale Seventh-day Isaiah 30:21 says, “Whether you turn normalize conversation about our own Adventist Church to the right or to the left, your ears will experiences of sex and attraction. I am hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is speaking as a pastor. If we as church Editorial note: We are happy to say that the way, walk in it’ ” (NIV). leaders can be balanced and healthy in the article “Seven Rules for Pastoral Recently I had an experience where how we talk about sex in our own lives, Interns” received the Professional I heard from God, through older men, then when we help others understand Resource “Award of Merit” at the 2018 speak directly to my life and specific cir- it, that helps cultivate healthy sexual- Associated Church Press Conference. cumstances. I was reaffirmed because of ity, which helps not to be predisposed Congratulations, Dr. Stanley Patterson! timing and the setting I was in that God “against” sex. is clearly still speaking to His children! I realize that Feldhahn’s article Spot on —Mike Hansen, hospital chaplain, Parker, was directed at pastors, but her article hank you for the article “Baptizing Colorado, United States would have had even broader appli- Tthe Devil: Evolution and Seduction cability had she included insights on of Christianity” by Clifford Goldstein in r. R. T. Kendall, an American healthy sexuality in the life of single the January 2018 issue. For a long time, I DBaptist pastor, was invited to people in their walk of faith as well. have had the ideas that he wrote about— fill the pulpit at Westminster Chapel Thanks again for Ministry. I find it but pretty much kept them to myself. In London, England. What a challenge, to both inspiring and practical. the current teaching, there is no mention occupy the pulpit once inhabited —Tim Reimer, pastor, Danforth Mennonite Continued on page 25 by G. Campbell Morgan and Martyn Church, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Ministry® JULY 2018 GUEST EDITORIAL MARIO CEBALLOS
Mario Ceballos, DMin, a chaplain certified by the Association of Professional Chaplains, serves as director of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries and the World Service Organization for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States.
A hole in the bucket
uring a working lunch, a senior departments of our communities. to minister to God's children wherever leader of my denomination Military chaplains share Jesus with they are. If we do not plug the hole Dasked me, “Isn’t evangelism the those in uniform who are serving their through which people are leaving the most important role of our church?” country. Chaplains even minister on church, many of our evangelistic efforts My response was, “Of course! That is sport teams. For many individuals, it are wasted. how we fulfill our mission.” During my is their first and only contact with a Chaplains are evangelists who have long trip home following that meet- church. The concept and image that been commissioned to form, mold, ing, I began to ponder this profound they take with them of the church affirm, and build God's vibrant, ever- question that challenges chaplains and is given to them by chaplains. Many growing church by reaching some who their role in the evangelistic mission of times, the chaplain’s passive evangelis- might not hear the good news any other the church. tic approach and presence evangelizes way. Chaplains are evangelists who There are different ways to fulfill individuals through the chaplain’s reinforce and instill loyalty, love, and the gospel commission of evangelizing loving care, support, and compassion care for God’s precious church in the the world (Matt. 28:18–20). The most for their souls. impressionable minds of youth. They successful form of evangelism has Chaplains are uniquely trained with hold the present and future of God’s taken place in churches across the years of experience, first as a church church in their hands. planet. Usually, under the leadership pastor. That parish ministry, along Many years ago, when I was in youth of a pastor, church members go into with theological and clinical training, ministries, my wife gave me a little the highways and byways to carry on prepares chaplains to help patients book titled Children’s Letters to God. the mandate of the Lord to teach all who are in crisis find answers to their In her innocent and apparent pain of nations. questions. The patients open doors for losing someone she cared for, a little Reaping campaigns with an chaplains to witness and provide pre- girl, called Jane, wrote, “Dear God, evangelist follow these efforts, and cious truth and hope to the dilemmas instead of letting people die and having thousands commit their lives to of eternal life. to make new ones why don’t you just become disciples of our Lord, Jesus Chaplains are ministers represent- keep the ones you got now?” 2 Little Christ. It continues to be the most ing the church in a secular world. Most Jane delivers a profound statement successful way to fulfill our God-given of the parishioners are not church mem- that should make us pause and examine destiny. Yet, thousands have gone out bers, but look to the chaplain as their what we are doing to safeguard those the back door. spiritual advisor and guide. Chaplains all around us. Our communities will be Our children, dear friends, brothers, often provide ministry at the crossroads better served and cared for if we invest sisters, uncles, aunts are escaping of life—birth, graduations, marriages, more time, money, and effort to care for, through this hole in the bucket. Enter promotions, illness, and at the end of or “pastor,” the flock in the churches, chaplaincy. The chaplain’s evangelistic life. All chaplains are pastors, and all schools, hospitals, prisons, military, role is all-encompassing. Every day pastors are called to fulfill the role of and law enforcement under our charge. health-care chaplains meet patients, a chaplain many times during their Enter chaplaincy. Together, let’s plug their families, and visitors in our ministry. the hole. hospitals. College chaplains work Ron Edmondson lists seven reasons with young people in our educational why people leave the church: burn- 1 Ron Edmondson, “7 Disappointing Reasons People institutions, and correctional chaplains out, injury, distraction, life change, Leave Church,” Bible Study Tools, www minister to incarcerated men and mistakes, power struggle, and lack .biblestudytools.com/blogs/ron-edmondson/7 1 -disappointing-reasons-people-leave-the-church. women paying their debt to society. of connections. It is interesting to html. Chaplains minister to the women note that all of those listed have to do 2 Stuart Hample and Eric Marshall, compilers, and men in uniform who are serv- with pastoral care. Regardless of our Children’s Letters to God (New York: Workman Pub Co, ing in the police or fire and rescue pastoral role, the most important role is 1991), no provided page numbers.
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JULY 2018 Ministry® LEAD ARTICLE DICK STENBAKKEN
Dick Stenbakken, EdD, a retired chaplain (colonel), United States Army, is a speaker and author residing in Loveland, Colorado, United States.1
“I have not left the ministry!”
remember, vividly, when I was commanders, physicians, nurses, and or even a foreman. However, if Jane returning from Vietnam as a United others in the institutional setting), is working as a medical technologist States Army chaplain, a pastor it also encompasses ministry to the in a hospital or Don is down-range in Iasked me, “So, what made you institution. military training, the chaplain would decide to leave ministry to become Institutions are unique in that they be welcomed and not at all out of a chaplain?” The semi-smirk on his have their own history, backgrounds, place. In fact, the chaplain is expected face made his meaning crystal clear: customs, dress codes, culture, and to be there. chaplaincy is not real ministry. even language. Essentially, an institu- While that incident was many years tion is a subculture of its own. That The spiritual role ago, that same thinking still wafts makes it difficult, if not impossible, to Religious and spiritual services are around ministerial discussions. Be minister to an institution from outside offered to all, with some selecting the assured, chaplaincy is dead-on center the institution. Becoming part of the chaplain as their pastor on a more inti- when it comes to ministry. In fact, in organization affords the opportunity to mate basis. A chaplain either provides various communities and institutions, develop an identity that is recognized for or provides the religious care for chaplaincy is a ministry of presence and, therefore, opens doors to ministry those served, as the individuals request where a local pastor cannot have easy, that otherwise would not only be shut or need (mirroring the many occa- or sometimes any, access to meet but, in many cases, locked. sions on which Jesus asked those He the spiritual needs of people. These Chaplains, in general, have direct encountered, “What do you want?”). If a chaplaincies are a true reflection of access to the institutional leadership prison chaplain encounters a Buddhist incarnational ministry where ministry in ways not available to those outside inmate who wants religious services is done by someone who, fully part of that institution. As an example, in the or contact, a Christian chaplain would the group, ministers to that group from military, the chaplain is expected and arrange for someone with a Buddhist an inside perspective rather than trying required to interact with the command- background to provide for the needs to impact the system from the outside. ers on issues of morale and morality. A of that individual. That is part of the local pastor would not have that access challenge/opportunity of chaplaincy The institutional setting on a military installation; nor would and it is markedly different from the Chaplaincy also has become an the pastor have that kind of access to role of a parish pastor. intensely refined ministry in a variety a workplace where a parishioner is Chaplaincy is both centrifugal and of institutional settings, ranging from employed. centripetal by nature. It is centrifugal, hospitals and correctional facilities Chaplains are expected, and in that the chaplain goes out to the to the military, campus, industry, and welcomed, to interact with the people; centripetal, in calling people other venues. Institutional ministry decision-makers in the institution into a smaller, more intimate religious has similarities to other kinds of minis- (campus, hospital, or other settings) community. tries—but also one very big difference. where they are assigned. If Fred works The marked difference is that, as a in a manufacturing plant, his pastor The high bar chaplain, while ministry is done for would be seen as out of place trying to Over the past years, chaplaincy the people (staff, patients, inmates, seek contact with the plant manager has become much more professional,
Ministry® JULY 2018 demanding high levels of training and maintain credibility in the institution. with people and chaplains of all functioning. The bar keeps getting higher Part of the hospital accreditation process faiths, ethnicities, and backgrounds. and higher as institutions increase entry- is to assess the chaplaincy program to Assignments often include a wide level requirements. In a health-care ensure that those serving as chaplains variety of tasks, including visiting, setting, most employers will require a are trained, prepared, and professionally preaching, teaching, mentoring, train- graduate theological degree plus several recognized. If not, the hospital can take a ing, fund management, personnel quarters of clinical pastoral education “hit” that can degrade the overall score management, supervising and being
Chaplaincy is an opportunity to mirror the incarnational ministry of Jesus: to be where people have needs and to help them cope, grow, and build a deeper walk with God.
(CPE).2 The military and virtually all with JCAHO and have a negative impact supervised, ongoing educational federal chaplaincies require a master’s on the hospital’s accreditation and, and professional training/upgrades, of divinity degree from an accredited therefore, its ability to attract third-party and policy development. A military seminary, with two or more years of payments. chaplain has to pass all the physical pastoral experience before one can fitness requirements, be prepared to even apply. Multitasking, deploy with their troops at a moment’s Hospitals in the United States multiculturalism, and notice, and serve wherever assigned. must meet the standards of the Joint diversity That assignment can mean prolonged Commission on Accreditation of Health- Being a chaplain also means an separation from home and family and care Organizations (JCAHO) to help ever-expanding circle of contacts exposure to the rigors and dangers (as
JULY 2018 Ministry® LEAD ARTICLE DICK STENBAKKEN
well as opportunities for ministry) in experience to work cooperatively with Or a first sergeant who had deep actual combat situations. peers with whom there are theological marital and other problems. Some of Women are highly desired and points upon which you will never agree his men threatened to kill him, so he respected within chaplaincy because but with whom you can and do minister put two bullet holes through his door, they bring different points of view and on behalf of the institution and those then called for the chaplain. When I ideas to the ministry team. Both the therein. responded, he still had the .45 in his United States (US) Army and US Air I can tell a myriad of stories proving hand and half a bottle of whiskey on his Force have had women serve as chief that chaplains are vital. A counselee table. When I stepped into his place to of chaplains at the two-star (major was able to get an understanding of see what was going on (I had no idea), general) level. and release from something that had he leveled the .45 at me from about One key piece in any institutional tormented her for most of her life. Her 10 feet away and told me to shut and chaplaincy is the ability and willingness husband was there, with her, when she lock the door behind me. After some to work closely with people who said, “Thank God! I have waited thirty harrowing time together, he put the gun come from vastly different religious years to release this; now it’s gone.” on the table and settled down, and we backgrounds and to do so with grace He had no idea how deeply hurt she were able to get him help before he hurt while not compromising one’s own had been many years before they were someone or himself. religious standards or beliefs. To say married. He only knew something was There are celebrations too. Such the least, it is an ongoing learning broken, and they came to get help. as the young Jewish woman who was
The story of Marty BY DICK STENBAKKEN
was half a world away from my family voice, “I just saw the devil!” His visage turned and asked, “Chaplain, do you in Vietnam as a unit chaplain. It was told me that it might well be true. My have a Bible that I could have? I really Ia Saturday night, and as I entered first thought was that, maybe, I needed need to read the Bible and get my head my pitch-dark office, my brain virtually to look over my shoulder, just in case. on straight.” screamed, “There is someone else in “Sir, thank God it’s you, Chaplain. I “Sure, Marty,” I said. “I always keep this room!” That is creepy anywhere, saw the devil tonight, and I’m scared! some pocket-sized New Testament and but in a combat zone, in utter darkness, That’s why I came to your office.” The Psalms with me. Here, take this one.” it puts your adrenaline into overdrive words tumbled out of his trembling “Thank you, sir! I’ll read it, I really instantly. In a millisecond, various body. No doubt about it, he was shaking will! And, thanks for listening and car- thoughts raced through my mind: Run with terror. His eyes were bloodshot, his ing. Hope I didn’t scare you too much,” for your life! Duck down! Back out slowly! face flushed. Tears left clean trails down he said with a smile. Don’t move! Move as fast as you can! his face as he sat on the floor hugging I returned his smile saying, “Well, Turn on the lights! No . . . that will give his knees while he rocked back and you did surprise me, but maybe God has them a better shot! Keep in mind that, forth in the corner of my office. some surprises for both of us.” as a chaplain, I served on active duty “You came to the right place,” I said He was in chapel for the services the without a weapon, both by my personal more calmly than my blood pressure next morning. Smiling, he held up the choice and by Geneva Convention and would have indicated. “You are safe Bible I had given him the night before. US Army regulations. here. Tell me what’s happening.” I found out from some of the staff that My hand swept down the wall to For the next hour, Marty poured out Marty had quite a reputation. He was the light switch, and the dark room his heart: all of his hurts, challenges, known to have a red-hot temper and was flooded with light. Then I saw fears, and needs. I listened attentively, to be more than willing to have a drink him. His eyes were wider than mine. and as he wound down, I asked whether with the guys. It was suspected that he He was cowering in a corner to my he would like for us to pray together. had been into drugs as well. Drugs and left, wide-wild-eyed, open mouthed, “Oh, yes! I need that, I really do,” was alcohol were too readily available, and and obviously terrified—one of the his eager reply. some of the troops used marijuana and troops from our unit. Before I could We prayed together, and he calmed alcohol to ease the stress of being where say anything, he spoke in a quavering down. When the prayer was over, Marty they were. Heroin was readily available
Ministry® JULY 2018 deep in grief because she could not make a difference in people’s lives. in new and exciting adventures. seem to conceive, and in her family Chaplaincy is an opportunity to mirror Chaplaincy is a calling, a profession, being a parent was paramount. She the incarnational ministry of Jesus: and a ministry opportunity that few came to a Christian chaplain for prayer to be where people have needs and options will ever equal. It is worth and counseling. We prayed together to help them cope, grow, and build a prayerful consideration. Would it fit and looked at Scripture together, and deeper walk with God. So, to answer everyone? Not at all. Is it truly ministry? she was able to release her needs to the query of that long-ago question, Absolutely. God. Several months later she came becoming a chaplain was not leaving back with the news that she and her ministry. On the contrary, it propelled 1 Dick Stenbakken has authored several books, husband were expecting. She came me into a ministry that is wider and appeared on over 50 TV programs, and produced back with the baby later and asked for deeper than anything I had ever imag- eight DVD sets. His web page is www.biblefaces a prayer of thanks and blessing. ined or experienced before. .com. 2 See Judith R. Ragsdale, “Transforming Chaplaincy Being a chaplain is a privilege. Are all called to chaplaincy? No, Requires Transforming Clinical Pastoral Education,” Sometimes scary, sometimes danger- but as for me and my house, it is Journal of Pastoral Care and Counseling 72, no. 1, ous, sometimes filled with celebration, an energizing, fun, and challenging (March 2018): 58–62, but never boring because chaplains ministry that continues to unfold doi.org/10.1177/1542305018762133.
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and inexpensive. Had Marty seen the “What do you mean?” I asked, turn, marches up to the guy, grabs him devil, or was he hallucinating? It really mentally bracing for what I might hear. by the collar, puts his Bible right up to did not matter. He had sought contact “Well, Chaplain, Marty is one of the the guy’s nose and says, ‘Listen here. with me, his unit chaplain, and left with perimeter guards, you know.” You better take this Bible and read it a friend and a Bible. Yes, I knew that, and it only for yourself. If you don’t, I’m gonna About a week later, Marty came heightened my concern. Perimeter rearrange your face! Got it?’ ” running up to me as I was entering the guards were often the first to be hit by “And,” the kid continued, “he gave mess hall. “Chaplain! I need a Bible!” he the enemy if they tried to penetrate the me this Bible and wants me to read said with a broad smile. perimeter of our base. it. Sir, Marty has changed. He’s off “Sure, Marty,” I responded, “Take The young man shook his head and the booze and stuff, and he is really a this one.” continued, “Marty used to be one of the different guy.” “Thanks!” he shouted over his biggest fighters, drinkers, and druggies All I could do was stifle a smile. shoulder as he trotted off. in the unit. We were all kind of afraid of Now I know why Marty was asking A couple of days later, Marty him. But lately, well, he has changed. I for more Bibles. While I did not agree approached me again with another mean really changed. I have seen him with all of his methodology, it was request for another Bible. My thought talking with you, and I want to know apparent to the whole unit that was, Maybe he has more problems than what has happened to Marty.” something had happened to Marty. any of us know. Maybe he just forgot Before I could answer, the young He had changed his direction, and he that I have given him several Bibles. The soldier told me, “Just the other day, wanted others to experience changes additional puzzling thing was that he when we were changing guards at the in their lives as he had. Our “chance” seemed happy, enthusiastic, and more wire, here comes Marty with his M-16 on meeting in my darkened office had cooperative in the unit than he had his shoulder—and a Bible in his hand. We started a change in his life that neither been before. hardly ever saw him without his Bible.” of us could have predicted. I think it A couple of weeks later, one of “So, what happened,” I asked. was not a chance meeting at all. It Marty’s friends came up to me and “Well, sir, one of the guys spouted was a Divine appointment—and I was blurted out, “Chaplain, what happened off to Marty and said, ‘Hey! Marty! You privileged to be a part of it. to Marty?” gonna be a preacher or something? I do not change lives; only God In a combat zone that question can Always packin’ that Bible around with can. But God used me in a unique have a myriad of connotations, most you!’ ” situation in a unique ministry to of them envisioning less-than-happy “As quick as a flash,” the kid con- bring His change to Marty. That’s answers. tinued his story, “Marty does this left chaplaincy.
JULY 2018 Ministry® CLAUDIO CONSUEGRA AND PAMELA CONSUEGRA
Claudio Consuegra, DMin, and Pamela Consuegra, PhD, are Family Ministries directors for the North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Columbia, Maryland, United States.
My bucket is running empty: Cumulative stress in ministry
e share a very dubious suddenly of a massive heart attack. the outside. At the same time, they were distinction: both our In one day their entire world turned both deeply traumatized and in pain for youngest brothers were upside down. Their mother plunged most of their lives until they made the Wpolicemen—and both into the depths of grief, and for that first final, tragic decision and ended their committed suicide. The circumstances year, for all practical purposes, they did lives with a gun, a weapon with which were different, but the fact remains not have a mother. Claudio’s brother they were both very familiar. the same: they both ended their own experienced the death of their father, It was not one event that led them lives. The trauma associated with these the emotional absence of their mother, to the point of suicide but, rather, tragedies made us understand why Job and later the transition of moving to the a series of events. Most of us would could say, “May the day perish on which United States to start a new life in a new probably be able to handle a specific I was born, and the night in which it land with a new language, a new culture, loss, as bad or painful as it may be. What was said, ‘A male child is conceived’ ” and, within a year, a new religious faith. is almost overwhelming to some is a (Job 3:3).1 ‘And the question is, How do After high school, he joined the Air series of such losses. Scripture gives in chaplains and pastors minister to the Force, married, and had 10 tumultuous the life of Job one of the best examples pain that befalls others while coping with years in that relationship. He then of cumulative stress. We read in the first pain that comes to their own doorsteps? became a police officer, divorced his chapter of the book that bears his name As a young boy, Pamela’s brother first wife, and moved in with and later about his first major loss: “ ‘The oxen was sexually molested by a man in married his second wife. After 12 years were plowing and the donkeys feeding church. The traumatic abuse caused of challenges, discouragement, and beside them, when the Sabeans raided him to developed a perfectionistic, stress in police work, he became an them and took them away—indeed they almost manic-compulsive personality. Air Force Reserve recruiter. But he was have killed the servants with the edge Dressing impeccably, he cleaned and never happy, and after a brief affair, of the sword; and I alone have escaped washed his police car daily and kept conflict at home, and one attempted to tell you!’ ” (Job 1:14, 15). his house flawless. One day, while in suicide, he, too, used a gun to end his As if that were not enough, “while his second marriage and facing bank- life. He was 50 years old. he was still speaking, another also ruptcy, roadwork damaged his house As we look back at the lives of our came and said, ‘The fire of God fell from beyond repair. Telling no one in the two brothers, we realize that they had so heaven and burned up the sheep and family and leaving no note, after his wife many things in common. Each had two the servants, and consumed them; and I and her son left the house early in the marriages, one divorce, two children (a alone have escaped to tell you!’ ” (v. 16). morning, he turned his service gun on boy and a girl each); both were success- In one vast sweep, the Sabeans wiped himself. He was 33 years old. ful and appreciated in their respective out a large part of Job’s income. The When Claudio’s younger brother jobs; both were in law enforcement; and loss of income, investments, property, was seven years old, their dad died both appeared to be generally happy on or savings has driven many to despair
Ministry® JULY 2018 and deep depression. But if that were another also came and said, ‘Your sons mother’s womb, and naked shall I not enough, Job then learned of the loss and daughters were eating and drinking return there. The Lord gave, and the of his employees, humans much more wine in their oldest brother’s house, Lord has taken away; blessed be the valuable emotionally than animals or and suddenly a great wind came from name of the Lord’ ” (v. 21). property: “While he was still speak- across the wilderness and struck the One more challenge remained for ing, another also came and said, ‘The four corners of the house, and it fell on Job: the loss of his health. “Satan went Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the young people, and they are dead; out from the presence of the Lord, and
Church members may not realize or be aware of how these stressors affect pastoral caregivers, but we feel them deeply inside. Stress in ministry is unending, and it drains and saps our energy daily.
the camels and took them away, yes, and I alone have escaped to tell you!’ ” struck Job with painful boils from the and killed the servants with the edge (vv. 18, 19). sole of his foot to the crown of his head. of the sword; and I alone have escaped One thing added to another and And he took for himself a potsherd with to tell you!’ ” (v. 17). another in Job’s life until they felt like which to scrape himself while he sat in It is one thing to lose your employ- an overwhelming weight he could not the midst of the ashes” (Job 2:7, 8). At ees, even if you care deeply about them; lift. But because of the close connection the moment he most needed support but it is another when death touches he had with God (vv. 1, 4, 5), he turned and encouragement, his own wife, who your own family members. At this point to Him and worshiped (v. 20) so that was probably in as much grief as he was, in the story, Job received the worst those painful losses did not crush him, could not help him but instead insisted, news of all: “While he was still speaking, “and he said: ‘Naked I came from my “ ‘Curse God and die!’ ” (v. 9).
JULY 2018 Ministry® CLAUDIO CONSUEGRA AND PAMELA CONSUEGRA
Nothing can be sweeter than the gift New York City, the site of the collapse of of friendship, particularly when we are the World Trade Center after the attacks going through painful circumstances. of September 11, 2001, working with Job had lost everything: property, the Port Authority Police department employees, children, and even the when, in a matter minutes, they lost support and encouragement of his own 27 of their team, including the chief wife. He needed someone to help, to and the top brass. He also participated walk with him through this dark valley in 27 debriefings for the emergency of pain, sickness, and despair. personnel involved in the rescue The book of Job tells us that “when efforts after the bridge collapsed over Job’s three friends heard of all this the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, adversity that had come upon him, each Minnesota, on August 1, 2007, killing one came from his own place—Eliphaz 13 people and injuring 145. During the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and all these years as a law enforcement Zophar the Naamathite. For they had chaplain, he has seen tough, battle- made an appointment together to come hardened cops continue doing their and mourn with him, and to comfort job as committed as always—but with church conflict him. And when they raised their eyes stress eating away at them little by little. nominating committee from afar, and did not recognize him, Sergeant Robin Klein of the Long they lifted their voices and wept; and Beach California Police department finances each one tore his robe and sprinkled said, “It probably won’t be a bullet church board dust on his head toward heaven. So that strikes an officer down, but the evangelistic meetings they sat down with him on the ground effects of chronic stress.”2 One of the seven days and seven nights, and no factors associated with stress among one spoke a word to him, for they saw law enforcement personnel is those that his grief was very great” (vv. 11–13). incidents outside the range of nor- and annual nominating committee Herein lies a very important remedy mal activity. Such critical events may meetings, the sermon preparation, for a heart heavy with trauma, pain, include attending to disasters (bomb- the evangelistic meetings, the funeral and grief: Job’s friends, hearing of his ings, plane crashes, school shootings, service for a dear member, camp meet- distress, came to be with him. When multiple car accidents, etc.), witness- ing, and on and on, all wear away at us. they saw him, they cried with him. In ing death or mutilation, and dealing Claudio remembers the day in their desire to help him, they sat with with abused or maltreated children. In Milwaukee when he visited a couple him seven days and nights. Silently, general, police officers have rated these from the church and their newborn they simply sat there for an entire week, events as highly stressful, and yet they baby at a hospital. He celebrated and kept him company, and ministered to form part of their job, sometimes on a rejoiced with them as they received him through their presence. What a daily basis. While some officers may be their little bundle of joy into their powerful lesson for us to learn. If only able to deal appropriately with one or family. After leaving that hospital, they had kept silent! During those several incidents, the accumulation of he drove to another hospital where painful moments, which friends or such stressful events, without any inter- another couple’s newborn baby was loved ones may be enduring, there are vention, can lead to serious chronic declared brain dead. He was there no words we can say to help them feel stress; PTSD; and, for many, suicide. with them as they made the decision better, but our presence, a willing ear, to disconnect the machines that were and a caring heart may be a healing Cumulative stress in keeping her body alive and witnessed balm to their troubled souls. ministry her last breath. Church members may As a law enforcement chaplain, not realize or be aware of how these Cumulative stress Claudio tries to help his officers by stressors affect pastoral caregivers, but Claudio has served as a volunteer teaching them how to recognize the we feel them deeply inside. law enforcement chaplain for most of symptoms of police stress and to offer Stress in ministry is unending, and his 35-year ministerial career. He has some strategies to cope with it. But cops it drains and saps our energy daily. been with police officers and sheriff’s are not the only ones who experience Imagine your life as a bucket being deputies at the site of a car accident stress. Working for the church through- drained constantly. It would not be long with fatalities, the emergency response out the years, we have also learned until that bucket is completely empty. for a child who drowned in her bathtub, that stress is part of life for those of us The problem is that many of us do not and at the home of a homicide victim. in the pastoral or educational ministry recognize it, or we live in denial that we He spent two weeks at ground zero, in as well. The monthly board meetings are approaching or have already reached
Ministry® JULY 2018 Early warning signs Mild signs Extended signs Severe signs
• Boredom • Memory • Relationship • Relationship • Fatigue problems problems changes sleep • Anxiety • Increased • Alcohol or drug • Health changes rest • Depression illness use • Personality prayer exercise Poor concentration Performance changes • • fresh air changes • Becoming hobby • Fear of leaving housebound home
the bottom. The above chart shows unrelenting, organize your calendar some signs you must become aware of. so that you have as much regularity If you see yourself or those close as possible. to you exhibiting some of these signs, • Eat balanced, healthy meals. please remember that some behav- • Get extra rest to let your body relax ior change following a crisis may be a and recover. Since a lot of your normal response to an extraordinary work happens during the Sabbath, situation. When you experience a serious you need to create some “Sabbath loss, life does not just simply go back to space and time” elsewhere during church conflict normal the next day. For most people, the week. nominating committee behavior changes following a crisis are • Exercise. A daily walk, a hike with generally temporary, and each person the family, and swimming at a finances responds to crisis in different ways nearby pool are all good, relaxing church board and moves through the experience at activities. evangelistic meetings his or her own pace. At the same time, • Release frustration and anger you need to remember that you are not through safe, exhausting physical alone. Many others will share similar activity. Chop wood, lift weights, Unlike Job, our younger brothers reactions and feelings. Countless pastors run a short race or even a marathon, chose to end their lives instead of reach- and educators experience stress just like or participate in a challenging ing out to others for help. And, unlike yours—or even worse. But remember, it competition. Job, they could not see beyond their is an indication of strength, not weak- • Ask for support from friends, pain and problems. Both of us have ness, to ask for help when needed. colleagues, and loved ones, but been able to come to terms with our also seek mental health assistance brothers’ suicides. We will never accept What helps you deal when you find yourself concerned their choice to end their lives, though, with stress before it about your reactions. and whenever we think of them, it is accumulates? • Avoid any kind of stimulant— with great sadness. Above all, we need Let us go back to the illustration of alcohol, drugs, caffeine, or to learn to recognize the pernicious the bucket. Stress in ministry is a fact pornography. effects of cumulative stress in ourselves of life and drains our bucket daily. The • Try not to spend too much time and others and then take the steps to key is to continually replenish what is with media; continually listening to manage it before it adversely affects being drained so that we do not run or watching the news can be quite our lives, families, and ministries. As dry. Activating some healthy coping depressing when we are already pastors, chaplains, or educators, we strategies can ease the cumulative stressed. must acknowledge the sober reality effects of stress. Here are some things • Be aware of the impact of your own that what happens to others can—and you can do: past experiences on your current does—happen to us. functioning. Sometimes a sad or • Create a daily routine, beginning stressful event from the past that 1 Unless otherwise noted, all scripture quotations are from the New King James Version. with prayer, to help regain a sense we did not deal with at the time 2 Ronald J. Burke, ed., Stress in Policing: Sources, of control. While our schedule is may come back to haunt us when a Consequences and Interventions (New York: often unpredictable and our work similar incident takes place. Routledge, 2017), 3.
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JULY 2018 Ministry® LISA CLOUZET
Lisa Clouzet, DMin, LPC, is associate director, Ministerial Association/ Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries, Northern Asia-Pacific Division, Ilsan, South Korea.
Chaplaincy: Are you called?
few years ago, a board- until a little more than 20 years ago specialty defines what type of medicine certified chaplain randomly when God began calling me to serve as they concentrate on. Pediatricians (or interviewed people in New a healthcare chaplain. I, like the people orthopedists, cardiac surgeons, etc.) AYork City’s Bryant Park to interviewed in Bryant Park, had little are to medicine what chaplains are to find out what the wordchaplain meant idea of what chaplaincy involved or ministry: specialists within their field. to them. Many simply responded, “A what was required to be able to serve Just as physician is a general term, what?” or repeated the question, “What in it. It has been said that “discerning so is minister (or pastor). And just as is a chaplain?” back to the interviewer God’s will for a life is often a lifelong there are many specialists within the before admitting that they had no idea. quest” and that “ultimately, people field of medicine, so many specialists Some of those interviewed associated seem to know God has called them to also exist within the area of ministry. the word chaplain with the military, reli- chaplain ministry when they have a Youth pastor is a specialty, as is evan- gion, Catholics, books, and even Charlie passion to ‘carry each other’s burdens’ gelist and Bible teacher. Chaplain also Chaplin! A few seemed quite confident (Galatians 6:2), to provide ministry to designates a specialty of ministry. in their answers of “a preacher”; “a the ‘least of these’ (Matthew 25:40), and Chaplains have training and skills member of the clergy”; “someone to ‘go’(Matthew 28:19).”2 In my case, that congregational pastors usually that works in the church”; and “a pas- discerning God’s will for each phase of do not have. Areas of chaplaincy can tor who serves in the hospital, police my life has more accurately been my similarly be broken down according department, or fire department.” Except experience. Looking back, I can see how to where the chaplain ministers. For for a woman who stated she was a my life, up to that point, had prepared example, we would refer to clergy former chaplain, the majority of adults me for what He was calling me to do. who serve in the military as military questioned seemed unsure of their The parts of me not yet prepared would chaplains, those working in prisons as responses. soon be challenged and still continue to prison chaplains, those in hospitals as However, when the interviewer be refined. hospital chaplains, and so on. Within questioned a young boy in a Little the hospital, chaplains’ designations League baseball outfit, the child What do we do? are further identified according to confidently and articulately described Though my calling to chaplaincy their particular department (pediatrics, a chaplain as “somebody who helps was clear to me, the path to get there behavioral health, oncology, etc.). people when they’re in surgery or was not. Without going into detail, I when they want to talk to somebody. am convinced that I took the long way What does it take? And a chaplain can be any religion.”1 around, but I am grateful for the detours Besides differences in ministry titles The lad’s simple answer strikes me as and the lessons learned along the way. and settings, the requirements for quite profound, especially from one so One of my first lessons was how chap- becoming chaplains also vary (versus young. Somewhere, somehow, in his lains were both the same as, and yet ministers in other settings). The basic limited life experience, he had already different from, other ministers. In the criteria for the various chaplaincy begun to form a correct idea of what a healthcare setting, pediatricians (insert branches can differ based on factors chaplain is and does. specialty of your choice) are physicians. such as the employing organization and I cannot remember when I first They have studied and completed the denominational guidelines. Helpful, heard the word chaplain. It seems as requirements to become a physician. detailed lists of requirements appear if I have known it forever, but I do not But pediatricians are also specialists on the Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries think I paid too much attention to it within the wider field of medicine. Their (ACM) website3 as well as on the
Ministry® JULY 2018 Association of Professional Chaplains verbatims, chaplains review and reflect and ecclesiastical endorsement. (APC) website.4 Briefly stated, in order on what occurred during patient visits Ecclesiastical endorsement verifies that to become a health-care chaplain, a and receive feedback from their peers. a chaplain is recognized as a current minister must have (1) advanced train- Feedback provides invaluable insight credentialed minister whose ministry ing, (2) current credentials (signifying into possible areas of personal and contributions are valued by his or her pastoral experience), and (3) ecclesiasti- professional awareness and growth. denomination. It is crucial to obtain and cal endorsement.5 Following CPE and 2,000 clinical maintain endorsement status to qualify Even though only about 40 percent hours, the potential chaplain must for and remain in a chaplaincy position. of Adventist pastors have master’s prepare an extensive essay-style or doctoral degrees,6 more and more application and undergo a face-to- What do we learn? pastors are getting advanced degrees. face interview before becoming board Once employed as a chaplain, the The same is expected for chaplains. certified. Further details regarding learning does not end. Even the most Besides an MDiv (or equivalency), board certification can be found at seemingly routine patient visits can
Though my calling to chaplaincy was clear to me, the path to get there was not.
required advanced training for chaplains The Board of Chaplaincy Certification, offer opportunities for growth. Often includes Clinical Pastoral Education Inc., (BCCI) website8 as well as the ACM the lessons come from those being (CPE).7 During CPE training, chaplains website. ministered to. Early in my chaplaincy work in a hospital or other health-care As in other health- and medical- experience, I realized that most people setting to earn clinical hours while related specialties, health-care visiting family and friends in the also attending classes. Such classes chaplaincy also requires a certain hospital were not there to welcome include times for group verbatims amount of continuing education healthy, rosy-cheeked babies. While (word-for-word written accounts to keep current in the field and to I found it a joy to rejoice with those describing specific visits). During these maintain up-to-date credentials happily greeting the latest addition
JULY 2018 Ministry® LISA CLOUZET
to their family, I also considered it a father finally responded, “Um, the life-changing ministry—meeting people privilege—a sacred moment—to be nurse just kind of told us she would call where they are. allowed to enter into the pain of a total someone to come and do that thing. We When I returned to check on the stranger. don’t really know what it means.” bereaved couple, they had gone. One weekend toward the beginning At that moment, compassion kicked Though I would never see them again, of my chaplaincy training, when I was in. I simply inquired whether they the lessons from that young man and the chaplain on duty, I responded to wanted a ceremony at all. After saying young woman remain with me to this an urgent request from a nurse. She they did, I asked what they would like day. Lessons about the importance of asked that I do a naming ceremony to see happen. When the mother asked each visit, being aware of my prejudices for a young couple’s infant child. On whether I could just pray for the baby, and biases, not overlooking the needs the way to the patient’s room, I was baby dedication came to mind. I offered of the staff, and really focusing on the
If the qualifications and requirements of chaplaincy are any indications, it is not for just anybody.
struggling to figure out what a naming to pray for them as well, and at that needs of the patient and family. They ceremony might be. Could it be some point the mother seemed on the verge had lost their child; I had found my kind of a baby baptism? Or maybe part of tears. She glanced at the father; they calling. of a christening ceremony? I had never both nodded yes. Then she lifted up seen a naming ceremony and certainly the baby for me to hold. As I cradled 1 Chaplain Daniel, “What Is a Chaplain?” YouTube was not familiar with the process. As I the little girl in my arms and prayed, I video, 2:55, posted March 3, 2015, by “Professional entered the room, I prayed for help to remember feeling such a peace at the Chaplaincy,” youtube.com/watch?v=QcgBmQ13dec. 2 Naomi K. Paget and Janet R. McCormack, The Work of know how to minister to the couple. realization that I was experiencing a the Chaplain (Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press, 2006), That visit taught me many lessons—and sacred moment. This precious young 119. not just about naming ceremonies. couple had allowed me to share in 3 “Chaplaincies/Endorsement,” Adventist Chaplaincy Being new to chaplaincy ministry, their pain. Ministries, General Conference, adventistchaplains I was not expecting the couple to be .org/index.php/about-acm/ecclesiastical -endorsement-2/. so young; neither was I expecting the What about you? 4 Association of Professional Chaplains, baby not to be alive. My mind raced as It has been said, “All chaplains professionalchaplains.org/. I forced my legs to carry me closer to are pastors, though not all pastors are 5 “Chaplaincies/Endorsement,” Adventist Chaplaincy the bed where the mother was sitting called to be chaplains.”9 If the qualifica- Ministries, General Conference, adventistchaplains up, holding her lifeless infant. Thoughts tions and requirements of chaplaincy .org/index.php/about-acm/ecclesiastical -endorsement-2/. such as, Where is their family?; These are any indication, it is not for just 6 Roger L. Dudley and Petr Cincala, “The Adventist two seem to barely know each other; anybody. In fact, it is not for just any pas- Pastor: A World Survey,” Institute of Church Ministry, and They look like children, themselves tor. Health-care and other organizations Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, May crossed my mind. The father stood that employ chaplains, however, could 2013, 5, circle.adventist.org/files/icm about three feet away, looking rather greatly benefit from those who have a /gcresearch/2013_ADV_PASTOR.pdf. 7 Accredited CPE training centers can be found at the lost. As I neared the bed, they both pastor’s heart. If you (or someone you Association of Professional Chaplains website, www looked up at me with expressionless know) feel drawn to chaplaincy, do not .professionalchaplains.org. faces. Calmly, I let them know I was wait any longer. Prayerfully take the first 8 “BCCI Certification,” Board of Chaplaincy Certification there for the naming ceremony they step on your journey toward this minis- Inc, bcci.professionalchaplains.org/content had requested. As they looked at each try. Trust in the One who is calling you, .asp?pl=25&contentid=25. 9 “Chaplaincies/Endorsement,” Adventist Chaplaincy other with puzzled expressions, I began and He will accompany you through the Ministries, General Conference, adventistchaplains to sense that there was more to this entire process. He will equip you for this .org/index.php/about-acm/ecclesiastical situation than I realized. The young -endorsement-2/.
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Ministry® JULY 2018 NIGEL G. DAVID SR.
Nigel G. David Sr., MA, serves as a clinical chaplain, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Vallejo, California, United States.
The healing place
ife constantly inflicts wounds that this is it—life is over. Yet many a of their own thought processes and that the mind protects with time, Christian patients have struggled actions. I think Robert Charles Powell the passing of time. Though with the end of life and do not seem to makes a very valid point when he Lpeople can either accept or be at peace, causing me to leave feeling suggests that “ ‘religious experience deny the reality of such wounds, many unsettled and saddened. I finally real- arises spontaneously’ when men and choose the latter, rarely allowing the ized that it is the crisis of leaving this life women are ‘forced to think and feel light of honesty and transparency to wondering whether family members, or intensely regarding the things that enter their dark and morbid places. even they themselves, are truly saved, matter most.’ ”3 Yet, unlocking the emotions that have that causes such deep, inner turmoil. Both revelation and experience broken us can be the very thing that It is in these moments that the then are foundational if one is to grasp will heal us. chaplain must first be secure in his or the development of self as a work in “I have sought to begin not with her own belief system and not allow the progress. Learning to cultivate the readymade formulations contained in crisis to shape the prophetic calling of understanding of self is essential for books but living human documents his or her life. And it requires the even the interpretation of one’s own story, and actual social conditions in all their deeper understanding that the life of psychologically and theologically. This, complexity.”1 One Saturday evening the patient is not in our hands—but then, becomes the principal tool in about a year ago, I received a call that God’s. pastoral care and counseling. I was needed for a patient who was “If spiritual struggle, distress Ultimately, my question contin- nearing the end of life. Since it was caused by something in one’s belief, ues to be: How does God show up in my first-ever response as a new clini- practice, or experience, is not identified my human experience, and how do I cal chaplain resident, I was petrified, and addressed, it will have adverse translate that into my daily role as a confused, anxious, and, most of all, at a effect on one’s health.”2 What people clinical chaplain in a way that seeks to loss for words. In this painful and sacred experiencing end of life need is not help others find purpose and mean- moment, what could I bring to a family what we may think they should have. ing? How do I use the opportunities losing a wife, mother, grandmother, and Again and again, I have been tempted to listen, empathize, relate, share, and matriarch? to somehow find out whether their ask questions that lead individuals to lives are in spiritual order according experience what can be termed “the Knowing where to be to my biblical framework rather than healing place”—and which can only be All I could do was to be there as recognizing that I am trying to transfer truly found from within? support for the family—not so much what I feel they require in that moment To be of value for those to whom with my words but by my presence. because, somehow, I mistakenly con- we minister, we must first be willing to When the patient finally died, the fused their soul salvation with my be participants of the very notions or family said, “Thank you so much for intervention. beliefs we promote. As my mother would just being here. We felt a sense of calm say, “Practice what you preach.” Hence, and comfort with you staying with us Knowing who to be when we are conduits of the very thing until she died.” Recently, I have begun to realize we are advocating, it becomes authentic That day I realized something that that most people whom I have come to those with whom we interact. had long troubled me. I have repeatedly across at this critical stage of their Failure to do this is something observed, as with this patient who was life actually have a deeper desire to that has not only robbed us of deeper an atheist, a sense of peace in the belief discover what drives the inner workings opportunities within the pastoral care
JULY 2018 Ministry® NIGEL G. DAVID SR.
field of the hospital, but has even and that his only joy was his daughter. more than a casual conversation. It affected our churches. The reality is But he also wanted to know whether it involves a deeper awareness of the that God uses those whom He calls was OK to be cremated—as a Christian. patient and what is being said, under- despite our deficiencies. As we function He explained that he had already made stood, and finally evaluated. Hilsman in our roles as spiritual leaders, God peace with God and was ready to die. states, “It may take significant practice can still use us even when we are not Clinical chaplaincy has taught me to develop this skill, replacing diag- always obedient. Practically speaking, about the dangers of pairing and coun- nostic listening with personal listening He works with and through us in spite tertransference. Pairing takes place which seeks to access the soul.”4 of us. However, what would our minis- when we have something in common 3. Seek to discover the healing place. tries look like if we just surrendered to with a patient (as I did with him), so we I have learned in clinical chaplaincy Him in the first place? Sometimes we minister from that so-called common work that what people seem to desire miss opportunities because we listened place of things. Transference takes most is healing. That does not neces- to our own voice instead of His, and place when the patient redirects feel- sarily mean that their problem will be then we end up going full circle only to realize that this is the way He wanted us to go initially. As I have seen how crises reveal hidden truths within myself, I have I finally realized that it is become aware that this may also be what happens with many of those with the crisis of leaving this life whom I interact. So, I have sought to begin with and continue to listen to God’s voice and trust Him in the process wondering whether family of being that vessel that may have the last opportunity to speak a word to members, or even they someone experiencing the end of life. Knowing how to be themselves, are truly saved, that What should we do, say, and be in these moments that really are com- causes such deep inner turmoil. pletely out of our control, when there is grief, perplexity, and the reality of eventual loss? Three things come to mind: ings meant for others onto the therapist miraculously transformed—but that 1. Be honest about who we are. or chaplain, but countertransference they are healed in their spirit, meaning If we are men or women of faith, we occurs when the counselor or chaplain to be at peace with whatever they are should permit our faith to direct us. unconsciously projects his or her feel- facing. The healing place, then, lies not That does not mean we should force our ings onto the client. The results of outside of us but deep within us and beliefs onto someone but, rather, let the pairing and countertransference can becomes a reality when one can say, understanding of our experiences and produce an emotional entanglement “Despite what life throws at me, ‘It is who we are be the very thing God uses, with a client in which the chaplain can well with my soul.’ ” the authentic self at work, trusting that begin to function as one who has been For us to be able to access the God knows what we should ask and there and done that—“so let me now soul—or, should I say, the deeper parts say and then allowing it to happen. show you how life is in that context.” of a person’s experience—we must Although God does not need us, He It can lead to a judgmental type of be able to connect with them. But chooses to use us. conversation that is usually nonproduc- that requires the personal investment 2. Do not judge but, rather, seek to tive because it becomes more about the of time; showing genuine care; and understand. One day I was walking past chaplain than the patient. offering, if nothing else, a comforting a room. Without any warning or alert, Being in spiritual crisis, what the heart. When people sense that we care, I heard something say, “Nigel, go into man needed was the ability to realize it is amazing how much they are willing that room, he is in distress.” So, without where he was and what true meaning to share. any agenda, I introduced myself. The looked like at this juncture of his life. Clearly, my role as a clinical chap- patient took my hand and gave me a Here is where the ability not only to see lain is not one of being judgmental or firm handshake. The man proceeded to oneself but to explore and grapple with spouting rehearsed sermonic lines or tell me about his turmoil with his wife someone else’s perspective becomes pastoral remedies but to be present and
Ministry® JULY 2018 allow those to whom I am ministering permission or regard for the patient’s asked who I was and what I did. After that opportunity to share their story. belief. Rather, he is to listen, comfort, I explained, lo and behold, about five As I listen, I am offered the unique and ask searching questions that may minutes later, he asked whether I knew opportunity to be invited into someone unlock the quest for purpose and mean- anything about gang life. That was an else’s world, an act of unbridled trust ing in the midst of grief, loss, perplexity, invitation. I shared my story. When I somehow involving the perception that and distress. Nigel David the chaplain finished, everyone in that room was in the chaplain is connected to something will also share the power of prayer and tears. The young man declared, “If God spiritual. God’s Word—but only if invited. On one can do that for you, then I know there In turn, this affords the opportunity— occasion I received such an invitation. is hope for me.” sometimes in a very small window—for I had a patient who was a 20-year- The joy of this work is knowing that God to use me in aiding that individual old African-American gunshot victim. the chaplain sows seeds from which the to find meaning and purposefrom their Although he was in the intensive care patient may experience fruition in this perspective. And somehow, through our unit, I thankfully learned that he would life—or even in the life to come. This
I finally realized that it is the crisis of leaving this life wondering whether family members, or even they themselves, are truly saved, that causes such deep inner turmoil.
interaction, to discover that which may make a full recovery. Before I went in joy becomes, for patient and chaplain, be missing or needed in their present to see him, I researched his case and a mutual healing place. situation. realized that he had some type of gang affiliation. It immediately reminded Knowing when to be me of my own past as a former gang 1 Anton T. Boisen, The Exploration of the Inner World: A So, how does Nigel David the member and the close encounters with Study of Mental Disorder and Religious Experience (Chicago, IL: Willett, Clark & Co., 1937), 185. chaplain differ from Nigel David the death I had experienced. At the same 2 David A. Lichter, “Studies Show Spiritual Care Linked pastor? Nigel David the pastor sees his time, I also remembered how, back to Better Health Outcomes,” Health Progress 94, no. 2 primary role as empowering members then, I thought I knew it all, believing (Mar–Apr 2013): 64. to be the best they can be, in light of that someone outside of gang life had 3 Robert Charles Powell, “Religion in Crisis and Custom: Formation and Transformation—Discovery and their spiritual gifts, for the edification no idea what it was like—and how I Recovery—of Spirit and Soul” (Address, 8th Asia of the body of Christ. He also has a would not want to speak to such a Pacific Congress on Pastoral Care and Counseling, platform from which to minister as person. With this in mind, I decided People’s Republic of China, Tsuen Wan, The New the shepherd of the flock through not to enter the situation with all the Territories, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, August 2005), 2, metro.inter.edu/facultad preaching, teaching, and offering answers but to be willing to listen and /esthumanisticos/coleccion_anton_boisen/case pastoral care and counseling. to learn about his story and what it _study/Religion%20in%20Crisis%20and%20 On the other hand, Nigel David the meant to him. Custom.pdf. chaplain does not enter a patient’s I went in and saw the young man. 4 Gordon J. Hilsman, Spiritual Care in Common Terms: How Chaplains Can Effectively Describe the Spiritual domain with pastoral authority to share His mother was present and greeted Needs of Patients in Medical Records (London, UK: the good news of the gospel without me warmly. The patient smiled and Jessica Kingsley, 2017), 253.
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JULY 2018 Ministry® LARRY YEAGLEY
Larry Yeagley is a retired pastor, chaplain, and author residing in Gentry, Arkansas, United States.
Sharpening saws and saving lives
ary lay motionless. The Church administrators had asked My point here? There is a clear nurse said that she was me to be the pastor of two churches. need for continuing education. Yes, we comatose. Panic swept Even though I had just graduated from as pastors were required to attend the Mover me. Could Mary hear five years of ministerial training, the monthly workers’ meetings, but those me? What could I say? After a short first few months felt like being in water dealt primarily with church growth and prayer I headed for the door. What did over my head. Too proud to admit my church policy. The finer skills of pastoral the nurses think? Would I have the situation to my employers, I would have ministry were not addressed. courage to return to the intensive care to seek help in other places. Regardless of all my ministerial unit? I truly did not know what else to do. Help came without my asking. A training, I needed more education and Nothing in my pastoral training widow three times my age served the mentoring. That is when it dawned on prepared me for this, my first day of church as a Bible worker. She studied me: continuing education was not just ministry. the Bible with people interested in my requisite; it was my responsibility. Later that same week, I was asked joining the church. More than that, to conduct a funeral. I must have she sensed my need of mentoring. A conviction to know done all the wrong things because the Every Monday morning, she served I attended the first H. M. S. Richards funeral director quietly told me after the as my counselor and encourager. We Lectureship on Preaching. His lectures graveside service: “If you need advice on discussed church problems freely—but became a book that I have treasured conducting funerals, you are welcome to in strict confidence. She helped me set for decades.1 His last lecture went come by my office any time.” my priorities. from seven to midnight. No notes. He
y personal continuing education James J. Lynch, A Cry Unheard Henri J. M. Nouwen, The Wounded Mplan was rounded out by reading. (Baltimore, MD: Bancroft Press, Healer (New York: Doubleday & I would like to share a few of the books, 2000). Company, 1972). all of which are still in my library. Robert Shank, Life in the Son (St. Eugene H. Peterson, As Kingfishers Fortunately, older books can still be Louis, MO: von Hoffman Press, Catch Fire (New York: purchased with the help of online 1964). WaterBrook, 2017). services. Every pastor needs to develop Ruth Davis Konigsberg, The Truth his or her own library. Thanks to online About Grief (New York: Simon & Twelve years into retirement, purchasing, developing a library is less Schuster, 2011). I continue to read good books. costly than when I began my library. Geoff Walters, Why Do Christians Continuing education does not have Find It Hard to Grieve? (Carlisle: a cutting-off date. Whether it is an Ernest E. Bruder, Ministering Paternoster Press, 1997). enlightening seminar or a thought- to Deeply Troubled People Judith S. Wallerstein, The provoking book, we all should be (Philadelphia, PA: Fortress Unexpected Legacy of Divorce eager to learn. Press, 1964). (New York: Hyperion, 2000).
Ministry® JULY 2018 appealed to us to develop our pastoral the enlightenment was abundant. What “Pastor, your member, Ned Jones, skills. He emphasized that pastors are I learned was helpful when I later taught is a patient in our cardiac unit. We have not working for the conference—but pastoral counseling at the seminary at done everything medically, but he is not for God. Andrews University. responding. Our staff is wondering if My personal visitation with H. M. S. Sometimes my continuing spiritual care might turn things around, Richards gave me the determination education disappointed me. I but spiritual care is not our bag. Could to learn how to reach people where had hoped to learn how to care for you help us?” they hurt. That determination took terminally ill people by enrolling for two I could explain the 2,300-year me to seminars on ministry and quarters of Clinical Pastoral Education. prophecy from the book of Daniel and compassion, whether nearby or afar. When I asked the supervisor for help, he give 10 proof texts for 25 Bible doctrines,
That is when it dawned on me: continuing education was not just my requisite; it was my responsibility.
The first American hospice in Branford, gave this reply: “Look. I’m not into this but how could I give hope to a man who Connecticut, offered a seminar on caring death and dying stuff. Why don’t you had given up? I have no exact memory for the terminally ill and their families. I spend class time on the cancer wards?” of what I told Ned, but perhaps all my flew hundreds of miles to attend. As it turned out, the patients became extra training had kicked in because six Shortly thereafter I attended the my best teachers. months later he introduced me to his first national hospice convention in wife as “the man who saved my life.” Washington, DC. I visited with Dr. Cicely A commitment to grow Continuing education keeps you Saunders from St. Christopher Hospice Ministers must grow in an age fresh, relevant, and on the cutting edge. in London. I asked her what a pastor when more and more parishioners are Stephen Covey calls it sharpening your can do for dying people. She smiled and better educated. If that is what it takes, saw.2 I call it fulfilling your call. It may said: “There is always something you church administrators should require a preserve your ministry—and it may save can do, if only rubbing a tired bottom.” significant time of continuing education someone’s life. A major ten-week class on pastoral per year. And even if they don’t—you 1 H. M. S. Richards, Feed My Sheep (Washington, DC: ministry was held at a Lutheran must. You see, I remember when the Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1958). hospital. The tuition was minimal, but cardiologist called me. 2 www.franklincovey.com/the-7-habits/habit-7.html.
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JULY 2018 Ministry® SIKHUMBUZO DUBE
Sikhumbuzo Dube is stewardship and church development director of the West Zimbabwe Conference, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. He is currently completing the master of chaplaincy (MChap) degree from the Adventist University of Africa, Nairobi, Kenya.
Jesus and Eli: Antithetical portraits of spiritual care models
piritual care is a vulnerable but took time to observe and verify desert by someone who has never been calling. It is ministry to the before empowering them. there.”4 Consequently, some pastors wounded by the wounded. Connecting with care-seekers. In who are going through pain may fear SThe deep-seated wounds of a providing pastoral care, the primary admitting it, since they presume that minister can indeed be a wellspring of step is to connect with the care-seekers. doing so may expose their vulnerability. strength for those to whom he or she In the account of the boy with an evil There are important questions to ministers. There is a Talmudic legend spirit, Jesus connected well with the consider in the connecting stage. How of the Messiah among the poor, which parent by paying attention to the narra- is the care-seeker connecting with appropriately illustrates this notion. tive. Being powerful, Jesus could have the caregiver? How is the caregiver In the narrative, while others unbind simply exorcised the demon without connecting with the members of the all their wounds at the same time and additional time taken. However, notic- care-seeker’s family? How is the care then bind them up again, the Messiah ing that the father could, in clinical seeker connecting with members of his unbinds one wound at a time and binds terms, be the identified patient, He took or her family? How is the care-seeker it up again, saying, “ ‘Perhaps I shall be time to connect with the father. connecting with the divine? needed; if so I must always be ready so In talking about connecting, Ellen Observation. Jesus observed by as not to delay for a moment.’ ”1 In the G. White, a nineteenth century prolific enquiring: “ ‘How long has this been call to care for others, while self-care writer, explains that “there is need of happening to him?’ ” (v. 21, NASB). must be a prerequisite, it cannot be coming close to the people by personal He employed a systematic approach a preoccupation. Being a wounded effort.” While preaching is good, she to meeting His care seeker’s need. caregiver calls for a carefully considered proposes that if less time were given While Craig A. Evans, a New Testament spiritual care plan. to it, “and more time were spent in scholar, observes that “the question personal ministry, greater results would about how long the boy had suffered LOVE spiritual care be seen.”2 Samuel Park, a practical theo- from his condition underscores the model logian, suggests that when caregivers seriousness of it,”5 R. T. France, another Jesus’ LOVE spiritual care model, are connecting with their clients, “they scholar, suggests that “the enquiry may illustrated in the healing of the demon- are also interested in finding the care- also be part of Jesus’ ‘diagnosis’ of the possessed young man (Mark 9:18–26), seekers’ connection to and relationship problem to be confronted.”6 In this has “linking up” (connecting), observa- with God.”3 question, the trajectory of the illness tion, verifying, and empowerment as Failure to acknowledge one’s was not only traced but also how it its key elements. Jesus began by con- wounds may inhibit the connecting had impacted the faith of the parent. necting with His care-seekers before process. Henri J. M. Nouwen explains In response to this enquiry, the father He could provide total healing. He not that one leadership deception “is to of the boy said, “ ‘From childhood. It only connected with with His patients think that man can be led out of the has often thrown him both into the fire
Ministry® JULY 2018 and into the water’ ” (vv. 21, 22, NASB). repeating the phrase “if you can,” Jesus In this stage important questions Jesus did not interject but continued was motivating the father to reveal to consider would be, What support to listen as the father narrated until he more about his faith and feelings. system does the care seeker have in revealed the primary concern. “ ‘But Throughout His healing ministry, his or her community? What spiritual if You can do anything,’ ” he pleaded, Jesus verified the faith of His care seek- ritual empowers the care seeker in the “ ‘take pity on us and help us!’ ” (v. 22, ers (Matt. 9:2, 22, 29; 15:28; Mark 2:5; present challenge? What empowerment NASB). 5:34; 10:52; Luke 7:9, 50; 8:48). White does the family provide the care seeker? In a medical setting, the caregiver explains that there was “no lack of What is the appropriate empowerment needs to monitor the level of grief by power on the part of Christ; the healing resource for the care seeker? enquiring: What does the care seeker of the son depend[ed] upon the father’s understand about the medical facts faith.”8 Jesus could have healed the boy FEAR spiritual care given to him or her? How does the without verifying the faith of the father. model patient interpret the diagnosis? The However, the consent of the father was Eli’s FEAR spiritual care model principle is the same in any setting. necessary for him to receive relevant (1 Sam. 1:9–18) encompasses four One needs to observe by finding out spiritual care. elements, namely fear, echoing, whether the care seeker understands Even though Jesus knew what His acknowledging, and regret. It is seen the implications of the presenting care seekers needed, His well-thought- in Hannah’s narrative. situation. This will be showing out spiritual care plan helped them Fear. The ministry of Eli was punctu- sympathy, as Christ did. to willingly point out their primary ated with fear. The record is that he Verifying. The caregiver needs to concern. The phrase “What do you “shrank from this duty [of restraining verify the feelings that the care seeker want Me to do for you?” (Matt. 20:32, and governing his children], because it
The deep-seated wounds of a minister can indeed be a wellspring of strength for those to whom he or she ministers.
has toward his or her condition. He Mark 10:51, Luke 18:41, NASB), in the involved crossing the will of his sons.”10 needs to find out what the care seekers’ healing of the blind for instance, shows On account of his unresolved issues and nonverbal cues are communicating. that Jesus did not want to assume what fear, Eli was quick “to administer [what What elements in the present situation need is meant to be met. he thought was] a deserved rebuke”11 connect with past grief? Does the care Empowerment. Caregiving as a and “blindly, did not recognize piety, seeker’s faith enable him or her to face systemic approach will empower not and his accusation was false.”12 the presenting situation? only the care seeker but others directly Echoing. Eli “thought [that Hannah] Jesus verified the belief and feel- or indirectly linked to the sufferer. was drunk” (v. 13, NASB) and sternly ings of the boy’s father by saying, “ ‘ “If Jesus not only empowered the son rebuked her. He was simply echoing You can?” All things are possible to him by casting away the evil spirit but also what his sons were doing. The reproach who believes’ ” (v. 23, NASB). As an strengthened the faith of the boy’s was probably reminiscent of their adept spiritual caregiver with empa- father. Evans observes that Jesus pro- actions. Had he carefully observed, he thetic listening, Christ was careful to use vided “enablement for both the father would have realized that his care seeker literal repetition and rephrasing. Robert and his son: for the father, the needed was speaking out of her “ ‘great con- A. Kidd, a board-certified chaplain and faith, for the son, the needed deliverance cern and provocation’ ” (v. 16, NASB). spiritual care and values integration from an evil spirit.”9 In the narrative, Sometimes clergymen’s roughness is director, says that literal repetition He empowered the faith of the nine generally a façade motivated by the fear shows that the caregiver “honors the disciples that had failed to cast out the of acknowledging their wounds. speaker’s choice of words and offers evil spirit, the father of the boy, and the Acknowledging. By labeling Hannah them back as a way of smoothing onlooking multitude who beheld the as a drunkard, the caregiver implied the way for continued dialogue.”7 By manifestation of divine power. that she was wicked and worthless.
JULY 2018 Ministry® SIKHUMBUZO DUBE
This prompted Hannah to say, “ ‘Do not disturbing them. After listening to their some of our efforts are more helpful consider your maidservant as a worth- narrative, He then empowered them by than others, whether religious interven- less woman’ ” (v. 16). The word here expounding from “Moses and all the tions of one style or another are helpful translated as “worthless” is bĕlı̂yaʿal, prophets, He explained to them the or hurtful. The truth is that we do not the same word used to describe the things concerning Himself in all the know whether we heal or hurt.”14 sons of Eli in 1 Samuel 2:12. Eli did not Scriptures” (v. 27, NASB). His positive Third, perfectionism must be try to verify the nonverbal cues that were counseling approach empowered shunned because it interferes with indicating the heaviness of heart. In this them to share the good news of His caregiving. Eli’s perfectionistic thinking instance Eli acknowledged that he made resurrection. led him to force holiness on his care a wrong assumption. From Eli’s ministry, we can see pit- seeker. The result is always a lack of Regret. While Eli’s promise of hav- falls that need to be avoided. First, his empathy. ing a child came as a relief, Eli must failure to be observant made him fail to have regretted when he noticed that notice the grief that motivated the care Wounded for our he had accused Hannah wrongly. seeker’s actions. Pastoral caregivers transgressions Unpremeditated spiritual care leads to need to be observant and to avoid being The ministries of Jesus and Eli regret. judgmental. This will make their parishes present two portraits of spiritual care havens for burdened care seekers. that are diverse in their approach. Empowered for our The second issue is to avoid pro- They present both the beauty and the salvation jection. This defense mechanism is drawback of one’s viewpoint toward The ministry of Jesus on the walk replicated by chaplains or pastors who personal wounds. They also present the to Emmaus (Luke 24:13–31) also illus- fear to face their untoward situations need for taking time for self-care and trates the LOVE care model. Jesus squarely. Spiritual caregivers should acknowledging our pain. Lastly, while connected by joining the stressed observe that any “neurotic ‘baggage’ the ministry of Jesus serves as a perfect disciples on their way to Emmaus. that might hinder the work of therapy model for spiritual care, it is important He made His observation by asking or care”13 eventually leads to projec- to note that it was not a matter of what issues they were discussing. He tion. Larry VandeCreek, a pastoral care accident, but it was a conscientious, verified the intensity of pain they had specialist, suggests that research in this methodical, and sensitive initiative. by further asking what events were area will help “to determine whether Both Jesus and Eli were wounded by their immediate environments. However, their attitude toward their “wounded- ness” impacted their spiritual care plans differently. Jesus was “wounded for 7 questions for chaplains our transgressions” (Isa. 53:5) while Eli was wounded by the wrongdoing of his and pastoral caregivers wayward sons. In following the model of Jesus, the spiritual caregiver will learn 1. What are your “wounds”? How care and nurture to a soul? to “look after his own wounds but at might you engage the wounds 5. How can our churches become the same time be prepared to heal the of those to whom you minister? a practical, safe space for wounds of others.”15 Edward P. Wimberly, How can you provide a safe wounded healers to share their a professor of pastoral care, maintains environment in which to grow? story without making anyone that when ministers have their “wounds 2. How can a minister maintain feel a sense of fear or a lack of transformed from sources of personal healthy boundaries when empathy from others? weakness to reservoirs of strength for sharing his or her own wounds 6. How does the breakdown of those in need,”16 they will acknowledge while healing and being vul- the family affect the spiritual their vulnerability and take time for nerable to the believer or care the minister can provide? self-care. patient in hospital? 7. What self-care practices can While Jesus’ spiritual care plan was 3. What does being vulnerable you, as a spiritual caregiver, motivated by love for errant mankind, with your spiritual care look engage in to prevent burnout Eli’s care plan was impaired by the like for you in a postmodern, or being overly stressed? fear of his wayward sons and his own twenty-first-century world? lack of action. While the ministry of 4. What roles do reflective listen- —By Chaplain Anthony Chandler, resident Jesus utilized a proactive approach, Eli ing and the ministry of presence chaplain, Department of Veterans Affairs, employed a reactive methodology of alone play in providing spiritual Columbia, Maryland, United States. pastoral care. Evidently, Jesus’ method is the best spiritual care model:
Ministry® JULY 2018 1. He connected with His care seekers. 1 www.centerforwomensministries.org DC: Review and Herald Pub. Assn, 1970), 140. 2. He observed their situation. /the-wounded-healer-part-1/. 11 Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets (Battle Creek, 2 Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing (Mountain MI: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1890), 570. 3. He verified their needs, faith, and View, CA: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1905), 143. 12 Ralph W. Klein, 1 Samuel, Word Biblical Commentary feelings toward the presenting 3 Samuel Park, “Pastoral Identity as Social 10 (Dallas, TX: Word, 2002), 8. Construction: An Exploration of Pastoral Identity in situation. 13 Pamela Cooper-White, Shared Wisdom: Use of the Postmodern, Intercultural, and Multifaith Contexts” 4. He empowered them in the areas (PhD dissertation, Texas Christian University, 2010). Self in Pastoral Care and Counseling (Minneapolis, where there was a need. 4 Henri J. M. Nouwen, The Wounded Healer: Ministry in MN: Fortress Press, 2004), 5. Contemporary Society (New York: Doubleday, 1972), 72. 14 Larry VandeCreek, A Research Primer for Pastoral Car Scripture informs us that while Eli 5 Craig A. Evans, Mark 8:27–16:20, Word Biblical and Counseling (Decatur, GA: Journal of Pastoral Care Commentary 34B (Dallas: TX: Word, 2002), 52. Publications, 1988), 2, quoted in Amy Elise Green, hurt, Jesus healed. The restoration of 6 R. T. France, The Gospel of Mark, The New “Critical Components in the Formation of Clinical humankind’s wholeness is needed. International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Pastoral Education Supervisors” (DMin dissertation, Providing the appropriate spiritual Rapids, MI: Paternoster Press, 2002), 366. Ecumenical Theological Seminary, 2011). care is an essential element that com- 7 Robert A. Kidd, “Foundational Listening Skills,” in 15 Henri J. M. Nouwen, “The Wounded Healer,” in Professional Spiritual and Pastoral Care: A Practical Images of Pastoral Care: Classic Readings, ed. Robert pletes the well-being puzzle. Indeed, in Clergy and Chaplain’s Handbook (Woodstock, VT: following the model of Jesus, spiritual Skylight Paths, 2014), 94. C. Dykstra (St. Louis, MO: Chalice Press, 2005), 77. 16 Edward P. Wimberly, Recalling Our Own Stories: caregivers will learn to transform their 8 Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (Oakland, CA: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1898), 428. Spiritual Renewal for Religious Caregivers (San “woundedness into a resource to be 9 Evans, Mark 8:27–16:20, 52, emphasis added. Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 1997), 8. used in caring.”17 10 Ellen G. White, Conflict and Courage (Washington, 17 Wimberly, Recalling Our Own Stories, 11.
LETTERS continued from page 4
of God or of a God. Concerning the Big am a Methodist pastor, retired these The Wizard of Awes Bang Theory, where did all those gases Itwenty years and now given to writing that exploded come from? We know Christian poetry. The January 2018 I cannot imagine a hand that could they couldn’t exist without a God to Ministry came in today’s mail just as I fashion create them. put the finishing touches on a Creation A galaxy swirling in space, There are many ideas of how we poem, and I trust this may serve as my With spiral arms crowded, and stars became human. One, of course, is that reply. and gas clouded, we were all fish who came up upon I was a candidate for a PhD in 1953 at With vast astronomical grace. the earth, started to breathe air, and Columbia with Theodosius Dobzhansky, I can’t comprehend and I cannot pretend then eat grass. Some of us became a prime mover in the Neo-Darwinian To number the galaxies there. elephants—or horses—or cats. Some Synthesis. I withdrew from the study of To think they may be like the sands of grew wings, others crawled on the human evolution to enter the ministry. the sea ground. We even grew fur and tails—but I served as a pastor for 43 years in Is a number my mind cannot bear! no mention of the Divine Creator! California. It may be of some interest to The Bible tells us that God created note that my father considered himself No hand wrought this wonder, I’m told man and woman as humans, not as to be a Seventh-day Adventist, though I as I ponder, something else. Unfortunately, we are was raised without church participation So I wait for the tale to unfold. taught that the Darwin theory is the truth; of any kind and had to be converted I know all this occurred by the power not that it is just a theory—but the truth. from atheism in 1951. of His word; The Bible may not tell us everything, but Here is a poem to fill out my With awe I such glories behold! it tells us what God wants us to know. response to Clifford Goldstein’s article —The Rev. Hugh Wilkes, Episcopal church, Zeph- (“Baptizing the Devil: Evolution and —Earl L. Langguth, retired Methodist pastor, Penn yrhills, Florida, United States Seduction of Christianity”) Valley, California, United States
JULY 2018 Ministry® DATELINE
First Chaplaincy Ministries director Photo: Adventist Ministries Chaplaincy Charles D. Martin passes at 94
alifornia, United States—Charles served as youth director of what was CD. Martin, a Seventh-day Adventist then the Far Eastern Division. In 1966 pastor who was instrumental in starting he became an associate youth director Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries (ACM) of the General Conference. “My previous at the General Conference of Seventh- work with the NSO at the conference day Adventist headquarters in 1985, level built the experience that I would passed away January 7, 2018. He was need in my new position as a General 94 years old. Martin served in the Youth Conference associate youth director,” department of the General Conference he said. and was the director of the National In 1985, Martin was appointed the Service Organization from 1980–1986. first director of the General Conference Martin pastored in the Southeastern Service—a department after 1995—of California Conference until 1950, when Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries. he became conference youth director. Under Martin’s leadership, annual “It was a time when conference professional growth conferences were youth directors were also assigned to established, specifically designed to work with the church’s National Service meet the needs of Adventist chaplains. Organization (NSO),” said Martin in an “The annual conferences were a spe- interview in 2010. “NSO activities focused cial time to renew our friendships and on counseling young Adventists who commitment to our ministry,” Martin operate the Adventist Servicemen’s faced the possibility of being drafted.” stated. Center in Seoul, returning to the United In 1957 he, his wife, Pearl, and Martin retired in 1987. Three years States in 1991. [Adventist Review / Deena family went to Singapore, where he later he and his wife went to Korea to Bartel-Wagner, ACM]
Inter-American Adventists move to Photo: World Organization Service revitalize the Medical Cadet Corps
evittown, Puerto Rico—A historic equipped to provide spiritual Lmeeting for the revitalization of the comfort and other services such Medical Cadet Corps (MCC) program as first aid during emergency took place during a special training situations, Ceballos explained. session April 30 to May 3, 2018. The “In today’s world, many meeting provided special training countries no longer have a draft, for MCC officers who are currently and although we never know involved in the program across the when world events could lead to a North American and Inter-American reinstatement of conscription, it is best army organizational structure, physi- divisions, as well as initiating other to prepare our young adults,” Ceballos cal training, military courtesy, camp leaders who are interested in reviving said. MCC training also equips cadets, hygiene, litter drill, and first aid. the MCC in their regions. ages 17 and older, to serve in their local The US Army soon recognized the “The MCC program originally helped communities in times of disaster. value of soldiers who had received this Adventist servicemen serve according to The MCC was originally launched type of training and often placed them their conscience,” said Mario Ceballos, on January 8, 1934, at Union College. in positions of leadership and authority World Service Organization–General Training imitated the approach used within their unit. Conference (WSO-GC) and Chaplaincy for training medics in the United States The vision of training young men for director. MCC cadets are trained and Army and included close-order drill, noncombatant service caught on, and
Ministry® JULY 2018 other Adventist colleges adopted the MCC was deactivated in North America MCC is widely recognized across the program. In 1939 the General Conference in 1972). Groups in Colombia, Venezuela, island nation. voted to adopt the plan of military and other countries in the Inter-America “Even though young cadets are medical training. It was named the not called to serve in the military, Seventh-day Adventist Medical the effort of this organization Cadet Corps (SDAMCC). moves with more emphasis in the During the recent training spiritual life, civic life, community week, MCC officers attended the service to assist in the well-being presentations MCC Operations of communities after natural and Organization, Senior Military disasters and other situations, Leadership Protocol, and Ethics. serving selflessly,” said Sebastian. “This is all about retaking Reviving the MCC will offer the ministry that will allow many more opportunities for the young countries to show the face of people in churches throughout the church full of compassion in the region comprising the Inter- service while it prepares young MCC leaders in East Puerto Rico train young people on a American Division. A dozen people to serve in natural disas- Sunday at the Adventist school in San Juan, Puerto Rico. leaders traveled from countries ters, in civic events, all [while] [Photo: Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News] in the IAD for the special MCC opening the door for others to training, and implementation will learn about the Seventh-day follow during the next six months Adventist Church,” explained Hiram Division continued running on their own in Costa Rica, Honduras, Colombia, Ruiz, Chaplaincy and WSO director for to assist their communities. In Puerto the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, the Inter-American Division (IAD). Rico, the church has been successfully Mexico, and other islands across the Ruiz said that Montemorelos running the MCC program since 1951. Caribbean, Ruiz said. University had been running the MCC David Sebastian, WSO in the Puerto [Deena Bartel-Wagner, ACM / Inter- training since the 1950s up to 2013 (The Rican Union Conference, said that the American Division News]
Ministry of Military Chaplains honored at memorial dedication ceremony
onolulu, Hawaii, United States— HThe first time Chaplain (Colonel) Richard “Dick” Stenbakken, United States Army, retired, visited the National Memorial Cemetery in Honolulu, Hawaii, was while stationed in Vietnam in November 1970. Now, after a 47-year wait, Stenbakken’s dream of placing a memorial at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific to honor past and present US Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine chaplains became a reality Participants from various faiths place sand from Iwo Jima on and around the memorial marker. in a special dedication ceremony on [Photo: Honolulu Creative Media] December 13, 2017.
JULY 2018 Ministry® DATELINE
What began as a dream became a journey full of miracles. Speaking at the dedication service, Stenbakken said that the placement of this memorial “honors every chaplain across the Pacific from all branches of the military and multiple faiths.” The ceremony was attended by a roster of chaplains from various faiths, including a Roman Catholic, a Photo: Honolulu Creative Media Creative Honolulu Photo:
PRACTICAL POINTERS PAUL ANDERSON
Paul Anderson, DMin, a retired United States Navy chaplain, serves as director of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries for the North American Division, Columbia, Maryland, United States. Chaplains—so who are we?
haplains are duly trained, that chaplaincy be a priority for the Pastoral competence credentialed, and often board- regiments that he commanded. The gold standard for the Ccertified ministers of the gospel He wrote to the United States (US) profession of chaplaincy requires who work in specialized ministry Congress expressing his ardent demand that an aspirant earn five levels of settings beyond congregational that chaplains be made available to professional competence. The first is confines. Chaplaincy is a post-pastoral his troops. His opinion was that the the academic acquisition of a master specialty of the called that requires presence of chaplains regulated the of divinity degree, or equivalent, from pastoral identity, competence, morality and enhanced the morale of an accredited seminary. The second experience, curiosity, and compassion. his soldiers. is the development and honing of a A mantra for the profession is, “All Congress not only supplied and denominationally specific pastoral chaplains are pastors, but not all funded the establishment of the role of identity. This is achieved by gaining at pastors are chaplains.” military chaplains, they established and least two years of post-seminary pastoral Chaplains are men and women have perpetuated the office of chaplain experience. The third is denominational who possess that special blend of for the US House of Representatives and credentialing and/or ordination. A passion, compassion, and knowledge, the US Senate. chaplain must be a credentialed, compounded by a willingness to Originally, chaplains were pastors professional clergy person. The contact, connect, and journey with notoriety who were appointed fourth step in becoming a chaplain is with people and families who are to their role by potentates within denominational endorsement for the experiencing existential transitions, their sphere of influence. An effective specialized ministry of choice. The fifth trauma, grief, or a myriad of personal preacher or leader would be selected step requires board certification within experiences. and empowered to function in a the chosen specialty. specific role within a context beyond Personal conviction the walls of his or her church. More than Professional Chaplaincy in the United a personal conviction, contemporary certification States was institutionalized during norms require a professional For health-care chaplains, there the Revolutionary War. President preparation before assuming the title are 14 board certifying agencies in the George Washington was convicted of chaplain. US. The two primary agencies are the
Ministry® JULY 2018 Methodist, an Anglican, a Unitarian, The Punchbowl stone marker itself to ponder how many of ‘my troops’ a Jewish rabbi, and Stenbakken, a came to California by cargo ship from were here, or might yet be here. Not Seventh-day Adventist. India. It was a special jet-black, sloped- as visitors, like myself, but as names “You would be hard pressed to surface stone weighing 1,600 pounds etched in snow-white marble, watered have a more diversified group involved (725 kilograms) on which three bronze by the tears of family and friends. Those in the process,” said Stenbakken, who 3-D plaques representing the US Navy, thoughts uniquely encouraged and served 23 years on active duty as Army, and Air Force chaplaincy offices deepened my commitment to minister an army chaplain before becoming were placed. as an army chaplain.” [Rajmund director of Chaplaincy Ministries for Stenbakken described how “seeing Dabrowski, Rocky Mountain Conference the Seventh-day Adventist Church. those very fresh graves caused me / Adventist Review]
Association of Professional Chaplains Emergency Management Agency So who are we? (APC) and the College of Pastoral (FEMA) and the National Voluntary Chaplains can be found work- Supervision and Psychotherapy Organizations Active in Disaster ing on the campuses of colleges and (CPSP). Some large and peculiar faith (VOAD). The Seventh-day Adventist universities, in prisons, and in health- systems, in order to meet the high Church has an internationally care facilities. Law enforcement and standard of professionalism without recognized agency that trains, certifies, fire and emergency management/ compromising distinctive elements and deploys volunteers to assist in response departments often employ of faith, have established parallel and times of national or community crisis. or call upon chaplains during crisis equal accrediting organizations. The The Adventist Community Services situations. Sports teams are regularly Roman Catholic Church has estab- (ACS) department is the certifying body contracting team chaplains. Coaches lished the National Association of for pastors preparing for endorsement have discovered that having a spiritual Catholic Chaplains (NACC). Neshama as community chaplains. mentor available for their athletes is the Association of Jewish Chaplains. The National Association of College provides another dimension of personal Recently, the Seventh-day Adventist and University Chaplains (NACUC) development and character stability. Church launched the Adventist was established at Yale University Corporations began hiring chaplains Chaplaincy Institute (ACI) as a cognate in 1948. It was to be, and became, a after World War II. In the current milieu agency to APC and CPSP. collegial forum for spiritual leaders of diversity awareness and apprecia- The International Conference with a bent for specialized ministry to tion, chaplaincy has morphed into titles of Police Chaplains (ICPC) is the young adults on academic campuses such as life coach and personnel devel- certifying agency for law enforcement in North America. It purported the opment specialist. chaplains. Their requirements for advocacy of religion and spirituality Wherever they serve, chaplains board certification include five years of on the campuses and dialogues of are pastors with specialized, mission- pastoral experience, denominational academia. Cognate organizations focused ministries. They bring hope, and agency endorsement, specialty have flourished since then. The North healing, and compassion to people who training, and community review and American Division Campus Chaplains find themselves in hard times or dark approval. Advisory (NADCCA) and Public places in their lives. Chaplains are the Community chaplains who Campus Ministries departments are hands, feet, and heart of God reaching respond to crisis situations are the advocacy arms of the Seventh- people in places where churches might required to have specialized training day Adventist Church for college and have neither relevance nor opportunity. and certification through the Federal university chaplains. Thank God for chaplains.
JULY 2018 Ministry® RESOURCES
Nothing to Fear: Principles and Prayers to Help You Thrive in a Threatening World by Barry C. Black, Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale Momentum, 2017.
n a world where the daily diet Christ in any environment by inten- of news feeds consists of school tionally prompting us to prepare and Iviolence, domestic terrorism, police develop our hearts and minds for God’s brutality, fake news, and oppressed work. “If God were seeking a person and depressed people without hope, for a special assignment, how would Chaplain Barry Black boldly guides, you measure up? . . . Few things help directs, and helps us overcome our us stay fearless in a threatening world fears. The three transitions of this more than knowing that God desires book are first knowing whose we are, to use us for his glory” (37). We are then knowing who we are, and finally, encouraged to develop our God-given knowing the dangers and pitfalls that talents and strengthen our prayer life. could potentially paralyze us from We cannot wait for the crisis moment confidently living out our life’s mission. or the moment of opportunity to get The author addresses seven biblical ready; we need to be ready beforehand principles that move us from the dark and stay ready. halls of fear, stress, and worry to the What makes one fearless is not bright plains of unleashing your God- one’s trust in his or her own abilities and given confidence to live your best life: skills but, rather, a quiet confidence in the One who knows and sees all to help 1. Prepare to be sent. Expect to deal us overcome. “The purpose of prayer is While he was in the US Navy, one of with life’s curveballs by relying on not to persuade a reluctant deity, but to Chaplain Black’s supervisors remarked and obeying the voice of the Lord. give God permission to give us His best that “he would never promote him Prepare your heart and mind with for our lives” (59). This emphasis by the [Black] as long as he was on the evalua- diligent prayer and study. author on intentional and purposeful tion board.” Dr. Black remained fearless 2. Do a reality check. Build up your prayer helps water our parched souls, and humble and confidently performed spiritual endurance for the tests enabling us to thrive in a predatory and his duties for the Lord, and not man. He that will come, but do not neglect joy-sucking world. became the first African American and your family life or prayer time. As we launch out into a predatory first Seventh-day Adventist chaplain to 3. Thrive in a predatory world. Pray world, the author admonishes us to be hold the rank of admiral and the first to without ceasing, understand your as wise as serpents and as innocent as serve in his present position, chaplain enemy and his tactics, and trust God. doves. “You and I can deal with broken of the United States Senate. Along the 4. Be as wise as a serpent. Cultivate dreams and stay fearless . . . by living way, he also became that supervisor’s reverence and integrity and speak intentionally, living with courage, find- boss. boldly to your enemies. ing guidance in God’s Word, trusting I wholeheartedly recommend this 5. Be as innocent as a dove. Avoid God’s sovereignty, submitting to God’s book to all who are looking for practical the pitfalls of pride, anger, lust, will, and embracing opposition” (222). and realistic ways to lead in community gluttony, envy, and slovenliness. I personally enjoy how the author with the heart of a servant and to lead 6. Concentrate on the task. Learn to weaves his own personal story of char- confidently in a world desperately prioritize your life, keep your eyes acter building, trials, and humility looking for hope amid the stormy on the prize, and maximize the time that has led him from the hood to the seas of life. I affirm that we indeed you have left on this earth. (Capitol) hill. The septic environment of have nothing to fear if we rest in God’s 7. Persevere through rejection. Trust drugs, prostitutes, and organized gangs providential protection, as servants in . God’s confidence in you and learn dotted the landscape, yet Chaplain His army to finish His work. to embrace opposition in your life. Black cultivated an unwavering work ethic and commitment to God that —Reviewed by Anthony Chandler, MDiv, who serves Chaplain Black skillfully and elevated him above the climate of as a government analyst and part-time resident purposefully takes us on a journey of despair that sought to derail his expec- chaplain at the Department of Veterans Affairs, becoming fearless disciples for Jesus tations and destroy his life. Columbia, Maryland, United States.
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Ministry® JULY 2018 A DEEPER EXPERIENCE January 9–19, 2019
“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”
JOHN 17:3, NKJV
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