Issue 2 2018 A Journal for Seventh-day Adventists in Military and Public Service PASSION IN MINISTRY By Dick Stenbakken, Ed. D. Chaplain (Colonel) U. S. Army, Retired Former Director, Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries/World Service Organization s a young pastor, and later as at the junction of burnout and blah. an active duty Army Chaplain, Webster defines passion as: “a A I began to ask the question: strong liking or desire for or devotion “What makes successful clergy to an activity, object, or concept. An successful?” After all, I felt called to object of desire or deep interest.” ministry and wanted to be successful Appropriate synonyms would be in any branch of service God would fervor, enthusiasm, keen interest, or lead. Therefore, the question that zeal. Note that all of these words/ prompted laser-like observation concepts are very active verbs. There of those who were successful and is nothing passive, dull, or drab about personally fulfilled by their vocation. them. They sizzle like raindrops on I still ask the question today, and still a hot stove. Those who live and acutely observe. The answer I found minister with those characteristics, (others may agree or not) was a common find success in their vocation. element: a passion for ministry. To the vital element of passion, Of course, education, mentoring, I would add an insatiable curiosity preparation, ongoing skill and ongoing creativity. Curiosity development, and other items add to fuels more focus, more research, success. But, if the element of passion more digging which, in turn, feeds either fades or never exists, discontent a passionate work ethic. Creativity and disaster are just around the corner seeks unique ways to see things, make 2 Perspective Table of 4 Is Your Headspace Healthy? 6 5 Tips for Maintaining Personal Contents and Professional Balance 10 From the Counselor’s Desk 12 A Boy and a Book 16 SDA and Military-Related Conference 18 Medical Cadets Corps–A New Generation 22 Dreams, Miracles, and Granite Stones 24 NAD Director’s Thoughts 26 Washington Johnson Promoted to Captain 27 Remembering Memorial Day’s Purpose 2 PERSPECTIVE things, and present materials. That vocation, and seeing the results unfold. kind of performance becomes evident The caution is that one must to others and acts as a magnet to not allow the passion to become an observers who yearn for meaning in obsession that overwhelms other their lives. aspects of life and family. If that The opposite is equally observable. is allowed to happen, the person We have all seen or experienced becomes a workaholic, and their work presentations, articles, or sermons borders on addiction with all the that are stale, dry, drab, and mere concomitant dangers of any addiction. empty shells, delivered so flat that you Jesus was passionate about His wonder if the presenter even believes ministry, yet He frequently took time it. The message, beneath the message, away from the crowds, the preaching, is: “I didn’t really invest in this, but I the healing and the miracle working. have to do it, so here it is.” It comes He needed, and took time to re- across with an astounding THUD! charge, to keep things in balance and Obviously, not a descriptor of success. in perspective. Paul was the same way. The essential missing ingredient is a God had to park him on Malta for a passion with the corollary elements of while before he got to Rome. curiosity and creativity. 1 Passionate professionals love what Studies have shown that individuals they do and do what they love. And, who enjoy their work have higher it shows. levels of performance because they Wise passionate people know encompass creativity, trust colleagues, when to slow down, recharge, allow and have a reduced level of stress. In creativity and curiosity to perk. They short, they actually enjoy what they keep a passion for their relationships, do. Work enjoyment brings about their marriage, and their family as more positive work outcomes. The other side of the coin is the person bright as for their work. The balance is who does the job from an internal refreshing, energizing, and successful. pressure to please others or to get They are passionately fulfilled. ahead. That life view is negatively And, to answer my earlier questions related to work outcomes and has about successful folks, I have found been related negatively to measures of that passionate people in balance psychological health.2 are those who enjoy success and The passionate person would fulfillment both internally and seemingly be willing to do what they externally. I am passionate about that. do without pay. The pay, position, 1 Burke, R. J.; Fikstenbaum, Lisa (May 2009) “Work rank, privileges that come from Motivations, Satisfactions, and Health Among Managers. success are really quite secondary, Passion Versus Addiction: Sage Publications: Cross Cultural although appreciated. The joy is in a Research volume 43. deep, passionate commitment to the 2 Ibid. ADVENTISTSINUNIFORM.ORG WORLDSERVICEORGANIZATION.ORG 3 IS YOUR HEADSPACE HEALTHY? By Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries Staff aily life is replete with challenges Consistent devotional time impacts and even unexpected potholes. how your days, weeks, and months DCoping with these can take a play out. “Let God transform you into toll physically, emotionally, and even a new person by changing the way you spiritually. This can lead to decreased think. Then you will learn to know interest in your job, which can impact God’s will for you, which is good and your performance. Intentional actions pleasing and perfect.”1 to keep your headspace healthy and an Gratitude – Adopting a increased passion for your job bring consistently positive attitude is a plus multiple rewards. when the unforeseen happens. Prayer and Bible study – You will be less likely to become Starting your day out with quiet overwhelmed with negative feelings time, Bible study, and prayer set the when tough times come. There are tone for how the rest of the day plays many ways to reinforce a positive out. Spend time reading God’s life attitude. Keeping a gratitude journal instructions to you and listening as helps you hone each day to calibrate He speaks to you both in reading the your life towards the positive. Writing Word and in prayer. Ask for power to things down is more than a recounting face the day with positivity and to be of what you did. The action of His hands and feet to all you meet. recalling your daily progress can be 4 therapeutic and provides evidence that you made headway, even on days when Intentional actions to it feels like you didn’t. A written record also assists keep your headspace in looking to the future. As you are writing about what you’ve accomplished, reflect on what yet needs healthy and an to be done. These thoughts will be useful as you determine future goals. When you consistently practice increased passion gratitude and record those thoughts, during difficult times you can reflect for your job bring back on affirming events. By doing this, you can change your perspective and work through the negative feelings multiple rewards. towards a more effective outlook. their spirits, and it lifts yours. How Goal-Setting – Goal-setting is can you intentionally show others you the practice of identifying something come into contact with that you care you want to achieve and then about them? outlining how you will succeed. Some individuals feel weighed down Use Positive Speak – Scientific with goals. Setting progressive goals studies tell us that optimistic thinking helps with overwhelm. What is the and speaking can prolong life. In overall thing you want to achieve? a study conducted by the Harvard Identify micro-goals, midterm goals, T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and long-term goals as steps. You researchers “observed strong can also assign these as daily, weekly, associations between higher optimism quarterly, and annual goals. As you levels and lower risks of mortality.”2 see achievement in various areas, The study also cites “higher optimism you’ll experience satisfaction as you was associated with a lower risk of see effective implementation. mortality from many major causes Solution Seeker – Instead of of death, including cancer, heart focusing on the negative at work, disease, and stroke.”3 become a solution seeker. Looking Your mental health “is much more only at problems tends to create than a diagnosis. It’s your overall negative attitudes. Anyone can point psychological well-being—the way you out problems, but intentionally finding feel about yourself and others as well solutions changes how you look at your as your ability to manage your feelings job, your department, your superiors. 4 By finding solutions, you can energize and deal with everyday difficulties.” yourself and others to 1 Romans 12:2, New Living Translation Care for others – Have you ever 2 American Journal of Epidemiology, Volume 185, Issue 1, 1 January noticed that when someone smiles, 2017, Pages 21–29, https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kww182 it’s contagious? Do you intentionally 3 Ibid. make someone smile on a daily basis? 4 https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/women-s-mental- A simple action, such as a smile, has health-matters/201510/9-ways-you-can-improve-your- an immediate impact on others. It lifts mental-health-today 5 6 Dr. D’Andria Jackson, Staff Psychologist, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD. had a five year plan for my life, fortunate to have family in the area, children were included, but they but when family isn’t accessible, the Iwere distantly located in the plan. relationships you form with Navy Knowing the goals I set for my life, I family can be just as supportive.