I Love My Family

Job Description

I hate to admit it but very few people understand the role of a military chaplain.  According to DoD directives, the job of a chaplain is to Facilitate for Others, Provide for One’s Own (faith group), Advise the Command and Care for All.  That may sound kind of complicated, but it really boils down to two primary tasks.   Chaplains exist to serve the spiritual well-being of the fleet (personnel) and act as the moral and ethical adviser to the Command.  In these, we must demonstrate servant-leadership in an unprecedented manner– operating both within and outside the military chain and serving both the leaders and the enlisted, equally.  The goal, then, is to maintain a dynamic ‘balance’ in the midst of an institution that exists in chaos.

Bearing the title of soldier, sailor, or Marine demands an unbelievable lifestyle, and not just in times of war.  Life as a service member is one of constant ‘service’ and being told what to do.  This is, of course, exhausting, and when an opportunity for free choice arises, some service member don’t always know how to handle the freedom.  Many rapidly go ‘buck wild’ into debt, develop relationship issues, and/or substance abuse.  It’s sad, and the problems are not unique to only junior enlisted.

Again, the privileged role of a chaplain is one of moral and spiritual support/advisement.  When our service members get into trouble, or fear that they may get into trouble, the chaplain is the only ‘safe place’ they can go.  Operating outside the direct ‘chain of command,’ we are the only ones who can offer advice and counseling without the fear of retribution.  It is an incredible privilege, and one that no one should take lightly.

The deeper I walk down this path, the more humility I must embrace. 

A Day Without Jesus is Death

Gotta love the PRT!

Many have asked what an average day is like during this training cycle.  Well, since every week is exactly the same, I can tell fairly easily...

Monday through Friday, we wake up at 0430 and need to be dressed and out the door for morning exercise (PT).  We do a heavy cardio circuit or run from 0530 until 0630, and have almost exactly 45min to shower, get dressed in our camis (which is a process), eat breakfast, and get to the schoolhouse for the day.  Classes run from 0730 until 1630/1700 everyday and take place in a single room.  Every class revolves around the multifaceted history and duties of US Naval Chaplaincy.  We arrive back to our housing each night, cook our own dinners and then begin completing the assigned homework, which is always a weekly research paper, group presentation project, or reading assignment.  The day typically ends at 2200 for most.

On Saturday and Sunday, there is no formal class instruction or direction.  However, given that every minute of our weekday is booked, the weekend becomes a means of completing previously neglected chores such as: sleep, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, haircuts (need one every week), boot shining, correspondence with loved ones, and more sleep.  Before you know it, the weekend is done its time to do it all over again.

Please understand that I am not complaining (I really like it), nor am I suggesting that the schedule is too demanding or difficult.  What I am trying to stress is that every moment belongs to the Navy and there is very, very little time for doing what I want or even need to do....like eat or sleep!  But beyond these physical needs, I have found times where I felt unable to practice my spiritual devotional life and failed to do so.

When these days occurred, I brushed them off as 'only one day' or tried to justify my failure by reminding myself that I am at Chaplaincy school, surrounded by other Christians, and learning about ministry according to my personal faith tradition.  Surely our talks and emphasis are producing enough of a spiritual residue that my personal spiritual life will benefit...WRONG. 

By the end of the second week, I knew I was spiritually parched and in need to refreshing.  I had been running on my own strength and using business and context to justify my weak condition.  Being busy is just an excuse; it's not a reason.

The days will never slow down - it's the military and they are going to try to own every minute, but I can  choose how I will spend the precious few I'm given.  This schedule has proven that I can go periods without food or sleep, but it's also proven that I cannot go a single day without prayer and Bible study.  A day without food or sleep is a bad day, but a day without Jesus is death.

Get a Battle Buddy

When I first arrived on assignment, I was a little thrown off when I learned that I would have a roommate.  Not that one wouldn't expect such given the DoD's frugality, but our work up stated private rooms.  When I met Josh, I quickly learned why we were roomed together.  We are both in the same program, same age, same home local, and we are both fathers to young boys.  But there was a greater reason we were paired up: because God loves us.

Through my time here, Josh has been an incredible "Battle Buddy."  God has used each of us to encourage one another, share stress and frustrations, find the lighter side of military life, and even perform ministry ops together.  On several outings, God has allowed our unique traits to begin conversations with others about Jesus and the Christian faith.  One young recruit had just graduated Basic Training and was now on his way to his first duty station.  He looked 'squared away,' but something was certainly unusual about this guy.  Through Josh's incredible gently personality, he was able to get this young soldier to drop his guard and enter into a conversation with us.  With his defenses down, we quickly learned that the brother was running from college and some other responsibilities.  It was obvious that his decision to join the Army was a means of misdirection, and at this moment the Lord gave me the wisdom to minister to him there at the base food court.  Encounters like this have been the 'norm' with my roommate and it reminds me of God's eternal truth - It is not good for man to be alone (Gen. 2).

Certainly this passage above is in direct reference to marriage, but the entirety of Scripture encourages its application to all aspects of life.  Proverbs speaks of the importance of friends.  In the Gospels we see Jesus always sending the disciples out 'by twos.'  And, of course, the ministry of the resurrected Son is adoption into God's family - the Church.

Don't do life alone.  Sure, it may seem easier, but you are actually making your life harder.  We all need accountability, encouragement, and the joy of another.  Pick you friends carefully, and allow for mutual investment.  Pray for your friends, and enjoy the privileges they bring.

The Importance of Presence

Earlier this week, my son celebrated his birthday without daddy being home.  Yes, daddy sent a present, made an early morning phone call where he and 17 of his  Navy friends sang 'Happy Birthday' over the speaker phone, and even had a full 'cake and ice cream' party prior to daddy's departure; however, all of this still was not enough. 

On the night of his birthday, my son waited by the compute with baited breath to Skype with daddy on his birthday.  You see, every night since daddy left on assignment, I have been able to Skype with the boys while they were in their beds and say our evening prayers together.  My son was expectation the same on the night of his birthday, but on that night daddy couldn't Skype.  Of all the nights and days of the week, my internet was out and there was no way to connect.  So, I called my son and prayed with him and his brothers.  I believed everything was OK until....my wife sent me a text stating that all he wanted all day was to 'see' daddy on his birthday.  In fact, he even told his teachers at school that this was his only wish.

Well, that's all it took.  I immediately got creative and sacrificial and somehow managed to access Skype via my cell phone.  I called my son and he got to see daddy on his birthday.   There was no lengthy or revelatory conversation; in fact, he didn't say much of anything.  He just smiled and watched me through his computer.  All he needed was to 'see' his daddy to be happy.

Q - Are you seeking 'our Father?'  So many Christians just go through life without earnestly seeking the Father's face.  It's bad enough that most simply do not pray, but when you consider the gift of the Holy Spirit, and His revelatory power, it is truly amazing the level of Christian apathy.

My son reminded me of the power of 'face time' with daddy.  An exchange of words is great, but there is no substitute for engaging and observing the love and beauty of another (Rom 8).  Seek an encounter with God today.  Do it right now.  Pray and ask to 'see' Him.  No, you probably won't get a literal vision, but I promise you an encounter.  If not in that moment, then certainly at some point in your day when grace is displayed in all in beauty.  The truth is - He wants face time with us even more than we want it with Him (John 3:16).   

Doing What I Do Best

I Cor 12:27 - Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

 This past weekend I had the privilege of attending chapel on base.  It was a great service with very kind and loving people who were committed to their local church and their God.  Everyone talked with each other as if they were family, and when the time came for the preaching of the Word, they were excited and eager to receive it.  It was a great, great military base church.

However, despite their love and generosity, I still felt out of place.  Please understand that this had nothing to do with them, but everything to do with me.  You see, when I enter a new environment, I look for the missionary opportunities.  Even when I was pastoring in NYC, one of the biggest perks for me was seeing who the new people in the service were and beginning a meaningful conversation with them.  At the base chapel this Sunday, the entire back row was filled with new Army recruits, and I knew that many of them were only there because they were in desperate need of divine encouragement after a week of being yelled at by the Sergeant.  Unfortunately, their location inside the church, along with the watchful eye of their instructor, made conversation with them impossible.  I tried my hardest anyway, even choosing to stand the entire service in the back of the sanctuary.  My hope was that one of them would make a run for the bathroom and I could follow them out for a 'not too awkward' conversation.  No such luck...

But all was not lost!  Whereas the Army soldiers in the sanctuary were bound and gagged, there was a whole platoon coming out of the chapel basement and into the lobby area.  They were talking among themselves so I knew I could converse with them, too.  As it turns out, they were Muslims who had just finished morning prayers and study in the downstairs Sunday School classrooms.  We talked at length about life, the military and faith.  We didn't quite have time for an altar call, but there was a moment of deep contemplation among them when I shared my pastoral experience with them.  They were blown away by how many times God saved/changed a person's life or provided miraculously in times of need.  A seed was surely planted.

I left the chapel service truly blessed and feeling close to God.  No, I didn't hear much of the sermon and I wasn't able to enjoy the old hymns; but, I did hear the voice of God and surely felt His presence as I ministered His truth to others.  Sunday was an incredible day in the Lord because I was doing what I was created to do.  I didn't just go to church - I was the church.

The church is Christ's body, and each one of us is a special part for a special purpose.  Find your identity and do it!

I Like Chaos

First week of training is done and the most important I have learned is that I run toward the chaotic. 
Difficult and demanding situations do not scare; in fact, they excite me.  All week I have learned about the challenges of chaplaincy ministry (which are a lot like church planting in NYC), and I am more excited than ever to be involved.  The problem, however, is that while I embrace challenge, doing so does not make me immune from its negative effects, such as estrangement, stress, and exhaustion.  It's a bit ironic, until you consider the source of my calling.
 
The Spirit calls each of us to a different ministry and environment, and each has its unique rewards and challenges.  But in every calling there is often a foundational aspect of that call that simply cannot be done by the natural characteristics or abilities of the individual.  Of course, it is the Spirit who overcomes these obstacles, but He often does so through manners that exhaust us in the process.
  
I know that this is not popular theology, but it's true!  Consider 2 Corinthians 4:7-12.  Paul writes that his life of ministry (and that of all believers) is one of consistent challenge for the glory of God.  None of us can escape this truth since it is at the heart of God's means for demonstrating His glory in us and unto the world.
  
So here is the deal: don't run from the challenges God sets before you, and don't be surprised when the task takes a toll on you mentally, physically or otherwise.  When we are weak, He is strong.  When we are brought low, He is shown exalted.  Embrace the chaos.

Approved for Battle

2 Tim 2:15 -  Do your best to present yourself to God as one (tested and) approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed…

I’ll probably get flack for posting this, but after 8 years of ministry, primarily to young adults, combined with these past four in seminary, has given me plenty of opportunity to observe a large number of people.  The sad truth is that most people do not want to ‘work.’  Sure, they want a position, a paycheck, or an opportunity, but they don’t want to be tested, criticized, or held accountable; which is what ‘work’ is.

I leave today for yet another multi-week military chaplaincy training mandate.  Like so many others, I am very eager for the opportunity and adventure.  It is fun and exciting to do something new, work in a unique environment and wear camouflage.  However, this is only a very small reason for my enthusiasm.  The real source of my eagerness is the opportunity to learn, fail, and learn some more after failing.  I know I am a good and qualified minister, and I know my level of physical readiness is above those much younger than me; but I also know that I am not perfect, and that true effectiveness depends on near perfection.  I want to be yelled at, attempt new and outrageous tasks, and do it all under intense pressure now, so that I will be that much better tomorrow.  Perfection does not come instantly and it certainly does not come easily.  I am greatly distressed by the number of people who bristle at ‘red tape,’ extensive pre-requisites, or criticism.  Only after the blade is thoroughly grinded with the stone does it become an effective instrument of war.

About Supporting our Ministry

In lieu of our recent transition out of NYC, many have asked about our financial needs. We are retaining our status as national A/G US Missionaries and will serve under special assignment through church planting and chaplaincy.  We would be honored if you would please continue your support during this new season of vocational ministry.

Donations and support can still be sent to:
                        AG US MISSIONS
                        1445 Boonville Ave
                        Springfield, MO 65802

Our account remains # 293-4370.  Please do not hesitate to
contact us directly.  We cannot serve without YOU!

Here we Plant Again

     So, what’s next?!? Sadly, there is no shortage of unbelieving and searching people, including in our own home towns. Over the past year, we have come to know and support the church-planting efforts of Shawn Bentley and Life Church-Hershey. His vision and strategy for reaching the ‘unchurched’ and disconnected are identical to what we implemented in Queens. It is now our privilege to partner with his team and assist them in bringing forth a Spirit-filled church in Hershey, PA.
      We plan to focus on evangelism and discipleship efforts, as well as welcoming newcomers. Our hope is to begin weekly Bible Studies, build community, and see the Spirit move according to Acts 2. The ‘spirit of religion,’ and thus the need, is very great in this area, but we see opportunity to connect with a community that has a rich history in service. We are honored to be a part of this & covet your continued support!

Promises Fulfilled in Queens

   When we arrived in NYC 8 years ago, all we knew with certainty was that God had promised to build His church and launch a regional form of ministry if we would obey faithfully. This year, that promise has been fulfilled! On March 9, FHCC will embrace new, indigenous leadership and join the Point Church (A/G) ministry network. This strategic partnership ensures our commitment to Spirit-filled ministry, biblical accountability, and an evangelistic emphasis to the Jewish community in both Queens and the greater NYC area.

     We are humbled by all the Lord has done through us in NYC. We have baptized 75 new believers, preached to thousands, performed weddings, dedicated babies, comforted the grieving and seen every miracle of I Cor 12 fulfilled. There is now a Spirit-empowered, community-reaching church in the heart of a Jewish neighborhood, where none previously existed. While it is hard to say goodbye to our church family in NY, we are confident in FHCC’s new leadership, excited for the future of that church, and eager to set out on the new endeavors to which God has called us as AG US Missionaries.