The Vision of ACM World Leadership in the New Millenium

Introduction:

Through its chaplains and world leadership Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries participates in the world mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. ACM leadership at all levels will function as servant leaders, facilitating the ministry of professional clergy chaplains, volunteer clergy chaplains, lay chaplain assistants and others in the church. The vision of ACM world leadership involves five major objectives for this specialized ministry:

Objective Number 1:
Development of a Spiritually-committed and Mission-focused Ministry.

The ministry of Jesus Christ will serve as our model.

We will recruit chaplains who are spiritually-committed, possess requisite spiritual gifts and who are people-centered in all they do.

We will promote an orientation to the mission of the church among all our chaplains.


Objective Number 2:
Development of a Chaplaincy Force Participating in the Mission Outreach of the Church.

We will promote ministry roles that involve inreach/outreach in campus, corrections, healthcare, military and other settings.

We will seek to be part of Global Mission through our involvement with the local church and the conference and through mentoring others in ministry.


Objective Number 3:
Development of a Professional and Competent Chaplaincy.

We will promote educational standards and help provide educational opportunities for professional clergy chaplains, volunteer clergy chaplains and lay chaplain assistants.

We will provide functional support to the field through sample job descriptions and definitions.

We will provide resources to the field, such as a chaplains' manual, "how to" material, model policies and programs and human resources.

We will promote ecclesiastical endorsement in all divisions through the development of endorsement and recognition guidelines for professional clergy chaplains, volunteer clergy chaplains and lay chaplain assistants.


Objective Number 4:
Development of a Chaplaincy Supported and Resourced by the Church.

We will develop and circulate model policies for ACM at all levels of church organization.

We will promote creative funding options, including divisional ACM offerings and grant sources.

We will seek to enhance the quality of chaplaincy through assistance in recruiting and placement.

We will endeavor to raise the level of awareness about Adventist chaplains, through articles in church papers and chaplaincy recognition Sabbaths.


Objective Number 5:
Development of a Ministry That Is Networking and Systems-Oriented.

The General Conference ACM office will make consultation and guidance available to all divisions.

An international board for Adventist chaplaincy will provide coordination of all ACM-related efforts, and also conduct periodic advisories.

We will seek to
1) Develop a network of world chaplaincy leaders serving all levels of church organization,
2) Encourage working relationships between ACM and relevant church departments (Education, Health Ministries, Ministerial, Youth).

We will connect ACM chaplains and leadership through newsletters, conferences and the internet, and through creation of an ACM database.

We will create ministry growth opportunities through mentoring.

We will support our chaplains in the field through endorser field visitation, mentoring, career guidance and counseling.