How Chaplains and Church Work Together
The story is told of a blind man and a crippled man who met deep in the forest. Neither could get out of the forest, because the blind man couldn't see where to go and the crippled man couldn't walk. So how did they get out? You probably know the answer already. The crippled man climbed up on the blind man's back, and guided the blind man as he walked them both to safety! The story is an example of inter-dependency; neither independent nor dependent, but mutually supportive of one another's needs.
The principle of inter-dependency is the core of the relationship between chaplain and church. Through its chaplains a significant work of the church is done; and through the church's support and resources chaplains are enabled to minister. So, with this principle in mind, what are the ways that chaplains and church support one another?
Chaplains support the Church when they...
Represent our Lord and the church in a positive way.
Participate in the life of the local Adventist church.
Practice faithful stewardship of time, talents and fiscal and other resources.
Function as a resource for churches and the conference.
Receive endorsement through Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries.
Provide a positive voice for the church through excellence in their work.
Discover and develop new means, methods and materials to share with chaplains.
Maintain accountability to the church and hold in sacred trust the pastoral office.
Observe ethical standards of conduct in all they do.
Contribute to the advancement of chaplaincy as a profession.
Advance the gospel mission of the church in all they do.
The Church supports its chaplains through ACM by...
Sponsoring professional membership associations for chaplains.
Linking chaplains through The Adventist Chaplain and www.adventistchaplains.org.
Sponsoring periodic professional conferences and continuing education events.
Working to develop and/or identify existing professional education opportunities.
Telling the story of chaplaincy and developing chaplaincy-related policies and programs.
Working with various parties to develop and/or make available chaplaincy resources.
Seeking to expand Adventist chaplaincy into new traditional and nontraditional venues.
Setting standards, endorsing qualified persons and facilitating ministerial credentialing.
Field work with chaplains for encouragement and constructive evaluation of ministry.
Involvement in a variety of chaplaincy-related professional organizations.
Facilitating contact between prospective employers and qualified chaplaincy candidates.
Getting Out of the Woods!
Of course, the blind man/crippled man metaphor goes only so far. After all, neither chaplain or church should be blind or crippled! But can they work together? When faced with challenges of ministry to a dying world, can they both say "Let's support one another," and thereby advance the Kingdom of God on earth and prepare a world for the coming of Christ?