At yesterday’s voters’ assembly, I shared with the congregation a brief overview and summary of the reserve military chaplaincy, and why I am asking the members of Peace In Christ to support extending our shared ministry to include the servicemen and women I would reach as an Air Force Reserve chaplain.
In summary:
- The ministry of a LCMS chaplain is distinctly Christian and Lutheran. Military chaplains are expected to minister according to the teachings of their denomination or faith group. For example, Baptist chaplains don’t baptize infants; Lutheran chaplains don’t commune those who deny the true presence; Jewish chaplains don’t preach about Jesus. While not all denominations are willing to set specific standards and expectations regarding theology, doctrine and practice, the LCMS has no such challenges. Chaplains endorsed by the LCMS minister distinctly as Lutheran pastors who just happen to be in-uniform. Accordingly, LCMS chaplains are among the most highly respected among all Christian denominations for our thorough education, high standards, and doctrinal certitude.
- The ministry of a pastor who is also a reserve military chaplain is an extension of the local congregation’s ministry. This is not subtraction; it’s addition. Applying the Christian principles of stewardship, mission, and extending the kingdom of God, the pastor-in-uniform extends the size and scope of the congregation’s mission to people that the congregation could not otherwise reach.
- Reserve military chaplaincy does not necessarily require regular Sunday absences. As an Air Force Reserve chaplain, I would be seeking attachment to an active duty base chapel. The base chaplain and I would work out a schedule that would be beneficial to the ministry on-base, that would also not interfere with the ongoing ministry at Peace In Christ. Time in-uniform and away from Peace In Christ would be equivalent to the “one weekend a month, two weeks in the summer” schedule of the Reserve and National Guard, though these days could be arranged as a Monday to Wednesday every month, or a Monday to Friday every other month. There is a great deal of flexibility in scheduling these days.
- In order to proceed with reappointment as a chaplain in the Air Force Reserve, Peace In Christ and I will need a signed agreement, specifying what will happen in the unlikely event of my deployment or being called into active duty. The agreement could specify a time frame for my call to Peace In Christ to remain in effect, a time at which the congregation would have the right to initiate a call process, and salary from the church for any duration of active duty. These details are all negotiable, and warrant further discussion.
Below is a video about Operation Barnabas, an effort by the LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces to mobilize congregations in service to our nation’s sons and daughters in uniform. And while there are numerous opportunities for the members of Peace In Christ to serve our military, for what it’s worth I can think of no better way than to offer them the service of a pastor, a few days every month.
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