“Pluralism is foundational, yet it is one of the more difficult issues for many chaplain candidates, chaplains, and even some endorsers to understand and discuss because we’re accustomed to working and ministering in a local congregation where almost everyone we interact with is from our own denomination, with identical doctrine and similar worship style.” Military Ministry, pg. 123
Over the past 20 years I have endorsed or been part of the endorsing/interviewing team for over 1000 (or more) chaplains. Most of these chaplains served in the US Military. The idea of pluralism and diversity came up in every conversation with these chaplains. Each prospective chaplain was asked about serving in a pluralistic ministry. They all voiced an affirmative response that they were ready, willing and able to serve in this environment.
In terms of pluralism, church ministry and chaplaincy are totally different. In chaplaincy, every day, probably every hour the chaplain will encounter someone who does not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. They will encounter someone of a different faith background and tradition or no faith background at all. In church ministry, this is not the norm.
As an endorser and educator (and a retired Army chaplain), most prospective chaplains do not fully understand the idea of pluralism within chaplaincy. It is not easy to fully grasp until you begin to serve and minister. It is difficult to come into a ministry from the pastorate and see chaplains who wear the same branch insignia that you, and they do not share your faith tradition. The regulations and standard operating procedures say everyone is equal and chaplains are supposed to interact with each other in that manner.
In many ways our culture has lost a common sense of mutual respect. Sometimes chaplains tend to shape their ministry about their own gifts and talents. Several years back I asked the Chief of Chaplains of the AF if there was one thing he would like for me to say to chaplains in the classes I teach. He said, “Tell them that their ministry is not about them, but about those they serve.” I think that is good advice when we think about pluralism. One leader for the SBC said that chaplains don’t become some purple mush. He said they maintain their faith, faith perspective and serve in a secular, pluralistic environment. Taking the Sacred to the Secular is not easy.
It is a difficult task that requires a lot of thought and prayer.
~ Chaplain Keith Travis, Colonel, United States Army (Ret.), Ecclesiastical Endorser
Check Amazon to see Chaplain Travis’ new book, Military Ministry: Chaplains in the Twenty-First Century!
Military Chaplain Guide 