I found out recently that our book, Military Ministry, has been translated into Ukrainian to be used at a seminary in Kyiv, and they asked me to write a preface for the new translation. It is an honor, and frankly more than a little exciting, to realize our work is being used to prepare men and women for ministry. We already know there are several colleges and seminaries in the United States that are using it and recommending it. Now it has gone international.
A quick shout out to my partners/co-authors, Keith Travis and Chris Linzey, for a job well done. You are fantastic chaplains, great writers, and good friends. I appreciate you.
The following is an excerpt from the new preface. It will be translated into Ukrainian.
Serving as a chaplain is a unique ministry. You have an opportunity to represent God to people who are facing some of the toughest circumstances possible. And they are looking to you for help, for hope, for a word from the Lord. My hope is that reading and discussing this book will help prepare a new generation of chaplains who will be ready to face every challenge and opportunity with courage and confidence as they fulfill God’s calling to make a difference in people’s lives, and in so doing, make a difference in the nation as a whole.
Chaplains everywhere are called to nurture the living, care for the wounded, and honor those who have died. This is the foundation of chaplain ministry. But there are two other principles that you must understand. The first is the Ministry of Presence. As a minister, one of the most important actions is to simply be where your people are, experiencing their conditions and their environment. A friend of mine calls it Incarnational Ministry. In the same way that Jesus Christ was God Incarnate who came to our world to live and walk among us, your people need to see you, hear you, and touch you because in a very real way, you represent the living God to them.
The second concept is that Ministry Follows Friendship. If you will spend time with your people, be a friend to them, and build relationships, the day will come that they want to talk about what it means to encounter the Lord, they will know you and trust you, and they will come to you for your guidance. And that is why we serve as chaplains.
May the Lord encourage you and empower you for the great work ahead of you. Thank you for answering the call.
This is the English version. If we manage to get a copy of the Ukrainian translation, we’ll be sure to post it right away.
Meanwhile, you are welcome to contact us any time you have a question, would like help with a situation you’re facing, or even if you’d like to talk or pray with someone outside your chain of command or denominational structure. We are here to serve, support, and provide helpful information.
Dr. Paul Linzey is a retired Army chaplain and former pastor and university professor. He writes full-time and volunteers in the church he and his wife attend.
Military Chaplain Guide 