In a world where division often seems more prevalent than unity, it’s easy to assume that people are unwilling to cross the lines that separate them. As a Navy chaplain, I know that our role is not to stay within the walls of our own traditions, but to reach beyond them to care for those who may not share our beliefs.
Thank You For Being My Chaplain Too
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.
Do You Need a Mentor?
One of the ways to avoid getting into trouble is to establish accountability measures and allow key people in your life to hold you answerable for what is morally right, and what is helpful in your career. It is important to establish professional and spiritual mentoring relationships. We all need someone we can turn to …
Driving Up the Mountain
I was a chaplain with an infantry battalion that was conducting field exercises in Yakima, Washington. While visiting our soldiers at remote locations, I asked my Chaplain Assistant if he would go up and over the mountain instead of taking the road around it. He agreed, but soon stopped and said he couldn’t go further …
Funeral for a Clock
After I completed the Army Chaplain Basic Course, my first assignment was with a medical unit. While participating in a field training exercise at Camp Parks in California, I met with the First Sergeant one day, and he told me that one of his Soldiers died. When I asked who the soldier was, he told …
Military Chaplain Guide 