On June 14, we celebrate not only Flag Day, but also the founding of the US Army. The Army's website proclaims, "Since 1775, America's Army has stood ready to protect the nation and its people and will fight to defend its values." The army (like the Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard) has full-timers …
Ukrainian Translation of Military Ministry
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 …
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Honor the Dead
Remember those who never came home. Remember the families who carry both pride and grief. Remember those who gave their future so others could live theirs.
My Most Useful Seminary Classes
These are the three categories of classes that prepared me most for ministry in uniform
Unusual Places I’ve Held Church Service
Church is not ultimately about the building
Embarrassing Rookie Mistake
When I was commissioned as a chaplain, I had a lot of ministerial experience in the church world. Plus, as the son of a good military chaplain, I had seen and heard many stories and principles about effectively navigating a military career. However, there were several specific practices that I hadn’t picked up on. Knowing …
What Exactly Does a Chaplain Do?
The government offers a straightforward answer in Title 10, which directs chaplains to conduct weekly worship services and perform burial rites. While accurate, this description is notably brief. In practice, each branch of the Armed Services expands upon these responsibilities in ways that reflect its unique culture and mission. When one considers the full scope …
Guest Blogger: Air Force Commissioned Officer Training
I had heard that Commissioned Officer Training was easier than the enlisted side’s Basic Military Training, or even the Officer Training School, because we chaplains were part of the professional corps. In fact, I heard some stories that included tales of playing golf that made COT seem like a club, complete with housekeeping and gourmet …
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Friendship, Availability, Character, and Trust: F.A.C.T.
Building trust among the people in the command is essential for a chaplain who wants to be effective and successful, but it can be tricky. It is a known fact that people in the military will be watching their chaplain, and they’ll determine whether they trust you by what they see and hear. If they …
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Big Enough to Love and Care
America’s founders had experienced the abuses of political and religious powers in the European monarchies, so they attempted to create a new nation that prevented the duplication of those problems. That is why from the very beginning, the United States was not a monarchy, and there would be no official religion. Instead of kings who …
Military Chaplain Guide 