Chapel And The Ministry

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

Sunset from the apartment.

We had a great Bible Study and Chapel Service today. Just when I think I can get a handle on names and faces, we get a fresh crop of new faces. Chapel is alot like church, but then also completely different. It is hard for tradition and "we ain't never done it like that" to be an issue when the entire congregation turns over every few years. The necessity of knowing the ever changing congregation and adjusting to their needs is even more pronounced.

At different times, some have made comments or expressed concerns that chapel is not "real" church, or that the chaplain cannot be a "real" pastor, because he is restricted by what he can and cannot preach. (After an initial seething thought, I have to laugh on the inside. I have sat through some real yawners, and I am glad chapel is not like "real" church.) As far as sermons go, they are prepared and never have to receive clearance from anyone other than the Holy Spirit. There is no fear of repercussions from other chaplains, higher ranking officers.....deacons, elders, disgruntled members, etc. ;)

During our time at Fort Benning, a few alluded to the notion that Soldiers were only attending church and accepting Christ because of where they were going after Basic Training. (A false assumption they were all headed to war, and they had to get right with GOD in the meantime.) After listening to the soldiers give their testimony, it had more to do with the fact that Basic Training was the first time many had ever heard about Jesus. All we have to do is share Jesus, and He will take care of the rest. So many of the soldiers had never spent any time with a pastor (shhhh, they do not know the chaplain is not a "real" pastor), attended any type of church service, or even read a Bible.

I want to say thank-you to a few folks from various parts of the country. Because of your concern for the men at Fort Benning, the chaplain was able to give over 3000 soldiers a whole Bible - for many it was their first Bible.

Now that we have left the country, we are considered "on the mission field" by some. As a chaplain, he has always been a North American Mission Board Missionary to the US Army, whether he is stateside or abroad. While the surroundings have changed drastically, the mission has not.