Chaps' Tent: The misconceptions surrounding a chaplain's role

Tooting my own horn here as a retired Navy chaplain. Often, misconceptions exist as to what a chaplain is. We are not psychiatrists, psychologists, or social workers. We are chaplains who work in the spiritual realm.

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Chaplains are ministers in uniform, men and women, ordained clergy persons who minister in institutional settings rather than local churches. i.e., military, hospital, industrial, prisons, to provide pastoral care in many forms to the men and women in the Military, their dependents, and anyone else who may require ministry.

Worship services, Bible studies, and classes may be held at any time, not necessarily on Sunday. The chaplain is transported, via helicopter or boat, to ships that don’t have chaplains assigned to conduct services, sometimes holding many services in one day.

Everywhere sailors and marines go, they go, being accessible to the Sailors and Marines wherever.

They provide ministry within the confines of their faith tradition and theological conscience while recognizing the religious needs of other faith groups.

Worship takes place in many different places other than the chapel. Pastoral care and counseling are a big part of the chaplain’s responsibility, usually spent in one-on-one encounters. They provide for the "free exercise of religion." Military members can be assured that there is always a chaplain somewhere.

When you pray today, pray for your soldier, airman, sailor, marine, or coast guard personnel, and remember to pray for your chaplain. Toot! Toot! Thanks.

CHAPS OUT!

This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: The misconceptions surrounding a chaplain's role