Posted on Feb 13, 2018
I just commissioned into the Navy Reserve as a chaplain. What advice can you give me to be the best chaplain possible?
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Chaplain
Spirituality
Religion
Junior Officers
Navy Reserve
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 103
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Be out and about with your sailors and Marines. Don't expect them to come to you all the time...something about being seen walking into a chapel especially when your team members know you are struggling. You will be amazed how a ping pong game or a game of horseshoes or checkers or a run etc will open up someone to you. Conversations here will flow into others especially when they feel comfortable around you. People will have to trust you before they will come see you. As stated below, be honest speak truth and don't be judgemental...they will know if you are slinging bull to just try to get close to them. The chaplains that I have been closest to over the years have beenthe ones that I got to know because they were out and about in the unit...not behind a desk in the chapel
As a side note...cookies are always good!!!
As a side note...cookies are always good!!!
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Lt Col Michael Kwan
Be mindful that there are many religions there, not just Christians and respect others who may believe differently.
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CHAPS-Patience is a virtue. You're going to have everyone from kids embarking on the biggest adventure of their lives to "young old men" struggling to get through another year towards retirement. You're also going to be the only "therapist", "priest" and advocate for many across many beliefs, creeds and expectations. You'll hear every "Sea Lawyer" trick on the books...and a few that haven't been written yet. That cross on your collar sometimes means more than the rank on the other side and then again, you're still a serving officer...it's a line you'll have to walk, but one many have walked successfully before. Look for the guy circling the drain and don't let him go down. Never forget that your greatest weapon is faith...and your "Boss" is a great commander.
Best wishes and Best of Luck! (from one the CHAPS didn't let go down the drain)
Best wishes and Best of Luck! (from one the CHAPS didn't let go down the drain)
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LTJG (Join to see)
Thank you for your wisdom. Encouraged to hear the chaplain ministry was a personal blessing to you.
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1. Keep an open mind. 2. Guide do not preach. 3. Talk from the heart. 4. Keep it to yourself. 5. Remember Christ did not judge folks.
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CW2 Jalistair B
Jesus did judge folks. The entire Gospels are full of his judging people from those in religious leadership home he called hypocrites to those turning his house into a market place whom he drove out of the temple with a whip that he took the time to make before driving them out. As such, those in God's service are commanded to preach his word.
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SGT Mark Saint Cyr
I have to agree with CW2 Jalistair, that Christ did indeed judge. SGM Bill Frazer I think what you are misjudging in this case, the first commandment, or "Love one another". Jesus lived that by example in everything he did. But sometimes, because of who he was or here "being about his father's business", this sometimes caused him to have to act.
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CW2 Jalistair B
SGT Mark Saint Cyr - Another classic example is the woman at the well, after Jesus asked the men who came to condemn her who was going to cast the first stone, they left (presumably because they themselves were guilty of sleeping with this woman and the Old Testament called not for the woman to be stoned to death but for both her and her lover to be stoned) he turned to the woman and said that he did not condemn her either (forgiveness) and to go forth and sin no more (commandment and judgment).
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