IS GOD CALLING YOU TO BECOME A CHAPLAIN? A Chaplain is essentially a spiritual representative attached to a secular institution. For nearly eight years, I have served as a Workplace Chaplain with a ministry to Christians in the marketplace. Chaplains may or may not be certified, have a theological education, or be ordained or commissioned by a particular denomination, though many of us are. While the Chaplaincy has traditionally been associated with representatives of the Christian faith, the term is now used for representatives of any faith. Some Chaplains are expected to represent multiple faiths, acting as a sort of neutral spiritual resource. Military and hospital Chaplains come to mind as being servants in that context. Chaplains are expected to serve the spiritual and emotional needs of others. Some Chaplains perform weddings or funeral ceremonies, administer communion, deliver spiritual messages, offer prayer at public meetings, and provide regular counseling. Other Chaplains meet the need of the moment, usually through listening and prayer. Chaplains may also function as advocates; hospital Chaplains, for example, may make requests of a nurse to help meet a particular patients needs while a Military Chaplains may provide for, lets say, a marriage enrichment retreat. Chaplains work in many environments. Most commonly, Chaplains are attached to the military, to hospitals, to law enforcement and fire departments, to political bodies (such as the United States Congress and Senate), to sports teams, and to educational institutions. Some corporations, music groups, and even households (historically the nobility, and now certain monarchs), may also employ Chaplains. Martin of Tours, named after Mars, the god of war, was a soldier in the Roman army during the 4th century and is often considered to be the first Chaplain. As tradition has it, Martin was with some fellow soldiers at the gates of the city Amiens when he met a beggar on a bitterly cold day. Ignored by the other soldiers, Martin impulsively cut his own military cloak in half and shared it with the beggar. That night Martin dreamed of Jesus wearing the half-cloak he had given away. Jesus reminded him, “Whatever you’ve done for the least of these, you’ve done also to me.” One version of the story has the cloak being restored when he awoke. This cloak (Latin “cappa”) became one of the most sacred relics of the Frankish kings and was even carried into battle. The priest who cared for the cappa was called a “cappelanu.” Ultimately, all priests in the military were soon referred to as “cappellani. The French translation is “chapelains,” from which the English word “chaplain” is derived. Are YOU a Chaplain? Do feel the Holy Spirit leading you in that direction? Your gifts will make room for you, after all (Prov 18:16). As a Chaplain, I have served people in jails and prisons, in hospitals, and at sporting events. I have officiated many weddings, funerals and baby dedications. As an affiliate of “twogether in Texas,” I have facilitated many pre-marfital and relational counseling sessions as well as marriage seminars. Because of my experience serving the hurting people in the workforce as a Workplace Chaplain, I have been invited to speak at churches and conferences. I have also been certified as a Chaplain through the Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN) and will take part in training Chaplains to serve that organization in upcoming Chaplaincy Academies. As an ADRN Chaplain, I have served in the aftermath of the Moore, OK tornado and the West, Texas explosion. If you are interested in serving the Body of Christ as a Chaplain, lets talk! If you would be interested in having me speak at a church meeting, I will be honored to do so for it was while sitting in a pew at a megachurch twenty years ago that I heard the Chaplain for Gerber Baby Foods speaking. I was so entrhralled by that aspect of ministry, I contacted him the next day and my life has never been the same since then. Perhaps you, or someone you know, would appreciate exposure to this ministry as well? If you are interested, please contact me at miketummillo@me and provide your name and contact information. Thanks and may God bless you, Michael Tummillo
Posted on: Mon, 07 Jul 2014 16:08:12 +0000