Vocational Chaplaincy in the Church of God
I baptize you in the name of “nothing.” Have you ever wondered how an atheist chaplain would perform “religious” functions? You have probably noticed in the news the efforts to have atheist chaplains in the U.S. Military. I hope there is enough opposition in Congress to prevent this from happening.
Regardless of how Congress votes on allowing atheist chaplains, clearly we are living in a culturally religiously ambiguous time. For Church of God Vocational Chaplains who primarily minister in secular society, there is a need not only to have effective pastoral care skills but also to have a purposeful theology of when, where, how, and to whom these skills are best used.
This past week I teamed up with Dr. Tony Richie to teach a new course, “Theology of Ministry in the Multi-faith Context,” at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary to help students be prepared for what they will face in ministry. Vocational Chaplains are some of the church’s most experienced ministry professionals in this area.
Secular governments will make laws and implement policies that will not always be congruent with biblical principles. I have great confidence in Church of God Vocational Chaplains who through the power of the Spirit are able to be “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” The multi-faith and no-faith context in which we live is a reflection of our society. The love of Christ in which vocational chaplains minister is the image of God and the church.
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By Richard Pace, coordinator of vocational chaplaincy for the Church of God.
