Just saw a Youtube video illustrating William Booth's vision, of how the vision of the Salvation Army came about.
https://youtu.be/iWzqW5LHKQs
Which reminds me, today an army chaplain came and gave a talk at Morling. It's a tough
job. Army chaplains have to deal with crisis a lot of the time. During operations,
they will encounter soldiers getting killed/mass injury. There are also a lot
of suicides in the army. He explains that pastoral counselling and
psychological counselling are different. Psychology deals with the internal
stuff. Chaplaincy has to do with how people are relating to things bigger than
themselves. He gave the Lindt café shooting as an illustration: lots of flowers
placed, sacred place of spirituality even for those without any faith, a place
with meaning beyond themselves. People have spirituality even when they don’t
have a faith. He said the chaplain should see himself as a vehicle that people
can use to connect people/God at certain points, not by his own power but by
God’s power. He’s not the saviour, God is.
“Life isn’t like a book. Life isn’t logical or sensible or orderly. Life
is a mess most of the time. And theology must be lived in the midst of that
mess.” Charles Caleb Colton.
And just an aside on the topic of human rights/wars in the ethics lecture on human rights: Children in war zones picking up guns left behind by dead soldiers after seeing their families getting killed etc, and learning how to use it to protect themselves. Who is responsible for these children becoming like this? Who initiated these crimes against humanity? Poverty, environmental damage, unsustainable development, rivalry, tension rises, tribal conflicts begin. Where was the church when these were happening? We not only need to pray for this, we also need to expand our way of thinking about mission.
And just an aside on the topic of human rights/wars in the ethics lecture on human rights: Children in war zones picking up guns left behind by dead soldiers after seeing their families getting killed etc, and learning how to use it to protect themselves. Who is responsible for these children becoming like this? Who initiated these crimes against humanity? Poverty, environmental damage, unsustainable development, rivalry, tension rises, tribal conflicts begin. Where was the church when these were happening? We not only need to pray for this, we also need to expand our way of thinking about mission.
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Here are some lecture notes on army chaplaincy from Morling College (notes from the college, not by today's speaker):
A military chaplain ministers to military personnel and, in
most cases, their families and civilians working for the military. In some
cases they will also work with local civilians within a military area of
operations.
Although the term chaplain originally had Christian roots,
it is generally used today in military organizations to describe all
professionals specially trained to serve any spiritual need, regardless of
religious affiliation.
In addition to offering pastoral care to individuals,
and supporting their religious rights and needs, military chaplains may also
advise the executive on issues of religion, ethics morale, and morals. They may
also liaise with local religious leaders in an effort to understand the role of
religion as both a factor in hostility and war and as a force for
reconciliation and peace.
Military chaplains normally represent a religion or faith
group but work with military personnel of all faiths and none. As of 2006,
there were 151 serving regular chaplains in the Australian Army; belonging to
either one of several Christian churches, or to the Jewish faith both female
and male. There were also chaplains in the Australian Army Reserve.
Qualifications Required:
•
Have to be ordained by your Denomination
•
Supported by the denominational office to be
accepted.
•
Need to pass through the required training
Rank:
The Australian Army Chaplains' Department has two cap
badges, for its Christian and Jewish officers. Army chaplains, although are all
commissioned officers of the Australian Army and wear uniform, do not carry
arms (and are the only officers not to carry swords on parade). At services on
formal occasions, chaplains wear their medals and decorations on their clerical
robes.
By ranking as an Officer they can access and talk to both
Officers and non Commissioned officers.
Chaplains in the Australian Army begin their commission as a
Captain. There are five levels or "divisions" for the seniority of
chaplains in the Australian Army and Air Force with each division corresponding
to a worn rank.
Part of the Role Description from DefenceJobs[1]
Pastoral Care. In
practising vocational pursuit of pastoral care, the chaplain is furthering the
leadership objectives of the military commander. In the exercise of pastoral
care, the chaplain visits personnel in their work place, and accompanies them
on exercises and goes with them into operations. The chaplain supports them
through anxiety fear, stress, moral dilemmas, guilt, fatigue, boredom and
loneliness. They accept human frailty in a helpful non-condemnatory manner, but
at the same time upholds and strives to exemplify standards of conduct, which
conform to the ethics of their faith. They endeavour to inspire and strengthen
a sense of personal dignity and commonality of purpose; in so doing they are at
one with the commander. Pastoral care also extends beyond the Serviceperson to
the family. The chaplain’s ability to enter into the domestic life of personnel
and the confidential position, in which they are placed, enable them to be an
important and vital member of the family support team. They are able to address
the problems and, in conjunction with other agencies, provide advice and seek
remedies, which will benefit the Serviceperson and their families.
The chaplain encourages the ill
and the wounded and thus assists the healing process and, especially in combat,
provides consolation for the dying. As part of the family support organisation,
the chaplain has an important role in providing support for the bereaved and
comfort in distress. The chaplain relates to all ranks within the Service. The
role is both preventative and therapeutic in nature. The chaplain works in
association with and is complementary to the family support team, such as
medical officers, social workers, and psychologists. However, the chaplain’s
function alone embraces the whole range of human experience, at the work place
and in the home, in peace and in war.
Character Training. The Army
chaplain shares a functional responsibility for, and is the specialist in,
character training for Army personnel. Character training aims to develop
personal characteristics and interpersonal skills, which motivate responsible
moral judgements and behaviour conducive to the common good of the Army and its
members. All initial entry courses include elements of character training,
while continuation programs comprise Character Guidance Courses, Character
Development Courses, Character Leadership Courses and Commanding Officer’s
Hours. The chaplain generally plans, organises and administers the continuation
programs.
Being involved in the complexity of life and death
A military chaplain may be asked to be involved in the
guidance and counsel in many areas such as:
•
morality – sexual, ethics and behaviour on and
off base
•
dealing with stress – addictive behaviours, etc.
•
grief and loss
•
transition in life– changes in lifestyle,
control over their lives, structures,
•
soldiers being reprimanded-
•
loss of life – mates, family to illness
•
isolation and relationships
•
culture shock
•
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Chaplains are often involved in
•
Memorial services, ANZAC, Remembrance Day.
•
Ramp ceremonies
•
Funerals (including for unbelievers)
•
Field service.
•
Weekly services and seasonal services
Understanding the context
Being part of the military will involve learning a new rhythm
of life and being under someone’s authority. Before you consider military
chaplaincy you should consider how you will handle
•
The possibility of ‘active’ duty on operations
•
Being moved around different bases in Australia
•
Diversity of belief , moral behaviours and
actions
•
The structured nature of service and direction
•
Isolation from family/church community
Other resources:
• The Royal Australian Army Chaplains Department: http://www.army.gov.au/Who-we-are/Corps/The-Royal-Australian-Army-Chaplains-Department
• The Australian Army Chaplaincy Journal: http://www.army.gov.au/Who-we-are/Corps/The-Royal-Australian-Army-Chaplains-Department/Australian-Army-Chaplaincy-Journal
• Defence Force Chaplains College (DFCC): http://www.defence.gov.au/adc/centres/dfcc/dfcc.html
