I promise, this month’s ‘Chaplain’s Corner’ will be short! Of course, I promise that every month. This month, I really mean it.
When asked by Jim Traner to serve as the Post Chaplain (this was approximately 2 years ago), I was very hesitant. Our Post at the time was blessed with two highly qualified and capable ordained ministers – Ed Gray and Dexter Miller. Both were and are far better qualified to serve as Post Chaplain than I.
I have learned through my two years as Chaplain, that the Chaplaincy has many purposes. One of which is to help people grow in their relationship with God and one another. Also, the Chaplain serves as a reminder of the transcendent – there’s only one way out of this life – and seeks to develop an environment within which Post members are encouraged in their personal and collective moral and spiritual growth. The Chaplain is to remind all that God is the source of all rights and privileges. Our Declaration of Independence clearly states “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” These three ‘unalienable rights’ are not all inclusive. There are others some of which are contained in the first 10 Amendments to the U. S. Constitution, our Bill of Rights.
The VFW is comprehensive in nature embracing all religions, faiths, and denominations within its ranks. The chaplaincy, being trans-denominational and interfaith is tasked with ministering to those of spiritual affiliations and non-affiliations.
The Chaplain seeks to minister to people whenever there is a need. For some, the Post Chaplain may be the only ‘minister’ he or she will ever know as they have no affiliation with either a house of worship or other religious institution.
The aforementioned sounds like a very big job – and it is. As your Post Chaplain, I am personally asking each of you to help me do my job. Please be alert to the physical and spiritual needs of our comrades. Please notify me when there is a death, illness, or special concern of a comrade. To do my job, I need your help.