Leroy Gilbert3:00 PM (3 hours ago)to me, Mark Hello Ben,Your first-week minor paper was relevant to the subject of a "Theology for Senior Chaplains Leadership."Perhaps, you did not have the opportuni

CHAPLAIN LEADERSHIP 6

Basic Theology of Senior Chaplain Leadership

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Basic Theology of Senior Chaplain Leadership

Today, chaplains focus on important roles and duties that espouse providing religious services, spiritual guidance, and counselling to individuals and parties in need. This lays the foundation of my personal theology of senior chaplain leadership. The position should emphasize portraying a chaplain as a servant and a leader who is deeply concerned by the spiritual guidance, motivation, and hope of the individuals in need of support. As captured in 1 Peter 3:15, “Always be prepared to provide answers to everyone who asks you to give reason for the hope that you have. But do so with gentleness and respect.” This denotes the attentiveness of the chaplain as a religious leader. It is not only about listening to other people who are in need, but also the voice of God that leads and guides.

Also, leadership is about the transformation of people who may be facing the difficulties that result from lack of faith and full commitment to God’s will. As noted in John 4:14, “But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. In fact, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The transformation entails helping others develop a stronger belief and faith, which will aid them in finding rest in God’s promises (Miller & Ngunjiri, 2015). He says that He gives water that becomes a water welling up to eternal life. When a person is able to connect with Him, and ask for his compassion and love, He transforms and gives eternal life. It is a vital message that a senior chaplain needs to portray and preach to all those who have not found rest in peace and love given by Jesus Christ.

As highlighted, the senior chaplain needs to reflect what he or she teaches. Other people, such as the parishioners need to see God in him or her, which becomes a source of influence and motivation. The senior chaplain position carries influence where a chaplain’s deeds are much likely to influence the behaviors of others. A leader ought to show direction in his own deed. He or she must be a doer of the word. In other words, it is imperative to do as one preaches, which will result in very positive outcomes, especially if there are parties that identify the chaplain as the source of every day inspiration and motivation.

When a chaplain depicts himself or herself as a leader, it helps him remain on guard. Paul writing to the Ephesians told the leaders in Acts 20:28, “Be on guard for yourself and all the flock…” Paul insinuated that the leaders must check their deeds and their behaviors so that they can check that of the flock. It is an important aspect that every chaplain needs to attain. It is nearly impossible to foster a teaching and see it implemented, if the chaplain is not in a capacity to show and implement it. The chaplain must remain on guard and create an environment where individual as God want from all who truly believe in Him.

Additionally, a senior chaplain needs to take on a mission that has a desired end result. Christ, the apostles, and the disciples also had a mission when carrying out their work, which should be replicated by the senior chaplain. This is about defining a goal in the beginning and working towards it. Matthew 28: 19, says, “Therefore make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” It highlights the mission of the disciples that is about serving Christ while on the mission. A chaplain also needs a mission that is about serving God. The mission should be in line with the establishment or location of the chaplain. Primarily, it should entails winning more souls for Christ, which is a primary responsibility for the believers.

Also, as a leader, the chaplain needs to make the followers of Christ learn the importance of having a mission. First, a mission gives one a sense of purpose. It makes the believer strive to attain something, which contributes to their spiritual growth. Also, the mission helps a believer develop a closer and stronger relationship with God. Further, a mission helps a believer meet and fellowship with other believers, establishing a stronger and cohesive team for Christ. This details the importance of a mission that a Senior Chaplain should have. He or she should also train the followers on the importance of a mission.

The above section introduces an attribute of the position that is about teaching and helping others develop a better and closer relationship with God. Today, the world is experiencing drastic changes that are making most people drift away from the gospel. The digital era has created more sinners and less believers. As such, senior chaplains and other leaders need to take a primary responsibility that entails teaching and guiding, especially the young generations (Barlow, 2018). Without such an effort, the church will continue to diminish as people are getting distracted by the world, which has created media and channels that promote actions and deeds that do not glorify Christ. Notably, a senior chaplain should not take the responsibility as a teacher, but also create an effective team that will carry out teaching and spiritual guidance of the distracted. Such efforts will enable them to realize the transformation and commitment to the word of God, which is urgently needed. Generations need to understand that God is merciful and ready to forgive and take them back as His own children.

In summary, the theology of senior chaplain leadership encompasses using the position to do God’s work. A senior chaplain should be able to provide guidance, teaching, and inspiration to people who are in need. Also, he or she should have a mission that desires to achieve an end result. The result should primarily entail doing God’s work and providing more love and support to those who have been distracted by the pleasures of the world. Further, a chaplain needs to guide and teach, which will help many turn away from evil and ungodly deeds that may make them experience even more misery. In essence, the position should depict leadership that serves and reflects God.

References

Barlow, R. (2018, May 18). Chaplains Are the New Pastors. Are They Adequately Trained for the Job? Retrieved from BU Today: http://www.bu.edu/articles/2019/chaplain-the-new-pastor/

Miller, D. W., & Ngunjiri, F. W. (2015). Leadership views on corporate chaplains: business, sociocultural, and spiritual justifications. Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion 12(2), 129-155.