How Chaplains and Church Work Together 

The story is told of a blind man and a crippled man who met deep in the forest. Neither could get out of the forest, because the blind man couldn't see where to go and the crippled man couldn't walk. So how did they get out? You probably know the answer already. The crippled man climbed up on the blind man's back, and guided the blind man as he walked them both to safety! The story is an example of inter-dependency; neither independent nor dependent, but mutually supportive of one another's needs.

The principle of inter-dependency is the core of the relationship between chaplain and the body. Through its chaplains a significant work of the body is done; and through the bodies support and resources chaplains are enabled to minister. So, with this principle in mind, what are the ways that chaplains and church support one another?

Chaplains support the Church when they...

1. Represent our Lord and the church in a positive way.

2. Participate in the life of the local body or church.

3. Practice faithful stewardship of time, talents and fiscal and other resources.

4. Function as a resource for churches and the conference.

5. Receive endorsement through Chaplaincy Ministries.

6. Provide a positive voice for the church through excellence in their work.

7. Discover and develop new means, methods and materials to share with chaplains.

8. Maintain accountability to the church and hold in sacred trust the pastoral office.

9. Observe ethical standards of conduct in all they do.

10. Contribute to the advancement of chaplaincy as a profession.

11. Advance the gospel mission of the church in all they do.
    

The Body supports its chaplains through ODB by...

> Sponsoring professional membership associations for chaplains.
> Sponsoring periodic professional conferences and continuing education events.
> Working to develop and/or identify existing professional education opportunities.
> Telling the story of chaplaincy and developing chaplaincy-related policies and programs.
> Working with various parties to develop and/or make available chaplaincy resources.
> Seeking to expand chaplaincy into new traditional and nontraditional venues.
> Setting standards, endorsing qualified persons and facilitating ministerial credentialing.
> Field work with chaplains for encouragement and constructive evaluation of ministry.
> Involvement in a variety of chaplaincy-related professional organizations.
> Facilitating contact between prospective employers and qualified chaplaincy candidates.
> Getting Out of the Woods!

Of course, the blind man/crippled man metaphor goes only so far. After all, neither chaplain or church should be blind or crippled! But can they work together? When faced with challenges of ministry to a dying world, can they both say "Let's support one another," and thereby advance the Kingdom of God on earth and perhaps change outcomes in the lives of those they serve, their families, communities and all those that are on this little planet called earth.

The work of Our Daily Bread, Missions Organization and the Association of Christian Chaplains

ODB and its associations work to serve the needs of three important groups of people. 

1. The body in general.

Development of policies that clarify the position of the body and its relationship to all walks of life whether military service, prisons, police, fire or heath care. 

Effective communication of those policies to the body and those the chaplain serves.

Consultation with the ODB Committees of overseas divisions, as they provide similar services in their territories where needed. 

Encourage the body to work together as one body in love and unity to accomplish His will in our lives and His will on earth.

2. The youth of the church

Development and implement of an educational program to help the youth of the church successfully deal with the issues of military service and other walks of life.

Prepare and circulate appropriate information materials concerning service in the community and branches of government. 

3. Christians in military and government service

Assist military and government service personnel with problems of conscience and religious accommodation encountered in the military.

Develop and maintain effective working relationships with military and civilian officials to address issues about Christians in the military. 

Promote and supervise retreats for people in military service.

Creation and maintenance of a database of Adventist in the military, as a means of providing them with church publications and other supplies. 

Promotion of a bi-annual Chaplaincy Ministries Offering, where needed, as a means of helping provide funds for selected services and materials.