Beyond Moralism in Uniform: Why Chaplains Must First Be Theologians
I live in a strange environment. I’m a pastor but am called to a specific ministry context as an active-duty military chaplain. On Sundays, I serve at a chapel. During the week, I serve the Brigade where I’m assigned. Now, to be clear, chapels are not churches. There is no membership, no church discipline, and rarely a strong sense of community. Yet they fill a need for people away from their home church, exploring Christianity, or who haven’t found a local church.
As a Major, I serve as “senior pastor” of one of the chapel services. Specifically, I serve the “Traditional Service.” Let me explain. In simple terms, a “traditional service” means using hymnals, which usually blends Presbyterian, some Baptist, Lutheran, and Methodist traditions. Unfortunately, in a desire for ecumenical peace, theological distinctives can blur and often disappear completely.
I sat in chapel recently listening to a sermon that was genuinely well-meant, warm, and entirely empty. The preacher took a verse, set it aside, and spent twenty minutes offering practical tips on managing stress and keeping a positive attitude.
Looking around the room, I couldn’t help but think about what the people sitting beside me were actually carrying. Military life brings burdens and crises like shattered marriages, the heavy ache of grief, quiet battles with guilt, and a deep, silent weariness.
They hadn’t come to chapel for life coaching. They had come because they were bleeding, and they needed a physician.
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See also:
- Military Chaplaincy amidst Pastoral Shortages (Concordia Publishing House Blog)
