Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/1502536
Serving as a Chaplain Tom and Dee Sanchez BSHDFC International Chaplains For more than a year now, we've been writing this Chaplain's Corner article for Black Sheep. We've discussed many topics that are relevant to being a chaplain. This month we want to address the office of a chaplain. In our Bylaws, the Chapter Chaplain is one of the appointed positions that is often handpicked because of a person's gifting, maturity, and/or experience. The Bylaws state that a Chapter Chaplain will... *Give prayer its proper place in chapter activities *Oversee spiritual care and instruction for the local chapter. *Call, email or visit the sick and the wounded. *Utilize the spiritual gifts and talents of others. *Maintain contact with the international chaplains. The role of the chaplain is an important one! He or she should not be the only one who prays at chapter activities or visits the sick and wounded, but this person should be the one who helps the Chapter President as they guide the chapter spiritually. When looking at chapter activities, this person should focus on whether or not the activity lines up with our Mission Statement. In order to oversee the spiritual care and instruction for the local chapter and utilize the spiritual gifts and talents of others, the local chaplain should be helping their chapter to be ready and trained for how to share their faith, how to pray in public (for bike blessings, meals, etc.), and how to conduct hospital visits. If you are a Chapter Chaplain, are you the only one who does hospital visits? Why? Are you the only one who prays at chapter functions? Why? If the members of your chapter are uncomfortable doing any of these tasks, train them! Have them join you when you make a visit so they see how it's done. Utilize their spiritual gifts to build up the body and minister to your local HOG chapter or dealership. At the next chapter meeting, ask the President for some time to discuss sharing your faith and give an example of how to do it. If necessary, reread one of the books we recommended during the mentorship process The books God Space by Doug Pollock and Just Walk Across the Room by Bill Hybels may be helpful. in this regard. If you are a chapter president and the only person that is praying at your activities or going on hospital visits is your chaplain, ask yourself why. Is your chaplain trying to do too much? Are your chapter members trained or are they uncomfortable performing these tasks? Remember our pledge. We are all missionaries and ministers of the Gospel. Utilize your chaplain to train your members to also do the work of a chaplain. If your chaplain needs training, have them get with other area chaplains or contact us at the international office. We want to help you fulfil your mission. a