Back to Work

Our units and troops took all of our priority time, but we did allow ourselves time to periodically preach in area churches, with the permission of our division chaplain and unit commander.

The area churches seemed delighted to have a "Leapin' Deacon" paratrooper-type chaplain/pastor in their pulpits. It was a Gospel enterprise, but also a grand relational encounter with the civilian community. Our Lord Christ was proclaimed wherever we served.

We had a radical trust that the Holy Spirit was powerfully active and winning people for the Kingdom of God. It's true that we bring a sense of urgency, sacrifice, meaning and purpose wherever we go. The chaplain is ideally suited to visit most area churches because he/she serves people of all denominations and backgrounds.

During the entire tour and mission at Fort Campbell, a major issue was time-time-time. Personal pastoral contact was forever and ongoing. The contact was with the soldier and family members as pastor, counselor, mentor, friend, and shepherd. Sheperding the flock is always primary!

The chaplain must always maintain a sure sense of mission, "To bring soldiers to the Lord, and the Lord to soldiers." Tis pastoral/shepherding mission is non-negotiable. This is our calling and shepherding attitude. This is a trait that God gives us, no matter if we are in the early part of our ministry or as a senior chaplain.

The Preacher Surfaces
(But, Then Again, That's Who He Is)

The pastoral duty and mission during those years with the 101st Airborne was absolutely demanding, blessedly phenomenal, and awe inspiring. There was newness, and new names were forever being written in the Book of Life by God's great grace, mercy, and shepherding.

Excitement and adventure was par excellence, but the undergirding and foundation was our wondrous Convenant God, Savior, Lord Jesus, and mighty Holy Spirit calling us and sending us on mission. This is done to win, hold, develop, and disciple soldiers and families in the faith life. Yes, we are a called and sent people, rooted and winged.

It's a poignant thought -- a captivating thought. It is, further, dreadful to think of going through life never sent, called, or summoned to a great task/tasks/or mission. Our Lord's call is a holy maneuver where the Lord's will is lived out in a person's life, in our environment, and culture.

The Lord calls us to a sense of purpose, a wondrous mission, a rendezvous, if you will, with meaning and "reason for." Christ Jesus calls us to "Follow Me!" This is an exalted commission. This amplifies each soldier, yes, each person's importance and unlimited value. Each soldier is called -- sent -- as a leader in the Kingdom of God enterprises.

We are called to follow him. We are sent to declare in word and deed, his love in all of its forms and cares, and we praise him for such trust in us. Certainly, we ought to thank, praise, serve, obey, and honor him! It's a life packed with purpose and meaning, love, and authentic care. It is truly the living out of Genesis 12:1-3, "I will bless you to be blessings."

It is covenant love. The Hebrew word is "Hesed": his steadfast love, his loving kindness surrounds and sustains us in all our missions. It again holds forth in St. Mark 12 and St. Matthew 22: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength," and "Love your neighbor as you love yourself." "No other commandment is greater than these," declares our Lord Jesus!