2021AD World Chaplaincy/Spiritual Care Week Celebration at

Igbotako, Osoro Kingdom, Ikale Land, Ondo State

On 30^th October 2021AD

Topic: The Call of a Chaplain: The Biblical Perspective

Welcome: In today’s broadcast, we are going to consider a different thing from what we have been doing on this radio, which focus on people and ministers with specialized ministry called “Chaplaincy.”

World over, October annually, people and ministers who are into this specialized ministry known as “Chaplains” are given a whole week for celebration and this year own started since Sunday 24^th through 30^th of October 2021AD.

People and ministers in this ministry, Chaplaincy has been celebrating this week all over the world and we thank God, we in Nigeria are not left out, most especially we in this part of the nation, Ikale land, it is a thing of joy and requiring praising God. Praise the Lord! Hallelujah!

We thank God for the instrument God used to bring this noble profession, Chaplaincy to us in Ikale land in the person of Archbishop Prof. Mike-Jacobs JP, AP, CPC, giving us the opportunity to join in the world weeklong celebration.

People of Ikale, all the ministers of the gospel and the youth in Ikale count yourselves worthy and we welcome you to join this wonderful unique people called in this specialized ministry; the benefits cannot be told with mouth, it is numerous.

Text: Luke 3:10-11

Introduction: This bible passage is the basis of chaplaincy profession and practice. It focuses on fulfilling this mandate and commandment. Chaplaincy is all about sharing, loving, caring, showing compassion and meeting needs of every one we come in contact with. Chaplaincy is a noble profession!

 

What is a Call? A call is a special disposition (as if from a Divine source) to pursue a particular course or work in life. A request from someone or from God to carry out a particular and specific duty, activity, work or role.

What is Chaplaincy? Chaplaincy is a specialize ministry a minister who is called into chaplaincy profession have as an added unique call of God in caring and helping people who are suffering, people who are sick, people who are homeless etc., reaching out to them wherever they are with humanizing ministry and the greatest gifts of human existence – presence and listening.

Chaplaincy has become a profession a minister can engage in outside the Church setting to the secular world, thereby giving trained ordained ministers the advantage of having a job in various organizations or institutions such as hospitals, schools, prisons, motor packs, government agencies, traditional rulers’ palaces etc.

Who is a Chaplain? A chaplain is an ordained minister of a faith group called unto specialized ministry of caring and helping people who are traumatized, victimized, those who are facing crisis and difficulties in life and those who are in pains to assist them to pass through their problems without committing suicide or committing crime.

A chaplain is trained to journey with people in their darkest moments of life to help them to live better with meaning and be fulfilled no matter what they are passing through.

What is the Call of a Chaplain?

The call of a chaplain is a call to go beyond the Church and the altar services to the outside world to reach out to people with compassion, love, care and sharing of God’s love and goodness to all and sundry not minding their religions, beliefs, social status, gender or age.

The call of a chaplain is a call beyond the church setting to serve people with the purpose of putting smiles on their faces and giving them reasons to live with meaning and be fulfilled in life.

The call of a chaplain is call to be with others in their pains and joys, mourning and celebration with the greatest gift of human existence that is the ministry of presence and listening.

The call of a chaplain is a call to mend broken hearts and heal hurting through various chaplaincy care and services.

The call of a chaplain is a call to help someone in dilemmas solve a problem (life puzzles) that does not allow him or her to enjoy his/her God-given life, peace, joy and comfort.

The call of a chaplain is a call to services, caring and helping people in need.

The call of a chaplain is a call to bring wholeness to people’s life.

Examples of Chaplaincy Practice in the Bible:

God, the Father: God, the Father is the Author of chaplaincy practice, He before He brought man into existence made the needed provisions for man’s need so that man would not lack and when man failed by the reason of disobedience, He did not reject them (Gen. 1), still provided a cover for their nakedness against shame, undue exposure and harsh weather (Gen. 3:21).

Our Lord Jesus Christ: Jesus as the Master Chaplain, and the caller of all chaplains practiced chaplaincy many times from the Bible, examples are:

·        Feeding of the 5,000 people – Mark 6:34-37: Jesus seeing their felt needs was moved with compassion, this is a heart of a chaplain, that discovers people’s problems and seek on how to solve it.

·        The Good Samaritan – Luke 10:23-36: Jesus in His time on earth, preaches and encourages good neighbourhliness were people are expected to care for one another. A chaplain’s heart encourages good community living for everyone which brings about caring, compassion, supporting and sharing with one another in the community which results in genuine love that brings about peaceful coexistence, harmony, unity, protection of lives and properties.

·        The Two Disciples on their Way to Emmaus – Luke 24:13-26: These disciples were in dilemmas, fears, confusion, frustration and disappointment. When Jesus accustomed them on what they were discussing, they show their frustration and anger on the injustice done to Jesus Christ and their disappointment whether Jesus’ words will come true or not. Jesus as the Master Chaplain came in and gave them understanding of what they are passing through, He gave them a good insight in their fears, disappointment and frustration and gave them hope and encouragement to strengthen them in their faith to enable them to remain steadfast and rooted. This is a heart and call of a chaplain.

·        The Church at Philippian – Phil. 4:15-16: This congregation in Philippian has more of people with chaplaincy hearts than just mere church congregation that made them to care for the Missionaries (Apostle Paul and his crew) even when they were not with them but in another state – Thessalonian, they still ministered to them to make sure they do not lack. This is to tell us that chaplaincy is for all, regarding you love to care for others. Chaplaincy door is open for you.

In Conclusion: You are all welcome into this humanizing ministry, if you have interest in caring and helping others in life, you are good to go in chaplaincy. Chaplaincy is not limited to ministers alone but to all who have interest to render services to God through humanity.

If you are interested in becoming a chaplain call these numbers: 08027724516; 07055287861; 08035092416 or WhatsApp on 09091981944.

The Open Christian Theological Seminary at Ilebe in Igbotako, Osoro Kingdom is prepared to give you all you require to become a full fledge chaplain, a professional minister, effective missionary and church worker.

Avail yourself of this opportunity to study world standard theological education, mission, practical ministry and chaplaincy.

God bless you all. Thank you

By

Chap. Dr. Joy David-Mike SCC, CPC