COMMUNITY CHAPLAINCY

1-1.    Introduction: The United States Corps of Chaplains (USCOC) is a Christian ministerial and volunteer public service organization made up of former and retired military personnel and other patriotic, public spirited citizens. Its members are Christians who are dedicated to providing ministerial support, military honors and assistance to active military personnel, veterans, and their families. Its members are also committed to providing ministerial service to the civilian community and all possible assistance in response to disasters of any type. USCOC Chaplains are ordained Christian clergy (ministers) of their respective denomination, or church, but serve in a non-sectarian capacity in the USCOC.

1-2.    USCOC Chaplains: The Chaplains in the United States Corps of Chaplains are a part of a non-denominational Christian team which many times minister in the community in a pluralistic environment. Often, this is a new dimension for a clergy person who, in civilian life, lives and works mostly with those of shared denominational beliefs and practices. For that reason, the role of the USCOC Chaplain requires some study and discussion. To be a USCOC Chaplain means to be faithful to one's own beliefs and traditions, and equally supportive and respectful of other traditions and beliefs.

Similar to a Chaplain in the US armed forces, a USCOC Chaplain occupies a unique role. As mentioned above, most clergy serve a particular congregation composed of people who have chosen to affiliate with that religious body and are largely in agreement with its doctrines and practices. In contrast, the USCOC Chaplain serves the needs of a large body of persons in the community who come from many varied religious traditions, including those who have no personal religious convictions.

As Chaplains and as USCOC officers, Chaplains serve God, Country, and the organization. Ministering to people of different faiths while being true to their own, praying publicly in a matter that preserves his own spiritual integrity while at the same time not offending others, requires the utmost discretion and diplomacy. Yet one of the features that distinguishes the USCOC Chaplain from the average civilian clergy person is precisely this ability to be both a careful respecter and supporter of the religious needs of others, and a faithful representative of their own religious group.

In a clearly advertised worship service the USCOC Chaplain, like the military Chaplain, has much more freedom to follow the usages of his/her own religious tradition or affiliation. Attendance is voluntary, and those who choose to participate know fairly well what to expect. Even there, a Chaplain should be sensitive to the fact that the service will probably have people from a number of Christian denominations. The Chaplain should seek the highest common denominator without compromise of conscience. The Chaplain's role is not to proselytize, that is, not to attempt to convert those to whom he ministers to his own denominational beliefs and practices, but to be a ministry of presence, to "represent God" to the people they serve, and to provide guidance, counseling and comfort in times of crisis or need.

All Chaplains are Ministers, but not all Ministers are Chaplains. Believing that God is the answer to people's dilemma, USCOC Chaplains stand ready to bear witness to the forgiving love and redeeming power of God, through Jesus Christ, to all people, especially to those in crisis. They pray that God will guide their thoughts, words, and actions. They seek to be a channel of God's love. They desire to serve as a source of support and counsel to all people in the community.

1-3.    The USCOC Chaplain is a Community Minister: Although the USCOC is dedicated to providing ministerial support, military honors and assistance to active military personnel, veterans, and their families, it is also committed to providing ministerial service to the civilian community. The services of USCOC Chaplains are available on the basis of need and desire. USCOC Chaplains are not intended, nor do they wish to replace an individual's clergyman. They supplement services of the individual's clergyman and are available to provide service when the individual's clergyman may not be available. Also, a Chaplain can be especially helpful when there is a person in need in the community who does not have a local Pastor and Church affiliation.

1-4.    How the Chaplain can help: Many people have the idea that the only time they should call a minister is when someone is critically ill, or when there is a death in the family. This is a limited and restricted view of the ministry and it is gradually being replaced by a wider understanding of the role of the Christian minister in modern society.

The situations described below do not exhaust the occasions when the Chaplain, as a community minister, can be helpful. The purpose is to indicate that there are many times when the Chaplain can bring to people the resources of the Christian faith.

1. When there is an emergency or crisis of any type:
2. When there is sickness or injury:
3. When there is hospitalization or medical treatment:
4. When there is a death or when death is imminent:
5. When there is to be a marriage.
6. When a new baby is born.
7. When there is a spiritual need.
8. When prayer is needed.
9. When someone new moves into the community.
10. When anyone is entering the armed services.
11. When anyone in the armed service is being deployed.
12. When someone returns home from the armed services.

In the community, the USCOC Chaplain also visits and ministers to those in the nursing homes, assisted living, and senior living facilities. The Chaplain may present religious and/or patriotic services and programs at these and other facilities and events in the community. Wherever there is a need, there the Chaplain needs to be.