The Family Letter

If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission. What then is my reward? Just this: that in my proclamation I may make the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:16-18).

If Paul had become a military chaplain would he have spent time publicly calling attention to himself, and how much the rules oppressed him, or would he have called attention to the Gospel by devoting his time to his life and ministry?

For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law) so that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)

If Paul had become a military chaplain, do you suppose he would have worked under the rules and regulations of the military in order to spread the Good News? Or would he have fought those rules?

(Taken from the readings from the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany.)

Even if you are only slightly tuned into US news, you've probably heard at least something about all this.

It seems like it started in the summer of 2004 at the US Air Force Academy. ¹ Claims of inappropriate evangelism, pushing one religion to the point that those of other religions–or none–were uncomfortable, excluded, harassed, etc. Pretty much the only way I have heard it told is that the inappropriate parties are the Christians.

Things took off from there. For a while it had the makings of a good old fashioned "witch hunt," and rumors ran free. We heard that evangelistic preaching would be quelched, that chaplains who dared mention spreading the Good News in a sermon could be corrected or punished. Christian servicemen and -women had to be really careful not to mention their religious affiliation or bring up religion in the workplace, even casually. That, thankfully, has died down a bit, and the interim guidelines published by the Air Force are–in my opinion–very, very reasonable.

The latest manifestation of this issue to hit the news is apparent in the first article I linked to. Some chaplains are claiming that the US government is unfairly taking away their right to free speech, their right to pray in a manner consistent with their faith, and/or to carry out the evangelism their faith demands. Again, thus far it seems to me like the Christians who are up in arms. Some have even petitioned the President for permission to pray in the name of Jesus at public events (emphasis explained later).

It is this latest incarnation that I have been reflecting on, and that I wish to share about now. I wish to share because this touches on a major portion of my life. I am a Chaplain Candidate in the US Air Force.² I am writing because it seems, as is so often the case, the majority of stories have lined up behind one side only, leaving out others. I want to add some dimension, dimension taken from personal experience, reflection, and prayer.

Much of the fuss seems to stem from chaplains who feel that not being able to use the name "Jesus" in a public prayer. My take? I don't have a problem with that. Why not, you ask? Because I believe that God is listening, with or without a personal form of address. When I pray privately I do pray, by default, to "God," and occasionally Jesus or the Holy Spirit³ God knows the intention of my prayer, whether spoken or silent. So I believe it is still prayer even if I conclude with "in your heavenly name, AMEN."

I am also puzzled by chaplains who claim that they were either surprised by these limits, or who say that placing such limits on public prayer prevents them from doing their job or living faithfully.

First of all, every Air Force chaplain I know went through some training very early on in their career. Mine was in the first week I wore a uniform, ever. In that training, we spent more than one day talking about issues of public prayer and religious boundaries in a pluralistic setting. We were told point blank that we would not be allowed to use "Jesus" (or any other name–we did have a Jewish candidate training with us) when praying outside the chapel.⁴

One day we were given an exercise. They broke the class I was in into two groups: Those that would pray without mentioning even the term “God” and those who would. Those who wouldn’t had to give a reason why, and those who would had to come up with the prayer and also say why we were able. We were told that such requests would be the norm, and that we needed to think and pary about this fact beginning immediately.

We were also told that those of us who couldn't pray without invoking a specific name could still serve as chaplains. As chaplains we cannot be ordered to do anything that goes against what our church or faith teaches. Anything. Ever. Furthermore we cannot be punished for respectfully refusing such an order. I can think of two good reasons for this. First, any order to pray in a certain way (for example) could constitue "establishment of a religion" or way of believing. Secondly, chaplains serve at the whim of their church or denomination. If I do something the Episcopal Church does not approve of, they can pull my endorsement and I am no longer a chaplain. Therefore I can and should refuse to do anything that goes against Episcopal or Christian teaching.

So it is possible to be a Christian chaplain and not pray, in public, in the name of Jesus. There are many, many other things chaplains do. Praying at ceremonies is visible, yes, but not the most important thing we do. Any chaplain who tells you he or she needs to do this (pray in public) to carry out the work of chaplain is not being honest.

Our trainers went further. They stated that if we felt we had to pray publicly and had to use a specific name, then perhaps we needed to reconsider our line of work. I agree. You don't need to pray in public (outside of worship in chapel, remember) in order to be a chaplain. If you feel you need to do so and need to bring Jesus into it, then you need to find another way to exercise your ministry, you are in the wrong place.

Another issue some Christian chaplains have mentioned is that they feel they cannot be effective evangelists under the present constraints. If they cannot publicly proclaim the Good News of Jesus in any setting, how can they reach out to people and make new disciples? I have some ideas.

First, evangelism does not mean bringing Jesus into every conversation, prayer, counseling session, or encounter. Such constant proclamation, whether quietly one-on-one or on a box in the town square, can, in fact, hinder evangelism. If someone is not receptive, not ready to listen for whatever reason, continued preaching will turn that person (or group) away.

Secondly, all Christian chaplains are wearing a cross. While that cross is not enough, it is a start. Start there and move on to living a Christian life, being honest and true to that cross you wear. People will notice. Not only that, people will ask. And when people ask, when they come to you seeking, the door is wide open.

You can also mention Jesus and the gospel quiety, gently, in all sorts of settings, being aware that you may find it isn't the right place or time. When it is the right place and time, go further. When it isn't, change direction.

Someone recentl