Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul. 3 JOHN 2
I greet you with joy that comes from the Holy One, as I share with you this quarter, during Lent, a time of reflection upon the redemptive works of Jesus Christ. From your various places across America, we have been honoring this time with God, and, suddenly, we awaken one day to find ourselves dealing with a COVID-19 pandemic!
Let us pause now and pray for all those who have lost their lives, their families, friends, and colleagues. Let us pray for all the first responders, doctors, nurses, and environmental workers who are doing everything they can to keep us safe and well.
As your ecclesiastical endorser, first, I would like to affirm your various ministries. I recognize that you are providing spiritual care, counseling, and direction for those who are on the front lines in the most vulnerable places of our nation. Some of you are serving in the military, correctional institutions, hospitals, hospice agencies, airports, the community, police and fire units, college campuses, and undisclosed locations.
Second, as you continue to live out your calls as chaplains, pastoral counselors, spiritual directors, and specialized ministers, I ask that you remain compassionate and empathic. Continue to advocate for the voiceless and the marginalized. Utilize your assessment tools for crisis and intervention, anticipatory grief, trauma, and suicidal ideation.
Third, God wants you to be well in mind, body, spirit, and soul; therefore, be intentional about wearing your physical protective equipment (PPE). If no PPEs are available to you in your ministry locations, please do not feel that you must risk your own health by attending to others.
Fourth, do not allow the anxiety of this new virus' unknown path to affect the wisdom of this present day. Don't let others pressure you into thinking that you must take unnecessary risks or have some great words to make this difficult time to go away. Remember, prayer is the best universal ministry tool of comfort and healing that we are privileged to access while practicing social distancing.
Finally, let the theology of the beloved disciple John empower us through his writings about the light, life, and love of Christ Jesus! God still loves the world! Jesus is still the light of the world! Christians continue to have the gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus!
Therefore, continue to let your light shine during fear and darkness. Let your life continue to exemplify the life of Christ in how you care for others and let the spirit of love that flows from God's heart to yours give you strength!
If, in your travels, someone asks you about Easter 2020, tell them that Easter is not canceled! It is for certain that 2,000 years ago on a hill called Calvary evil tried to cancel Jesus, and prevent the resurrection from occurring, but it didn't happen! This was not the end of Jesus' story, and I am convinced that this is not the end of our story! Beloveds, don't lose hope! The resurrection brought forth new life in Christ Jesus!
In so many ways, we are living a deadly national state of emergency with no end in sight, except for the assurance that Emmanuel--"God is with us"--applies not only for today but also for tomorrow and forevermore.
Attention Chaplains and Specialized Ministers: URGENT
If you have not submitted your annual report for the calendar year 2019, you are late! Your endorsement is in jeopardy of being out of good standing! Your 2019 annual report was due on Jan. 1, 2020, for the calendar year 2019. Please submit as soon as you can!
To submit your annual report click here!
If you are retired, update your contact information (address, telephone and email) by sending your information to [email protected].
All Veterans Administration (VA) Chaplains: Please make sure to update your form if you are planning to apply for a transfer or a new position within the VA in 2020.
If you need a letter of endorsement for your employer, send an email message to [email protected] Be sure to specify the name and full address of your employer.
Again, if your annual report for 2019 has not been submitted to date and you haven't attended a denominational event in three years, your endorsement is in jeopardy. You may want to contact us today at 610.768.2050 or [email protected].
Connect with American Baptist National Network of Chaplains, Pastoral Counselors, Spiritual Directors, Specialized Ministers
Last month we launched of our new American Baptist National Network of Chaplains, Pastoral Counselors, Spiritual Directors and Specialized Ministers. To date, we are just about 100 strong and growing! The network liaisons have begun reaching out and connecting with our new members. Membership kits are being developed, and the excitement about the future is amazing! If you haven't joined us yet, there is still time!
For information click here! You may also call 610.768.2050 or email [email protected].
Resources for Chaplains and Specialized Ministers regarding COVID-19 Click Here
Ecclesiastical Endorsers Spiritual Caregivers Connect Meeting Information Click Here
2020 7th Annual Caring for the Human Spirit Conference Now a Virtual Conference slated for April 20-22, 2020 Click here for more information!
Photo by Jasper Boer on Unsplash
Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul. 3 JOHN 2
I greet you with joy that comes from the Holy One, as I share with you this quarter, during Lent, a time of reflection upon the redemptive works of Jesus Christ. From your various places across America, we have been honoring this time with God, and, suddenly, we awaken one day to find ourselves dealing with a COVID-19 pandemic!
Let us pause now and pray for all those who have lost their lives, their families, friends, and colleagues. Let us pray for all the first responders, doctors, nurses, and environmental workers who are doing everything they can to keep us safe and well.
As your ecclesiastical endorser, first, I would like to affirm your various ministries. I recognize that you are providing spiritual care, counseling, and direction for those who are on the front lines in the most vulnerable places of our nation. Some of you are serving in the military, correctional institutions, hospitals, hospice agencies, airports, the community, police and fire units, college campuses, and undisclosed locations.
Second, as you continue to live out your calls as chaplains, pastoral counselors, spiritual directors, and specialized ministers, I ask that you remain compassionate and empathic. Continue to advocate for the voiceless and the marginalized. Utilize your assessment tools for crisis and intervention, anticipatory grief, trauma, and suicidal ideation.
Third, God wants you to be well in mind, body, spirit, and soul; therefore, be intentional about wearing your physical protective equipment (PPE). If no PPEs are available to you in your ministry locations, please do not feel that you must risk your own health by attending to others.
Fourth, do not allow the anxiety of this new virus' unknown path to affect the wisdom of this present day. Don't let others pressure you into thinking that you must take unnecessary risks or have some great words to make this difficult time to go away. Remember, prayer is the best universal ministry tool of comfort and healing that we are privileged to access while practicing social distancing.
Finally, let the theology of the beloved disciple John empower us through his writings about the light, life, and love of Christ Jesus! God still loves the world! Jesus is still the light of the world! Christians continue to have the gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus!
Therefore, continue to let your light shine during fear and darkness. Let your life continue to exemplify the life of Christ in how you care for others and let the spirit of love that flows from God's heart to yours give you strength!
If, in your travels, someone asks you about Easter 2020, tell them that Easter is not canceled! It is for certain that 2,000 years ago on a hill called Calvary evil tried to cancel Jesus, and prevent the resurrection from occurring, but it didn't happen! This was not the end of Jesus' story, and I am convinced that this is not the end of our story! Beloveds, don't lose hope! The resurrection brought forth new life in Christ Jesus!
In so many ways, we are living a deadly national state of emergency with no end in sight, except for the assurance that Emmanuel--"God is with us"--applies not only for today but also for tomorrow and forevermore.
Attention Chaplains and Specialized Ministers: URGENT
If you have not submitted your annual report for the calendar year 2019, you are late! Your endorsement is in jeopardy of being out of good standing! Your 2019 annual report was due on Jan. 1, 2020, for the calendar year 2019. Please submit as soon as you can!
To submit your annual report click here!
If you are retired, update your contact information (address, telephone and email) by sending your information to [email protected].
All Veterans Administration (VA) Chaplains: Please make sure to update your form if you are planning to apply for a transfer or a new position within the VA in 2020.
If you need a letter of endorsement for your employer, send an email message to [email protected] Be sure to specify the name and full address of your employer.
Again, if your annual report for 2019 has not been submitted to date and you haven't attended a denominational event in three years, your endorsement is in jeopardy. You may want to contact us today at 610.768.2050 or [email protected].
Connect with American Baptist National Network of Chaplains, Pastoral Counselors, Spiritual Directors, Specialized Ministers
Last month we launched of our new American Baptist National Network of Chaplains, Pastoral Counselors, Spiritual Directors and Specialized Ministers. To date, we are just about 100 strong and growing! The network liaisons have begun reaching out and connecting with our new members. Membership kits are being developed, and the excitement about the future is amazing! If you haven't joined us yet, there is still time!
For information click here! You may also call 610.768.2050 or email [email protected].
Resources for Chaplains and Specialized Ministers regarding COVID-19 Click Here
Ecclesiastical Endorsers Spiritual Caregivers Connect Meeting Information Click Here
2020 7th Annual Caring for the Human Spirit Conference Now a Virtual Conference slated for April 20-22, 2020 Click here for more information!
Photo by Jasper Boer on Unsplash