The US
Army changed its slogan years ago to, “An Army of One.” I do appreciate the
sentiment of individual strength, the acronym ONE (Officers, NCOs, and
Enlisted), and the idea that for a just cause we would fight even to the last
man. But the slogan was scrapped before long because it was deemed a hindrance
to esprit-de-corps. A successful Army must be made up of multitudes from the
tactical, logistical, fiduciary, strategic, and operational levels.
Likewise,
the chaplain must have a robust network of encouragers, helpers, volunteers,
friends, prayer-warriors, teammates, and experts. We have term for God-sent
versions of these, we call them the local church. A chaplain of one is
cut off from an invaluable network of godly counsel and burden bearers.
I am not
exaggerating when I say that at least half my job is knowing the right people.
Due to deployments, transfers, and unexpected absences I’ve operated
professionally very near to a chaplain of one, and the amount of ministry that
had to be shed or shelved to keep the chapel running was tragic. But even there
we reached out for augmentees, deputized NCOs from other offices, and utilized
volunteers to care for our people. Guess where most of these came from? If you
guessed church-connections you’d be right.
More than
anything else I say to encourage chaplains I try to emphasize, “Be committed
to the Local Church”. Build and be built, be encouraged, be rebuked, be
challenged, be fed. Have disagreements, meet burdens, bring a burden, pray for
them, be prayed for, rejoice, weep, eat their food, provide a meal, invest in
their kids, entrust your kids to them. What more can we say? The local church
is Christ’s bride on earth, she's blood-bought, she’s wonderful, she’s growing,
and she has a hope and a future. Is she perfect? No, but if you want to be a
better chaplain, you’ll fill what is lacking in her sanctification.
"The church is in trouble," that's what they say anyways. The problem is most of what they call the church is not the church, and the church is not quite as in trouble as everybody thinks. As a matter of fact, the church today is absolutely beautiful–she's glorious, she's humble, she's broken, and she's confessing her sin. ~ Paul Washer
Key
Verse: Let us
consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to
meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all
the more as you see the Day drawing near. ~ Hebrews
10:24-25
More:
1. Can you
think of lone-ranger chaplains, ministers, or evangelists who are doing great
things for the kingdom? Can you think of any who have fallen into grievous sin
with the excuse that they were spending too much time alone?
2. If you
don’t like my bride, what will happen to the relationship between you and I? If
you slander her, neglect her care, and belittle her are you and I going to be
friends? How does Jesus feel about how you’re caring for his bride? Is he
jealous for her care? Is his jealously a good thing or a bad thing for you?
3. Andrew
van der Bijl spend his life encouraging the church in closed countries through
Bible donations, prayer, preaching, and visits. He credits much of his success
to those who supported his visits. Likewise, William Carey said, “I will go
down into the pit, if you will hold the rope.” Are you going? Who is holding
your rope? Read Matthew 25:34-40 and Galatians 6:2 and
consider who is ministering to you as you minister to others.
4.
Resources:
van der
Bijl, Andrew and John & Elizabeth Sherrill. God’s Smuggler.
Grand Rapids: Chosen Books, 2015.
Green,
Keith. The Sheep and the Goats. Pretty Good Records, 1980, Vinyl.
DeYoung,
Kevin and Ted Kluck. Why We Love the Church: In Praise of Institutions
and Organized Religion. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2009.
Fuller,
Andrew. The Armies of the Lamb. Edited by Michael A.G. Haykin.
Dundas, Ontario: Joshua Press, 2001.
Shearer,
Canyon R. "Love the Local Church." Trust and Obey.
Jan 9, 2019. https://trustobey.blogspot.com/2019/01/love-local-church.html
Shearer,
Canyon R. "Love the Southern Baptist Convention." Trust and
Obey. May 31,
2020. https://trustobey.blogspot.com/2020/05/love-southern-baptist-convention.html
 |
| A Favorite Cartoon of Brother Andrew - Displayed Prominently in His Office |
No comments:
Post a Comment