Chaplains are "insiders" who belong to a particular institution in which they serve. This insider service involves many dynamics that are not necessarily in common with congregational ministry, evangelistic ministry, or ministries of meeting human needs. What are some of these dynamics, in your view, and how should a chaplain manage and leverage those dynamics for productive ministry? List and address any temptations that you note, as well as positive opportunities. You may wish to address your presentation to one of the functional areas of chaplain ministry, rather than to chaplaincy in general.
You should prepare a PowerPoint presentation that can be presented in no more than 10 minutes. It may have narration, music, film clips, etc., but text and pictures are sufficient. Every slide should be illustrated in some way. Encourage discussion by preparing provocative content (!) or discussion questions. You will lead a discussion time after your presentation. Your total time of presentation and discussion must be no more than 15 minutes.
Institutional Ministry
Chaplains Serving as Insider
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Chaplain role as Insider
As insiders, chaplains have access that outside clergy never get. We move in the daily rhythms of Soldiers, patients, or inmates. That means we’re trusted in ways others are not, but it also means we have to serve everyone, not just our own tradition.
Submerge in lifestyle and pattern
Exclusive access when others don’t
Dedicated to serve everyone
Insider Fundamentals
In the military, the chaplain serves as both pastor and advisor. We’re bound by confidentiality in counseling, we often minister through presence more than preaching, and our influence comes from trust—not authority.
→ Advisement role
Privileged counseling
Ministry of presence
Influence others away from the pulpit
Temptations of Insiders
The greatest danger of being an insider is forgetting who we are. We can become so tied to the system that we lose our prophetic edge. We might water down our convictions, measure success by approval, or simply burn out from constant demands.
Over-involvement with organization
Compromise convictions
Fatigue from availability
Measuring success by approval
Opportunities of Insiders
Access to people in crisis
Bridge across faiths
Voice in leadership decisions
Presence of hope
But the flip side is opportunity. We are the first ones called when someone is in crisis. We can bridge divides between faith groups. We advise leaders on moral issues. And we embody hope in places where hope is rare.
Managing the Dynamics
How do we stay faithful as insiders? By grounding ourselves in spiritual disciplines. By balancing loyalty to God with loyalty to the institution. By using our position for advocacy. And by staying accountable to mentors and peers.
Spiritual disciplines
Balance loyalty: God & institution
Use position for advocacy
Accountability with peers
Case Study / Scenario
Commander asks you to downplay faith language in counseling
How do you respond?
This is a real insider tension. How do we respect pluralism without losing our spiritual integrity? I’d love to hear what you think when we get to discussion.
Closing Thought
We are both gatekeepers and bridges. The institution lets us in—but what we do with that access determines whether we open doors of faith, or close them.
“Chaplains are both gatekeepers and bridges.”
Standing inside, opening doors of faith & hope
Discussion Questions
Which temptation is most dangerous for chaplains today?
How do we maintain authenticity in a pluralistic space?
What does real ‘success’ look like for an insider chaplain?
These are the questions I want us to wrestle with as we move into our discussion.
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