Yesterday was the release date of my book, Foundations of Chaplaincy. Here is a post I wrote for Eerdword, the Eerdmans blog.
The year 2021 is already notable as a flourishing year for chaplaincy. In January, a New York Times article mentioned that former superstar quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings, Randall Cunningham, found a new position on the Raiders team as their chaplain. Head coach Jon Gruden notes, “That guy warms my heart …. He is special. He has a great way of spreading the Lord’s word, he is a great resource and great friend to all of us.”
Again in January, retired Navy chaplain Margaret Kibben received a distinguished appointment as chaplain to the U.S. House of Representatives. Her prior experience in the Navy turned out to be an asset. Being on the job only three days before House leadership debated the election results on January 6th, a House clerk leaned over to her asking for prayer as the crowds outside turned violent. Chaplain Kibben remarked, “It was a matter of asking for God’s covering and a hedge of protection around us.”
Distinct from mainstream pastoral models because its focus is a “ministry of presence” to persons outside of a church, chaplaincy is the most exciting and fastest-growing segment of specialized ministry. Whereas local church models typically reinforce a wagon-wheel approach, where the pastor remains at the center and the outside community follows the spokes inward, chaplains invert the wagon-wheel model by providing their presence where people live and work along the outer wheel rim. This is especially relevant in our 2021 pandemic-impacted culture: “As fewer people identify with a specific religion or attend religious services, Americans may be more likely to meet a chaplain than a local clergy person at a congregation,” says Alejandra Molna.
Chaplaincy is ministry in motion. It is filled with quick-moving fire trucks, police cars, and military Humvees. It sails over the ocean on cruise liners and aircraft carriers. It paces hygienically clean operating rooms and grimy factory floors. It ministers to those behind bars as well as those taking the bar exam. Chaplains walk the sidelines of the football field and tread the battlefield.
No other religious vocation offers the vibrancy of chaplaincy. This model emphasizes roadside ministry over residential ministry. It is constantly evolving, immensely challenging, fast paced, and deeply fulfilling. Yet chaplaincy is not about the context of a chaplain’s geography or the rewarding variety of vocational settings. For chaplains, it is all about looking into the faces and hearts of humans. It is caring for fellow sojourners traveling together on the journey of life.
More than anything else, chaplaincy is being present among those they serve: crying, laughing, worshiping, celebrating, mourning, storytelling, and comforting. Chaplain positions are filled by people who are encouragers, caregivers, helpers, advocates, and listeners. Core to the chaplain is a commission to bear the image of God, despite their own imperfections and brokenness, to the faces and hearts of those who otherwise may never enter a house of worship.
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Margaret Kibben, Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives:
“Chaplaincy is both an art and a science, and Foundations of Chaplaincy provides a thorough exploration of both of these aspects of it. Illustrating the journey from calling to credentialing to career competence […] Foundations of Chaplaincy explores this dynamic and challenging undertaking with a deep appreciation for this essential vocation.”
Barry Black, 62nd Chaplain of the United States Senate:
“I have known Alan Baker for decades and can think of no one more qualified to write about the foundations of chaplaincy. This book should be required reading for anyone who is attempting to understand how a positive and powerful ministry can be sustained in an inclusive environment of religious diversity. Alan imparts a wisdom he has forged in the crucible of experience. His wisdom has blessed me during my nearly eighteen years as Chaplain of the United States Senate.”
Foundations of Chaplaincy is available for purchase at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, BookShop, Christianbook.com, and Eerdmans.com.