Military chaplains, families provide 'Church in a far-off place'
By Bishop Woodie W. White
"War is hell!" it has been observed.
Who knows better the horror of war than those who fight them, and the loved ones of those who pay the supreme sacrifice in the defense of their country?
I have noted that the political leaders and heads of nations who have the awesome power to declare war agonize in the face of such responsibility.
Clearly, however, those who themselves have been in the heat of battle are even more reluctant to utilize this terrible tool to settle international disputes.
Dwight D. Eisenhower, the late general and President, once lamented, "I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility and its stupidity."
It seems almost unthinkable, after all the centuries of its existence, that war remains almost a preferred option in settling international and even domestic disputes in some lands.
The price is so high!
One might think that war's destruction of lands, property and lives would be sufficient deterrent, causing adversaries to seek another course of action at all cost.
A recent article by Taylor McNeil, entitled "Seduced By War," makes the claim that even in our land, "...Republicans and Democrats, conservatives and liberals, have bought into the new American militarism as a solution to our international problems."
Eventually, enemies come to a peace table. They negotiate a new future. In fact, in many instances, the victor — at great financial cost and sacrifice to its people — rebuilds the nation it destroyed and defeated!!! Indeed, yesterday's adversaries become tomorrow's allies.
Others argue, of course, that war should only be declared when all else fails and the circumstances justify this drastic action as a last resort. I often wonder what the future might have looked like without war in general and some wars in particular.
However, whether one argues for or against war, it is a sad and painful reality.
What is not disputed is its high cost!
Recently, I spent several days outside the United States, with some United Methodist military chaplains, a particular group who serve uniquely in a special ministry.
The United Methodist Church, like many other denominations and faith groups, makes clergy available to those in the military and their families. During those days of fellowship and reflection, I was reminded again of the valuable ministries of these special pastors.
With spouse and children, military chaplains often find themselves having to relocate - with little consultation, I might add - to unfamiliar settings and far from their native land. They are the most itinerant of United Methodist clergy!
In a time of war, like the present, their ministry is physically and emotionally challenging. They provide pastoral care to families and to military personnel. At times the care involves responding to the anxiety of children and spouses of those deployed into battle, or addressing the fears and uncertainties of those brave young men and women who are placed in harm's way.
Theirs is a ministry that seeks to offer hope and meaning when at times both seem absent. It is ministry that must speak to life and death as an imminent and existential reality.
Chaplains serve in diverse settings. Some serve in military hospitals, a heart wrenching setting where they comfort the wounded, who may have broken bodies and spirits, missing limbs, and questions of Faith and of the future. These chaplains also minister to those who provide expert medical care.
Some chaplains are pastors of "base" chapels. These chapels have congregations like those in civilian life that offer an array of ministries, services, challenges and opportunities. However, congregants' anxieties are greater than those of parishioners "at home." The anxieties are often unarticulated, yet they find expression in ways that require pastoral care and sensitivity.
In harm's way
Then there are those chaplains who find themselves in harm's way as they provide the ministry of the church to those whose lives are put at risk every moment of the day. As is theirs!
These are indeed a group of special pastors. They are too often overlooked, sometimes criticized or even marginalized.
I believe profoundly in the centrality of the local congregation in performing the ministry of the church. But not all ministries are performed in local congregations and communities. Important ministries are performed beyond the local church, in places requiring the gifts and grace of special leadership.
United Methodism extends its ministry as it sends clergy and laity as representatives of the whole Church to these places far and near. The Gospel is preached and made real in such settings because of their witness. Healing and hope are offered. And Christ is lifted in the midst of ambiguity as assurance and certainty.
As I gathered with the military chaplains and their families, we laughed, sang, prayed and wept together. We were uniquely the Church in a far off place.
I said farewell to them as we hugged and shed a tear. I gave thanks that they said, "yes" to this special and difficult ministry. And I rejoiced that even in the midst of conflict and war, the Prince of Peace is still offered to the world as the Truth, the Light and the Way!
Copyright 2005 United Methodist Reporter. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Retired United Methodist Bishop Woodie W. White currently serves as bishop-in-resident at Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, Ga.