LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY

LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

The chaplaincy subject that God has called me to serve is in the churches. The interview was essential in providing insights into my perceptions about pastoral support in the community setting. My interviewee was Joe Hunt from LBC (Liberty Christian Church). Hunt is a reverend in the church but serves the chaplaincy position in the community. The interview was scheduled at 9:00 am on February 29th, 2020. I scheduled a face-to-face meeting with Hunt to obtain information regarding his responsibilities and challenges he has encountered when ministering to followers. Hunt’s duties are similar to chaplaincy roles.

INTERVIEW

Reasons for enrolling the Particular Chaplaincy Discipline

Reverend Hunt was passionate about serving God and community members since his childhood. He decided to enroll for chaplaincy since it encompasses service to various individuals. The reverend feels compassion for individuals facing troubling times and pain. Hunt gains fulfillment after assisting individuals that are grieving or experiencing significant challenges.

[1]

Duration for Chaplaincy Service

Reverend Hunt started the ministry about four decades ago. He obtained a pamphlet on the story of an orange grove. The brochure was essential in encouraging the reader to overcome obstacles in the evangelic life. The parable in the booklet is clear but emotional. The main message of the story is that the harvest is adequate, but the reaping process is challenging. Reverend Hunt attests that the parable was impressive, which can grip the reader’s attention.

Hunt claims that he accepted his evangelical mission and wanted to fulfill his passion for assisting people after reading the brochure. He has served as a reverend in Liberty Church over the past 18 years. At first, Hunt was given the position of the senior pastor to monitor most activities in the religious organization. After some time, he was appointed as the reverend responsible for pastoral support. The religious institution wanted Hunt to preach in health organizations, nursing homes, and during crisis.

Preparation for serving the Specific Chaplaincy Discipline

Reverend Hunt claimed that his parents and Liberty church played a significant role in the preparation process. First, his parents ensured that he could attend church each Sunday to establish a strong Christian foundation. Second, the church trained Hunt to perform his duties to enhance chaplaincy experience. Liberty Church offered orientation services to Hunt to develop his pastoral skills before delegating tasks regarding specific positions.

[2]

Ministry Opportunities availed in your Specific Chaplaincy Discipline

The ministry opportunities availed to Hunt are counseling unmarried couples and officiating weddings. Besides, Hunt notes that in 2019 he officiated 50 funerals, but this year he has done ten funerals. Reverend Hunt attested that he receives calls from patients in need of prayer and attends annual meetings for hospital chaplains.

Strengths in the Chaplaincy Discipline

Reverend Hunt claims that the strength of the evangelical ministry is that people get support during troubling times. Evangelists encourage people that God is caring and cannot forsake any being. Besides, God has commanded His servants to offer support to people by encouraging them. Hunt has highlighted Ecclesiastes 4: 10, which provides that a person can get assistance during troubling periods.

Weaknesses in the Chaplaincy Discipline

However, Hunt highlighted that the inadequacies of the chaplaincy ministry are that people have multiple needs, and it becomes challenging to meet their preferences. Liberty Church has more than 10,000 individuals, and there is limited time to satisfy their personal needs. However, the religious organization has developed Connect programs that are essential in identifying member challenges. Besides, the Liberty church created off-campus meetings to establish problems for young people. Reverend Hunt finds it challenging to satisfy the preferences of each member in the church and complete his chaplaincy schedules.[3]

Greatest Challenges serving as a Chaplain

The most significant challenge that Reverend Hunt encounters when completing his duties the need to meet personal preferences for church members. The chaplain feels that he is not fulfilling his mission of assisting believers due to limited time to complete his responsibilities. Reverend Hunt recommends that religious institution needs a better structure to establish whether individuals are admitted or dismissed from hospitals. Hospitals do not notify them regarding patient information that is essential in time management. Hunt attests that they obtain victim information after they are discharged.

Threats, Concerns or Challenges for Evangelical Chaplains

The ministry is experiencing various risks and challenges that hinder significant performance. Reverend Hunt mentions that the community direction is collapsing. For instance, individuals are not giving tithes because elderly persons are dying. Besides, community members are tightening their budgets due to an increase in medical expenses. Some programs in the religious organization have been eliminated. The youths are willing to engage in religious activities, but cannot pay program fees. Another problem threat that Reverend Hunt noted is that older individuals are dedicated to Christ rather than young people.

Effectiveness of Ministerial Efforts in the Chaplaincy Discipline

I can rank my ministerial efforts at eight out of ten points. I offer excellent support to various religious staff teams to attain their goals. Besides, Reverend Hunt has managed to develop, assist, and sustain pastoral support facilities in the church. The chaplain helps local religious organizations to create classes that focus on pastoral support.[4]

Effects of the Chaplaincy Ministry on Personal and Family Life

Reverend Hunt claimed that his ministerial roles have a significant impact on his life. The chaplain attests that he was passionate about serving God since his childhood, and has enhanced personal fulfillment. Besides, religious activities have increased joy in Hunt’s life. The reverend notes that the chaplaincy mission has affected his relationship with his wife and kids. Hunt spend most of his time encouraging patients in hospitals and advising church members. Reverent Hunt spends limited time with his wife and kids. The chaplain states that duties can be emotionally draining, but positive factors can overshadow adverse effects.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

Roles as a Chaplain

Reverend Hunt claimed that he responsible for visiting patients in medical organizations at least five days a week. He adds that he visits individuals in their households with long-term illnesses. The pastor stated that he ministers to families that lose their loved ones and holds 50 or 60 funerals a year. Every day, Reverend Hunt must receive emails that contain details of individuals admitted to hospitals.

Methods for obtaining information

Hunt attends Sunday meetings to enquire about individuals suffering from long-term illnesses or people who will have surgeries the following week. The chaplain claims that he has an assistant responsible for calling the hospital before making visits to establish whether people in the email list are still admitted to the medical organization. [5]

External Roles as the Reverend in the Church

Reverend Hunt must visit health institutions during weekdays to comfort patients with mild and acute medical conditions. He prays for victims before attending surgeries and after leaving the surgery room. Hunt highlighted that he ensures that his visits are brief because most of the patients undergo pain or are tired. However, he can prolong the stay when the victim or relatives are willing to listen to his advice. Hunt focuses on observing and listening to patients in most of his visits. He encourages victims to express their grievances but respects the confidentiality of individuals who conceal their problems.

Strategies used during the Mission

However, Reverend Hunt claims that he meets with the patient and gives his business card. He prays with the victims or relatives before attending to another case. At times, families of the patients can meet Reverend Hunt later to seek more guidance on assisting their loved one. The chaplain reminds victims that they can communicate with God at any time because He cares for every human being. Hunt encourages each patient to seek God through salvation but does not force them to get saved when they portray unwillingness.

External Sources to support Pastoral Activities

Reverend claims that he directs victims to read encouragement texts such as “God’s Survival Guide” that is essential in assisting to overcome challenges, stress, and denial. The publication contains quotes that encourage victims during their troubling times.

CONCLUSION

Reverend Hunt is committed to the pastoral work since his passion is assisting people during troubling times. The chaplain receives calls from believers and church members at any hour of the day. He is charitable and considers peoples’ welfare. However, Hunt is dedicated to serving God by preaching and encouraging believers. Reverend Hunt has served for more than four decades and ministers to sick to health institutions. He can mentor people aspiring to enroll in the chaplaincy field.

Bibliography

Hunt, Joe. 2020. Interview. USA. February 29^th.

[1] “I am passionate about serving God and people which drove my decision in engaging in ministerial work.”

[2] “My parents took me to church at an early age of two years.”

[3] “I am dissatisfied because I cannot meet all the needs of believers and patients in the community.”

[4] “Church members appreciate my ministerial work and congratulate me.”

[5] “I communicate via emails or attend Sunday meetings.”