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The HEART of a CHAPLAIN
Chaplains also advise leaders of the organization, institution, corporation, or company. Chaplains are a voice on issues of moral and ethical behavior. Chaplains are a critical part of a leadership team providing a source of faith, hope, safety, and clarity, especially during uncertain times. They are a calming, reassuring presence in tragedy and times of uncertainty. Chaplains’ perspectives can be valuable to leaders as they respond to crises. Chaplains scan for issues or problems and bring them to the attention of leaders. Most leaders value what chaplains bring to the individual and the institution and welcome them as part of the crisis action response team. A senior military commander described it this way: The image of a chaplain ministering to battle-wounded troops is a comfort for me, a calm in the midst of chaos, a thoughtful example of faith and fellowship, a focus through the leadership chaos where uncertainty and volatility can become a heavy burden over time. When I was a young squadron commander, a master sergeant committed suicide in my unit. The Air Force places great emphasis on commander involvement and leadership to prevent suicide. I blamed myself for the tragedy. Despite my strong faith, I took my eye off the living in a moment of chaos to focus on how I could have prevented the past. My unit Chaplain saw I was hurting, asked if he could help, prayed with me, and helped me regain focus on leading the unit as we grieved a loss.3 Institutions or chaplain organizations typically select a symbol to distinguish individuals as chaplains. In military service, for instance, Christian chaplains wear a Latin cross, rabbis wear a tablet, and imams wear a crescent.4 The logo of the Marsh Center for Chaplain Studies, a hurricane lamp with radiating light, symbolizes chaplains carrying messages of encouragement, hope, and support amid the storm. Chaplains do not seek the shelter of safety but go into harm’s way to accompany those battling danger, confusion, heartache, This Air Force general shared his thoughts in an email. Military chaplains’ insignia has evolved. Initially, the Army used a shepherd’s hook for all chaplains. Eventually, however, the military adopted different symbols for different faith groups.
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