THE K I NG ’S BUS I NESS
November, 1942
412
The Christian Minister By CHAPLAIN E. E. PAULSON
in Uniform
ers,‘the last war clearly d&nonstrated the value of placing the emphasis on religious work. In consequence, the present policy of the War Department is to consider, chaplains essentially as spiritual leaders and to provide them with facilities f nets, and typewriters, and space for conferences and small meetings. Al though the chaplain has a c h u r c h building,'he may howeVer feel the need of the many organizations that help to carry on the work of a civilian cpngregation, such as eiders, trustees, deacons, ladies’ aid, or young people’s society. Moreover, for chaplains in training c e n t e r s , the congregation itself changes almost entirely every eight or nine weeks. While a small per centage of men remain to assist in training incoming groups, chaplains in these positions must become ac quainted with practically a new con gregation five times a year. Of course, the program that is initiated must be his responsibility, and the success with which it is carried through must depend chiefly on his vision, energy, and personal resources. Work of a Chaplain Another question that is frequently asked is: What does a chaplain ordi narily do? While the chaplain’s work will vary somewhat' with the condi tions prevailing in a particular camp, the present description being limited to practices in training centers, it is the desire Of the Chief of Chaplains that chaplains seelj to carry on a re ligious program sifnilar, to the one to which they have been accustomed in civilian life. As in churches at honje, one of the largest responsibilities is the provision of Sunday worship and preaching services. The morning service is usually conducted at nine o’clock and is attended by anywhere from 50 to 300 men. While this does V •'X""X UR CHURCHES and homes are /* 1 being affected profoundly by LV J the present wsfr. Serious con- c e r n for the spiritual and mofal well-being of the men in the armed foTces , as well as for their physical safety, is naturally felt by their pastors, parents, and friends. However, as millions of men leave for military camps and outposts, they are followed into the service by thou sands of qualified ministers of the gospel. Our camps and training Sta tions have thus become the greatest fields for evangelism and Christian education that this c o u n t r y has known. Not only is the Work of chap lains important in preparing men for whatever dangers lie immediately ahead, but also faithful service, should now immeasurably strengthen the cause of Christ when our soldiers' and sailors return to their local .churches and communities. Who Are the Chaplains? The question'might first be asked: Who are the chaplains and what has been provided in the way of equip ment for their work? Whereas Chap lains may at the time have b e e n looked upon by some as primarily recreation officers and morale build- >• [E. E. Paulson became a chaplain o f ' the Medical Replacement Training Center at Camp Robinson, A rk., in April, >1942: He had been in service in the Arm y as. a -chaplain since 1940. Prior Ao his A rm y work, he had-m inis tered in pastorates o f Presbyterian churches in Minnesota for more than twelve years. He is a graduate of Hamline University of Si. Paul, Minn., of Princeton Theological Semi nary, and of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (Class of 1923). Many w ill praise God that he, and others of like vision, are among those serving our armed forces .— E ditor .]
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