So on All Things Considered yesterday, I heard (most) of a story on evangelical military chaplains. I am an outsider in that world, but my senior pastor is a US Army Reserve chaplain who has seen active duty twice, so I have some degree of familiarity with military chaplaincy, at least more than most civilians do. And I have to say, the story disturbed me.
Now let me add another disclaimer: while I am a member of a mainline denomination (the ELCA), I am pretty "evangelical-friendly" in my spirituality and practice. My faith was strongly formed in a non-denominational, evangelical high school youth group. I was a leader in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship while I was an undergrad at Conn. So I don't generally view evangelicals as "the enemy."
Now, here's the thrust of the story: the military rules for chaplains forbid proselytizing. They can evangelize to those who do not have a faith commitment, but as the NPR reporter put it, "no stealing sheep from another chaplain's flock" (my paraphrase). I can see many, many reasons why this makes sense, not the least of which is the reality of power dynamics in a military hierarchy, and how differences in rank can, even when all involved have the purest of intentions, lend a coercive edge to attempts to share one's faith.
But a growing number of evangelical chaplains are finding themselves not able to comply with that military regulation. I realize that the line between faithfully practicing one's own faith and proselytizing can be tricky. I realize that "proselytize" is, in itself, a loaded term. And I whole-heartedly endorse making the most of every opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others. But I have little sympathy for these chaplains.
Why? They knew what they were signing up for. At least on the Army side of things, they are very, very clear about what expectations, rules, and regulations are. I can't believe that chaplain basic training would not include what the various branches do and do not allow. Basic integrity says if you can't accept the terms, don't accept the position.
But what about the (seemingly very reasonable) complaint that Christians are to share Christ in every opportunity? Let me be clear: all Christians are called to evangelize, and to do so faithfully. It's not an option, a calling only for some. But that's not the answer for this situation. And that word "calling," or better "vocation," is why. The disciple must look at where Jesus has called her to be. The follower must see where the Spirit has led him. What is one's vocation, one's calling? What are one's roles, relationships, and duties?
By accepting a calling as a military chaplain, one gains the opportunity to provide Christian spiritual care to those in the armed forces. Such a chaplain may find some restrictions on how they would otherwise witness to others; however, they gain new ways to bear witness, ways that would be rather meaningless in civilian life, but can be powerful in their military context. To go where only soldiers go (or where only Marines go, or only airmen, etc.) is a unique opening. The chaplain is placed within a complex web of relationships, duties, and privileges. What may be perfectly appropriate in a dorm room or over Starbucks, like arguing the deficiencies of your buddy's religion when it's probably pushing him a little outside his comfort zone, means something very different in a world of rank, orders, unit cohesion, and the strains of people actively trying to kill you.
This isn't a matter of compromising. It's a matter of discharging the duties into which God has called you. I do not doubt that God calls chaplains into the military. And being in that very particular environment creates openings for bearing witness to Jesus Christ that will never exist in a dorm room, a coffee bar, or a backyard cook-out. But you can't get the openings that go with the role while rejecting the limits that define the role!
This does not mean that a chaplain must, therefore, accept everything about their vocation uncritically. But it means working within the system when possible, and being willing to accept the consequences when the system must be opposed.
I would ask these chaplains: Did God call you into your position? Did God know what he was doing? So then why are you not only jeapordizing your calling, but also your effectiveness within your call? Are you willing to serve your Lord where he has called you, or only on your own terms?
