"Do you preach at a Chapel on post?" This was a question asked of me by a couple at a marriage conference I co-facilitated this weekend at Myrtle Beach, called Strong Bonds. This is a "non-religious" marriage curriculum that many Chaplains complain of. It may be because of the administrative challenges, the lack of interest, or the quality of material. But certainly it is because it is not faith-based.
I have several thoughts about Strong Bonds events. One, I am not forbidden from--and I have never had a Soldier complain from--my inserting Christian foundational principles: "As a Christian Chaplain, I have to mention at this point..." Second, I have learned that these events, especially weekend events, are prime opportunities to get to know Soldiers, and build relationships for future discussions.
Third, it is an opportunity for them to see me and my family--imperfect though it is; through informal counseling, Q&A panel at the end, with me and Lucibeth, or just playing at the beach. I can easily imagine that ours is the very first Christian family many of these Soldiers have ever come into contact with up close, and that some of them, at least, will notice some stark differences from what they grew up with.
Today starts the first lunch of going through Mere Chrstianity with an agnostic/skeptic. God, work as I simply lay out before him the Christian faith without compromise, and--Lord willing--have an opportunity to call him to believe.
I have several thoughts about Strong Bonds events. One, I am not forbidden from--and I have never had a Soldier complain from--my inserting Christian foundational principles: "As a Christian Chaplain, I have to mention at this point..." Second, I have learned that these events, especially weekend events, are prime opportunities to get to know Soldiers, and build relationships for future discussions.
Third, it is an opportunity for them to see me and my family--imperfect though it is; through informal counseling, Q&A panel at the end, with me and Lucibeth, or just playing at the beach. I can easily imagine that ours is the very first Christian family many of these Soldiers have ever come into contact with up close, and that some of them, at least, will notice some stark differences from what they grew up with.
Today starts the first lunch of going through Mere Chrstianity with an agnostic/skeptic. God, work as I simply lay out before him the Christian faith without compromise, and--Lord willing--have an opportunity to call him to believe.
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