What is a Chaplain?
“WHAT IS A CHAPLAIN?”
By: Chaplain Howard English
A Chaplain is Chosen or Called of God! You don’t just decide that you will go into the ministry. God has to call you. God’s anointing has to flow upon you. Without His calling, you will fail. (John 15:16; Matt 4:18-21; Luke 4:18-21)
A Chaplain must be Devoted to his calling and his duties. Devoted to the study of God’s word. (2 Tim 2:15 – “Study to show yourself approved.”) Devoted to prayer (1 Thes 5:17 – “Pray without ceasing.”)
A Chaplain must be in total surrender - “yielded”. Rom 6:13 – “But yield yourself unto God as those that are alive from the dead and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” (Also, Luke 5:11) Surrender means to follow God regardless of the price; it never means to forsake responsibility. Even these men retained their homes, families and responsibility. We have a responsibility, not only to the Drivers, but also to our families. Still, God is first.
A Chaplain must be renewed in his mind. Rom 12:2 – “Be ye not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.”
A Chaplain must be dedicated to (eyes fixed upon) Jesus! Heb 12:2 – “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”
A Chaplain must not be weary. Gal 6:9 – “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.” Isaiah 40:31 – “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
A Chaplain must be a laborer to bring forth fruit, not an idler. John 6:27 – “Labor not for the meat that perisheth, but for the meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of Man shall give unto you, for Him hath God, the Father sealed.” John 15:16 – “Ye have not chosen me but I have chosen you and ordained you that ye shall go and bring forth fruit and that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it to you.”There is a great harvest in the truck stops across the nation. We are the laborers who are called to harvest for Christ.
A Chaplain must be a “goer” to the work, not a “waiter” for the work. Matt 28:19-20 – “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” God has called us to go and do all things in Jesus’ name. We do not go alone. We have the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost (the Comforter) with us.
A Chaplain must be of good example. His role is to lead, not drive; to feed, not destroy; and to live what is preached. Jn. 10:3-4 – “The sheep hear His voice and He calleth His own sheep by name and leadeth them out. And when He putteth forth His own sheep He goeth before them out.” (1 Cor 4:9-13; 2 Cor 4:8-18; 1 Tim 3:1-13; 2 Tim 2 & Titus 1.)
The Duties of a Chaplain
- Must be on time
- Prepares for the Fellowship Meeting
- Follows the Fellowship Meeting Outline
- Fills out the Chapel Report
- Maintains the Chapel or Chapel Area
- Submits Himself to the Authority of TMI and Agrees to abide by its policies.
- Sets a Standard
- Prays Over and Places Flyers on the Trucks or in the Driver’s Hands
- Makes a PA Announcement
- Controls the Fellowship Meeting
The Duties of an Assistant
- Must be on Time
- Sets a Standard
- Assists the Chaplain with the duties above
- Submits Himself or Herself to the Authority of TMI and Agrees to abide by its policies.
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