Sunday Night - Ministry to Armed Forces Dinner

[prsauer]

The LCMS currently endorses approximately 100 chaplains across the 5 branches of the U.S. Armed Forces (Active, Reserve, and National Guard Components). Our chaplains serve in significant leadership positions across the branches: from the Pentagon to our Service Academies. Even with the social changes that the Military has undergone in the last few years, LCMS chaplains are held in high regard both because of the quality of formation we have received, and because of the wonderful precedents set by chaplains like Arthur Karl Piepkorn (who served as commandant of the Chaplain School House for the U.S. Army, and was Eisenhower's chief of chaplains for occupied Germany), Martin Scharlemann (who taught at the school house), Henry Gerecke (one of 235 LCMS chaplains to serve in WWII, and who would famously serve as chaplain to the Nuremburg war crimes prisoners), and modern leaders like our own message board participants CH (Rear Admiral Ret.) Dan Gard and CH (COL, Ret.) John Hannah.

One of our modern leaders, CH (LTC, Ret.) Steve Hokana was awarded the Four Chaplains Medal last night by the U.S. Army. For those who don't know the story, the 4 chaplains were men fresh out of chaplain school who heroically gave their lives in service of their fellow Soldiers when the ship that they were on was sunk by a German U-boat https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Chaplains. The award was given in recognition of CH Hokana's distinguished Army career and his continued support of the Army chaplaincy through his work as the assistant director of LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces (MAF), the endorsing agency for the LCMS.

In order to serve as a military chaplain, individuals must receive endorsement from a DOD recognized endorsing agency. Many of the endorsers that have sprung up in recent years are "pay to play" endorsers who require that you pay them yearly dues in return for receiving and endorsement (and little else) which allows you to be a chaplain. The LCMS MAF not only doesn't charge its chaplains a "pay to pay" fee, but actively supports them with resources, training, guidance, and advocacy in their work among the Soldiers of our nation's military. The difference between the support I receive and that received by so many of my classmates at Chaplain Basic Officer Leadership Training was noticeable both me, my classmates, and the Army's leadership. It really is a not-talked about hidden gem that facilitates a tremendous missional impact and which if you are looking for a worthy organization to support you can find more information here:

https://www.lcms.org/ministry-to-the-armed-forces

They also offer resources for helping the Soldiers, families and veterans within your own congregations and communities.

[Steven W Bohler]

God bless our chaplains and those they serve.

[Dave Benke]

On a related dinner topic: 

Mill Neck Foundation and Lutheran Friends of the Deaf sponsored the John of Beverley Award dinner last evening.  I have heard from some in the Mill Neck family that the event went well - were any from this board in attendance?  How was the evening if you did attend?

As board chair, I had to sacrifice my trip to Tampa for the good of the agency and take a foursome to the Mill Neck Cup golf outing on Long Island.  This involved incredible prayer ministry to keep the storms away during golf time, which was totally sunny, and participation by our deaf students, our incredible staff and leadership.  The storm broke and dumped about four inches of rain on the course while we were at dinner.  Pastor Sauer would be happy to know that our team took second place, and that two of our fine Lutheran Mill Neck representatives garnered long drive for women and long drive for men.  Lots of money and friends raised at these events!

Dave Benke

[prsauer]

On a related dinner topic: 

Mill Neck Foundation and Lutheran Friends of the Deaf sponsored the John of Beverley Award dinner last evening.  I have heard from some in the Mill Neck family that the event went well - were any from this board in attendance?  How was the evening if you did attend?

As board chair, I had to sacrifice my trip to Tampa for the good of the agency and take a foursome to the Mill Neck Cup golf outing on Long Island.  This involved incredible prayer ministry to keep the storms away during golf time, which was totally sunny, and participation by our deaf students, our incredible staff and leadership.  The storm broke and dumped about four inches of rain on the course while we were at dinner.  Pastor Sauer would be happy to know that our team took second place, and that two of our fine Lutheran Mill Neck representatives garnered long drive for women and long drive for men.  Lots of money and friends raised at these events!

Dave Benke

Nice. The work of Servant Bishops is never done - even in retirement!!!!