Rejecting the clichés
Great article (Paul Anderson, “Chaplains—So Who Are We?” July 2018 issue). I hope that we will soon be shaking off unhealthy stereotypes about chaplaincy.
—Her van Dav, email
Great article on the path to chaplaincy! (Lisa Clouzet, “Chaplaincy: Are You Called?” July 2018 issue) I have found many professional chaplains also have a similar, circuitous journey that most of the time is a second career. I would also add, don’t forget an emerging resource for those seeking professional growth and development into the health-care chaplaincy world: Health Care Chaplaincy and the Spiritual Care Association. I am seriously considering become board certified with that organization this year.
—Mark Hansen, email
Spreading the love
Regarding Fred Hardinge’s article “Always Relate to Others With Love” in the May 2018 issue, Mark 7:18–20 says: “He said to them, ‘Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a man from outside cannot defile him, since it enters, not his heart but his stomach, and so passes on?’ (Thus he declared all foods clean.) And he said, ‘What comes out of a man is what defiles a man’ ” [RSV].
This scripture warns us to be careful not to be beguiled with externals of law-keeping instead of what truly matters, our heart and the internal spiritual law to avoid lustful pursuits, impurity, hatred, etc., and to be filled with true divine love and purity.
—Leslie John, email
Embracing the city
I am submitting this letter in reference to Ithe September 2018 Ministry: Living for the City issue. The articles that renewed my spiritual soul were “By Any Means Necessary: An Urban Ministry Interview With Pastor E. Douglas Venn” by Jeffrey Brown, “I Can’t Breathe” by Robert Davis, and “Invisible People” by Timothy P. Nixon.
Prior to my incarceration, I was called to fulfill the vocation as an evangelist, but I found myself like Jonah, and the fish that swallowed me was prison. Through it all, the manifestation of God’s mercy is upon me because I have been restored to the fullest extent where the visions are clear and the utterance of the Word is just amazing. In ten months, these doors will open, and I will perform my duties as an evangelist.
In conclusion, I am thankful for God having you as a vessel to bring forth Ministry: International Journal for Pastors to reach and teach lives to follow our Lord Jesus Christ.
—William Hinson, New York, United States.
In looking at the September 2018 Living for the City issue, so long as we make the church larger than the kingdom, we will have a difficult time understanding that God is active before we arrived. But the primary activity of God is in the world, and the church is an instrument created by God to be sent into the world to participate in what He is already doing. To say it another way, God’s church doesn’t have a mission, instead, God’s mission.
—Len Hjalmarson, email
Passing the baton
You have been kindly sending me your informative magazine over the years, and I never seem to make time to thank you—so here is that belated thanks. I have moved into “Aged Care” now that I am racing towards 94. Here we have a young Pastoral Care helper, and I share your magazine with him. He was ordained in the Presbyterian Rite last month and finds your magazine helpful. Renewed good wishes for the coming year, and God’s blessings on your work.
—Mel Cotter, Franciscan Friars, Australia
