SBC Chaplaincy Endorser Updates

Public Service Endorser

Brent Bond, Senior Director of Chaplaincy

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. – 1 Corinthians 15:58 (CSB)

Thank you for answering God’s call to serve as an SBC chaplain. You are making a difference!

Information to know

• Who is my SBC Mentor/Mentee? Many people have asked this question from the Chaplain’s Quarterly Report. Sam and I encourage you to network with other SBC chaplains to find inspiration by regularly meeting with them for accountability, encouragement and best practices. In the future, we will present a formal mentoring program connecting new chaplains with experienced chaplains. Until that time, create connections by going to this website, where you will discover chaplains matching your category and area. (While at this site, please confirm your public profile is correct. Update accordingly.) Additionally, consider attending an upcoming Chaplain Professional Development Training event where you will have the opportunity to interface with other fellow chaplains.
• SBC chaplains are our best recruiters. A large number of chaplains are unaware of ecclesiastical endorsement. As you interact with other chaplains, please take a moment to share the benefits of being an SBC endorsed chaplain. Those benefits include a support network with fellow SBC chaplains, quality training, pastoral care, prayer and field guidance. Also, talk with your institutional leadership about why endorsed chaplains are the best choice for their institution or organization.
• Promote SBC chaplaincy in your church. Keep your pastor and church leadership informed. Consider sharing a PDF copy of your Quarterly Report so they can celebrate what God is doing in your life and ministry and keep you on their prayer lists.
• Contact our office to update your endorsement if your ministry setting, institution, certifying organization or church membership has changed.
• Add me to your newsletter email distribution list. I’m interested in you and enjoy news of what’s happening out in the fields. Help me tell your story. Sign me up!

Remember: Each of us on the SBC Chaplaincy Team is available to serve you as needed.

Federal Endorser

Samuel Lee, Director of Chaplaincy

One of the primary reasons for difficulties in ministry is the sense of isolation, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The rise of critical incidents, declining organizational support and divisive social landscapes are not foreign to our chaplains. In times like this, we must draw our strength from the Lord.

Psalm 121 is a psalm of trust written to direct pilgrims to God as their source of help. “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1–2).

My prayer is that you remain in His hand and look up to the Lord in times of difficulty. When you depend on God, “He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber” (Psalm 121:3). So hang in there, remember you are not alone and keep your eyes on Christ!

1. Endorsement Update: I have added an interview process for the Federally Endorsed Chaplains. Here’s why:
   • I desire to connect with many Federal Chaplains on a personal level. Having a 30–45-minute interview allows me to get to know and encourage our chaplains.
   • Not all chaplains keep up with updating their profiles. Utilize updating endorsement as an opportunity. An individual chaplain can review their detailed data with the Federal Endorser and edit their information (i.e., Quarterly Report, Portal Update and Annual Professional Training). In addition, our office will update individuals’ requirements in real-time as we migrate to a new system.
   • It provides an excellent opportunity to verify endorsement stands and disseminate the most up-to-date information. Validation of contact information and the future projection of individual chaplains are essential to our office.

The Endorsement Update will require more than one day. We ask for at least two weeks of processing time for your “Endorsement Update Form” to update.

2. FY22 Site Visits by the Federal Endorser (First and Second Quarters):
   • November 3 – 6, 2021: Biloxi, Miss. (see picture below)
   • December 9 –12, 2021: Ft. Stewart and Hunter AAF, Ga.
   • December 16 – 17, 2021: Ft. Jackson, SC (CHOBLC Graduation)
   • January 12 – 16, 2022: NCR (D.C. Area) & Ft Lee, Va.
   • February 14 – 17, 2022: Colorado Springs, Colo.
   • February 28 – March 04, 2022: Ft. Bragg, SEBTS, and Camp Lejeune

If you are in one of these areas and have not received an invite, please contact our office. I look forward to seeing you.

Published December 3, 2021