From Parish to Globe: A Field Assessment of the Global Ministry Vision of the USAF Chaplain Service
Abstract
Responding to the 1996 USAF strategic vision document, Global Engagement: A Vision for the 21st Century Air Force, the USAF Chaplain Service released its own document in Oct 97 entitled, Global Ministry: A Vision for the 21st Century. Recognizing the shift toward a smaller force focused on rapid global mobility and needing agile combat support, the new chaplain service vision reflects a dramatic commitment to change from the traditional parish oriented model of ministry to a more flexible combat support orientation emphasizing increasing global deployment of chaplains and chaplain service support personnel. This shift will often significantly change operations at established base chapels where chapel staffs are deploying more frequently. This paper seeks to answer two important questions. First, are the core ministries outlined in GLOBAL MINISTRY the best and most correct direction for the AF Chaplain service to proceed at this point in its history? If yes, then with what priority should these ministries be implemented in the various established AF base chapels while the chaplain service extends to also offer them to the globally deployed? To address these questions, the paper first briefly explores the history of military chaplaincy in the US; which has given rise to the present core ministries outlined in GLOBAL MINISTRY. Next are addressed both the need for change in the ways these are provided to the people of the Air Force, and the need for prioritizing the way these changes are implemented. Finally, through the use of a pilot survey, data is gathered from Field Grade Air Force Chaplains, and Air War College Students with Air Force command experience, pertaining to their priorities for implementing these changes in chaplain ministry, especially at established base chapels, in order to support the increased deployment of chaplain service personnel.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA398552
Entities
People
- Harry P. Mathis Iii
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College