I trust the following question and answer about chaplain ministry and the local pastorate will provide some opportunity for prayerful reflection by those considering the call. Dear Dr. Milton: May I ask you a question about the chaplaincy? The biggest Continue Reading
November 27, 2012 7 Comments
Advent Readings and Lightings: Pastoral Preparations for the Coming Season
I wanted to give an aid for congregations and pastors, particularly those in free church backgrounds, who want to move away from the commercialization of the season to focus on the Incarnation. That is a hard sell to be sure. But the way to do it is Continue Reading
April 16, 2012
Ministering Personally to Minister Pastorally
I am arriving at Fort Jackson this evening. Tomorrow morning I will join with the cadre at the United States Army Chaplain Center and School to give support and instruction for mid-career chaplains. There's something that I want to say; something that is Continue Reading
December 26, 2011
A Hero’s Story at Christmastime: Colonel Roger Ingvalson, USAF-Retired (June 20, 1928—December 24, 2011)
“It’s Christmastime, Poppy, and we want a story!” “A story? Why don’t you play with your toys?” “We want a story! We want a story! We want…” “Okay! Okay. A story. All right, then, a story you shall have. What kind of story would Continue Reading
December 20, 2011
A National Treasure: The Privilege to Minister at the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School, Fort Jackson, SC
Plutarch wrote, “The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.” Sacred fires—keen minds—are being kindled at the US Army Chaplain Center and School. And I get a Continue Reading
September 20, 2011 Leave a Comment
A Zero Dark Thirty Faith
It's zero dark thirty—that means really, really early in the morning, in Army speak. I am sipping on a cup of McDonald's premium coffee, mercifully open 24-7, right next to the installation, catering to soldiers who are up early to do "PT" (physical Continue Reading
September 12, 2011 Leave a Comment
Then and Now: Called to Duty on 9/11
September 11, 2011. That is the date of my US Army Reserve orders for today, as I begin two weeks annual training. 10 years ago to this day, I was also called on duty, September 11, 2001. So on this Lord's day, as we all reflect about the meaning of this Continue Reading
January 28, 2011
“LIVING THE DREAM, SIR!” Three Things that Keep Ministry (and the Military Chaplaincy) Moving Forward
I am on chaplain duty today. I am ministering at the US Army Chaplain Center and School. I came to instruct, to give my testimony of why I continue to balance the life of civilian ministry: as a seminary chancellor elect, a professor and preacher, and the Continue Reading
Defense Draw-down Talk while the Nation is at War: Irresponsible and Immoral
The failure of the bipartisan super committee to take decisive action to reverse the 15 trillion-dollar debt crisis this country needs from becoming another Greece has, predictably, failed. Now the Washington blame game begins. However, the greatest Continue Reading