The World is My Parish: A Military Chaplain's Perspective
Today in the United States we celebrate Veterans Day, honoring all who have served in our nation’s armed forces. Thank you to our veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice.
Within the Global Methodist Church, this service extends beyond the borders of one’s country and into the world. Through endorsing ministries, clergy are authorized to represent Jesus Christ and the Global Methodist Church in the military and other settings.
In this special Global Messenger testimony, Army Chaplain Bradley Bruce shares about how the call to serve Christ aligns with the call to serve one’s country and beyond.
As we remember the veterans in the United States, we also acknowledge those serving and spreading the gospel in other countries through chaplaincy ministry. The Gospel knows no borders, and no life is beyond the reach of God’s grace.
The World is My Parish: A Military Chaplain's Perspective
by Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) Bradley V. Bruce (Retired)
Military Chaplaincy is a unique subset of endorsed ministry in a setting where the world is truly your parish.
Over the course of 24 years in the United States Army with travel to over 20 countries and many parts of the continental United States, it has become evident that endorsed ministry to the military is one of the most blessed and diverse settings to serve in.
Endorsed ministry is simply ministry beyond the local church. It is an important part of who we are as Methodists and for sharing the gospel to the very corners of the earth. The church is always our home and place from where all are sent to carry the gospel—some further than others, like missionaries to other countries. A life as an endorsed clergy member is an adventure with Jesus for those God has called and equipped.
Other than perhaps serving as a university chaplain, it’s hard to find more opportunities to engage young men and women who are seeking to understand life and the world around them as you have in the military. The military is a mission field with people from all walks of life, socio-economic statuses and cultures. From waking in the morning and joining your team on the field for physical training, to being present in workspaces, joining in training, participating in ceremonies and following your people into battle, the chaplain represents the Lord in all places.
Like the prophet Jeremiah, an Army chaplain walks where soldiers walk. There are many opportunities to share the love of Christ with those you serve, some more overt than others, like in chapel, field services or impromptu Bible studies. From the earth-shattering and horrifying moments to the tender times of brokenness, it is a sacred journey to bring the light of Christ into a secular setting that is often portrayed as evil, and yet there is nowhere we will not go to share the gospel.
As I was serving in my first appointment, I thought God was certainly calling me to the global mission field since I had served in the Army previously in the Ranger Regiment and trained for the most austere conditions. I just knew God was going to use me in a less permissive missional area. This was of course before a group of military chaplains surrounded me at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Durham, NC and told me that they believed God may be calling me to the military again.
They said they had observed my love and compassion in service to veterans and were certain through the Holy Spirit that this was my calling. Naturally, I was hesitant and took the time to dip my toe in the water as a pastor volunteering first to cover a weekend for a reserve unit meeting for training, called drilling. The next week was the beginning of clarity in my call to endorsed ministry.
This was where God was truly calling me. It of course would mean going back to military training again as well as preparing for military ministry in the Army.
Things seemed to happen fast with packing lists, physical training prep, the Chaplain Officer Basic Leadership Course, and months of learning to be a soldier again. After onboarding, I was asked to deploy with a Special Missions Unit (not the missions you’re thinking).
In Jalalabad, Afghanistan, I served my unit, prepared them spiritually every day for the grueling throes of war. Combat settings have a way of accelerating bonds due to the threat of loss of life. It was an honor and privilege to provide worship in any way I could for my unit to include worship, Bible study, and communion each week. What was equally important was just being there for soldiers to pray and ask questions. I was their pastor in a place where humanity was waning. For me this routine would happen off and on for nearly 10 years.
In all the time spent in military ministry, the most precious times were those spent on my knees with others before the God of the universe in the war zone. There is something sacred about a space where men and women are willing to die for those they do not even know. To serve them and be their pastor was an honor like no other. As you might imagine, there was no shortage of daily miracles and many who accepted Jesus as Savior.
Today, I am happy to support our endorsed ministers and those not requiring endorsement as they move like John Wesley across this planet to bring the gospel to the very corners of the earth in every secular setting imaginable. It has been an honor to serve alongside a diverse mix of anointed leaders from every sector of endorsed ministry on our GMC Endorsing Board.
The work we do to encourage and equip our colleagues continues to echo the words of Wesley, “I look upon all the world as my parish; thus far I mean, that, in whatever part of it I am, I judge it meet, right, and my bounden duty, to declare unto all that are willing to hear, the glad tidings of salvation. This is the work which I know God has called me to; and sure I am that his blessing attends it.”