25 Things

Since I turned 50, I have been hounded by the AARP. You would think that I'm ready to retire. Since I'm part of Generation X, I will probably never retire. Maybe the money will be there, maybe it won't. But right now, I'm enjoying my job and have no intention of taking advantage of all the snail mail the AARP is sending me. But I'm always looking for someone who will come along so I can work myself out of a job and move to the next thing the Lord is leading me to.

As a person of faith, I know it's part of my responsibility to pass on what I have learned and train the next generation. But before I go out the door (to retirement…or something else), I know that I should actively try to live up to the full potential of what I'm doing now. Here are 25 things that I think will help you retire as a public safety chaplain. Being judicious with space on this blog, I'll leave these here. I can speak to your chaplain group and elaborate more if you want.

  1. Having a calling

  2. Have a vision.

  3. Have good backing from your department and your church

  4. Have a good job description and SOP’s

  5. Know your chain of command.

  6. Advocate for a budget for chaplaincy.

  7. Never stop learning. Continue to go to training whenever you can.

  8. Have a heart of compassion (not sympathy or empathy)

  9. Take time to worship and stay in the Word

  10. Take time for reflection. See what God is doing.

  11. Have accountability partners (real ones, not just lip service)

  12. Teach/Mentor others.

  13. Know that the interruptions are the ministry.

  14. Listening to God and listening to others is the most important skill of this job.

  15. You may not have all the answers, but that’s ok.

  16. God will always be at the scene before you ever get there.

  17. A chaplain that isn’t seen is a chaplain that isn’t used.

  18. Know that First Responder ministry isn’t for everyone.

  19. Know the laws concerning chaplaincy.

  20. Keep your integrity.

  21. Be involved with state and national chaplaincy organizations.

  22. Know that it takes time for first responders to trust you. Don’t worry, it will happen.

  23. Ensure you have sabbath time, where you step away from it all.

  24. Pray for your first responders and community.

  25. Get to know the faith leaders in your community.

But most of all, have fun and know that you work with some pretty awesome people, and this is one of the greatest ministries you can be a part of.