Last year we celebrated the 250th birthday of the Army Chaplaincy. This year we celebrate the 250th birthday of our nation. We have much to be grateful for from God’s grace and generosity.
Throughout our nation’s history the freedom of religion has extended itself to all people including military personnel despite conflicts and challenges. The Army Unit Ministry Team (UMT) is the original template for all institutional chaplaincies in America and continues to be a model for military chaplaincies around the world.
This template practices certain concepts critical for success in “bringing God to people and people to God” utilizing sacred callings. First, it is a UMT, emphases ‘team’. Even before there was a formal position called chaplain assistant (today, Religious Affairs Specialist) chaplains partnered with trusted enlisted soldiers for best results in reaching soldiers where they are at spiritually and physically. Later, Directors of Religious Education were added to deepen the quantity and quality of spiritual care. This joint effort maximizes freedom of worship and faith to all personnel.
Which leads to the second key concept, pluralism. America’s founding parents had experienced state churches and persecution in the Old World. The New World would be different. Every citizen and soldier should be free to exercise their chosen faith and be supported in that walk of life. Thus, one of George Washington’s first actions in forming a new military force was establishing chaplains for the Army. He could not see success without this spiritual component.
Pluralism is a hard concept for many. This concept demands unity of effort without compromise of beliefs. It promotes equal support for all faiths and not a favoritism to one denomination or religion over another. It strives to be fair to all while leaving UMTs free to share their specific faiths with others when others are searching for truth. It is a higher standard than among most civilian clergy where competition is often considered more important than cooperation among many religious leaders.
The focus of the Chaplaincy is to perform or provide the finest religious support possible to all assigned and attached personnel, their families and all other folks associated with this mission. This can include Department of the Army Civilians, prisoners of war, and international relationships with other national chaplaincies and their military personnel. It can include missions of mercy in crises area, domestic and foreign, in need of emergency care. It includes crossing service lines for joint operational success. It is inclusive versus exclusive while retaining a UMT’s theology. It is a never-ending struggle and growth for God’s servants especially in the crucible of military service.
We small band of clergy comrades challenged though we may be, stand ready to be the servant leaders God has called us to be serving alongside our equally called enlisted and DREs and DA Civilians to be the presence of God for American soldiers wherever they be sent to serve the nation we celebrate. Happy 250th birthday all.
Pro Deo et Patria
Scottie Lloyd
USACCRA President 
