Chaplaincy Support for Military Families: A Study of Pastoral Intervention during Deployment

Abstract

Koffarnus correctly notes that many people talk about history in negative terms. However, without history and the historians who record it, we would be ignorant of the roots of our culture. While history can serve as a guide and sustenance of an effective military culture, the 21st century environment is one of unprecedented complexity, ambiguity, speed and organizational change. Conceptual skills provide the capacity to perform effectively in these conditions. Current and future chaplains serving in the military context are not exempted from this evolution of change. They are therefore expected to be versatile, flexible, adaptive and innovative in order to remain effective in the new millennium. The global complexity, rapid change, interdependence and multifaceted challenges demands chaplains to play a vital role in the future development of their environments. In this information age, future chaplains will have to act in the capacity of facilitators, coaches, designers and teachers to foster the transforming role of chaplains in revolutionizing the design of chaplaincy for the twenty first century.