January 2009

FROM Paul Clark

Hello, God is Good!

Excited, awe struck, humbled, amazed, blessed, fulfilled, a little tired, and happy feet may have been a few of the feelings Moses had when he heard the voice of God say take off your shoes for the place where you are standing is holy ground. God prepared a servant, sparked his interest, had Moses climb up the mountain, and gave him his call.

We have been called and prepared to stand on Holy Ground. God in grace and kindness has singled us out and granted us the privilege to serve. Daily we stand on Holy Ground, in hospitals, prisons, pastoral counseling centers, schools, tracks, stations and church grounds involved in ministry that is transforming lives through the Power and Blood of Jesus Christ. We speak a word, complete an action and express God's love to change the face of anguish to a countenance of peace.

The mountains of training we climbed-- Universities, Colleges, Clinical Pastoral Education, tuition of experience, certification programs and diplomas -- were tedious at times and challenging to scale. But, thanks be to God Almighty, Who got us up the mountain!

I, like many of you, have experienced many of those feelings that may have been a part of Moses' experience. Isn't it wonderful, fulfilling, blessed, humbling, amazing and exciting that God is using you and me in transforming Lives? Thanks be to God.

So take your shoes off, be encouraged, feel the power of the Holy Spirit as it goes through the soles of your feet to the tips of your hairs as we do the work of the One who sent us. We are called and empowered, blessed, and trained to accomplish the ministry that God has set before us. You and I together working in the Name of Jesus Christ as Chaplains and Pastoral Counselors will accomplish a great work that will have an eternal blessing for each of us and those we have been sent to serve.

Paul

Rev. Paul E. Clark
Ecclesiastical Endorsing Agent
Chaplaincy and Pastoral Counseling Services

Every two years, the General Board of the American Baptist Churches gives public recognition to the ministry of American Baptists serving as Institutional Chaplains, Pastoral Counselors, and Military Chaplains by selecting representatives from each of these categories to receive a Biennial Award of Merit.

Do YOU know of an American Baptist endorsed colleague, friend, supervisor, trainee, member of your church, or someone you have admired whose ministry as a chaplain or pastoral counselor has been continuously outstanding over a period of several years? Share that information with us.

THE GLEASON SCHOLARSHIP

In 1996, the Ministers Council chapter for Chaplains & Pastoral Counselors established a scholarship fund to honor outgoing Director of Chaplaincy and Pastoral Counseling, Jack Gleason. The Gleason Scholarships are awarded to persons who are preparing to provide spiritual care ministry in specialized settings as a chaplains or pastoral counselors.

The Ministers Council chapter selects the recipients from applications and from nominations submitted by pastors and colleagues in ministry. A letter of recommendation from the pastor is required. Please consider nominating someone for this award. Your nomination should include the name, area of specialization, and school or accredited CPE provider.

Application forms are available from the Office of Chaplain and Pastoral Counseling Services and letters of nomination should also be directed to this office. Decisions and awards are made by the Ministers Council chapter.

COMMITTEE ON CHAPLAINS & PASTORAL COUNSELORS (CCPC) MEMBERSHIP

This committee grants and maintains your ecclesiastical endorsement. Each year your endorsement is reviewed by the committee for compliance and continuance. There are six members on this committee. The committee's composition reflects the categories/areas of endorsements. The committee now has at least one member from military chaplaincy, pastoral counseling, and institutional chaplaincy.

The committee members are:

• Dr. Glenn Asquith
• Dr. Harry Simmons, Chair,
• MG Lorraine K. Potter, USAF (Retired)
• Dr. Eric C. Holmstrom
• Rev. Richard G. Harris
• Rev. James Munro.

TYPES OF ECCLESIASTICAL AFFILIATION

There are three types or levels of Ecclesiastical affiliation. They are (1) Ecclesiastical Endorsement, (2) Ecclesiastical Recognition, and (3) Ecclesiastical Approval.

Ecclesiastical Endorsement is granted to those persons who meet the academic, theological and clinical requirements and need the endorsement for employment or professional membership. Endorsement is to a particular employing agency or organization.

Ecclesiastical Recognition is granted to those persons who are serving in specialized settings where endorsement is not required for employment. Ecclesiastical recognition is also granted in volunteer specialized ministries.

Ecclesiastical Approval is granted to all training and student categories. Chaplain Candidates for the military or chaplains/pastoral counselors in clinical training are granted ecclesiastical approval.

Membership in an American Baptist Church is required for any type of ecclesiastical affiliation. Membership is verified by the regional executive, the local church and enrollment in the American Baptist Personnel Service.

ONLINE APPLICATION

The application for endorsement/recognition/approval is posted on the documents and forms page in PDF format at www.abc- cpcs.org. The instructions and descriptions of the types of affiliation are also posted. Please refer new applicants to this website for applications.