July 2008

FROM THE INTERIM EXECUTIVE:

National Ministries has interviewed candidates for the position of Ecclesiastical Endorsing Agent. While this search is underway, I have agreed to continue serving you as your Interim Endorsing Executive. I am not involved in the search process and I am not a candidate for this open position. The Rev. Richard Harris, who is a member of the American Baptist Committee for Chaplains and Pastoral Counselors, will continue to function as the Endorsing Agent of Record for Military Chaplains.

It is our privilege to serve all of you as you serve others in Jesus' name. Please continue to keep us, and each other in your prayers. I ask you especially to remember our military chaplains who are deployed to places of danger and distance, as well as those at home and church who await their return.

Rev. Rhonda J. Cushman

LAST CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: 2009 BIENNIAL MERIT AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE

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.

At the 2007 Biennial, the General Board of the American Baptist Churches USA granted Awards of Merit for Outstanding Ministry as a Military Chaplain, an Institutional Chaplain, and a Pastoral Counselor, to:

• Pastoral Counselor Merit Award - Dr. Linda I. Kirkland- Harris
• Institutional Chaplain Merit Award - Dr. Peter Yuichi Clark
• Military Chaplain Merit Award - CDR Lee Axtell, CHC, USN

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?

The Committee on Chaplains and Pastoral Counselors solicits your nominations for these prestigious awards.

The deadline for submission of your nominations has been extended to September 10, 2008.

• In-depth, sustained pastoral care or counseling
• Creative institutional change consistent with American Baptist mission
• Humanizing institutions through administravie and pastoral gifts
• Leadership in regional, national, international professional partnerships
• Participation in ecumenical, interfail, interchurch relationships
• Education, training or research with clergy and helping professionals
• Local church, Regional, Denominational participation
• Evangelism, discipleship, and mission
• Recruiting, mentoring, or inter-professional relationship building

Send your letters of nomination to Chaplaincy and Pastoral Counseling Services, PO Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482, before September 10, 2008

A NOTE FROM GEORGE LANGHORNE

To my Colleagues who serve in specialized settings:

As many of you already know, I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma on 13 April 2007. It has been a tough ordeal meeting this challenge. I was first treated with oral chemotherapy until I could complete my scheduled trips in June 2007. On 9 October 2007 I was admitted to the Emory University Medical Center in Atlanta, Georgia for an autologous stem cell transplant. Immediately, I was given high dose chemotherapy. That high dose chemo is still working. It kills everything, the good and the bad. On 11 October 2007 the transplant was performed. I have been in recovery since then.

On 22 April 2008 I went in for my six month checkup. I am elated to share the report! My doctor told me, "You are in complete remission. The cancer is gone. All counts are zero."

I want to thank all of you for your continued concern and prayer support. God heard and answered your prayers. THANK GOD, I am healed of the cancer. The best news was, I can slowly begin normal routine activity. Now I am in process of rebuilding my body from the onslaught of chemotherapy. It will take a few more months for my body to be restored. I have to wait until at least October before receiving immunizations.

"Complete remission" came at the best time for me. I can do some of the things I love to do. I can get about. I am happy that I can now work in my flower garden as long as I wear the mask and gloves. p>

Considering my health challenges and timetable for recovery, I decided to retire as of 1 July 2008. National Ministries is now searching for another fulltime endorsing executive. You deserve the best that God can provide. I pray often for your ministries in your many different settings. You make National Ministries and the American Baptist Churches, USA look good. Keep up the great spiritual care to people in need.

George A. Langhorne

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 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. Harry Simmons, Chair,
• Dr. Glenn Asquith
• 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.