Great Commission Chaplaincy Project Assignment
Andrew Pedde
CHPL 655-B01
July 5, 2024
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Contents
Introduction………………………..…..………………………….……..…...…….3
The Characteristics of the Group Ministered…………...………...………..…….3
A Biblical Foundation…………………………………………...………………….4
The Core Values of the Military Chaplain………………………………………...4
Core Mission Statement………………………………………………………...…..4
Visual Aids and Slogans…………………………………………………………….5
The Great Commission Chaplaincy Ministry Plan……………………………….7
The Ministry Team………………………………………………………………….8
A 12-Month Church Ministry Plan for 2024……………………………...………10
Verifying the Data of the Ministry Plan…………………………………………...11
Conclusion……………………………………………………………..…………….11
Bibliography…………………………………….…………………..…….....………12
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Introduction
In Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV), it reads, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to
observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the
age.” The characteristics of the group that I will be serving is going to be from a macro
perspective. The passage of Scripture that will be used will be based on its foundation for my
work as a military chaplain. This passage of Scripture will also be used to identify some key
aspects for how I will guide my ministry as a Chaplain. A comprehensive paragraph will be
developed which will include a core mission statement. There will be ideas and visual aids
provided to help show what my Chaplain ministry will be like. There will be a plan created for
the ministry that will include some images and a chart. A proposal for a ministry team, a yearly
calendar for ministry activities, and a budget for 2024 will also be developed. A way to verify
the data will also be included in this project. This project will be concluded with a summary that
will provide an overall overview of the ministry plan and how it can be successful.
The Characteristics of the Group Ministered
The intended target audience for my ministry will consist of Soldiers that are stationed at
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. These Soldiers have characterized some following
traits: A few soldiers have personally acknowledged their need for a Savior and have accepted
Christ and dedicated their lives to serving Him, another group of Soldiers are currently in the
process of finding Jesus, and another group of Soldiers are learning how they can deepen their
faith and trust in God through discipleship. Additionally, these Soldiers have sought out spiritual
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guidance from the Battalion Chaplain for a number of issues such as: Spiritual matters, Mental
health, Marriages, Suicidal-tendencies, Personal Addictions, and Grief.
A Biblical Foundation
Within the area of military chaplaincy, one passage of Scripture that stands out to me is 2
Timothy 2:3 (NKJV) which says, “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of
Jesus Christ.” The whole purpose and goal of being a military chaplain, is to perform for and
provide for the needs of the service member and their families by meeting their spiritual needs.
The Core Values of the Military Chaplain
In his journal article titled, Military chaplaincy in Sweden: A contemporary perspective, Jan
Grimell acknowledges the significance of military chaplains and their duties that they perform
within the military.1 Grimell adds that military chaplains are committed to upholding a few
important ministry values: military chaplains will participate in a ministry that is safe and
confidential, military chaplains will be respectful for all those they encounter in their ministry,
and the military chaplain will adhere to all military regulations.2
Core Mission Statement
The core mission statement will involve the military chaplain and their religious affairs specialist
fulfilling three main competencies: support the living, care for the wounded, and honor those
who gave their life. As a chaplain, we are not allowed to “proselytize” Soldiers, however, we are
allowed to provide religious services to those same Soldiers that would wish to attend to practice
their faith tradition. These religious services allow chaplains to guide Soldiers into becoming
disciples of Jesus, fulfilling the Great Commission Mandate of Matthew 28. Additionally, a huge
1 Jan Grimell, “Military Chaplaincy in Sweden: A Contemporary Perspective,” Journal of
Health Care Chaplaincy 28, no. 1 (April 1, 2020): 1–14,
https://doi.org/10.1080/08854726.2020.1745490.
2 Ibid.
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part of being a military chaplain is providing counseling services to Soldiers and their families
that may need them.
Visual Aids and Slogans
The following eight ideas below are potential slogans that can be used for this Great
Commission Chaplaincy Project:
-“Sharing Faith While Serving Soldiers”
-“Uniting Faith and Service”
-“Chaplains of Honor and Hope”
-“Answering the Spiritual Call of Duty”
-“Directing Soldiers While Strengthening Spirits”
-“Faith in Action While Impacting Lives for Christ”
-“Chaplains for a Stronger Community”
-“Supporting Soldiers and Their Families for Christ”
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The Great Commission Chaplaincy Ministry Plan
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In their book on Disciple Making Is … How to Live the Great Commission with Passion and
Confidence, authors Dave Earley and Rod Dempsey note that if a church does not have a plan,
then the church will be destined to fail.3 Proverbs 29:18 (KJV) states that “Where there is no
vision, the people perish:” As military chaplains, we must make sure that we have a ministry
plan put in place before we begin ministering to other Soldiers. The main goal of disciple-
making is mentoring and training young believers from the Word of God how they can better
deepen their faith with Christ. By doing this, we are fulfilling God’s Vision for Evangelization of
the Gospel. The church’s mission is not to teach moral values or integrity, but rather to disciple
others to be more like Christ. We must never forget our Calling to the Ministry and realize that
the significance of the Great Commission Mandate ultimately lies in the firm belief in the hope
that is only found in Jesus’ crucifixion on the Cross and His resurrection from the dead! Francis
Chan and Mark Beuving mention that true disciples of Jesus Christ fulfill the Great Commission
Mandate of Matthew 28, by aiding in sending out missionaries to share the Gospel of Jesus here
3 Dave Earley and Rod Dempsey, Disciple Making Is-- : How to Live the Great Commission
with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B & H Academic, 2013), 13.
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at home and across the world.4 Earley and Dempsey highlight that a strong church needs to come
up with an effective strategy so that they can better make disciples and can fulfill the Great
Commission Mandate.5 When a local church plans a missions trip, there needs to be several
considerations made, such as the location, the purpose and goal of the missions trip, the number
of individuals going on the missions trip, the setting, and the cost of the trip along with a budget
plan that includes the cost of Bibles, food for the individuals going on the missions trip, lodging
while on the missions trip, and transportation costs that include airfare and vehicles for traveling
throughout the country. When speaking with my Pastor here at my Home Church of Discovery
Community Church in Tacoma, Washington, Pastor Jon mentioned that the average missions
budge for the church is around $3,800-$4,200. Most of the funds are raised through fundraising
efforts or by generous members in the church.
The Ministry Team
Author Michael Anthony mentions in his book, The Effective Church Board, that to have a
successful church, the church must have the following members: a Senior Pastor, an Assistant
Pastor, a Treasurer, a Church Secretary, and Church Elders.6 Anthony continues on by stating
that if a church is going to have an effective church board, then that board of members needs to
have a minimum of 5 members on the board.7 At my Home Church of Discovery Community
Church, we have a Church Council that is comprised of 7 Elders who meet once a month to
discuss topics such as: finances, vision of the church, security updates for the church, church
activities for the month upcoming, and youth ministry events such as Sports and Arts Camp that
4 Francis Chan and Mark Beuving, Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples (Colorado Springs, CO:
David C. Cook, 2012), 34.
5 Dave Earley and Rod Dempsey, Disciple Making Is-- : How to Live the Great Commission
with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B & H Academic, 2013), 57.
6 Michael J Anthony, The Effective Church Board (Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2000), 22.
7 Ibid., 23.
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takes place every July here in Tacoma. These are just a few topics that should be discussed in
every church council or board.
When it comes time to select board members for your church ministry team, it is essential to
first consider God’s Biblical standards when choosing members who will sit in important church
roles. In 1 Timothy 3:1-7 (KJV), the Apostle Paul outlined clearly the roles of a qualified church
member when he said, “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a
good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good
behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy
lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that ruleth well his own house, having his
children in subjection with all gravity; (for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how
shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into
the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without;
lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” Going further, in the following verses 8-13,
the Apostle Paul outlined the qualities that is needed for someone to become a church deacon
when he says, “Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine,
not greedy of filthy lucre; holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these
also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so
must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the
husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used
the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith
which is in Christ Jesus.” Paul also gives us the qualifications for being a church elder in Titus
1:5-9 (KJV) which reads, “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the
things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: if any be
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blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a
bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to
wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; but a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober,
just, holy, temperate; holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able
by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”
A 12-Month Church Ministry Plan for 2024
The 12-month church ministry plan for 2024 that will be for the Soldiers of Joint Base Lewis-
McChord will include the following:
-January – New Year’s Prayer Breakfast, Spiritual Readiness Workshop Class
-February – Valentine’s Day Marriage Enrichment Seminar and Couples Retreat,
Marriage and Better Relationships Bible Study
-March – Spring Outreach Event, Reflections and Prayer Services
-April – Easter Sunrise Services, Resurrection Celebration along with a Picnic for Soldiers
and their Families
-May – Remembering the Fallen Memorial Day Service, Military Appreciation Sunday
-June – Father’s Day Men Prayer Breakfast and Bible Study, Summer Kick-Off Church
BBQ and Family Fellowship
-July – Independence Day Celebration and Worship Service, Family Fun Day along with
Outdoor Games
-August – Back-to-School Blessing Service for Parents and Children, Biblical Parenting
101 Seminar on Raising Godly Children
-September – Labor Day Weekend Couples Retreat, Spiritual Warfare Conference
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-October – Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat with the Soldiers and Families, Laborers for
God’s Harvest Fall Worship Service
-November – Veterans Day Tribute and Recognition, Thanksgiving Community Dinner
-December – Winter Devotional Series, Christmas Eve Worship Services along with a
Candlelight Service
Note – All of these monthly events will be first briefed with the Battalion Commander and
Company Commander in order to ensure maximum participation while also being careful to not
deter the mission. During the table-top brief, the Military Chaplain will advise the Battalion and
Company Commander on each event and how they all are essential in building a cohesive unit.
Verifying the Data of the Ministry Plan
After serving in this church ministry for three years, the Soldiers of Joint Base Lewis-
McChord will develop a much deeper Biblical foundation and will be prepared to better disciple
other believers within the United States Army, along with anyone that they may encounter while
down-range on deployment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding that the main goal and purpose of a Chaplain is to fulfill the
Great Commission Mandate, where it is essential to building a strategic church ministry plan.
Biblical Discipleship involves teaching and directing those who are new believers, how they can
better gain a deeper connection in Jesus through evangelizing the Gospel.
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Bibliography
Anthony, Michael J. The Effective Church Board. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2000.
Chan, Francis, and Mark Beuving. Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples. Colorado Springs, CO:
David C. Cook, 2012.
Earley, Dave, and Rod Dempsey. Disciple Making Is--: How to Live the Great Commission with
Passion and Confidence. Nashville, TN: B & H Academic, 2013.
Grimell, Jan. “Military Chaplaincy in Sweden: A Contemporary Perspective.” Journal of Health
Care Chaplaincy 28, no. 1 (April 1, 2020): 1–14.
https://doi.org/10.1080/08854726.2020.1745490.
Nelson, Thomas. NKJV Study Bible: New King James Version. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson,
2014.
The Bible: Authorized King James Version. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2008.
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