Chaplain SWOT Analysis
Transcript of Chaplain SWOT Analysis
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
SURVEY PROJECT 4: SWOT ANALYSIS
A PAPER SUBMITTED TO
DR ANDY GOWINS
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IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT
OF THE MASTERS OF DIVINITY DEGREE
BY
TODD HINE
04 JUNE 2012
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION 2
STRENGTHS 2
WEAKNESSES 3
OPPORTUNITIES 4
THREATS 5
CONCLUSION 6
BIBLIOGRAPHY 7
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INTRODUCTION
As a member of a commander’s special staff, the chaplain position maintains privileges
and responsibilities unique to the military. Similarities between chaplains and other members of
the branch of service end at the normal expectation of wear and appearance of uniforms and the
customs and courtesies warranted per rank.
The information contained under the designated headings provides a summation of
several soldiers interviewed for input regarding the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and
Threats within the realm of a military chaplain. This was conducted using lecture notes as a
resource for a survey questions. While the survey has a more specific design geared toward a
chaplain, it encompasses the intent in that even the position of chaplain maintains SWOT
analysis potential.
STRENGTHS
By far the biggest strength of the chaplain as viewed by military members is the
availability to maintain discretion. The perspective held by all interviewed presented a general
belief that the chaplain has client confidentiality. This belief, regardless of the military member’s
religious background, provided the members with a comfort factor held dear. It became apparent
without inquiring further, that most military members like to have a secret avenue of escape in
their lives, just in case something bad befall them. Without mentioning it directly, that implied
message was that the avenue of escape would be for a decision gone wrong.
Along the same parallel train of thought was the indication that the chaplain, even by his
mere presence, offered a level of peace for the soldier. The organization’s chaplain being dully
fulfilled by someone gave a sense of comfort and surety to the soldiers. It meant that they had
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someone advocating for not only the unit but as individuals as well. Having availability to the
chaplain gave them comfort.
WEAKNESSES
According to Malphurs, every organization has weaknesses as well as strengths.
(Malphurs 2005, 33) One of the biggest weaknesses or what appeared to me as coming across as
a weakness in the eyes of the soldiers interviewed was the limitation of the chaplain to carry
firearms. This may have been a by-product of being oriented into an Army environment, but the
chaplain not being able to arm himself gave soldiers an uncomfortable feeling, like the Army
was leaving the chaplain out to the mercies of the enemy. The majority, though appreciating the
reasons behind the chaplain not being allowed to carry, still thought the chaplain should be
allowed a personal weapon with which to defend themselves.
An additional weakness described by the military members was the limitations of the
office of chaplain being confined to the specific denomination of the chaplain assigned to the
position. As explained, if a chaplain assigned to a chaplain position within a battalion adhered to
the Roman Catholic denomination, that chaplain would be limited in the ability to minister to
those following a different doctrinal background. Even with the strengths indicated by the
soldiers, this weakness actually overshadowed those strengths to the point where the individual
would not seek assistance from a chaplain of a different faith or religious background. Knowing
this, a chaplain would do well to complete a personal audit and determine their own perspective.
(Malphurs 2005, 304)
One more weakness presented itself through the eyes of those interviewed. The chaplain
generally sees a position within battalions or above. This typically equates to one person
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providing ministerial services for well over three hundred soldiers, many times twice that
amount. True, the ministry team works together in a collaborative group effort. However, only
one person can occupy the chaplain position and this places great demands upon the individual
person in the position. Thos interviewed felt that provisions should be made to ensure proper
coverage of larger units as the need demands, especially in combat zones.
OPPORTUNITIES
Many of the soldiers I interviewed had been deployed not only once but twice and even
three times since the beginning of the combat operations overseas. During their deployments,
they indicated one of the biggest opportunities that a chaplain possessed was the opportunity to
minister to the family members while the service member was absent. As can easily be assumed,
even without asking for specific examples, the primary concern of soldiers while on deployment
was the need for families to be cared for during the deployment. Chaplains that remained behind,
as described by those members, worked diligently to ensure the families were cared for and
encouraged routinely in an effort to provide comfort for families. This ensures a great
opportunity for chaplains to minister to their respective community. (Warren 1995, 115)
Other miscellaneous opportunities mentioned by service members were not as heavily
discussed though mentioned and still worthy of being recorded. The chaplain has the opportunity
to see service members under their care enjoy a military wedding through their officiating of the
ceremony. They also have opportunities, based upon denominational background, to share in the
joy of baby dedication ceremonies. And, although not a joyful opportunity, chaplains do have the
opportunity to minister to those grieving when it comes to the death of a loved one. Not only
does the chaplain minister to the grieving spouse and family, but the chaplain also ministers to
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the notification officer as well. This can be an invaluable opportunity as the majority of
notification officers have no significant training in this sort of activity. (Warren 1995, 324)
Any other mention of opportunities only gave me a reference point of being able indicate
that a chaplain seems to be limitless in opportunities. The chaplain who can creatively design a
ministry program within the ranks of the soldiers can be successful. Money does not need to be a
major factor as programs can be designed with minimal assistance.
THREATS
This topic proved to be the most interesting topic of the four. As Army service members,
those interviewed saw this topic as a question that viewed the office of chaplain coming under
fire from external physical threat. What most service members were thinking was some kind of
combat action that would put the chaplain in harm’s way. It was very telling at first.
What it boiled down to was that the chaplain needed to be trusted. This meant that as a
chaplain, their personal behavior needed to be exemplary. The service members all basically held
this believe so prominently that it never came to mind that it would be a threat.
All eventually came to the conclusion that the chaplain must remain blameless, without
accusation. The possibility of a chaplain falling into some horrible behaviors that have overtaken
many of their former leaders did not come to light until those thoughts were provoked during the
interview. But for one chaplain to fall meant that as a representative of the entire chaplain corps,
the entire corps itself would then be tarnished. That was how highly they valued the need for
chaplains to remain pure I heart and blameless before man and God. The chaplain acting as a
pastor to the military members must be the shepherd for the flock, remaining free from defiling
those entrusted into his care. (MacAurthur 2005, 70)
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CONCLUSION
The interviews were very telling. General assumptions can be seen through the eyes of
most service members. The office of chaplain can be the punch line of many jokes, especially for
those who truly seek the chaplain’s assistance. Many leaders see the chaplain as a place where
cry-babies go. This truly sells short the chaplain and the good that can be accomplished through
the ministry. The service members I interviewed, knowing these jokes, indicated the need of the
chaplain as being clear and warranted. The jokes will always be present, yet the office will
always be looked upon with a degree of respect and admiration, knowing the difficulties faced by
chaplains throughout the military.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Barna, George. The Power of Vision. 3rd ed. Ventura, CA: Regal/Gospel Light, 2009.
Bergen, Doris L. The Sword of the Lord: Military Chaplains from the First to the Twenty-First Century. Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 2004.
MacArthur, John. Pastoral Ministry: How to Shepherd Biblically. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2005.
Malphurs, Aubrey. Advanced Strategic Planning. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 2005.
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