ACPE Required Endorsement

[Nik P.]

For those becoming certified supervisors, there is a two-page form to request recognition as a faith-group endorser. I am proposing that we should not re-invent the wheel each time a simple church / house church chaplain needs endorsement. Instead, we can claim option 2: a loose organization of of like-minded independent congregations. We could discuss standard answers for our training, endorsing and commissioning, as the rest of the questions pertain to the specific congregation.

So, how does an on-line community of simple, house, organic Christians, go about building up each other for ministry and recognizing when that person is ready to go forth with our blessing?

[Kathryn Brogdon]

Now you have me curious, Nik. I had kind of laid the idea of a house church down for a long time until going over to Healing Communities. Now I feel that's exactly the direction I'm heading. I'm considering a return to many of the ancient church practices that are informed by Judaism--while remaining what I am culturally--Celtic-Germanic. I realize for the first time that this is a real possibility in the framework of the house church.

I was first enchanted and then discouraged after poring over a lot of modern Celtic church writings because I found many of these groups to be either apostate or to be essentially Protestants playing dress up in Celtic robes. Or worse--people lost in delusions about knights and ladies. Then I read a lot of Orthodox literature and enjoyed much in their theology, but was frustrated because the structure has a stranglehold on the spiritual growth of the people. Same with the Coptics and maybe worse. But in house church, they recognize the very legitimate power of the Holy Spirit which became more widely known in years past among the Methodists and later the Pentecostals.

After re-reading I Cor. 12, I now understand the different functions to be not only among individual members but also among individual groups. I see that no one group of itself will have the fullness of the faith. That seems to be something that belongs to the Body. But we are all expressions with one Head. I see not only individuals, but house churches supplying one another with their specialties if this trend continues.

I don't know what the Lord has in mind, but your idea about credentials is a valid one for purely practical reasons. Would like to learn more about this.

P.S. My post may sound off the topic, but I'm feeling my way through this thing that God has laid before me. I have wondered at times about how to get past the mess should the need for "official" ministry arise.

[Katie Mather]

It has been our custom to "ordain" those who are already doing it. I know that you are distinguishing between ordaining and credentialling for champlaincy. But I don't think that the two are that far apart. So let me continue.

All ordination becomes is an official recognition of service already in place. Ordination then is recognition in doing a specific mission. All those we ordain, we have in ongoing relationship.

All that we really require is an intensive interview which is not really as scary as it sounds. But it is really having the person share all about themselves to get a perspective on their beliefs and mission.

For this venue to be able to provide that, there needs to be some sort of standard. I know that sounds like a red flag of exclusion to simple church people, but wouldn't you agree that we are not intending to credential wiccans, Jehovah's witnesses, mormons, etc. So there needs to be a brief, foundational statement of faith and also a mission statement to make our intentions clear.

There can also be books to read that can give some kind of assistance in foundational as well as on going equipping. All they may have to do is give a book report and include how the reading was helpful and what is the take away. These can be reviewed by the members of this site and/or posted.

All these are suggestions as this thing is developed.

[Nik P.]

Katie said "All ordination becomes is an official recognition of service already in place. Ordination then is recognition in doing a specific mission. All those we ordain, we have in ongoing relationship."

Yes, that is along the lines of what I was thinking. I know for any chaplaincy that goes through Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) the endorsement is not needed right away. I'm not sure about volunteer chaplains or military, but this thread is about ACPE.

I am completely thinking that anyone wishing to be recognized through this site would join and become part of the community, in ongoing relationship. Actual pastoral visits could be shared in closed accountability groups for peer and mentor feedback. I hadn't thought about the book option, but we could have discussion threads in which we pick up the same book and learn together!

Katie said "So there needs to be a brief, foundational statement of faith and also a mission statement to make our intentions clear."

Check out my trial mission statement on the first page. I want to state the purpose (to send on mission), for whom (simple church), the way (social networking) and values (demonstrating basic Christian faith and values.)

Yes, we need to define that "basic Christian faith" and it will not include those who belong to non-Christian faiths or other denominational affiliations. We also need to define the non-negotiable values (character traits.) For example, someone who consistantly disagrees and needs the 'last word' would not make a good ministry candidate.

[Nik P.]

The Association of Professional Chaplains has a list of faith groups and their contacts on p. 29 of THIS application.

Notice that the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) is listed and that they do not have a contact name listed as the 'authority' for endorsement. Instead, it refers the candidate to their own monthly meeting and asks for documentation of the proceedings.

This is the manner in which simple church works. We come together in mutual support and discernment. Now, how do we document such a thing?