Beyond the Gates and into the Streets
The Chaplains Commission recently made a giant leap forward in its tireless pursuit of ministry “beyond the gates” with the inauguration of a specialized course in law enforcement chaplaincy. This “first ever event” took place at the New York Theological Seminary, New York City, July 10-12, 2007.
Taught by Chaplain/Pastor Roger Daniel, thirteen students completed a 25 hour training course designed to prepare them for ministry in the law enforcement environment. The diverse group of students was composed of men and women from New York, New Jersey, and Tennessee, representing four ethnic groups – African American, Hispanic, Romanian, and Anglo. The course curriculum was centered round the newly developed Law Enforcement Training Manual prepared by Chaplain Daniel.
The course focused on the application of the basic chaplaincy skills taught in the Community Service Chaplaincy Course to the specific circumstances and distinctive needs of the law enforcement community. It helps students develop a specialized ministry suitable for the law enforcement setting, and furthers their acclimation to the law enforcement setting as a basis for ministry to officers, personnel, and the community.
A special order of the day was a roundtable discussion with three detectives from the New York City Police Department. Led by Detective Michael Theogene, who heads NYPD’s Community Affairs Bureau, the class interacted with the detectives concerning the relationship between officers and citizens, and explored opportunities for their involvement with the police department and city.
Dr. Doc Williams, Training Coordinator for the Chaplains Commission, said, “This training has changed the lives and ministries of every person that attended. Every individual that completed this course left with a new vision of ministry, a renewed sense of calling to those “outside the gates” and a tool box full of confidence and competencies to serve their local Police Department, FBI and Law Enforcement agencies.” “Their thinking and scope of ministry has been changed forever.” If you wish to learn more about this exciting ministry of being a Law Enforcement chaplain, please contact the Church of God Chaplains Commission at 1-423-478-7706 or visit the Chaplains Commission website at: www.cogchaplains.com.
