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After Action Report: Traditional Anglican Military Chaplains Conference
by 1Lt Matthew Whitehead
March 5, 2009
The military chaplain's ministry is quite different from that of the average parish priest. Their parishioners are America's warriors; their chapel might be in a tent or below deck on a ship; their altar might be on the hood of a Humvee. But the chaplain's ministry is not performed alone. They depend a great deal on the support network of their endorsing denominations.
With the turmoil in the Anglican communion, traditional Anglican chaplains may at times despair. The nature of their work in the military isolates them from the struggles in the broader Church. This disconnect from the life of the Church, combined with the constant pressure of ministering in the military, makes 'decompression' time away from their posts essential for their spiritual well-being.
The Traditional Anglican Military Chaplains Conference provides just such an opportunity. The second annual conference was held 16-20 Feb at Daylesford Abbey, a Norbertine monastery and retreat center on the outskirts of Philadelphia. The week was hosted by the Rt. Rev. David Moyer, military bishop for the Anglican Church in America. Even under the 'Traditional Anglican' umbrella there is breadth. Chaplains present represented the Army, Navy, and Air Force; Active Duty, Reserves, and National Guard; the Anglican Church in America, the Diocese of Fort Worth, and the Reformed Episcopal Church.
Each day began and ended with worship from the Book of Common Prayer. Daylesford Abbey's chapels provided a reverent an intimate setting for the chaplains to say the Divine Office and share the eucharist. The highlight of the week was the conference eucharist at Church of the Good Shepherd (Rosemont, PA), with a reception following. Even in the midst of their legal battle with TEC, the people of Good Shepherd faithfully support their military chaplains.
Fr. David Ousley, respected Anglican teacher and spiritual director, lead the chaplains in a spiritual retreat with an emphasis on silence. Learning to be still before the Lord is an important spiritual discipline for all Christians. It is especially important for military chaplains, who often must minister in the midst of controlled chaos. Fr. Ousley exhorted the chaplains with a model of the priesthood from St. Paul's sufferings recounted in 2 Corinthians 6. He also presented lectures on Anglican Essentials, celebrating that which makes Anglican Christianity a unique treasure in all of Christendom. Fr. Ousley's wisdom directed the chaplains in how to maintain spiritual calm in the midst of chaotic ministry, and how to appreciate the calm reverence of Anglican spirituality in the midst of the chaos of Anglican politics.
Dr. Thomas Howard, professor of English, expert on the Inklings, and well-published author, gave lectures on the life and writings of C.S. Lewis. He also gave a presentation based on his book "Evangelical is Not Enough", a seminal text for the many evangelical protestants who are finding themselves on the Canterbury Trail these days. Dr. Howard's keen intellect was much appreciated during his lectures, as was his fellowship apart from the lectures.
With this year's conference now over, planning for the next conference will begin in earnest. One might think that the community of traditional Anglican military chaplains would be rather small. Be that as it may, it is a group of men whose unique ministries and common challenges bind them together in a special way. The Traditional Anglican Military Chaplains Conference provides for these men a time of spiritual refreshment and ministry renewal so that they may return to their posts ready to serve God on behalf of their country.
----1Lt Matthew Whitehead is a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, assigned to the 19th Airlift Wing at Little Rock Air Force Base. He is also rector of St. Chrysostom's Reformed Episcopal Church in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
