IPHC Chaplains and Spouses Dinner speech

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INTERNATIONAL PENTECOSTAL HOLINESS

CHAPLAINS AND SPOUSES DINNER

31 MARCH 2007

by

Chaplain, Major General, Lorraine K. Potter, USAF Retired

It is a privilege for Rocky and me to share this special evening with friends and colleagues. I am honored and privileged to be a chaplain, to be addressed as “Chaplain,” and be invited to journey with others as they seek the Lord and His direction through the valleys and to the mountain tops of life. What a privilege to be a chaplain! In fulfilling our calling we must heed the encouragement of Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians:

“I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1b-3).

Early in our nation’s history when we were at war, Francis Scott Key penned the words of our National Anthem. The enemy had our forces in bad straits. They were pinned down. Night had fallen with all its noises and shadows; all its terror and fear. Brave soldiers imprisoned in the nightfall.

            “Oh say can you see, by the dawn’s early light,

            What so proudly we hailed at the twilights last gleaming,

            Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight.

            O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?”

The morning had dawned. The night was long – lengthened by the gunfire of the enemy, the pain and injuries inflicted. In the dawning hours they looked. OUR FLAG WAS STILL THERE!

            “And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

            Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.”

…our flag was still there.   … our flag was still there. …

It was torn. It had received battle scars from the enemy. It was tattered, torn and wounded.

This scene has occurred many times in our history -- too many times. During World War I & World War II, the Korean conflict, in Vietnam, amid assassinations of our national leaders (President John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert, Martin Luther King, Jr.). Then, there were the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York, the Pentagon and the hills of Pennsylvania, and the never ending conflicts in the Middle East. YET our flag continues to fly proudly today. It flies proudly because of those who serve and have served in our military to ensure its hope-filled presence in our nation and around the world. I want to THANK YOU for your support of our military and for your service.

            Early in the Civil Rights movement of our nation there was a little girl who was to be the first African-American child to attend the all-white community elementary school. It was in New Orleans, Louisiana. Each day she was escorted through the streets by armed National Guardsmen, surrounding her as a wall of protection from impending physical harm. The evening national news filmed her walking down the street through angry crowds. They were shouting obscenities, snarling hatred and pressing in on her in all manner of hostile, intimidating behaviors. She would walk a short distance, pause and turn to the angry crowd, move her lips as if saying something and then continue walking. Again she paused, looked at the crowd and moved her lips as if saying something to this hostile, hate-filled crowd and then continued walking. She did this all the way from her home and up the steps into the school.

The reporters and many who watched this were perplexed because they saw her move her lips as if saying something, but could not figure out what she was saying. This scene went on for several weeks. A psychologist was called in to meet with this little girl as school and city officials were concerned about how these vicious, frightening encounters were affecting her.

In the interview the psychologist asked her when she would stop, look at the crowd and move her lips as if saying something to them, what was she saying?   She replied:

“MY MOTHER, MY GRANDMOTHER AND MY SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS ALL TAUGHT ME TO PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE ANGRY AND HATEFUL TO US. I AM LOOKING AT THEM SO I CAN PRAY FOR THEM.”

LOOK DIRECTLY INTO THE FACE OF ANGER, FEAR,

HATRED, PREJUDICE, AND INJUSTICE;

MOVE YOUR LIPS IN PRAYER;

AND KEEP WALKING.

I was 10 years old watching this story unfold.

Little did I know that years later I would become a minister and her courage would be my inspiration.
When I became a chaplain faced with challenges of “being a first,” this little girl’s courage continued to be my inspiration.
When I was challenged as the Chief of Chaplains this little girl’s courage continued to be my inspiration.

This child unmistakably demonstrates what the Lord requires.

“AND WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF YOU?

TO ACT JUSTLY AND TO LOVE MERCY

AND TO WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD” (Micah 6:8b)

LOOK DIRECTLY INTO THE FACE OF FEAR, PREJUDICE,

AND INJUSTICE;

MOVE YOUR LIPS IN PRAYER;

AND WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD.

I do not need to remind you how BLESSED we are to live in this great nation, but I will. The United States’ democracy is unique in this world. This is most evident in our constitutional guarantee and right to the “free exercise of religion” for everyone. This uniqueness is recognized in the role and work of our military chaplains. Our chaplain services are also unique among the democracies around the world.

This uniqueness is evident in my professional life. There is no other place in the world at this time in history where I could have had the incredible opportunities I have had – to be a woman minister, a commissioned military officer given the honor of being selected and promoted to the grade of General Officer, and to serve as Chief of Air Force Chaplains.

            Let me share this poignant illustration of our distinctiveness. On the Friday following the tragedy of September 11, 2001, a prayer service was held in Yankee Stadium. People from countless ethnic, racial, religious and national origins filled the stadium and joined hands and hearts in prayer. A syndicated editorial declared this “a miracle” that could only happen in New York City after such a ghastly attack. As the senior chaplain in the Department of Defense, it was my privilege to witness this miracle daily. Everyday in our military chapels we share sacred space, pray, and serve together supporting all military members and families.

In contrast to the United States, NATO countries that have a military chaplaincy appoint chaplains to serve only their own faith communities. They have a Chief of Chaplains for each faith group represented – a Roman Catholic, an Orthodox Christian, a Protestant, a Jewish, a Muslim. Some of their chaplains serve in uniform and some are civilian employees. The United States Air Force has one Chief of Chaplains serving all faith groups. The Army and the Navy are the same. Chaplains are commissioned officers and are paid by government funds for one reason alone – to ensure the right of all military members to freely exercise their faith.

Since the beginning of our national history, clergy have served with the military. In fact, the Army Chaplaincy traces its beginning back to 1775, a year before the birth of our nation. Most of our citizens (including some of you) assume chaplains will continue to serve. Yet, in the last few decades there have been legal challenges to the constitutionality of military chaplaincies; and, these challenges will persist. We must remain vigilant in defending the presence of chaplains in military uniform, in prisons, hospitals, hospices, and governmental organizations!

The prescribed role of chaplains was best defined in the words of St. Francis of Assisi: “At all times preach the gospel, only when necessary use words.” As long as this is properly understood and performed, chaplain services will continue.

The Air Force Instructions define the role and mission of the Chaplain Service to be “visible reminders of the Holy.” An astounding task!

A young child is put to bed and the evening battles begin. (You have all been here.) There is the call for water...the call to go to the bathroom...the call to leave the light on. After many visits to the child’s bedroom, the frustrated parent goes in to the child and exclaims, “You have everything you need, even your favorite teddy bear. There is nothing to be afraid of -- remember God is here with you.” Gasping and in tears the child replies, “But…but, I need God with skin on!” That is what we are –“visible reminders of the holy” – “God with skin on.” Our presence in uniform with our religious insignia in itself proclaims the truth of our God who travels with us and will never leave us.

            My last overseas trip as Chief of Chaplains was to the Middle East.   In order for me to arrive a day earlier at the deployed base at Baghdad International Airport, my itinerary was altered. This meant canceling a great preaching opportunity with the largest worshiping community in Central Command Area of Operation. I was greatly disappointed; however, this was providential. The evening prior to my arrival in Baghdad, a nearby POW camp took many casualties requiring the assigned chaplains, chaplain assistants, medical and base support staff to work throughout the night. My timely arrival offered me a wonderful opportunity to minister to these brave warriors and lead the community in worship. I was flying in a small white jet, which due to anticipated ground fire, had to spiral in from high above the landing strip.

Picture this – a small white plane circling in, appearing as a dove, to bring “good news” of God’s presence, promises and peace in the midst of the horror of war.

            It is an awesome responsibility and privilege we have – to ensure the right of all persons to freely exercise their religious faith as we live out our calling. In fulfilling this responsibility I close reminding you again of the words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Church at Ephesus:

“I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Eph 4:1b-3)

GOD BLESS YOU, YOUR FAMILIES, AND YOUR MINISTRIES.

GOD BLESS OUR ARMED FORCES; AND,

GOD BLESS AMERICA.

Last update on 3/13/2008
©IPHC Ministries. All rights reserved

INTERNATIONAL PENTECOSTAL HOLINESS

CHAPLAINS AND SPOUSES DINNER

31 MARCH 2007

Chaplain, Major General, Lorraine K. Potter, USAF Retired

It is a privilege for Rocky and me to share this special evening with friends and colleagues. I am honored and privileged to be a chaplain, to be addressed as “Chaplain,” and be invited to journey with others as they seek the Lord and His direction through the valleys and to the mountain tops of life. What a privilege to be a chaplain! In fulfilling our calling we must heed the encouragement of Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians:

“I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1b-3).

Early in our nation’s history when we were at war, Francis Scott Key penned the words of our National Anthem. The enemy had our forces in bad straits. They were pinned down. Night had fallen with all its noises and shadows; all its terror and fear. Brave soldiers imprisoned in the nightfall.

“Oh say can you see, by the dawn’s early light,

What so proudly we hailed at the twilights last gleaming,

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight.

O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?”

The morning had dawned. The night was long – lengthened by the gunfire of the enemy, the pain and injuries inflicted. In the dawning hours they looked. OUR FLAG WAS STILL THERE!

“And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.”

…our flag was still there. … our flag was still there. …

It was torn. It had received battle scars from the enemy. It was tattered, torn and wounded.

This scene has occurred many times in our history -- too many times. During World War I & World War II, the Korean conflict, in Vietnam, amid assassinations of our national leaders (President John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert, Martin Luther King, Jr.). Then, there were the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York, the Pentagon and the hills of Pennsylvania, and the never ending conflicts in the Middle East. YET our flag continues to fly proudly today. It flies proudly because of those who serve and have served in our military to ensure its hope-filled presence in our nation and around the world. I want to THANK YOU for your support of our military and for your service.

Early in the Civil Rights movement of our nation there was a little girl who was to be the first African-American child to attend the all-white community elementary school. It was in New Orleans, Louisiana. Each day she was escorted through the streets by armed National Guardsmen, surrounding her as a wall of protection from impending physical harm. The evening national news filmed her walking down the street through angry crowds. They were shouting obscenities, snarling hatred and pressing in on her in all manner of hostile, intimidating behaviors. She would walk a short distance, pause and turn to the angry crowd, move her lips as if saying something and then continue walking. Again she paused, looked at the crowd and moved her lips as if saying something to this hostile, hate-filled crowd and then continued walking. She did this all the way from her home and up the steps into the school.

The reporters and many who watched this were perplexed because they saw her move her lips as if saying something, but could not figure out what she was saying. This scene went on for several weeks. A psychologist was called in to meet with this little girl as school and city officials were concerned about how these vicious, frightening encounters were affecting her.

In the interview the psychologist asked her when she would stop, look at the crowd and move her lips as if saying something to them, what was she saying? She replied:

“MY MOTHER, MY GRANDMOTHER AND MY SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS ALL TAUGHT ME TO PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE ANGRY AND HATEFUL TO US. I AM LOOKING AT THEM SO I CAN PRAY FOR THEM.”

LOOK DIRECTLY INTO THE FACE OF ANGER, FEAR,

HATRED, PREJUDICE, AND INJUSTICE;

MOVE YOUR LIPS IN PRAYER;

AND KEEP WALKING.

I was 10 years old watching this story unfold.

Little did I know that years later I would become a minister and her courage would be my inspiration.
When I became a chaplain faced with challenges of “being a first,” this little girl’s courage continued to be my inspiration.
When I was challenged as the Chief of Chaplains this little girl’s courage continued to be my inspiration.

This child unmistakably demonstrates what the Lord requires.

“AND WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF YOU?

TO ACT JUSTLY AND TO LOVE MERCY

AND TO WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD” (Micah 6:8b)

LOOK DIRECTLY INTO THE FACE OF FEAR, PREJUDICE,

AND INJUSTICE;

MOVE YOUR LIPS IN PRAYER;

AND WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD.

I do not need to remind you how BLESSED we are to live in this great nation, but I will. The United States’ democracy is unique in this world. This is most evident in our constitutional guarantee and right to the “free exercise of religion” for everyone. This uniqueness is recognized in the role and work of our military chaplains. Our chaplain services are also unique among the democracies around the world.

This uniqueness is evident in my professional life. There is no other place in the world at this time in history where I could have had the incredible opportunities I have had – to be a woman minister, a commissioned military officer given the honor of being selected and promoted to the grade of General Officer, and to serve as Chief of Air Force Chaplains.

Let me share this poignant illustration of our distinctiveness. On the Friday following the tragedy of September 11, 2001, a prayer service was held in Yankee Stadium. People from countless ethnic, racial, religious and national origins filled the stadium and joined hands and hearts in prayer. A syndicated editorial declared this “a miracle” that could only happen in New York City after such a ghastly attack. As the senior chaplain in the Department of Defense, it was my privilege to witness this miracle daily. Everyday in our military chapels we share sacred space, pray, and serve together supporting all military members and families.

In contrast to the United States, NATO countries that have a military chaplaincy appoint chaplains to serve only their own faith communities. They have a Chief of Chaplains for each faith group represented – a Roman Catholic, an Orthodox Christian, a Protestant, a Jewish, a Muslim. Some of their chaplains serve in uniform and some are civilian employees. The United States Air Force has one Chief of Chaplains serving all faith groups. The Army and the Navy are the same. Chaplains are commissioned officers and are paid by government funds for one reason alone – to ensure the right of all military members to freely exercise their faith.

Since the beginning of our national history, clergy have served with the military. In fact, the Army Chaplaincy traces its beginning back to 1775, a year before the birth of our nation. Most of our citizens (including some of you) assume chaplains will continue to serve. Yet, in the last few decades there have been legal challenges to the constitutionality of military chaplaincies; and, these challenges will persist. We must remain vigilant in defending the presence of chaplains in military uniform, in prisons, hospitals, hospices, and governmental organizations!

The prescribed role of chaplains was best defined in the words of St. Francis of Assisi: “At all times preach the gospel, only when necessary use words.” As long as this is properly understood and performed, chaplain services will continue.

The Air Force Instructions define the role and mission of the Chaplain Service to be “visible reminders of the Holy.” An astounding task!

A young child is put to bed and the evening battles begin. (You have all been here.) There is the call for water...the call to go to the bathroom...the call to leave the light on. After many visits to the child’s bedroom, the frustrated parent goes in to the child and exclaims, “You have everything you need, even your favorite teddy bear. There is nothing to be afraid of -- remember God is here with you.” Gasping and in tears the child replies, “But…but, I need God with skin on!” That is what we are –“visible reminders of the holy” – “God with skin on.” Our presence in uniform with our religious insignia in itself proclaims the truth of our God who travels with us and will never leave us.

My last overseas trip as Chief of Chaplains was to the Middle East. In order for me to arrive a day earlier at the deployed base at Baghdad International Airport, my itinerary was altered. This meant canceling a great preaching opportunity with the largest worshiping community in Central Command Area of Operation. I was greatly disappointed; however, this was providential. The evening prior to my arrival in Baghdad, a nearby POW camp took many casualties requiring the assigned chaplains, chaplain assistants, medical and base support staff to work throughout the night. My timely arrival offered me a wonderful opportunity to minister to these brave warriors and lead the community in worship. I was flying in a small white jet, which due to anticipated ground fire, had to spiral in from high above the landing strip.

Picture this – a small white plane circling in, appearing as a dove, to bring “good news” of God’s presence, promises and peace in the midst of the horror of war.

It is an awesome responsibility and privilege we have – to ensure the right of all persons to freely exercise their religious faith as we live out our calling. In fulfilling this responsibility I close reminding you again of the words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Church at Ephesus:

GOD BLESS YOU, YOUR FAMILIES, AND YOUR MINISTRIES.

GOD BLESS OUR ARMED FORCES; AND,

GOD BLESS AMERICA.