I serve in two primary roles: in a local Baptist denomination as a pastor and in the army reserves as a chaplain (padre). These two roles are not in competition.
I am actively seeking to recruit new chaplains and I often hear some variation of: “I want to focus on pastoring my congregation.” This assumes that military chaplaincy will be a distraction.
I see military chaplaincy and pastoral ministry not as in competition but as complementary.
The armed forces recruits pastors with ministry experience because they believe that their church (or other faith) experience will translate into the military. It is the same with theological training. Chaplains are given the rank of captain based on graduate theological education.
I would suggest that the church needs to see how they can benefit from their pastor being a chaplain.
While military chaplaincy expects padres to already have a theological education, the military continues to train chaplains. This is not just military training but chaplaincy training that is directly applicable to church ministry.
But being a chaplain is not just about classroom learning. Military chaplains develop important skills in leadership and pastoral care. What chaplains do in their reserve units is actually preparing them to become better pastors.
My hope is that congregations will be open to allowing their pastors to join the reserves and that pastors will consider joining as military chaplains. It is a win-win situation.
