Home of the 3-509th UMT

Chapel

This UMT highly promotes and expects great things from on-post chapel services. While admittedly not able to offer everything off-post church services provide, there is simply no substitute for blending families of soldiers together to worship God. We strongly encourage all to attend services on-post if possible and if your faith tradition is represented.

Why? First for soldiers in leadership positions, Jr. enlisted and Jr. officers need an example of what a person of faith looks like in order to better integrate faith and military leadership. It is easy to go elsewhere and "blend in" with others, however, leaders should not miss an opportunity to teach by example. Leaders need to lead the way! Second, family opportunities may be fewer, but a commitment to on-post chapels brings committed people who can start more family friendly opportunities. Be the one to say "yes" to family opportunities at chapel! Further, it may be a hassle to "drive to work" on the weekend if living off post. Once again, a commitment to a community brings people together, whatever the distance. A family in my home church in Bismarck, North Dakota drove several hours each Sunday to participate in weekly services. Now that's commitment!

Chaplains are uniquely qualified to bridge the military culture with biblical culture. As a soldier, the chaplain knows the various pressures the unit is under at that moment, for we are under the same command! Messages which are relevant to the mission, sensitive to military family situations, and practically applicable in a military culture are just a few of the benefits of the chaplain's message.

Is it wrong to go off-post? Absolutely not! Each family or individual must decide what course of action to follow. The goal in this writing is not particularly to increase chapel attendance, but to initiate discussion about where to attend weekly religious services. By automatically defaulting to off-post churches, opportunities might be missed. Consider what the purpose of attending weekly services is. Tradition? The right thing to do? A desire to raise children with a religious priority? Prayerful consideration and possibly a "time trial" may be in order. If a mattress company can offer a three month trial period, chapels can too. Please don't feel stuck in either direction.