Conduct a Field Service or Small Group Worship Opportunity In a Tactical Environment (simulated)

1. Conduct a Field Service or Small Group Worship Opportunity In a Tactical Environment (simulated) Conditions: Given a tactical environment, i.e., on the sea/afloat or land, conduct small group worship. Standards: Small-group worship opportunity should not exceed 10-15 minutes. Each chaplain candidate will be trained on the format of conducting and developing a sermon for small group worship. The religious service should be tailored to the constraints of the tactical environment, and the religious needs of the group. The chaplain candidates will select a topic for a sermon in-accordance with time and environmental limitations. Chaplain candidates on 14 April will meet in an environment conducive for training small group worship in a tactical environment. Chaplain Candidate on 14 April will conduct a small group worship service out in the open as trained in this packet. Small group worship service will not exceed 15-20 minutes. They will be graded according to the evaluation sheet and performance measures. There will not be an inclement weather plan. The activity will start with Meals Ready to Eat and then presentation of field services by candidates.

2. Performance Measures

3. Performance Measures (Cont’d)

4. Conducting Small Group Worship Definition: Small group worship is defined as providing a Christian worship opportunity to a small group of individuals that is usually done in a tactical environment. It can be afloat or on the land. It can occur during combat or during training exercises. Normally, it is not done in a hard site, i.e., in doors or in a chapel that has been constructed for worship. It is fluid in nature and depends on the tactical situation.

5. Conducting Small Group Worship Format: The chaplain leads the worship opportunity. He can have a printed program or he can orally lead his soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines or coasties in worship guiding them according to a printed or vocal format, e.g., Invocation, Hymn, Scripture, Remarks, Hymn and Benediction. Points to consider: 1. Your chaplain assistant or religious program specialist should take care of security needs. Select a site that provides cover (best possible) for small group worship. .

6. Conducting Small Group Worship Points to consider (Cont’d): 2. Development and format of sermons should take into account the religious needs and context from which you are providing small group worship. Remember that small group worship should meet the needs of those whom you are worshipping with. Training exercises and combat environments are rich with sermon material. You may be ministering at a shooting range, involved in sea maneuvers, rappelling or participating in airborne operations. All these scenarios provide content for sermon development. Service members can relate to sermon topics especially when those topics are all around them providing the prospects for rich metaphors and analogies. 3. When giving a small group worship service, it is critical that sermon content should be based on the doctrine of the faith based tradition you represent. You may know the doctrine of other faith based traditions. However, it is important to you are the best re-presentation of LDS doctrine and theology. You do not need to offend. There is plenty of LDS doctrine that coincides with all those who fall under the Christian umbrella, e.g., (Lutheran, Catholic, Evangelical, Protestant, etc.) .

7. Conducting Small Group Worship Requirements: In that you will be required to conduct a small group worship opportunity in the open, the following examples of small worship services are provided for your information. Also, how to develop teach/preach a small group worship service is provided. All chaplain candidates will develop a 10-15 minute message for a small group worship service. Each candidate will pick a psalms, develop a message and will deliver the message as part of this training exercise. They will follow the order of field service according to their bulletin.

8. Field Worship Guiding Principles Field Worship guidelines and principles: (adapted from Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service, (2004), 175–94.

9. You are Called to Preach You are called to preach and teach the principles of the restored gospel to as many people as will receive you. Preaching and teaching are regarded as synonymous (see D&C 42:11-14). Teaching is central to everything you do. To teach the doctrines of Christ you must develop Christ-like attributes, study the scriptures, and rely on the Spirit in order to teach with convincing power. The Lord stated this very simply as a commandment with a promise: “Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men” (D&C 11:21). “Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man” (D&C 84:85).

10. You are Called to Preach The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have stated: “Our purpose is to teach the message of the restored gospel in such a way as to allow the Spirit to direct both the missionaries and those being taught. It is essential to learn the [missionary lessons] but these should not be taught by rote presentation. The missionary should feel free to use his own words as prompted by the Spirit. He should not give a memorized recitation, but speak from the heart in his own terms. He may depart from the order of the lessons, giving that which he is inspired to do, according to the interest and needs of the investigator. Speaking out of his own conviction and in his own words he should bear testimony of the truth of his teachings” (“Statement on Missionary Work,” First Presidency letter, 11 Dec. 2002).

11. You are Called to Preach Follow the Spirit “The Spirit is the most important single element in this work. With the Spirit magnifying your call, you can do miracles for the Lord in the mission field. Without the Spirit, you will never succeed regardless of your talent and ability” (Ezra Taft Benson, seminar for new mission presidents, 25 June 1986). Your “mission field” is wherever you are assigned, and those you teach are the members of your command. Invite the Spirit The following suggestions will help you invite the Spirit as you teach: Pray. Use the scriptures. -Introduce the scripture (background & context) ( I have found the Book of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Psalms to contain principle laden verses that can touch hearts as the Spirit witnesses of the truth taught.) We are not limited to the Bible in finding clearly taught principles, for example Mosiah 3-5 where King Benjamin’s talk is recorded is full of powerful verses with principles that “preach well.” -Read the passage -Apply the scripture (“liken” the scripture and message to the hearer [see 1 Ne 19:23])

12. You are Called to Preach Music. Simple music used effectively with instrument or voice can significantly add to a worship experience. Bear testimony. Share experiences. Express love for the Lord and for others

13. Questions