September 16, 2002
50 chaplains ready for BGCT endorsement
___By Ken Camp
___Texas Baptist Communications
___DALLAS--The Baptist General Convention of Texas could endorse its first 50 chaplains before the end of September.
___The necessary paperwork already has been processed to allow the BGCT to "grandfather in" more than 40 chaplains who currently are endorsed by other Baptist entities but wish to receive BGCT endorsement, said Bobby Smith, BGCT director of chaplaincy relations.
___Smith expects the BGCT Chaplain Endorsement Board to deal with about 50 endorsement transfers at its initial meeting Sept. 23 in Dallas. At the same meeting, the board will establish guidelines for applicants who have not been through the endorsement process with another recognized chaplain-endorsing agency.
___"We would anticipate being able to process new applications for BGCT chaplaincy endorsement by Oct. 1," Smith said.
___State and federal institutions such as prisons and the military--as well as many hospitals and other entities--require chaplains to be endorsed by an officially recognized endorsing organization.
___The U.S. Armed Forces Chaplains Board on July 24 approved the BGCT as an authorized endorsement agency, and the Veterans Administration, Federal Bureau of Prisons and American Association of Pastoral Counselors have followed suit.
___The BGCT Executive Board authorized the nine-member BGCT Chaplain Endorsement Board to serve as the state convention's chaplain endorsing agent. The BGCT State Missions Commission named Joe Perez, director of pastoral care at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, as chairman of the endorsement board.
___While Smith was instrumental in helping the BGCT receive official recognition as an endorsing agency, he emphasized that he is committed to working with all Baptist chaplains who serve in Texas, not just those endorsed by the BGCT. More than 400 Baptist chaplains serve in the state.
___"My ministry is to be a caregiver to caregivers and to serve as chaplain to all the Baptist chaplains in Texas, regardless of where they receive their endorsement," Smith said.
___For example, the BGCT office of chaplaincy relations will sponsor the first statewide retreat for Texas Baptist chaplains Dec. 2-4 at Camp Buckner, near Burnet. The event is not limited to chaplains endorsed by the BGCT, Smith added.
___"This retreat will be a time of spiritual renewal, fellowship and continuing education opportunities for chaplains," he said.
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