CHAPLAIN (MG) DOUG CARVERUNITED STATES ARMY, RETIRED

SPIRITUAL WOUNDS OF WAR AND THE ROLE OF CONGREGATIONS

PURPOSE

To review the demographics and unique culture of our military communities

To describe the scale and scope of problems faced by our military veterans and their families

To identify the spiritual wounds of war

To discuss the resources congregations have available to provide ministry to our military communities

CAUSES FOR CONCERN:REALITY AFTER TWELVE YEARS OF

WAR• Multiple Deployments stress and family attachment issues (40% have

deployed 2x or more)

• 38% suffer either PTSD, mTBI, or significant mental stress (2008 Rand Study)

• Suicide epidemic (“A veteran commits suicide every 65 minutes.”)

• Alcoholism, drug abuse, domestic abuse, violent crimes are on the rise.

• High rate of infidelity among soldiers and spouses during deployments.

• Sexual Assault or trauma rates have increased (23%).

• Unemployment rates among post-9/11 veterans is 15.2% (9% non-vets).

• Approximately 100K OIF/OEF veterans are homeless, especially women.

CAUSES FOR CONCERN:REALITY AFTER TWELVE YEARS OF WAR

(CONT’D)

• Military children with mental health issues has increased by 20% since 2003.

• DoD and VA medical facilities are stretched…often inadequate…and backlogged.

• Reservists and National Guard have deployed more than in previous wars (all 3300 counties and parishes have sent troops to SWA). Their families are often distant from DoD and VA support facilities

• PTSD and depression among our service members will cost the Nation up to $6.2 billion in the two years after deployment.

• ALL VETERANS STRUGGLE, TO SOME EXTENT, WITH THEIR WAR WOUNDS

• CHAPLAINS, WHILE CARING FOR THE WOUNDED, NEED PASTORAL CARE

• DO YOU KNOW THE VETERANS IN YOUR CHURCH/COMMUNITY? ARE YOU MILITARY FRIENDLY?

WHY ARE THE POST- 9/11 WARS DIFFERENT?

All Volunteer military vs. draft Multiple deployments Frequency and type of suicide bombings Never any sense of safety (no front lines), no real

recovery time hypervigilance Use of civilians as shields, decoys Deliberate targeting by terrorists of our moral code Instant Communication (email, Skype, cell phone, etc.) IEDs, RPG (TBI, hearing loss, neuro-chemical effects) Advancements in medical treatment (“Golden Hour”) Nation-building activities, RLL with locals

THE MILITARY CULTURE

MILITARY CULTURE…DEMOGRAPHICS

Mean age: 27 years (80% are under age 35)

Racial minorities: 32.9% enlisted, 18.3% officer

Females: 14.8%

Married: 50.9% enlisted, 71.4% officer

Faith groups: 89% are Christians; growing number or NRP or “NONES”

Office of Army Demographics Office of Army Demographics FY12 ARMY RELIGIOUS AFFILIATIONSFY12 ARMY RELIGIOUS AFFILIATIONS

Faith GroupFaith Group ActiveActive %% ARNGARNG %% USARUSAR %%

Atheist 2,930 0.5 1,548 0.4 748 0.4

Buddhist 2,236 0.4 889 0.3 871 0.4

Protestant

Catholic

Orthodox

286,186

102,904

611

52.4

18.9

0.1

168,169

59,696

405

47.0

16.7

0.1

94,371

36,653

329

46.9

18.2

0.2

Hindu 523 0.1 155 >0.1 170 0.1

Jewish 1,932 0.4 792 0.2 758 0.4

Muslim 1,880 0.4 547 0.2 658 0.3

Other Religions 4,024 0.7 1,453 0.4 805 0.4

No Preference/ Unknown

142,831 26.2 124,424 34.8 65,803 32.7

TOTAL 546,057 358,078 201,166

Dr. Betty D. Maxfield, Chief, Office of Army Demographics

Data Source: DMDC West

MILITARY FAMILY AT-RISK FACTORS

Frequent Relocation 3.3 years average

Previous Deployments 87%

Longer Separations 7.3 month average

Larger Families 42% ≥ 3 children

Younger Mothers 26.5 median age

Blended Families 31% step-parents

Education 21% w/o HS diploma

Median Income < $30,000 (34%)

10

SoldierDeployment

Separation Stress – Depression & Anxiety

Family Adjustment w/o Soldier in Home – Out-of-Ordinary Behaviors

Pre-reunion Stress – anxiety and worry about behavior away

Reunion and homecoming – joy and anticipation

Revitalize Relationships and “honeymoon”

Family readjusts - Consequences for behavior

Pre-deployment Conflict & PreviousStressor pile-up

Pre-deployment Stress – anxiety and concern

The Military Deployment Cycle … orThe Military Family Life Cycle

THE WOUNDS OF WAR

THE MOST PAINFUL WOUND OF WAR?FINDING A WAY BACK HOME…TO “NORMAL”

• “Home– the place many think is the safe haven to find relief from the stress of war—may initially be a letdown. When a loved one asks, ‘What was it like?’ and you look into eyes that have not seen what yours have, you suddenly realize that home is farther away than you ever imagined.”

• -- Down Range: From Iraq and Back, by Cantrell and Dean, 2005

SPIRITUAL WOUNDS OF WAR

SPIRITUAL WOUNDS OF WAR…REQUIRE A SPIRITUAL CURE

“Medical-psychological therapies are not, and should not be, the only therapies available for moral pain. Religious and cultural therapies are not only possible, but may well be superior to what mental health professionals continually offer. Trauma (like moral pain or wounds of war)…is fundamentally a religious issue.”

--Jonathan Shay, Odysseus in America

SPIRITUAL WOUNDS OF WAR EFFECTIVE CURES

Scripture on war, self-defense (Psalm 23, 31, 144)Expressive art (poetry, paintings, journaling)Music therapyAddressing theological issues (e.g., good vs. evil)Restoration of trust in God, self, peoplePraise and worship, prayer, meditationCongregational honesty about our own

brokennessBuild spaces of love, grace, compassion to listen

to veterans’ sacred storiesConfession

SPIRITUAL WOUNDS OF WAR THE RITE OF PURIFICATION

Primitive cultures often required warriors to perform purification rights before letting them rejoin the community“…stay away from the church one or two weeks, and abstain

from meat and drink during this period.” (Bernard Verkamp, The Moral Treatment of Returning Warriors in Early Medieval and Modern Times

Numbers 31:19,23-24 (ESV) “Encamp outside the camp seven days. Whoever of you has killed any person and whoever has touched any slain, purify yourselves and your captives on the third day and on the seventh day. Everything that can stand the fire, you shall pass through the fire, and it shall be clean. Nevertheless, it shall also be purified with the water for impurity. And whatever cannot stand the fire, you shall pass through the water. You must wash your clothes on the seventh day, and you shall be clean. And afterward you may come into the camp.”

SPIRITUAL WOUNDS OF WAR THE RITE OF PURIFICATION (CONT’D)

In Mozambique, healers are used to (1) purge the returning warrior of the contamination of war and death; (2) purify him of sin, guilt, and grief; and (3) protect him from the spirits of those he killed in battle. --- --Friedman and Stone, After the War Zone

A key lesson learned from Viet Nam:We sharpened the swords of war …sent our troops into

battle…brought them home and, due to the anti-war effort, re-sheathed the swords without cleaning them.

--Shay, Odysseus in America

Result?

THE CHURCH’S ROLE AND VETERANS

“…With research consistently showing that clergy – not psychologists or other mental health experts – are the most common source of help sought in times of psychological distress…” (Based on a Baylor University study, Mental Health, Religion, and Culture, Oct 2008)

Congregations already know their local community, including military families

Churches know about and often address needs through ministerial alliances

Churches have personal relationships with chaplains, service members, and their extended families

A “MILITARY FRIENDLY” CONGREGATION

Maintains an awareness of the needs and sacrifices of those serving, or who have served, our country

Creates an environment of acceptance for our military members and their families through phone calls, letters, support groups, etc.

Provides pastoral care to deployed troops, chaplains, veterans, and their families

Ensures veterans are provided “Welcome Home” ceremonies, “redirection”, and reintegration ministry

Establishes an intentional military ministry strategy

A MILITARY MINISTRY STRATEGYEMBRACE OUR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES

Provide a reintegration strategy for troops returning from deployment or “redirecting” from a military career

Offer pastoral care for veterans suffering PTSD, mTBI, combat fatigue, or “moral injury”

Provide tangible tokens of appreciation and special events to honor your veterans and military families

Give veterans the opportunity to share their sacred stories Adopt an active duty service member, veteran, and their

family members

A MILITARY MINISTRY STRATEGYEDUCATE OUR CHURCHES ON THE MILITARY

• Provide resources to your congregation on the role of the military chaplain

• Educate congregations on ministry to the military • Invite veterans as guest speakers to church events• Challenge your congregation to “adopt a veteran”• Include veterans on congregational leadership councils• Network with military chaplains and other faith-based

organizations who provide ministry to the military

A MILITARY MINISTRY STRATEGYENGAGE PASTORS AND DENOMINATIONAL LEADERS

• Establish a relationship with military community leaders, chaplains, VA, organizations, etc. in your area

• Plan an annual military ministry training event • Learn the history of the military base and units near the

vicinity of your congregation• Ensure ministerial alliances include veterans, chaplains,

and faith-based organizations who support the military• Establish an intentional military ministry or military

church plant in your congregation or community

A MILITARY MINISTRY STRATEGYENLIST VETERANS IN YOUR STRATEGY

• Identify veterans within your congregation• Assign veterans to lead the congregation’s military ministry • Train and equip veterans as small group leaders, mentors,

counselors, etc. to support your congregation’s veterans• Network with military chaplains, VA Medical Centers, and

military auxiliaries (e.g, VFW) in your community• Include chaplains on your congregation’s newsletters• Ensure veterans and the local military community are

aware of your congregation’s ministry resources in support of our troops, veterans, and their families