Chaplaincy Committee
An AFM Chaplain in any of the three security forces has many roles concerning different stakeholders. A Chaplain provides pastoral care and related services to their clients. The AFM Chaplains are ordained Pastors of the church. The AFM Chaplains function in The Department of Correctional Services (DCS), The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and The South African Police Services (SAPS). The goal of Chaplaincy is to assist individuals within the security forces to mature in their various stages of faith.
1. CHAPLAINCY COMMITTEE POLICY
To facilitate and enhance Chaplain services in the South African National Defense Force, the South African Police Service and the Department of Correctional Services.
2. THE PROFILE OF AN AFM CHAPLAIN IS
A SERVANT – embracing the Biblical principle of Servanthood.
A PASTORAL CARE GIVER – rendering pastoral services upon request to his/her clients on an individual basis.
A MEDIATOR & RECONCILER – in cases where parties are at variance with one another.
An ENABLER – enabling spiritual care services within a multi-cultural, multi-faith, and multi-disciplinary context.
A COMMUNITY BUILDER – and is visible within his/her local community for purposes of building relationships and mobilizing ministerial support for the security forces.
A REHABILITATOR – or catalyst for the rehabilitation of individuals within the security forces if and when it is required.
A PASTORAL ADMINISTRATOR – governing his/her pastoral ministry in terms of the requirements of his/her own religious affiliation.
OTHER ROLES – A Chaplain shall facilitate the equipping ministries in terms of Ephesians 4: 1-14.
3. THE PRINCIPLES OF MINISTRY INCLUDE
FREEDOM OF RELIGION – the ministry of a Chaplain includes the principle of freedom of religion as embodied in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
RELIGIOUS EQUITABILITY - Religious observance shall be equitable, free, and voluntary.
PROSELYTIZATION - No deliberate intent and/or program of coercion may be introduced to win a person to one’s own religious affiliation. This does not prevent the freedom of expression and the freewill right of an individual to change his/her religious affiliation.
INTERDENOMINATIONAL - The Chaplain works interdenominationally without neglecting the care for the members of his/her own religious affiliation.
RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY - The Chaplain shall respect diversity in religion, creed, culture and colour.
4. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE LIAISON CHAPLAIN OFFICERS
Compile and submit reports to the CC on the chaplains under their jurisdiction. And to continuously cooperate with the General Secretary of the AFM on the pastoral status of chaplains, as well as vacancies and possible appointment of chaplains.
THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL DEFENSE FORCE
THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
