A Possible Opportunity to Serve in my Labor Union

I have been a member of my union for 17 years. During that time, I have served as a delegate to our state convention on a few occasions. Once in a while, I have been asked by fellow members to become the local union steward. On one occasion, I was asked to run for the office of state treasurer. I have always declined, but always appreciated fellow members who have considered me suitable to fill such difficult positions.

While I have declined such opportunities to serve in the past, I am considering applying for a position soon. Last week, the union's state magazine contained an announcement that the state board was seeking candidates to fill the position of state chaplain.

Last night, I called the state president to ask about the job. He told me that the chaplain is responsible for writing a monthly column for our state magazine, for organizing Sunday morning worship services and preaching at the state convention, and for leading prayers at other events. Although I'm not very experienced at organizing worship services and preaching, I am interested in this position. I have served in ministry by teaching Bible classes, leading home Bible studies, writing articles for church bulletins, leading prayers, and speaking during Communion services. I might be able to handle organizing a worship service and preaching once a year.

Our president told me that he would not censor anything that I would write in the state magazine. Personally, he confided, he wants people to know that they need Jesus Christ in order to avoid hell and go to heaven. However, he warned, some people could be offended if I wrote too much about Christ. The national union was sued a few years ago because a Bible verse was printed in its magazine every month. It has stopped printing Bible verses in order to avoid future legal problems. I told him that if I become chaplain, I would not try to offend anyone but that I probably would end up offending someone unintentionally since I would try to be faithful to Christ and to what he teaches. He didn't seem to have any problem with my response.

So now I am considering the position. The president has asked me to write a letter to the state board explaining my relationship with Jesus Christ and my ministry experiences. Board members will choose the next chaplain from the applicants. The position should be filled in about 2 months.

I'll be praying for wisdom over the next several days as I consider this possible opportunity.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5).