Christian Companionship

Starting my job as a Christian Chaplain at Kwantlen has meant that I am now joining a tradition of Christian Reformed Chaplaincy, one that is respected and appreciated in University settings across the continent. This tradition continues to be rich and interesting, and there are currently many other campus chaplains scattered in those universities, chaplains who have now become colleagues, companions, and friends in this exciting job of being a Christian presence in a centre of learning.

Today I met one of these colleagues of mine over the phone. The beginning of this job has brought with it many challenges, some of which were expected and some of which were not. I was in need of someone to share these struggles with and so was truly blessed by the 30 minutes of conversation I had with someone who I now call a colleague, friend, and mentor. I was able to describe and “unload” the stories and challenges that have arisen in this first summer of chaplaincy; a listening ear, some words of wisdom, and some encouragement for the future were all occasions for this new friend to be the presence of Christ to me. It was a simple conversation, yet full of the significance that comes through Christian companionship.

Christian companionship is significant. We dare not neglect it, I think, or we run the risks of isolation, self-sufficiency, or even despair. Becoming who we are in Christ involves a community, involves relationship with others. I have been gifted with many rich Christian communities: family, schools, universities, and churches. Now I get to experience a new dimension of Christian community, the companionship of co-workers in a similar career, wrestling with and enjoying different yet similar situations.

This is certainly not limited to those positions more formally known as “ministry”. To be a follower of Jesus is to be in “the ministry”, no matter what your career calling. In every moment we are called to witness to our faith. So this collegiality I experienced today is not confined to “chaplains”; we are all co-workers in Christ and so we can all find ways to allow our work to be “ministry” and then find ways to connect with each other for prayer, encouragement, and shared hope.  If we ignore this sense of Christian companionship in our careers and lives, we miss out on a vital dimension of the Christian life. Jesus has summoned us into relationship with each other, a relationship that does not neglect any area of our lives, careers, family, or anything else. Encouragement and companionship is needed in all of these dimensions. “Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, as indeed you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).