In crisis and war zones
It is the task of the spiritual caregiver (armed forces pastor) to be one with the deployed. He/she experiences what the others go through. The spiritual caregiver feels the same helplessness, satisfaction, boredom, camaraderie, you name it, as the others. In this respect, just by going with them he shows what is so essential to our God - that He does not remain at a distance, but comes close. And at the same time, including through services and conversations, he can pass on something of what God considers (life) important.
At the army site
Yet it would not be right if that 'being one' with the men and women only applied during deployment. As if faith only matters in crisis situations and not in everyday life. Besides: for good contact abroad, you have to do preliminary work here in the Netherlands. People have to know you. That happens at the army base.
Our armed forces pastors
Armed forces ministers have been commissioned as ministers by our churches.
They report on their work each year to deputies spiritual care of the military. In a meeting, we talk to them about their work and try to advise them as much as possible.
In doing so, we discover again and again that their work is of great importance for the church. In their work, they give hands and feet to Jesus' mission to go forth into all the world and make known the gospel of God's peace.
There is also a reverse movement. As churches, we constantly tend to shut ourselves up in the church and close ourselves off from the world. We are in danger of forgetting what is going on in the world around us. Our armed forces pastors help us not to close our eyes to this and to make us realise the society in which we should make the gospel known.
Since 1 January 2019, Drs H. (Hilbrand) van Eeken has served as a minister in the Ministry of Defence on behalf of the CGK. He is employed as fleet pastor in the Royal Netherlands Navy (stationed in Den Helder).
Since 1 September 2020, on behalf of the CGK, Drs W. (Wim) de Bruin has been a minister in the Ministry of Defence. He works as an air force pastor with the Royal Netherlands Air Force (Leeuwarden base).
Profile armed forces pastors
The Service of Protestant Spiritual Care in the Armed Forces takes care of pastoral care of military personnel. If necessary, armed forces pastors are also available to the military's supporters and to care for veterans. The emphasis of the work is on counselling military personnel during military deployment and during training.
The pastors work on behalf of the Protestant churches that make up the Interdenominational Contact in Government Affairs, Committee on Military (CIO-M).
Job requirements
- Theology degree at university or equivalent level;
- Confirmed in the office of minister or pastor by one of the denominations affiliated to one of the CIO-M;
- At least four years of pastoral experience in the congregation;
- Willing to undertake additional training;
- Be able to work independently under aggravated conditions;
- Ecumenically minded, collaborative and highly communicative towards people with.different beliefs;
- Prepared for deployments, sailing periods, regular change of duty station and overseas placements (Germany, Belgium, Netherlands Antilles);
- Meet standard requirements for medical and psychological fitness;
- Basically deployable to all parts of the armed forces (army, fleet and air force, military police).
Appointment
The appointment is for an indefinite period with a probationary period of two years. Your legal status is that of a civil servant working for the Ministry of Defence. Depending on your age, you will be equivalent in rank to captain/lieutenant commander 2oc or major/ltz 1.
Information
Further information on position, organisation and application procedure can be obtained from Rev K.H. Ubels.