A Ministry of Compassion Church of Katy

Being a Christian in the Firehouse.

I know sometimes the firehouse isn't the easiest place to walk the Christian walk. Especially for newer guys on the job. I've struggled with this sometimes. Sometimes there's magazines all too easily accessible in the locker rooms or the talk around the table gets a little "iffy." I keep a bible in my locker just in case, plus some of the downtime gives me the opportunity to read the Good News instead of watching the latest junk on MTV or whatever. How do you keep walking the walk at work?

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Permalink Reply by Rev Robert A Crutchfield on October 24, 2009 at 9:53am

You'd be surprised at the guys who pull me aside , and you know chaplain I cuss a lot and all but its a lot easier getting on that engine knowing you're praying for us, and you and God are looking out for us. Its usually the last guy you would think. Many times it has to do with understanding. Many firefighters talk the way they do and act the way they do because it is the only way they know to blow off some of the stress. Some of it just comes down to peer pressure. They do what everybody else seems to be doing just to get along.

Its a little bit easier for me because everybody knows I'm the chaplain, and expects me not to engage in some of the behaviors you speak of. The trick for me is to maintain my example. It would be way too easy for me to get drawn in just like everybody else. From that standpoint its a matter of maintaining focus on what I am there to do. Of course my bible is almost always near !

I have heard of many chaplains chased from the field because of the language and behavior around firehouses. Like you I would be interested in what some of our other memebrs have experienced, and how they dealt with it.