Before saying anything, I should note that I have no objections to the government providing religious services for military personnel, as long as such services are providing for all faiths.Â
That having been said, I’m amused when the government bureaucracy and the religious bureaucracy collide. A few examples of my amusement:
The government solicitation comes from the “Global Strike Command.” Isn’t the Global Strike Command what God does when we disobey Him?
“The Contractor will often be required to work weekends and on holidays.” Um...DUH.
Section 3.2.1 requires the reporting of “emergency ministry requirements.” I can just imagine the government form - no, forms - that are required for this reporting.Â
And there are monthly meetings to discuss “contract deliverables.” I don’t think that this was taught in seminary.Â
Oh, and there’s this: “Services performed under this contract are subject to inspection by the COR at the completion of each task.” In the case of Roman Catholic priests, this shouldn’t be a big issue - the Roman Catholic church has a clearly defined hierarchy, in which superiors are overseeing the work of priests. This is also not an issue for other churches with defined hierarchies (United Methodist) or at least some level of oversight (Lutheran). But what if you’re a Protestant pastor from a completely independent church with a big sign saying that your church was established in AD 33? Or if you’re a Calvary Chapel pastor, used to operating under the Moses model? How are THESE people going to react when some guvmint bureaucrat starts asking them about their contract deliverables, and the improper completion of Emergency Ministry Requirements Form 665?
