wfn.org | Two "Firsts" for Adventist Naval Chaplain

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August 30, 2000
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
http://www.stanet.ch/APD

Two "Firsts" for Adventist Naval Chaplain

Washington, D.C., USA.      United States Navy 
chaplain Rear Admiral Barry C. Black took up 
responsibilities as Chief of Navy Chaplains on 
August 18, becoming the first Seventh-day Adventist 
and the first African American to hold the office.  
As head of the more than 1,000 U.S. navy chaplains 
around the world, Black says his mandate is to 
"ensure that the millions of people we serve have 
their constitutional religious free exercise, and 
that no one is placed in a position where their 
spiritual needs are not met." Black will also have 
the task of advising navy leadership on "ethical, 
moral, religious, and spiritual matters."
	
In his new position Black will serve navy personnel 
from more than 190 different religious traditions 
and backgrounds.  In this "pluralistic milieu," says 
Black, there is always the challenge of maintaining 
unity, treating everyone fairly, and keeping a level 
playing field and it is vital to be "assiduous in 
guarding [religious] free exercise rights of Navy 
Service members." 
	
"The moment equal accommodation is permitted to be 
jeopardized, it becomes an ethical slippery slope," 
says Black.  He adds that the Adventist Church's 
emphasis on religious liberty and Sabbath-keeping 
has made him more sensitive to the religious 
accommodation needs of all naval personnel, no 
matter what their faith.
	
Black cites "the opportunity to serve" as one of the 
most rewarding aspects of his role. "Leadership 
involves being a servant," says Black. "Jesus said 
that if you want to be great and lead, you have to 
serve. The opportunity to receive rank, to open 
doors for other people, and to empower them is 
exhilarating."
	
Friday's ceremony took place at the Washington Navy 
Yard. Referring to his upbringing as the child of a 
single parent family in the projects of Baltimore, 
Black told the audience "When you see a turtle on a 
fencepost, you know he had some help getting there."  
He paid tribute to all those who helped him grow 
spiritually and in technical expertise over the 
years.
	
A graduate of Oakwood College and Andrews 
University, Black has been a Navy chaplain for more 
than 24 years. For the past three years he has 
served as Deputy Chief of Chaplains. According to 
Richard Stenbakken, director of chaplaincy 
ministries for the Adventist Church worldwide, Black 
has a "spectacular" service record. "In his new 
role, I'm sure that he will continue to serve with 
distinction," says Stenbakken, who attended the 
change of office ceremony. "He has the prayers and 
best wishes of his church family around the world."
	
Black is now responsible for U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, 
and Marine Corp chaplains, who represent more than 
100 different faith groups.	

He was nominated for the position by President Bill 
Clinton and the Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig 
in April this year, and was confirmed by the U.S. 
Senate. (254/2000)