Video Transcript: Blessing as a Ministry Act: Healing, Identity, and Empowerment

Video: Blessing as a Ministry Act: Healing, Identity, and Empowerment (Part One)

[Henry]:
So we're back. We've completed our introductory week, and now we’re moving into the heart of what chaplains actually do—specific ministries, real-world, moment-by-moment actions.

Today’s topic might surprise you. It’s simple on the surface but incredibly powerful:

Blessing.

And I’ll be honest—I never entered seminary thinking I was training for a blessing ministry.

[Tom]:
Same here. When I started out, I thought about preaching, leading worship, reading Scripture, offering prayers, and possibly some counseling—but I didn’t think of giving blessings as a core ministry activity.

[Henry]:
Exactly. I went through four years at Calvin Seminary. I was also a philosophy major at Dordt. However, the idea that blessing people would become a central part of my ministry didn’t click until I was deep into it.

And for those of us who share a Reformed background, we remember this:

We weren’t allowed to pronounce the benediction in a worship service until we were ordained.

Only once you were officially ordained were you entrusted to say something like:

“The Lord bless you and keep you…”

That moment was sacred.

[Tom]:
Yes. And after 45–46 years of ministry, I can say without hesitation, giving the blessing at the end of a service has become one of the highlights of my week.

But I also look back and realize:

“I missed so many opportunities to bless people throughout the week.”

That’s why I’m grateful we’re talking about this now—because blessing isn’t just for the closing of a worship service.

✨ The Power of Blessing

[Henry]:
Blessing is a ministry act. It’s not just a kind word or a religious-sounding phrase.

[Tom]:
Right. It can be a kind word—but it’s much more. A blessing is a word from God spoken into someone’s life.

We live in a world where people rarely feel seen by God, rarely feel His presence or favor. As chaplains, we get to interrupt that silence with a sacred moment.

When I sense someone needs a blessing—whether in crisis, transition, or even ordinary moments—those are often tearful encounters, for them and for me. Because the sacred breaks through.

[Henry]:
And what you’ve modeled as a chaplain over the decades is that blessing isn’t a conclusion—it’s a presence.

You bring blessing into the room. You carry it. You don’t just wait until a formal moment to “pronounce” something. You’re populating blessing in everyday life.

[Tom]:
That’s a beautiful way to say it. Yes, I try to carry blessing into places that don’t expect it.

And that’s part of what chaplaincy is—the ministry of presence. When you are fully present with someone in Christ, you become a conduit of God’s blessing to them.

It may be subtle, but sometimes, with permission, I will place a hand on someone’s shoulder or even gently on their head and offer a personal blessing. In some traditions, it may even involve anointing with oil, especially if that’s meaningful in that person’s faith background.

[Henry]:
That really challenges me. Because I used to see blessing as something liturgical—something reserved for the end of the service.

But chaplains are called to bring blessing into the unscripted moments of life:

• A hospital bedside

• A moment of grief

• A military deployment

• A jail cell

• A staff lounge

We’re there as bearers of God’s presence, and with that, blessers in His name.

📖 So What Is a Blessing?

[Henry]:
Let’s talk practically: What is a blessing?

We’ll go deeper into definitions next, but let’s frame it this way:

• A blessing is a sacred declaration that communicates God’s presence, love, favor, and hope.

• It is not magic. It is not manipulation.

• It is God’s truth spoken in grace, often tailored for a specific moment, grounded in Scripture, and empowered by the Spirit.

[Tom]:
And when we bless someone, we are doing what God has done throughout Scripture:

He sees, He names, He affirms, and He calls people forward.

As chaplains, we’re not just watchers of sacred moments—we are agents of sacred meaning.

[Henry]:
Exactly. So this week, we’ll explore:

• What does a biblical blessing look like?

• When and how chaplains can offer blessings

• How to discern the right time to bless

• How to use Scripture and presence in your blessing ministry

We’ll also provide you with some practical examples and language to use, and encourage you to reflect on times when you’ve been blessed and how that has shaped you.

[Tom]:
We want to help you see blessing as a real, practical, and transformative tool in your chaplaincy toolkit.

Because when the moment comes, when someone needs to know that God sees them, you’ll be ready to say with confidence and compassion:

“May the Lord bless you and keep you…”

[Henry]:
That’s a wrap for this session. In the next video, we’ll begin exploring biblical examples of blessing and how they apply to your everyday chaplaincy work.

See you then.

Video: Blessing as a Ministry Act: Healing, Identity, and Empowerment (Part Two)

[Henry]:
So let’s continue. Today, we’re diving even deeper into the ministry of blessing—not just what it is, but how it functions as a spiritual declaration, not merely a hope or kind word.

[Tom]:
That’s right. When I bless someone, I’m not saying, “I hope God shows up for you”.

I’m saying, “I believe He already has.”

It’s not a magic formula. It’s not a spell. It’s a declaration of truth:

That God is present.
That He sees you.
That He cares for you.
And that you are His.

How that blessing unfolds in each situation can vary, but the foundation is the same:

“You are in the presence of God—and you live in His presence.”

[Henry]:
We get stories all the time from CLI students and ministers—testimonies that pour in like rain.

One stood out recently: a young woman wrote,

“A holy man walked up to me and asked if he could pray for me. He gave me a blessing. And in that moment, inside my dark heart, I felt like God had shown up again. He noticed me.”

[Tom]:
And what’s remarkable is that “holy man” probably didn’t feel very holy at that moment. He was just doing what he felt God had called him to do.

And that’s the point: the blessing doesn’t come from us. It comes from God.

We are simply the ones speaking the words. That’s why I almost always use Scripture when I bless someone. Whether it’s Numbers 6 or another biblical text, I want them to know:

“This is not Tom speaking. This is God speaking to you. I just get to be the messenger.”

[Henry]:
That’s why blessing is more than religious tradition—it’s a sacred transfer of divine assurance.

Now, let’s reflect on this in public spaces. You’ve been invited to chaplain events, civic ceremonies. How does this blessing ministry function there?

🧭 Case Study: Ground Zero

[Tom]:
One story stands out immediately.

After 9/11, I was deployed to New York City as a Coast Guard chaplain. My job was to support the fire department and search and rescue teams who were still hoping to find survivors.

There was a staging area where the new shift would arrive—firefighters and rescue personnel would grab food, get briefed, and then be sent in to Ground Zero.

At shift changes, there were hundreds of them gathered together.

So we chaplains started something:

We would say, “If anyone wants a prayer before you go down, come outside and we’ll pray with you.”

Now, I’ve been around long enough to know that when you say that to military or first responder types, you might get a few who step outside… but often not many.

But on this day—September 13—I walked outside and turned around… and every single firefighter had followed me out. Hundreds.

They were about to go dig through twisted metal. They were going to find body parts, and maybe, just maybe, a survivor. They needed more than just strength.

They needed a blessing.

[Henry]:
Wow. That’s powerful.

[Tom]:
At first, I thought I was just offering a prayer. But I quickly realized—

They didn’t just want prayer. They wanted blessing.

They wanted to know that someone holy, someone who represented God, was covering them before they stepped into the trauma.

And though they didn’t call me a “holy man,” that was exactly the role I was playing in their eyes.

To this day, I remember the weight of standing in that parking lot and speaking words over them—not from myself, but from God—words that strengthened them to do something unimaginably hard.

[Henry]:
That shows us that blessing isn’t just for comfort or success. It’s for the hardest moments in life, too.

[Tom]:
Absolutely. A blessing isn’t just for prosperity or well-being. It’s for grief, crisis, battle, and pain.

It reminds people, like Hagar in the wilderness,

“God sees me.”
“He hasn’t forgotten me.”

🔥 Why Blessing Matters in Chaplaincy

[Henry]:
And in chaplaincy, we are often the only visible sign of the sacred that someone will encounter.

We represent God, not because we are perfect, but because we are willing to step into their pain with the presence and promise of God.

A blessing becomes a tangible, sacred moment—you can feel it, see it, even cry through it.

[Tom]:
Yes. And we don’t need elaborate words.

Sometimes it’s a hand on a shoulder. A whisper. A scriptural phrase.

And always, it’s God saying:

“I see you. I’m with you. I am blessing you now.”

[Henry]:
So as you continue this week’s study, reflect on:

• Who needs a blessing in your life?

• When have you received a blessing that deeply impacted you?

• How can you begin to see your ministry as a daily act of sacred blessing, not just at the end of services, but everywhere you go?

🧠 Ministry Sciences Insight

Let’s conclude with today’s Ministry Sciences Insight:

Blessing is not a bonus—it’s part of your sacred authority as a chaplain.
God is the source. You are the vessel. The moment is the altar.

[Tom]:
So true. Blessing turns everyday moments into encounters with the holy. And chaplains are called to bring those encounters wherever people are.

[Henry]:
Until next time, keep this in mind:

You are sent to bless. And in blessing, the sacred becomes visible.

Video: Blessing as a Ministry Act: Healing, Identity, and Empowerment (Part Three)

[Henry]:
Let’s talk very specifically now about the power of blessing—and what blessing actually does in the life of someone you’re ministering to. This isn’t just a closing moment in a church service. It’s a ministry act that brings healing, identity, and empowerment.

💔 Blessing Brings Healing

[Henry]:
Let’s start here:

Blessing brings healing—emotional and spiritual healing.

When Jesus healed people, He also blessed them before and after the healing. The blessing wasn’t just a bonus. It was a sacred affirmation of dignity, peace, and belovedness.

Have you seen that to be true, Tom?

[Tom]:
Absolutely. Let me start with this: peace and dignity.

Most of the time, when someone speaks with a chaplain, it’s because something has gone wrong in their life—

• A marriage is falling apart

• A job is collapsing

• A moral failure has occurred

• Or they’re just feeling worthless

And in those moments, they often carry a very low view of themselves.

When I bless someone, I’m not just encouraging them; I'm also affirming their worth. I’m reminding them:

“You are made in the image of God. You are still seen. Still loved. Still valuable.”

That alone can change their posture, their demeanor, and their outlook on the future. It’s like breathing sacred oxygen into a soul that’s suffocating.

[Henry]:
That really gets to the heart of blessing. It’s not just a word of hope—it’s a word from God. It reminds someone who feels unworthy that they are God’s child.

And you’re right, we often think of the healing story in Scripture as being about the physical miracle:

• “Now he can see!”

• “Now she can walk!”

But the real power was in God noticing them, blessing them, and calling them His own.

[Tom]:
Exactly. Think of the woman caught in adultery. Sure, Jesus didn’t condemn her—but more than that, He blessed her with dignity in a moment where the world wanted her dead.

His blessing became a shield, even a covering of grace, over her shame. That moment redefined her story.

And many of the people I’ve counseled over the years have felt that same thing:

“How could God possibly love me after what I’ve done?”

But that’s the power of blessing—it says,

“In spite of what brought you here, God is still with you. You are not discarded.”

That word alone can help someone take the next step, even after a fall.

[Henry]:
I recently read a CLI testimony that just stopped me in my tracks. It was from a woman who had been trafficked—she’s now training to become a chaplain.

She wrote, “I want to minister to women like me who have been trafficked…” And then she added, “…and to the men who have used trafficked women—because they are broken and need ministry too.”

That’s next-level grace.

[Tom]:
Wow. That’s incredible.

It’s one thing to want to minister to people who share your pain. But to bless the offenders? That takes a deep work of God’s Spirit.

It shows that she understands what blessing really is—it’s not just comfort. It’s redemptive power, even when justice and mercy are held in tension.

👤 Blessing Confirms Identity

[Henry]:
Here’s another aspect:

Blessing confirms identity.

As chaplains, we serve in the same role. We don’t just encourage—we help people hear:

“You are seen. You are loved. You are purposed by God.”

[Tom]:
And that theme has come up in every session we’ve had so far:

People are seen by God, and through us, they come to realize that.

In those sacred moments—when we’re listening, praying, blessing—we get to say,

“This is who God says you are.”

Not what your boss says. Not what your abuser said. Not what your own inner critic screams at you.
But what God says—and that changes everything.

🕊 Blessing Releases Empowerment

[Henry]:
And here’s the final piece:

Blessing activates people. It releases empowerment.

Jesus blessed the disciples before ascending, not just to say goodbye, but to launch them.

He empowered them with truth:

“You are mine. Now go.”

[Tom]:
Yes. Blessing is what turns calling into commissioning.

It’s like spiritual fuel:

• “God has equipped you.”

• “You are not alone.”

• “You are ready to step into your next assignment.”

I’ve blessed people in hospitals, in recovery programs, even in prisons—and I can often see the moment when the blessing hits them. Their face changes. Their shoulders lift. They’re no longer stuck in their past. They’re being called forward.

🧠 Ministry Sciences Insight

[Henry]:
So here’s today’s Ministry Sciences Insight:

Blessing is not just about comfort—it is sacred healing, identity declaration, and empowerment.
It meets people in their brokenness and calls them forward in grace.

[Tom]:
And as chaplains, we must remember:
We’re not just speakers of hope.
We are messengers of divine reality.

When we bless people, we don’t give our opinion—we echo God’s voice.

[Henry]:
So don’t be afraid to bless the broken. Don’t hesitate to speak blessing over offenders, over the hurting, over those who feel disqualified. Because you carry the words of life.

[Henry]:
Let’s discuss now, in precise terms, when and where to bless. Because while we’ve been talking about the power of blessing, discerning the moment—knowing how to be appropriate—is a big part of chaplaincy.

[Tom]: 

But first, let me reflect on something from a preacher’s perspective.

Just last week, I preached what I felt was a challenging message—a sermon that called people to live into who God created them to be. And as we were singing the final song, I sensed the Holy Spirit nudge me:

“Tom, you’ve just laid a heavy burden on these people. Now remind them of grace.”

And I was so grateful that the service ended with a blessing. Because I was able to stand before them and say:

“When we fail—and we will fail. When we fall short of our expectations—and we will. When we don’t live up to God’s design, but we still keep walking forward… remember these words…”

And then I gave the benediction:

“The Lord is with you. His presence, His power, His strength, and His love go with you. And it’s that love and presence that equips us to live this out.”

We cannot do this life alone—but by God’s grace, we can walk it faithfully. That’s what a blessing does.

⏳ The Question of Appropriateness

[Henry]:
Now let’s talk about the appropriateness of blessing.

When is the right moment? Where is it most fitting? What’s your process for deciding when to offer a blessing, especially in chaplaincy?

[Tom]:
There are moments where it’s almost always appropriate—but especially in chaplaincy, where I often don’t know the person very well —I always ask for permission.

[Henry]:
So you actually ask: “May I pray for you?”

[Tom]:
Yes. Every time. In 28 years of military chaplaincy, I recall only one instance where someone said, “No, thank you.”

And I respected that. I replied,

“Okay, I won’t pray with you—but when you leave, I’ll still be praying for you.”

And he actually laughed—and that led to a positive connection.

It’s important to remember that not everyone shares my tradition or language. If I say, “May I bless you?”—they might think I’m reacting to a sneeze!

So I try to explain:

“I’d like to speak a blessing over you—words from Scripture that affirm God’s presence and care for you.”

Especially in a hospital room, or before a surgery, I never touch someone—even a hand on the shoulder—unless they’ve given permission.

🏥 Moments that Invite Blessing

[Tom]:
A few examples of appropriate settings to offer a blessing:

• Before surgery or a medical procedure

• Before a court hearing or parole appearance

• During a jail visit, with consent

• At civic events, ceremonies, or dedications

• When blessing a new home (yes, I’ve done this!)

That last one caught me off guard the first time, but it’s powerful. A blessing like:

“May this home be a place of refuge, peace, and love…”

People long for a sense of sacred presence in their spaces.

🧠 Preparation Is Key

[Henry]:
This raises another significant point—be ready. Don’t just be willing—be prepared.

[Tom]:
Yes! I’m not great at “winging it,” especially in sacred moments. So I think through:

• “If someone asks me to bless them in a hospital, what will I say?”

• “If I’m asked to pray before a parole hearing, what Scriptures could I share?”

As chaplains, we should practice spiritual preparedness—mentally and prayerfully rehearsing blessings for different moments.

[Henry]:
I’ve done this too, especially in civic and community roles. For example, at a country club event, I might ask the host:

“Would it be appropriate for me to offer a blessing or prayer?”

And they’ll tell me what’s welcome, how it might be appreciated, or if there are any boundaries. I’ve found that engaging with leadership—whether at a fire department, police department, or VFW—is key.

🛑 The Role of Context & Leadership

[Tom]:
Absolutely. Whether it’s a motorcycle club, a public ceremony, or a school event, it’s important to:

• Ask the organizers what’s appropriate

• Learn the tone and boundaries

• Match your convictions with their expectations

Even if your words are beautiful, if they’re said at the wrong time or in the wrong tone, it can cause confusion or even harm.

And you’d rather have that conversation beforehand than try to clean things up afterwards.

🧠 Ministry Sciences Insight

[Henry]:
So here’s today’s Ministry Sciences Insight:

A wise chaplain blesses with readiness, sensitivity, and Spirit-led confidence.

Blessing isn’t forced. It’s invited. It’s not assumed—it’s discerned.
And when done rightly, it opens hearts to the sacred.

[Tom]:
Exactly. Chaplains are not just blessing people—we’re stewarding holy moments. So let’s do it well.

[Henry]:
Let’s close out this section by getting really practical.

Here are four simple, but profound, guidelines for giving blessings:

1. Be personal and present

2. Be prayerful

3. Be sensitive in pluralistic spaces

4. Be bold—your words carry Christ’s authority

Tom, how do you see these playing out in chaplaincy?

[Tom]:
Honestly, I couldn’t say it better. These four principles are spot on.

Let me walk through them from my experience:

👥 1. Be Personal and Present

[Tom]:
When you’re visiting someone in the hospital, in hospice, or even in prison, the blessing must be about them.

You’re not giving a lecture. You’re not broadcasting a sermon. You are being present with them, and your words should flow out of that presence.

Your eyes, tone, and posture—all of it should say:

“You matter. I’m here. God is here.”

🙏 2. Be Prayerful

[Tom]:
Even before you speak a word, you should be listening to the Holy Spirit. Be grounded in prayer—even if it’s just a whispered prayer under your breath.

God knows that person far better than you do, and He may give you a word or image or phrase that blesses them right at the core of what they’re going through.

🌍 3. Be Sensitive in Pluralistic Spaces

[Tom]:
Especially in public ministry, such as the military, hospitals, or civic events, you may be around people from many different faith backgrounds. That’s why I ask myself:

“If I were sitting here and a rabbi or imam were giving this blessing, what would I want them to say—or avoid—to help me still feel included?”

That’s a useful guideline.

And still, I’m not watering it down—I’m still speaking with Christ’s authority, which leads to…

✝️ 4. Be Bold—You Carry Christ’s Authority

[Tom]:
When you give a blessing as a chaplain, you are not just speaking human encouragement. You are speaking with God's authority, as someone who’s been sent.

So I can say what God has already said—with confidence and faith—because I know it is true and because God is faithful.

[Henry]:
That’s so powerful, Tom.

Let’s close this session with a few Ministry Sciences insights and some incredible real-world illustrations.

💡 Ministry Sciences Insight

A blessing is applied grace in real situations.
It is the goodwill of the Lord, made visible and audible.

Blessings:

• Heal wounds

• Affirm identity

• Empower people

As chaplains, we are vessels of blessing across boundaries. We step into the scene, often like sojourners, bringing God’s presence and authority to real, broken, sacred spaces.

🚢 Real-World Chaplaincy: Blessing on Navy Ships

[Henry]:
I didn’t know this until recently, but on Navy ships, there is a daily evening prayer. Is that right?

[Tom]:
Yes. Every night at sea, around 10 p.m., a chaplain goes to the bridge, and they hand you the mic.

A bell rings: ding, ding, ding, ding

“Stand by for the evening prayer…”

And then I’d offer a 60-second prayer and blessing for the entire ship. On an aircraft carrier, that meant about 5,500 people were listening.

And here’s something else:

The ship’s TV network is shut down during the prayer.

So, if you’re watching your show? It’s interrupted. Some folks don’t appreciate that. But I knew—I was speaking to a broad audience, and I represented the presence of God, even to people who didn’t believe in Him.

[Henry]:
That’s amazing. Did you ever follow up?

[Tom]:
Yes. I’d often ask people the next day,

“Did you hear the prayer? What did you think?”

That opened conversation, built trust, and showed them that the chaplain cares enough to ask.

Even if they didn’t agree with the prayer, they knew:

“This guy is thoughtful. He wants to get it right.”

📝 The Importance of Preparation

[Tom]:
I took that seriously.

My prayer each night had to fit on one page—with large font as I’ve aged! So the prayer got shorter, but the process took longer.

Sometimes I would spend an hour working on that one-minute prayer—writing, rewriting, praying over it. Because for many, that may be the only spiritual word they hear all day.

So I never wanted to mail it in. I wanted it to be the best it could be—and then trust the Holy Spirit to do the rest.

[Henry]:
That’s ministry excellence. That’s the real work of a chaplain.

And over the years, how many stories have we heard of someone who remembered a single prayer or blessing, and that became the seed that led to salvation?

It wasn’t always the sermon. Sometimes it was the blessing—spoken quietly, faithfully, and boldly.

[Tom]:
Absolutely. A blessing well given is often remembered forever.

[Henry]:
So until next time, remember:

You are blessed to bless.
Speak boldly. Speak wisely. Speak with Christ’s authority.

And always be ready.