Chaplain Lynne writes:

Care

I am writing this post on the third anniversary of our Founder Chaplain Steve Ballinger’s death.

To say that he is missed is an understatement, yet we do feel his leadership each day, as we move forward in his legacy of service. Chaplain Steve had deep beliefs on the need for competent crisis and spiritual training for individuals who serve those in the midst of trauma, and the crisis it brings.

September 11, 2026, is the 25th Anniversary of the horrific events of “9/11”. The images never leave you.

Afterwards, Chaplain Steve quickly traveled to the disaster site with a team to support the first responders and the people of the community. He shared a personal story with me of standing on a street corner with the rubble before him, the people of the community moving around them in a dazed way still, and as he looked down, he saw a gutter full of paper. Most were religious tracts, that people had tossed away. While they were brought by good people, with caring intentions and giving hearts, there was no understanding of the trauma and crisis process. He saw many examples of the need for relevant crisis training.

Living Shield ministries really was grown out of that experience. Chaplain Steve recognized the need to have competent critical incident care training for even the lay person. To not just have a heart to help, but to know how to help.

We seek, in the midst of lifting up those who were falling under the weight of their horror, “to do no harm”. Living Shield delivers a focus on training around continuously assessing and ministering to the individuals in five key domains: emotional, mental, physical, behavioral, and spiritual.

Using a peaceful, loving, compassionate and empathic witness to their pain, we work to help them regain a balance within themselves – To bring them hope amid one of their hardest times. To become that Living Shield about them, as they process their grief and pain.

In the last year of Chaplain Steve’s life, Living Shield created a series of classes to intertwine the spiritual aspects into to the crisis training already employed. Living Shield Ministries teaches chaplain-enriching classes with a level of excellence that Chaplain Steve envisioned, honors God and brings hope to communities. Supporting someone fully means caring for their spiritual well-being, as well.

Living Shield is also deeply committed to helping chaplains practice self-care.

Chaplain, do you have a Chaplain? Have you learned about Self Care? Emotional, Physical, Mental and spiritual Self Care? What has been the most helpful to you in your Self Care?

If you are a chaplain with a desire to take our Self Care course, please reach out to me! I would love to see if we can arrange a scholarship for you (email- chaplainlynneb@gmail.com).

Chaplains helping chaplains!

Praying for you!

Chaplain Lynne

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