On Tuesday, October 29, 2024, I had the honor of attending the Celebration of Life Service for Retired Army Chaplain (Colonel) Jerry Reynolds and his interment at Arlington National Cemetery. I first met Jerry fifty-two years ago at Fort Bragg, N.C. Jerry had recently returned from a combat deployment in Vietnam and was one of the chaplains assigned to support the 1972 ROTC Summer Camp. During one of the weekends, he invited several of us ROTC students interested in the military chaplaincy to his chapel service, followed by a delicious home-cooked meal prepared by his wife, Sherry. That weekend forged a friendship between Jerry and me that lasted for five decades. I am at a loss for words regarding how much I truly miss my lifelong mentor and friend, Jerry Reynolds.
During 2025, our Chaplain Professional Development Trainings will focus on the importance of covenant friendships. God made us to be in friendships, and friendship is not optional for a spiritually healthy life. In Covenant Friendship, Jim Jackson wrote, “Western society sees friendships as more contractual than covenantal. We tend to remain loyal to our relational commitments as long as it is convenient and in our best interest. Beyond that, the relationship is expendable.”
Covenant friendship is not a matter of convenience. It carries with it a sacred obligation that neither time nor space can alter. A covenant friend necessitates a serious commitment to “knit yourself” to people who know you fully, flaws and all, but love you anyway. Such friendships involve vulnerability, honesty, and a serious commitment to “go the distance” with another person. As the Bible says, “Love never ends” (1 Cor. 13:8, CSB).
Everyone needs two or three covenant friends, but these special relationships involve a serious time commitment, frequent communication, and plenty of forgiveness. Otherwise, we can lapse into the danger of loneliness and isolation, both of which can be dangerous to your spiritual health.
Chaplains, it is time to reclaim the concept and importance of covenant friendship. Dr. David Allen, Distinguished Professor of Practical Theology and Dean of the Adrian Rogers Center for Biblical Preaching at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, will assist us in this important effort as the keynote speaker for our regional Chaplaincy Professional Development Training events. Please make plans to join us.
Finally, Jesus Christ exemplified the importance of covenant friendship throughout His earthly life and encouraged His disciples to embrace it as well, especially during difficult and lonely times. Remember how He defined covenant friendship, “No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13, CSB).