The Military Chaplains Associations (MCA) recently presented the annual 2021 National Citizenship Award. This year, they awarded it to a Denver Seminary faculty member.
In a news release, the Denver Seminary said that the association presented the prestigious award to Chaplain Janet McCormack. She received it on Tuesday, Oct. 5, in Columbia, South Carolina.
McCormack works as an associate professor for the Denver Seminary. She also serves as its chair of Chaplaincy and Pastoral Counseling Programs.
According to MCA Director of Communications Lyman Smith, McCormack is a retired Air Force chaplain. Thus, becoming one of the first women to have that position.
Smith told the report that McCormack’s “long and storied career helped redefine military chaplaincy.” She also mentioned that because of McCormack, other chaplains had followed her steps.
As reported, The Military Chaplains Association is a group authorized by Congress. They are responsible for the professional interest of military and government agency chaplaincies.
One of the missions of MCA is to “preserve the spiritual influence and interest of all members and veterans of the Armed Forces.”
National Citizenship Award
According to Denver Seminary, MCA presents the said award to deserving individuals every year. It aims to recognize a person with significant contributions to public service.
Aside from that, it honors individuals who support the values and needs of the U.S. military members.
Other past recipients of the award include Regimental Sergeant Major of Army Religious Affairs Specialist Stephen Stott.
Senator Sam Nunn and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mike Mullins also received the said award before.
Meanwhile, Denver Seminary President Dr. Mark Young said they are honored to celebrate McCormack’s award.
“Her work has been critical and influential in the field of chaplaincy, and the transformative effects of her service will reach across the nation for decades to come,” Young added.
Who Is Chaplain Janet McCormack?
McCormack was reportedly one of the founding members of Women United in Ministry. It is a nonprofit supporting female military chaplains and those who want to serve as one.
The ministry reportedly provides training, mentoring, and advocating military chaplaincy to qualified candidates. Currently, the ministry functions under the MCA.
In 2006, McCormack published the book called “The Work of the Chaplain.” She wrote it together with Naomi K. Paget.
The book reportedly served as an introduction to chaplaincy and its foundational overview. It details history, training, and guidance to military chaplaincy.
The publication now serves as the basis of all chaplaincy programs in the country. The news release stated that she helped develop and implement a chaplaincy-focused Master of Divinity program.
Additionally, McCormack was a member of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. as a National Faculty Certified Educator. As of now, she is still teaching and invited to speak at national and denominational gatherings.
Currently, the award-winning faculty member is a minister at American Baptist Churches-USA. She also serves as the chair of its Endorsement Committee for chaplains.
McCormack acts as an advisory board member of the Marsh Center for Chaplaincy Studies and the Chaplaincy Innovation Lab.
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