Hi there!

Welcome to the Chaplain Dan blog. 

Hi!  This is my first post on this blog. 

My name is Dan Fox.  I like to write creatively (novels, so far).  I also enjoy addressing issues of the day, applying various filters to them (such as culture, religion, theology, rhetorical principles, etc).  So, this blog may be a fun exercise for that kind of thing. We'll see.  

My purpose for this blog is forming at the moment, so I don't anticipate it sounding focused for a little while.  

It's called the Chaplain Dan blog simply because that's what I do now, as a retired professor.  I used to teach human communication to college and university students.  

I've also authored a few novels -- I enjoy writing fiction adventure.  I've published four novels so far, all designed for the young adult audience.  There are at least three more novels in that series (Jake Sloan Adventures).  I have three other story concepts I hope see come to life in the months ahead, all directed at adult readers.  

The focus of my time and efforts at the moment is on helping those in need.  The motto I created for myself is:

To Serve, Care, and Guide.  

The badge I use when helping out at an emergency site, with EMTs, Police, of Fire Fighters.

I spent over two decades as an educator, and loved the time & experience with colleagues and students alike.  I went into teaching primarily out of the desire to help people grow personally and professionally (California State University and California Community Colleges).  Teaching is a helping profession.  

So, I'd like to continue that spirit of service, but to populations that are in deep need.  The homeless, for instance, or those shut-in or those at retirement homes.  Emergency services, and catastrophe responders are another venue where Chaplains serve.  Hospitals are a venue where Chaplains serve a role that comforts and cares.  Sometimes listening is the most powerful tool we have in our "toolbox." 

Active and empathic listening is a set of skills I taught in courses like Interpersonal Communication, Intercultural Communication, and Group Communication. So, I know the power of that approach.  I'm also trained in a listening-based methodology of counseling, called the Helping Method, invented by Robert Carkhuff.  I recall my first exposure to the Art of Helping back in high school, when I was a peer counselor.  It's a strong methodology.  

As a Chaplain, my theological perspective approaches life from a distinctly Christian perspective.  I make no apologies about it; in fact, it is the love of God toward others that drives me to seek those in need and help them.  The Good Samaritan is a prime example, along with Christ himself.  He went to those in need, and deliberately critiqued the self-centered and self-righteous religious elite of his day.  He sought out those in greatest need, and brought a message of hope.   

I am ordained as a minister with the National Association of Christian Ministers, holding a license with them.  It's renewed annually, mostly so they can be sure to keep track of everyone's  residence and region of service.  

Here is the ordination letter from NAC Min, FYI.

An photo of me on campus, in full regalia (the type we wear during graduations and other formal occasions).

A brief academic Vitae, in case you are interested:

AA, Southwestern College, 1988

Gold Medalist in Phi Rho Pi National Championships, 1988

BA, San Diego State University, 1992

Teaching Credentials (California State) for Single-Subject (Language Arts, 8-12 grades), Supplemental Authorization in Social Sciences, and a Multiple-Subjects credential (for K-7), 1995.

MS, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, 1996

PhD, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, 1999

Since then, I've taught in several community colleges in adjunct capacity, and then California State University, and followed by almost 20 years with the California Community College system.  

On the way toward those goals, I also taught and/or trained people in a variety of contexts, from youth groups, to churches, outdoor leadership, church conference centers, and missions boot-camps.

Two sides of my current business card and my NACMin ID: