International Conference of War Veteran Ministers
founded as the National Conference of Viet Nam Veteran Ministers
Mission, Goals and Objectives
Note: ICWVM was founded in 1990 as the National Conference of Viet Nam Veteran Ministers. As we evolve into the International Conference of War Veteran Ministers, we are updating our various foundation documents. The Mission, Goals and Objectives that follow are our existing documents reflecting our focus on Viet Nam Veteran Ministers. Expect these to be revised to reflect our inclusion of war veteran ministers from various conflicts in many countries.
Mission
In that the nation experienced the Viet Nam War as unlike any other in our history, the National Conference of Viet Nam Veteran Ministers claims a unique mission to minister healing and meaning in the aftermath.
By its outreach, the Conference will focus primarily on the Viet Nam veteran, the veteran's family, and his/her widow and orphan, attending particularly to the range of traumatic suffering.
The Conference will function as a resource to interpret the War both to faith groups and also the the larger society.
The Conference introduces the spiritual and holistic dimension to interdisciplinary responses to veteran needs.
Ministry for the Viet Nam veteran community will grow directly out of the Conference members' mutual sharing with and support of each other whose personal faith pilgrimages were dramatically shaped, altered, and deepened as a result of serving in Viet Nam. Out of their own healing and search for meaning, Conference ministers work to bring wholeness to the veteran and the community at large.
Goals and Objectives
1. To offer mutual support to one another as professional ministers and share our Viet Nam experience in the light of our faith journey and subsequently sharing our personal pilgrimage to healing and wholeness.
2. To learn from each other what our present ministries are to the Viet Nam Veteran Community, while sdharing successes and joys, frustrations and concerns for the spiritual needs and well being of the Viet Nam Veterans and their families.
3. To be a theological, educational, and pastoral resource for each other and to share these resources with the broader Church on a local and national level (e.g. National Conference of Catholic Bishops; United States Catholic Conference; National Council of Churches, and other National Church Councils.
4. To develop a pastoral plan on how best to outreach more effedctively to the Viet Nam Veteran Community on a National level.
5. To publish articles, reports, studies and a newsletter that would be a source of inspiration, healing and catechesis to local and state- level Viet Nam Veteran organizations nationally.
6. To establish a professional relationship with the other disciplines working toward the healing and recovery of the Viet Nam Veteran and his family e.g. the related disciplines in the areas of Psychiatry, Psychology, Social Services, Department of Veteran Affairs, and Federal and State Veteran Outreach Centers.
7. The National Conference of Viet Nam Veteran Ministers will be convoked annually at a place and time to be determined by the membership or its governing body.
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©1999-2005 National Conference of Viet Nam Veteran Ministers, now serving veterans as the International Conference of War Veteran Ministers. All Rights Reserved. The National Conference of Viet Nam Veteran Ministers is a registered trademark. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ICWVM/NCVNVM is funded by membership dues, donations, and major grants from organizations believing in our work. Contact information for officers and webmaster on separate page. This page last updated February 25, 2005