Hardenbrook father and son provide prayer, caring for Idaho state legislature.

"Eternal God, challenges confront these leaders. Wise as they are, they need a higher, humbler wisdom which is relevant and available. But we all have trouble asking for help and more trouble accepting it. Lord, give these leaders of Idaho the grace to be humble, to acknowledge their need, and to ask You for guidance."
These words of prayer by Jim Hardenbrook opened the Jan. 12, 2004, joint session of the Idaho legislature, in which the governor gave his "State of the State" message. Both Annual Conference moderator-elect Jim Hardenbrook and his father, Don Hardenbrook, are serving as chaplains for the Idaho state legislature. They also work together at Nampa (Idaho) Church of the Brethren. Jim is pastor and Don serves as associate pastor.

"I really do enjoy it," Jim said of his work with the state House of Representatives. "This is my ninth year with the House. I was with the Senate two years. My father is really having a ball," he added. "He's really a people person." Don is in his first year as chaplain for the state Senate, having worked in hospital chaplaincy in the past. Following pastorates in the Christian Church and the Anderson (Ind.) Church of God, Don retired for a few months but returned to ministry at the Nampa congregation a few years ago, when "we needed some help," his son said.

As chaplains to the legislature, the Hardenbrooks give a prayer following each day's roll call, to open the floor session. They also provide crisis care for members and their families as invited, and are available to offer other spiritual and religious services. Over time, "you develop a certain amount of respect" as a chaplain, Jim said. "For example, today I had a private meeting with a committee chair, and another committee chair asked me to come and testify at a hearing" on a health and welfare issue.

This is the third year that Jim Hardenbrook has been asked to bring the prayer for the joint session and the governor's message. Developing such a deep level of trust "takes a while. Also you have to prove yourself," Jim said. "You have to be a person of integrity."

Source: Newsline 2/06/2004
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