Practically Christian Podcast Beggars Telling Beggars Where to Find Bread: Faith on the Front Lines
Mar 2, 2026
47:11
The Rundown: In this episode, Josh sits down with Jared Altic, a veteran police chaplain and host of the Hey Chaplain podcast. They dive deep into the often-overlooked world of law enforcement chaplaincy—from delivering death notifications to supporting officers who see the worst of humanity.
They discuss the theology of trauma, why a "safe" childhood isn't a spiritual disadvantage, and how the church can move beyond shallow support to truly partner with their local police departments.
3 Key Takeaways:
- 1. The "Beggars Telling Beggars" Mindset: Jared and Josh discuss why the church isn’t a country club for the perfect, but a hospital for the broken. Effective ministry (and parenting!) requires the humility to admit we are all just "beggars telling other beggars where to find bread."
- 2. Resilience vs. Calluses: We often think we need a gritty testimony to be tough. Jared breaks down the ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences) score and explains why a safe, loving upbringing isn't a weakness—it’s the foundation for the resilience needed to help others in crisis.
- 3. Practical Support > Cookies: Want to support your local police? Stop guessing. Jared challenges listeners to move beyond dropping off cookies (which often get thrown away!) and instead ask the department what they actually need. Whether it’s funding a vest, a radio, or daycare for a single mom in uniform, true support solves real problems.
Links & Resources:
- Check out Jared's Podcast: https://heychaplain.buzzsprout.com/
- Mentioned in this episode: Jimmy Carr on "Low Stakes" living vs. Fatherhood.
- Scripture Reference: "Love your enemies" (Matthew 5:44) – Loving the unlovable cop.