Point Paper
What is a chaplain? Traditionally a chaplain has been somebody religious who is given responsibility for a particular group, usually outside the church. Such groups could be: hospital chaplains, military chaplains, prison chaplains or school chaplains. How you define “chaplain” depends on where that chaplain is. Today, chaplaincy is a specialized ministry done by ordinary people, male or female. They are trained to offer care and support - personally, emotionally, physically, relationally and spiritually. They are there to listen and to provide a safe environment for people to share their feelings. They also help people work through life's issues and assist in times of crisis and difficulty. Put simply, wherever there is a need for care and support; there the chaplain needs to be. The purpose of this paper is to define what it means to be a chaplain and what is involved in being one.
“The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me: he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Isaiah 61:1-2 NRSV. This is the call to all Christians and particularly those ordained or authorized for ministry by the church. Traditionally chaplains have been viewed as religious experts, the ones with the knowledge of the Bible, the ability to perform specific religious functions, the “hotline” in prayer, the ones to call in the face of ethical issues, a confidential ear in all circumstances. As religious experts chaplains are expected to have a more intimate awareness of the Bible and of God’s saving plan for humanity, of God’s love, healing and promises, of answers fo...
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...mains the expert or the consultant.
It seems as though the future of chaplaincy is in the balance. Do chaplains move with the times, accept change and development, work towards professional status or do they maintain the status quo, remain important to the well-being of the whole community but fail to communicate this and risk extinction or at best compassionate tolerance? More than ever society demands that employees prove their value through research, audit and refining of practice chaplains are part of this! Alongside retaining their distinctive role as those who are accountable to their faith communities chaplains need to ensure they articulate their distinctive role as those who care for the spiritual. This involves time, energy and action and being in many roles simultaneously. It involves being prepared to assess and review practice and above all to change.
In the southeast region of the United States (US), at a local church is the location to address the practice problem identified in this design-only DNP proposal development, because the church lacks a FCN, who can provide healthcare services to the church senior’s citizen center. Van Dover and Pfeiffer (2011) explains there is an urgent need for a FCN, who can play an integral role by linking faith and health. For example, the ANA and HMA (2012) acknowledged that FCNs promote, and optimize health and abilities, aid in the prevention of injury and illness, and help parishioners in suffering (American Nurses Association & Health Ministries Association, 2012). FCN in this context can enhance better health practices and values of a faith community
... spirituality when they are at risk for developing spiritual distress, I may potentially save my clients life, decrease their emotional instability and help them develop their own abilities to cope.
Chaplain Assistants were not recognized for all they did until World War II. During that time an official report said, “Tribute should be paid to chaplain assistants without whose energy the Chaplains could not have carried on. In addition to their regular duties they were carpenters, common stone masons, landscape engineers, etc. The good humor and patience of a Chaplain's Assistant were often a boon to the Chaplain's morale” ("World War II and its Aftermath", 2016). As a result, Chaplain Assistants play a vital role in completing the mission of the Unit Missionary Team (UMT) in the Army. The Army accomplishes this by utilizing them in the following ways: to support the religious mission of the Commander, to assist and protect the Chaplain
Bryant and Brunson point to the pastor’s prayer life as the means of grace that best prepare him for this awesome responsibility. R...
Jude 1:22 says, “And of some have compassion, making a difference.” The service of nursing is an outlet for nurses that enables them to demonstrate the same compassion that Jesus showed to others during his ministry on the earth. The act of nursing is much more than a profession, it is a daily opportunity to instill hope and share Christ’s love with those who are suffering. Sister Callista Roy theorizes that nursing is a service that aids patients in adapting to alterations in their self-concept, role function, psychological needs, and interdependent functions (McEwen and Wills 2011, 172). She believes that fostering positive responses to diverse stimuli helps improve a patient’s quality of life and health (Alligood and Tomey 2010, 338). A nurse’s positive, cheerful attitude and kind spirit can promote patient
Erika Andersen, a contributor to Forbes, says even though we may see leaders as a “John Wayne-like character. . .”, effective leaders know when to ask others for help. In the military, men and women train to rely on themselves as well as their team; however, service men and women have an amazing stubbornness at times and that can end up detrimental for their health. Chaplains serve as counselors to those who find themselves in times of hardship. Any conversation with a chaplain has a special confidentiality that talking to other soldiers cannot offer. Because chaplains consider all opportunities to assist others as sacred, they respect the confidentiality of any conversation. God has used chaplains in amazing ways in very hard situations. In the book, Miracles and Moments of Grace: Inspiring Stories From Military Chaplains, by Nancy Kennedy, she illustrates the story of U.S. Army Chaplain James Blount. Chaplain Blount served on a deployment to Kosovo, during that deployment, God put him in the right place at the right time. A soldier on base had started shooting at his comrades to try to get them to shoot him, Blount counseled the soldier before any tragedy unfolded, eventually talking him out of any action and preventing a tragedy from happening. Even though counseling can challenge chaplains, it can prove one of the most rewarding tasks of
Counseling.org. (2017). Secondary Traumatic Stress, Compassion Fatigue and Counselor Spirituality: Implications for Counselors Working with Trauma. [online] Available at: https://www.counseling.org/resources/library/Selected%20Topics/Crisis/Simpson.htm [Accessed 8 Jun.
This is important because it starts the chaplains loss of faith as people around him do not understand faith or religion and are using it for the wrong reasons
called by God to be an effective counselor. The book of Philippians 1:6 states, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in
...stitution. Chaplaincy taught one the importance of caring for the patient as a whole; mind, body, and soul. This can help improve the overall care that any health provider gives and can help prevent further admission to the hospital with the same condition. It is also important to promote good health to patients, and as well to ourselves. One can get caught up in giving quality healthy living tips to patients, but as care providers, using our knowledge on health can also improve our own health and living habits.
In healthcare organizations, medical staff must conform to their hospital and their country’s code of conduct. Not only do they have to meet set standards, they must also take their patient into consideration. When making a decision upon a patient, medical staff must recognize religious backgrounds and spiritual beliefs. By understanding a patients’ beliefs and their belief system, a medical worker can give the patient their deserved medical assistance without overstepping boundaries or coming off as offensive. The practices and beliefs of four religions will be articulated throughout this essay to fully understand how religion can either help or hinder the healing process.
The shepherd and sheep relationship is the best illustration for the relationship between pastor and parishioners. When Jesus asked Simon Peter does he love him three times and said to him “Feed my sheep”, the shepherd and flock relationship has been set. Since Jesus is our good shepherd (Jn. 10:11a), he laid out a good example for us to follow - to lay down his life for the sheep. (Jn. 10:11b) Thus, the wellness of both in and out of the parishioners should always be the concern in the pastors’ hearts. Soul care for the people is essential. Christian friendship is the foundation of Christian soul care. Pastoral ministry including preaching, teaching, and worship forms the broad context of pastoral counseling. Pastoral care is within pastoral ministry but broader than pastoral counseling. God’s love is the source and motivation. Within the pastoral care, there are spiritual direction and pastoral
In the context of Pastoral Care, this assignment will focus on some of the values of Egan’s model with consideration given to some of its limitations in that arena.
Another aspect of pastoral ministry is that every pastor is unique. God has gifted each pastor differently and with his own style. It is imperative that a pastor use the gifts that he has to bear witness about Christ. It is also important to preach Christ and not self. It is crucial that a pastor understand who he is, accept himself, and to develop the gifts given by God. Too often, preachers compare themselves to others and envy what they do not have. That is dangerous and sinful. One must accept the gifts given by God and to use them for His glory.
My call to ministry came in response to a question from the book of Isaiah: “When I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” (Isaiah 6:8 NIV). Isaiah’s book is one of the more quoted books of the New Testament in Jewish history. The book speaks of the coming of Jesus and his second coming. It also talks about the prophecy on the fall of Babylon. Most of the prophets had visions, as did Isaiah.