All tagged chaplaincy
Professionally, Chaplains are expected to gain self-awareness. I already noted how personal identity is formed through the connecting links of stories, and awareness of this helps identify the stories of others. The motivations for a calling to ministry can be numerous and sometimes may appear self-serving.
A chaplain with a clear sense of identity understands their theological convictions and how these beliefs translate into actionable ministry. This clarity enables them to create authentic connections and lead with conviction, fostering trust within their care of the patient and the treatment team.
An honor walk is a day when a person has gone to be with the Lord. This person had chosen beforehand to donate their organs to others waiting for these precious gifts. It is an extremely profound day for the organ donor’s family, and also a day of rejoicing for the recipients.
Imagine receiving a call telling you to evacuate your home due to a fast-moving fire in your direction and there’s only one road out. What do you take with you? Where do you go, and how much time do you have? Such was our situation on September 4, 2011. I was in shock and had no idea what to do.
Many times, we care for those who are sick and in need of comfort, forgetting the men and women who care for the sick and dying. Let us lift them up in prayer daily.
While God is the source of our spirituality, let us dig deeper and consider what is spiritual to us and how might it benefit us.
Keeping grounded and fed by my faith, I am able and capable to help others heal and grow in their own spiritual and emotional wellbeing.
Along the way, I learned much about walking with patients and others, about relying on God’s Spirit to guide me, and about finding ways of keeping myself balanced.
I realized that chaplains are the spiritual connection for patients and families in times of need, but we are human, too.
The church minister occupies a unique space. It is a difficult space inhabited by critique and pressure both from within the community and from without.
There is no doubt that chaplaincy has its own share of challenges. But I have found that often our assumptions about the work of chaplaincy and the actual work of a chaplain are often quite different.
With a great steering team of board-certified chaplains and a lot of interest from chaplains across the country, I’m delighted to see the initial vision to serve chaplains associated with the Stone-Campbell tradition and ACU come to reality.
Frustration and insecurity are difficult vocational experiences. However, invaluable growth can result from embracing insecurity, uncovering paths to deeper ministry and mission.
As Christians grounded in an integrity that is developed in Christ, there is healing power and witness in bringing that presence to those who are searching, hurting, disenchanted, or wounded from spiritual abuse.
I want to delve into moral and spiritual injury, looking at ways that we as Christians, ministers, pastors, counselors, and chaplains can respond when we encounter it.
Christ confesses in his Phil. 2 hymn that every knee that bows brings glory to God the Father.
