Chaplaincy Practice and Service Delivery

Chaplaincy Practice and Service Delivery

Chaplaincy practice and service delivery remains the only common grounds for all chaplains, both in the past and in the present.

Chaplaincy practice is the employment of wisdom endowed us by the Almighty God in the practical application of knowledge and skills acquired via learning, training, education and experience in addressing issues at hands with the views of proffering the needed solutions to them.

Martins of Tour, the legendary founder of chaplaincy and chaplaincy practice in meeting with the felt need of the beggar on the street on a winter day almost freezing to death in the following ways and manners:-

1.     He demonstrated or showcase the love of God in kindness to a human being like him, created by the same God. 

2.     He practiced sharing, for he was not told he had another cape anywhere; yet he parted with a half of the cape he had, securing the life of both the beggar and his own life from winter cold or from freezing.

3.     He practiced the preservation of God given lives in every situation and matter what the situation presents.

4.     He rendered beneficial service to the beggar not just charity.

The Master Chaplain, also showcase chaplaincy practice and service delivery in the steady of the Good Samaritan He gave as an illustration (Luke 10:29-37):

1.     The Pharisee that passed by the wounded man without any consideration for him in his situation and pool of blood represents the law and authority which is insufficient to meet with the felt need of humanity.

2.     The Levite that passed by the wounded man without any consideration for him represent the religious bigots of the day and the insufficiency of religion to take adequate care of people who are not known members of this particular congregation.

3.     Presenting and showcasing the Good Samaritan, who was a multi-faith, interfaith personality, meeting with the felt needs of the wounded man by taking him to  a care-giver, providing and paying for his care and recovery with the promise of coming back to offset whatever was incurred after he had left.

This is beyond a charitable giving but a complete wholesome service delivery that affect the total man. What all chaplains are called unto is beneficial interfaith and multifaith service delivery in a pluralistic setting.

Let us all be alive to our duties and responsibilities; charitable giving cannot take the place of detailed practice and service delivery.

Chap. Prof. Mike-Jacobs

Certified Chaplaincy Educator