Fellowship in Chaplaincy Practice

Fellowship in Chaplaincy Practice

Fellowship is defined as a noun to be:

1.   A company of people that share the same interests or aims.

2.   A feeling of friendship, relatedness or connection between people.

3.   A merit based scholarship.

As a Verb, friendship is defined as:

1.   To admit to friendship.

2.   To enter into friendship with.

3.   To make feel welcome by showing friendship or building cordial friendship.

4.   To join in fellowship or association with.

Bringing chaplains together in fellowship as people and professionals who share the same interest and aims is not bad. But carrying chaplains from one place to another or from one office to another to conduct fellowship in such places is not comprehensive chaplaincy practice.

What is known, recognized and globally accepted chaplaincy practice is conducting religious services for people, offering sacraments, supervising meditation, offering prayers, exorcism and deliverance.

This is better called as providing ministerial services or priestly services to the people or community. The priestly presence of chaplain is highly valued.

Comprehensive Chaplaincy Practice:

Comprehensive chaplaincy practice must include the following services:

1.   Counseling services.

2.   Therapeutic care.

3.   Spiritual and emotional care.

4.   Problem-solving.

5.   Offering of prayers.

6.   Bringing about the needed behavioural and attitudinal change in people.

Capitalizing on one aspect of chaplaincy practice is not only dangerous but also disastrous. Let all practicing chaplains come to this understanding. Each time we take chaplaincy services to any office or group of people; we are only taking priestly presence and services to such offices or people not fellowship.

Chap. Prof. Mike-Jacobs

Professional Counselor, Clinical Spirituotherapist and

Certified Chaplaincy Educator in Private Practice