Inherent Qualities which Makes African Descent Most Suited for Chaplaincy Works, Practice and Service Delivery.

Inherent Qualities which Makes African Descent Most Suited for Chaplaincy Works, Practice and Service Delivery.

Some people (whites) see no worth in Africans and people of African descent; because of the behaviours of African leaders, who:-

i.         Carry their loots to the developed nations of the world (Europe, US etc).

ii.      Send their children to school abroad.

iii.    Go for holiday abroad.

iv.   Go abroad for treatments.

But when died in Europe, US or India, are carried to be buried in Africa. They by their attitudes and behaviours make the people in these nations consider Africa as a grave or mortuary where dead people are committed. What a pity?

The Discovered Qualities:

Some of these discovered qualities inherent in Africans and the people of African descent have been discovered to be “Core Virtues” in chaplaincy profession and chaplaincy practice, such inherent qualities are as following:-

1.     Hospitality:

Africans and the people of African descent are naturally warm, respectful, accommodating and hospitable. Africans and the people of African descent are prepared to go extra miles to satisfy others such as visitors and strangers; giving themselves to make others comfortable and feel at home.

Because of the importance of hospitality in chaplaincy profession and practice, the commission responsible for World Pastoral/Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Week Celebration has chosen to emphasize “hospitality” for two years now (2017 and 2018).

The care virtue in chaplaincy practice and service delivery is inherent in Africans. Praise God!

2.     Respect for the living and the dead:

Africans and the people of African descent naturally have respect for living soul, healthy or sick and also have greater respect for dead souls. 

This particular inherent trait or endowment, makes Africans and the people of African descent better suited for chaplaincy work, practice and service delivery as they offer beneficial services to the living, when in good health or in sickness groaning in pains.

They also give great care and attention to departed souls by giving them befitting burials with funfair and ceremonies.

3.     Concern for others:

Africans and the people of African descent are naturally concerned for people and interested in what is happening to others or what other people are passing through in life and situations.

This inherent trait in them make them best suited for chaplaincy practice and service delivery that requires the kind attention and care of professionals.

4.     Communal living:

Africans and the people of African descent enjoy communal living; and this kind of life style has given them the opportunity of showcasing peaceful co-existence with people of different cultures, religions and values; tolerating and accommodating one another.

They are therefore useful instruments in fostering unity and peaceful co-existence amongst people. Fostering unity and peaceful co-existence happens to be another core virtues in chaplaincy practice and service delivery. 

5.     Dispute and conflict resolution traditionally:

Africans and the people of African descent have very strong and rich tradition and had developed over centuries traditional ways of settling dispute and conflict resolutions in various communities.

This traditional ways of dispute and conflict resolution is today classified as “Alternative dispute or conflict resolution – (ADR or ACR)” which offers resolutions to disputes and conflicts without going through the long process of court proceedings.

Watch out for the upcoming seminar on Alternative dispute or conflict resolution. Contact: 08092601117; 08035092416

6.     Standing by people in their situations:

Africans and the people of African descent naturally are endowed with the power and will to stand by people in their various situations, seeking to assist people in pain to navigate through life’s journey, difficulties of life, difficult situations or hardship in life without wavering until victory is granted the people.

7.     Availability:

Africans and the people of African descent usually make themselves available to assist others in trouble, problems, difficulties, disaster, suffering, pains, sorrows and in grieving situations.

This unique qualities of their makes them most suited to giving and offering people what is called in chaplaincy practice and service delivery “The Ministry of Presence.”

Ministry of presence is however a very important aspect and one of the core virtues in chaplaincy practice and service delivery.

NB: This inherent qualities which are God’s endowments for Africans and the people of African descent are beginning to undergo some pollution and decay because of the influence from countries that colonize Africans and the craze for money. What a pity!

What Africans and the people of African descent lack and must seek to acquire mandatorily for the Practice of Chaplaincy:

Effective chaplaincy practice and service delivery by Africans and the people of African descent requires that they have the followings:-

1.     The right chaplaincy concept.

2.     The right chaplaincy training and education.

3.     The right professional chaplaincy practice.

4.     Adequate professional skills and competence which must be developed by practicing professionals.

5.      Establishment of professional chaplaincy body that will certifies chaplains to practice chaplaincy professional and to regulate their practices. This is what APCIN is cut out to do.

In conclusion:  We (Africans and people of African descent), must learn to say “No” to mediocrity, cutting corners, if we actually desire to showcase to the world our inherent endowments.

We must stop the craze to get certificate from schools abroad even without studying for certificate alone does not make a man, the knowledge acquired in training and studies is the most important and that is what makes one relevant.

Chap. Prof. Mike-Jacobs

Professional Counselor, Clinical Spirituotherapist and

Certified Chaplaincy Educator in Private Practice