The Civility of Chaplains in the Discharge of their Professional Duties

The Civility of Chaplains in the Discharge of their Professional Duties

Beloved, as an authority in chaplaincy profession, I wish to share with all and sundry the discoveries I have made about chaplaincy profession, chaplaincy practice and service delivery.

All chaplains be they military or non-military (civil, public, private) chaplains are expected to show or demonstrate some forms of civility in chaplaincy practice and service delivery because chaplaincy as a profession is a humane profession, requiring that her professional practioners demonstrate humanizing ministries to that their clients in a humane manner.

The reason for this civility on the part of all chaplains will now be considered step by step in this discourse.

Civility: In its simplest form means:-

1.     Civility in amenity; the quality of being pleasant or agreeable in respect to situation, manner or disposition, pleasantness, pleasant disposition or gentleness.

All chaplains, be they military or civilian chaplains must of necessity demonstrate pleasantness, gentleness and kindness in the discharge of their humane duties they have the mandate of their profession to offer to all people irrespective of their situations, age, culture, gender, status, religion etc.

2.     Civility in giving attention; this is an act of courtesy or civility, care for the comfort or pleasure of others.

Chaplains are expected to be able to give quality and needed attention to their clients and their relations in their situations, showing them some kind of hospitality in the discharge of professional duties.

3.     Civility in ceremony; behavior regulated by strict etiquette which happens to be a formal method of performing acts of civility prescribed by custom or authority.

All chaplains of a necessity need to have a good etiquette apart from the ethics of their chosen profession in the discharge of their duties.

4.     Civility in comity; which stands for mildness and savity of manner, courtesy between equals (courtesy and considerate behavior towards others, social harmony).

Chaplains must endeavor to have a friendly understanding and mutual recognition between them and their clients, this will enable them to help in bringing a meaningful and sweetness in the life of their clients irrespective of what they are passing through.

5.     Civility in complacency; which is the manifestation of contentment or satisfaction or good nature, affadability and kindness.

Chaplains are expected to demonstrate good behaviours and show contentment and satisfaction in the work they are doing, this will assist them to work hard to impact the same in their clients to be able to forge ahead in life irrespective of their prevailing situations.

6.     Civility in courtesy; this is an act of respect, kindness or favour performed with politeness, willingness or generosity in providing something needed.

Chaplains are expected to highly respectful to the opinion of others and their clients and in rendering their kind gestures in problem-solving with great politeness.

7.     Civility in compassion; this is literally, suffering with another, a sensation of sorrow excited by the distress or misfortunes of another, commiseration.

Chaplains are expected to demonstrate great compassion, care and concern for people in painful situations..

8.     Civility in protocol; this means the code of correct conduct.

Chaplains are expected to observe, keep and abide by the guides of right conducts of chaplaincy profession and chaplaincy practice in the discharge of their professional duties.

9.     Civility in devior; this means duty, service owed, business, something that one must do.

Chaplains are expected to take chaplaincy practice and service delivery which they render to people as a duty and service they owe them and to do it with a business mind.

10.                        Civility in observe; this is to take notice of by appropriate conduct, to conform one’s action or practice, to keep, to heed, to obey, to comply with rules or commands.

Chaplains are expected to have a good understanding of their professional duties and service delivery, the ethics of their profession and code of conduct and observe them carefully with good attention to their details.

In conclusion therefore, chaplains must cultivate civility as an enduring character which will make them to be acceptable to the general public especially their clients. Chaplaincy should never be considered as a brutal act and all these 10 points listed above must be seen to be part of civility which is required of every chaplain be he/she a military chaplain, a civilian chaplain or a law enforcement chaplain.

Let all of us treasure our chosen profession and portray it rightly to the public, the recognition we have been seeking for is surely at our door step. God bless you.

Chap. Prof. Mike-Jacobs

Professional Counselor, Clinical Spirituotherapist and

Certified Chaplaincy Educator in Private Practice