Challenges of Chaplains

Challenges of Chaplains

Challenges chaplains have to contend with in the discharge of their professional duties and service delivery vary from one community to another, from one region to another, one nation to another and from one continent to another.

However, this discourse my concentration is going to be on challenges professional chaplains have to contend with in the discharge of their professional duties and service delivery in Nigeria and by extension the continent of Africa. Join me on this journey of discovery as I enumerate the challenges below:

1.     Wrong presentation of chaplains to the public by chaplaincy leaders.

2.     Wrong perception of chaplaincy by the public from their experiences of brutality and lawlessness of so called chaplains which make them detest chaplaincy and chaplains.

3.     Wrong and faulty orientation given to chaplains.

4.     Wrong concept of chaplaincy profession, its practice and service delivery.

5.     Lack of proper and adequate chaplaincy training and education.

6.     Lack of proper theological or seminary training of chaplains.

7.     Lack of pastoral care training and pastoral care services by chaplains.

8.     Functionality problems of chaplains in Nigeria.

9.     The low level of education of chaplains in Nigeria which makes it difficult for them to seek gainful employment or engage in private practice.

10.                        Lack of enough chaplains who have robust knowledge of chaplains who can actually defend what they profess and believe.

11.                        The endorsement of clergies by religious leaders and faith groups to perform the services of chaplaincy in government domains and agencies instead of making use of clergies trained in the skills of chaplaincy.

12.                        The love for cheap popularity by chaplains and sales of ranks by chaplaincy leaders which has impoverished chaplains.

13.                        The wrong teachings that chaplaincy is a humanitarian service which means chaplains are volunteers.

14.                        Lack of data on numbers of chaplains in Nigeria and continent of Africa, which makes planning for the development of chaplains impossible.

15.                        Impossibility in accessing chaplains serving in the military and law enforcement agencies in the name of security.

16.                        Lack of research opportunities as far as chaplaincy is concerned in Nigeria and continent of Africa.

17.                        Lack of research findings or results for the use of chaplains in Nigeria and continent of Africa.

18.                        The high level of ignorance and confusion prevalent amongst chaplains, as to what chaplaincy is, who chaplains are and what chaplaincy service delivery Hampers chaplaincy development.

19.                        Difficulty in getting handful of practicing chaplains in Nigeria and continent of Africa and for the fact that one has to start professional chaplaincy practice from the scratch.

20.                        Getting chaplains who have the needed qualities to advance and promote chaplaincy profession, practice and service delivery to the public for needed acceptance becomes difficult which makes one to grow practicing chaplains by all means to fulfill the terms of professionalizing chaplaincy in Nigeria and continent of Africa.

These challenges professional chaplains have to contend with in the discharge of their duties in public should be made a stepping stone to chaplaincy development, elevation and professionalization.

I challenge all chaplains in this nation and continent of Africa to arise and take their destinies in their hands; representing chaplaincy rightly and do the work assigned to them by the profession adequately. Let all of us serve God through serving humanity.

Prof. David-Mike JP, AP, CPC

Certified Chaplaincy Educator