Coming to Terms with reality

Coming to Terms with reality

Beloved chaplains, it is high time we come to realities on the ground. We can all see that past realities we had in Nigeria and continent of Africa has been very defective and the orientation – shallow, also unprofitable.

Efforts must therefore be intensified to ensure chaplains have the needed reorientation and quality professional chaplaincy training.

Evidence based clinical practice has become the order of the day; this is however scientific in nature and scope, greater efforts need to be made to encourage chaplains embrace science, and stop toing with realities.

Chaplaincy activities and works requires supervised professional touch; as every job, occupation and profession demands professionalism.

Anything short of this will further impoverish chaplains in the continent of Africa and must be resisted.

Chap. Prof. Mike-Jacobs

Certified Chaplaincy Educator

14^th May, 2020

Categories of Chaplains in Africa and Nigeria in Particlar

Categories of Chaplains in Africa

I wish to categorize chaplains in the continent of Africa into the following categories:

1.     Untrained chaplains: These chaplains have no rudimentary training apart from that of physical exercise and matching. This makes this category of chaplains to be ignorant and prone to functional problems as well as impersonation of the military and the paramilitary agencies.

Another untrained category of chaplains are those who attended Bible colleges without chaplaincy training and claim to be chaplains.

2.     Half-baked chaplains: These chaplains actually registered for training but never completed their course of study but have made themselves chaplains parading the street doing nothing. Others in this category are those who never completed their course of study but went out to establish their own chaplaincy outfits training others.

3.     Commissioned chaplains: These chaplains are exposed to rudiments of chaplaincy and commissioned only to produce their types for that is all they know about chaplaincy.

4.     Trainee chaplains: These are chaplains undergoing authentic chaplaincy training and yet to complete their studies. They are sometimes useful for volunteer chaplaincy works, and can be sent to professionals to understudy them.

5.     Professional chaplains: These are qualified professional chaplains, who carry the authorization and certification to practice chaplaincy both in the public and private domains.

Question: In your own assessment and rating, where do you fall into as a chaplain?

Start the journey to become professional today! The professional training is ongoing, join the moving train and avail yourself of the golden opportunity.

Chap. Prof. Mike David

Certified Chaplaincy Educator

14^th May, 2020

Professional Chaplaincy Education Training

Professional Chaplaincy Education Training

Permit me to detail the intricacies and scopes of professional chaplaincy education and training here for the benefit of all and sundry.

1.     This is a well-structured professional chaplaincy training to meet global standard.

2.     This is done through CCPE study programme, taking candidates through studies unit by unit.

3.     Candidates after the completion of each unit of study and examinations will be eligible to seek certification from APCIN the professional chaplaincy body in Nigeria and continent of Africa by extension.

4.     As candidates are undergoing the CCPE study programme, it is also mandatory for them to get their professional practice started under qualified professional supervisors as a certain number of accumulative hours is required in practice for certification.

5.     Certification is usually earned not a gift or honourary award. work hard therefore to earn professional certification to practice chaplaincy professionally in Africa and world over.

Wondering! Are you wondering how, when and where to start the clinical professional practice; I wish to make it categorically clear to all that we of Prodam-j chaplaincy institute will take you all through your course of studies and at the same time guide you through supervised clinical chaplaincy practice. This is what makes us unique and different from others.

To enable you get started, we recommend that each candidate identifies a particular needs in his/her community, calling for attention and for which he/she  has the ability to meet with; notify us in Prodam-j and the necessary guide will be given for the candidate to commence the supervised clinical practice as the studies and training are going on.

Delay is surely dangerous, without evidence of chaplaincy practice over a period of time; certification becomes a mirage.

Let us work now, when the day is bright, for to work in darkness is never palatable. Fire brigade approach is detrimental to sustainable development. God bless you all

Chap. Prof. Mike David

Certified Chaplaincy Educator

15^th May, 2020

Research and Development

Research and Development

Every industry that provide services inform of goods and services to humanity has a place for research and development, especially R &D department establishment. Production and marketing companies do not toil with R&D.

Chaplaincy profession has found herself in the service industry, and like other service industries, Association of Professional Chaplains has come to a realization of the fact that it is high time we establish the R&D department to cater for all research and scholarly activities.

We want to use this medium to appeal to individual professionals who have flair for research works and activities to signify their intentions as they contact Chaplain Mathew, the Publicity Secretary on 08137038682.

Conditions:

1.     Interested individuals must have flair for scientific works and analysis.

2.     Must be prepared to release themselves for the assignment.

3.     Must be willing to champion, conduct and participate in conducting researches alongside with other interdisciplinary professionals.

4.      Must have independent minds and prepare to give independent unbiased reports on research finding and without misrepresentation.

Looking forward to receiving you for the development of our professional association – APCIN.

Chap. Prof. Mike David

Certified Chaplaincy Educator

7^th May, 2020

Intricacies and Scope of Care Provision

Intricacies and Scope of Care Provision

We talk of caring for people in the public domain, without sometimes giving a consideration to the scope and intricacies and complexity of such care provided.

In medical science, a popular slogan is “we care but God cures/heals” setting clear boundary for medical care from the healing power of the Almighty God. Medical professionals enjoy professional mandates to provide care for the physical body of human beings, ensuring the wellness and wholeness of the physical body, cells and organs of their patients.

Sometimes such care extends to psychological care and treatment of people who have psychological problems or have been mentally derailed. However, the care chaplains and spiritual care practioners offer people is intended to cover the followings:-

1.     The care for souls in psychotherapeutic intervention and treatment.

2.     Spiritual care which involves the care of human spirits.

3.     Emotional care which involves the care of people’s feelings and relationships.

4.     Psychospiritual care which is the combination of spiritual and psychological care that takes care of the body, spirit, soul.

This care extends to people whose hearts are troubled, confused or broken by challenges or difficulties they encounter in life. The care also extends to the natural realm where the care of the environment where people find themselves or sojourn becomes important and relevant. This is what is classified as environmental care.

Chaplains are therefore concerned with the total wellness and wholeness of people which is the “wholistic care provision.” What a wonderful profession chaplaincy is!

In conclusion, I want to elaborate on “God heals or cures” of the medical profession. While the slogan is true and a statement of fact, I want let you know that professional chaplains who carry the glory and presence of God brings such ministry of presence and healing to people and their clients.

This is the more reason why professional chaplains must be ordained to enable them remain glory carriers of God bringing the healing presence to their clients in whatever situations they find themselves.

Chap. Prof. David Mike

Certified Chaplaincy Educator

14^th May, 2020

Vision

Vision

Vision which is well understood, serves as power house propelling the visioner. The direction and path chosen by the visioner surely determines the actual destination which may be different from the expected destination.

People who have not bought into a given vision, will exchange the vision with their own and bring the vision to a total ruin.

For a God-given vision to thrive; the visionary leader must pull together some followers who must of necessity learn the rope in discipleship training to become good ambassadors and disciples of the visionary leader in running with such vision and for sustaining the vision.

It is noteworthy that the type of people and followers a visionary leader is able to raise, make, grow or develop determines the kind of future leaders or the kind of leaders being grown for the future.

Disciples should always prove to be worthy ambassadors of visionary leaders.

Chap. Prof. Mike-Jacobs

Certified Chaplaincy Educator

14^th May, 2020

Chaplaincy Profession Providing Enabling Environment for Collaborative Services

Chaplaincy Profession Providing Enabling Environment for Collaborative Services

1.     Interdisciplinary collaborative services.

2.      Collegial collaborative services.

3.     Complimentary collaborative services.

4.     Collaborative clinical care services.

5.     Collaborative psychosocial care services.

Understanding chaplaincy is the key.

Showcasing collaborative care services by professionals in the oil and gas industry:

The oil and gas industry present a good situation and conducive environment for interdisciplinary professional collaboration and collaborative care services. In the industry, we professionals from following known professions world over to offer collaborative services for the welfare of the industry, workforce communities where they operate and the nation’s economy.

a.     Oil and drilling engineers.

b.     Instrument engineers.

c.      Pipeline engineers.

d.     Management experts.

e.     Medical professionals.

f.       Environmental health professionals.

g.     Environmental lawyers.

h.     Accountants such as cost and works accountants, management accountants.

i.        Chaplains and spiritual care professionals where they are employed.

j.       Marketing and distribution professionals.

k.     Oil refinery engineers and experts etc.

NB: These professionals have nothing to do with policing oil pipelines as security agents take responsibility for such. Never you degrade chaplains by seeking to be permitted to use chaplains in policing oil pipelines.

It is insulting for anyone to deploy chaplains who are clergies of their own religions for the policing of oil pipelines. What ministry of presence will such chaplains bring to the pipelines and the oil flowing in them?

The wrong perception of chaplaincy coupled with lack of understanding of who chaplains are make them to be insulted with impunity. Chaplains must also endeavor to resist being used by any chaplaincy leader to destroy their destinies and dignity.

You have now begin to see the effects of inadequate chaplaincy trainings for chaplains. Every profession must be allowed to be led by professionals, for if quacks take up the lead, the profession as well as the members of the profession are doomed and destined for total destruction and extinction.

I challenge chaplaincy community, robust in knowledge and understanding of what chaplaincy is all about to arise from slumber for the rescue and redemption of chaplaincy profession and its professional practice from mischief makers in Nigeria and continent of Africa by extension.

Chap. Prof. David Mike

Certified Chaplaincy Educator

11^th May, 2020

Chaplaincy Practice on Trial in Africa

Chaplaincy Practice on Trial in Africa

1.     Professional chaplaincy and spiritual care provision is on trial in Nigeria and the continent of Africa. What kind of trial?

a.     The trial of acceptability, as the practice is strange and alien to us in Africa.

b.     The profession is being tested by the general public in the same way new drugs and vaccines are tested before they can be certified for use in treating people or combating diseases.

2.     Professional chaplains, spiritual care and psychospiritual care practioners are on trial for their:

a.     Integrity.

b.     Hospitality.

c.      Accommodation.

d.     Tolerance.

e.     Doggedness.

f.       Commitment.

g.     Competence and skills etc.

3.     The professional practioners are on trial or their hospitality is on trial requiring them to demonstrate.

a.     Hospitality cultivating inclusion.

b.     Hospitality cultivating time.

c.      Hospitality cultivating space.

4.     Clinical professional practice and service delivery is on trial in the continent of Africa, to see if the wholistic needs of the people can be met by the practice such as:-

a.     Physical needs.

b.     Psychological needs.

c.      Spiritual needs.

d.     Emotional needs.

e.     Environmental needs.

5.     Various professionals involved in chaplaincy, spiritual care, psychospiritual care are on trial for their:

a.     Sound educational qualification.

b.     Professional training and certification.

c.      Competence and skill in dealing with issues or problems.

As the general public and clients have the right to choose the professional who handles their issues.

In conclusion, I wish to state categorically without any reservation that the corona virus pandemic have come to reveal to us and the people of our society that clinical chaplaincy, spiritual care and psychospiriutal care practice is on trial in Africa.

What then is the way out? The way out of the wood are:

1.     Proper and quality general practice education and training.

2.     Specialized professional education and training.

3.     Specialization to ensure that all areas or fields of chaplaincy are covered in practice.

4.     Continuous professional development (CPD).

5.     Proper professional practice that is beneficial to the general public.

Chap. Prof. Mike-Jacobs

Certified Chaplaincy Educator

5^th May, 2020

Matters Of Professional Concern

Matters Of Professional Concern

The Nigeria Veterinary Society in collaboration with Nigeria Council on Veterinary Affairs are making in road into the federal ministry of health and NCDC for inclusion of their members in combating covid 19 pandemic in Nigeria. Reasons adduced were:

1.     That it has been said that corona virus originated from animals in the animal market in Wuhan China, where wild animals are purchased, slaughtered for human consumption.

2.     That by mutation, the virus jumped into human bodies ravaging the world.

3.     That as professional care providers for animals they can also help in controlling the spread of the virus which is said to originate from animals.

4.     That they have virologists in their profession and association who are also capable of helping to discover a cure or vaccine for the virus.

5.     That they can provide needed care to animals and human beings who keep them as pet and consume these animals by extension – making sure they do not consume contaminated meat.

What a wonderful submission!

If chaplains have missed out in being included in the healthcare professionals combating covid 19 in Nigeria and Africa because of our inability to produce cross-trained healthcare chaplains; should we miss out again in this move?

Where are the animal chaplains, who have been cross-trained to work in collaboration with the Vets in providing the needed care to animals, as well as human beings who keep them as pets and even consume them against contamination and infection?

Why must we wait until we get to the crossroad before we look for what to do? Let us all give professional chaplaincy the push needed. Remain eternally blessed.

Chap. Prof. Mike-Jacobs

Certified Chaplaincy Educator

11^th May 2020

Chaplains are Fast Loosing Respect and Reputation

Chaplains are Fast Loosing Respect and Reputation

Beloved chaplains in Nigeria and Continent of Africa, Shalom!

I want to call your attention to the fact that chaplains in this part of the world are fast loosing respect and reputation in the public. To be precise, I mean, the civil chaplains for the following reasons:-

1.     That chaplains in this part of the world are considered by the public as pack of confused and uncoordinated people without duty posts and offices.

2.     Some people consider them to be untrained set of people without the required education and certification and without sitting for any examination.

3.     Some consider chaplains here to be in slavery as they have no minds of their own, and cannot seek personal development as they must never be more knowledgeable than their commandant generals.

4.     Other interdisciplinary professionals see chaplains in Nigeria seeking to be leaders even though they have been inadequately equipped for leadership positions.

5.     Some interdisciplinary professionals see them still battling with functionality problems, seeking recognition.

What exactly can we do as chaplains to redeem the image, respect and reputation we had earlier enjoyed?

Chap. Prof. Mike-Jacobs

Certified Chaplaincy Educator

10^th May 2020

Analytical Studies and Practices

Analytical Studies and Practices

Beloved chaplains, analysis, analytical studies and practice are not alien to reputable professions and their professionals world over.

In science, there are always analysis made, analytical studies conducted to help bring out new things or discoveries.

There are scientific analysis and studies at all times to aid students in their findings and works.

Professional clergies and clerics also make analysis and analytical studies. They have analytical study Bibles to aid them theologically.

Clinical professionals of whatever field have to make clinical trials, conduct needed before endorsing the use of a method, drugs or vaccines for any treatment.

Professional chaplains and spiritual care practioners in their day to day duties make analysis and some analytical studies to aid them in the spiritual/psychospiritual care-giving of their clients.

Chaplains in clinical practice and service delivery must able to analyze things or issues professionally, making a decision as to what plans of care and treatment to employ, what methodology or whether to do clinical test or not.

Clinical psychotherapeutic test are allowed before final endorsement. This is why chaplaincy is beyond guessing wok or mere talk or show.

Get trained today and run away from disgrace.

Chap. Prof. Mike David

Certified Chaplaincy Educator

10^th May 2020

APCIN

APCIN

As the first professional chaplaincy body and association in the continent of Africa, whose door is wide open to all chaplains who are professionally inclined and are interested in practicing chaplaincy professionally in the military, police, other law enforcement services and public services, has made a choice of area of activity in chaplaincy profession and field.

1.     We have chosen the path of honour, honesty, respect and righteousness expected our member chaplains to tread upon the same path.

2.     We have made a choice of the right concept of chaplaincy to enable us give the right direction and directives to member chaplains.

3.     We have chosen professional chaplaincy practice and service delivery to enable member chaplains practice chaplaincy as done in developed nations of the world.

4.     We have chosen to be committed to personal development and actualization of individual members of our noble association to enhance optima performance.

5.     We are committed to career development and capacity building of member chaplains at all times.

6.     We have chosen to encourage member chaplains to venture into various areas of specialization of their choices in the field of chaplaincy to enable us keep a balance of specialists in the association and chaplaincy profession as well.

7.     We have chosen to encourage member chaplains to aspire for higher education to make them qualify for higher responsibilities and research works.

8.     We have chosen to remain distinctly different from others and never to align ourselves with mischief makers.

9.     We have chosen to always celebrate originality, creativity and ingenuity of member chaplains.

10.                        We have chosen to prepare member chaplains for multifaith, inter-religious, multi-directional and multi-dimensional chaplaincy services, brining ministry of presence to their various clients in the discharge of their duties.

We are readily available and at your service.

Chap. Prof. Mike David

APCIN’s President-General

Certified Chaplaincy Educator

10^th May 2020

Yet to Come to Terms of Realities

Yet to Come to Terms of Realities

Many chaplains in Nigeria and continent of Africa, are yet to come to terms with realities on the ground such are:-

1.     Defective chaplaincy training hinders them from providing clinical practice.

2.     Lack of professional chaplaincy education make them incompetent, making them to go into hibernation.

3.     Adequate professional training and education brings about personal development of chaplains which makes them ready for clinical professional practice and service delivery.

4.     Clinical practice requires skills and competence on the professional practioners which can only be achieved through rigorous professional training.

5.     Robust knowledge of chaplaincy profession and practice is unavoidable in professional development of any kind.

6.     Professional chaplaincy practice is an evidence based clinical supervised practice which is scientific in nature and scope thus requiring training and retraining of practioners from time to time.

7.     Professional chaplaincy is beyond guess work or imagination. It is actual clinical practice which can be learned.

In conclusion, beloved chaplains, spiritual caregivers and psychospiritual care providers, professionalizing chaplaincy is not mere talk or wishful thinking; it involves a lot of hard work and training.

Avail yourself of the opportunity of the ongoing professional chaplaincy training and education online as you register your interest with the publicity secretary – 08137038682.

Chap. Prof. David Mike-Jacobs

Certified Chaplaincy Educator

6^th May, 2020

Clinical Chaplaincy Practice on Trial

Clinical Chaplaincy Practice on Trial

Beloved chaplains, spiritual care/psychospiritual care professionals, Shalom!

I want to let you come to the understanding that clinical chaplaincy, spiritual care and psycho-spiritual care is on trial in Nigeria and the continent of Africa. Of a truth, before this new era of chaplaincy, clinical practice and service delivery was strange to us in Nigeria and the continent of Africa, as actual chaplaincy practice is substituted for physical education, matching and parade drills.

Now that reality is dawn on us, the new dimension of chaplaincy is called “Transforming Chaplaincy” which places premium on clinical professional chaplaincy practice incorporating spiritual care and pyscho-spiritual care in practice.

This clinical practice is therefore on trial in Nigeria and the continent of Africa, I call upon you all chaplains to embrace clinical professional chaplaincy practice now, for future development and relevance.

Interested chaplains who desire to be trained to be specialists in their chosen field of chaplaincy should contact:

Contact: Chap. Mathew Ngobua, Publicity Secretary on 08137038682 or

Chap. Joy on 08035092416. God bless you all.

Chaplaincy and Psycho-spiritual Care Practice

Chaplaincy and Psycho-spiritual Care Practice

Beloved chaplains, greetings; Professional chaplaincy and psychospiritual care practice and service delivery is both nature centered, in the sense that it is:-

a.     Human centered.

b.     Animal centered.

c.      Inanimate centered.

d.     Environmental centered.

Because of the above points, professionals must learn to develop and cultivate positive relationship with nature. Chaplaincy is all about building relationship. People have passion for different things, because we are not equally talented nor endowed with same temperament. Because of the above reasons, people behave differently in any given situation, and react to things differently.

As professionals who understand human beings and animals to some extent or degree and opt to offer services to both human beings and animals, we must of necessity avail ourselves with the knowledge of behavioural science.

As professional care and service providers, we are expected to begin with identifying the felt needs of the people in various communities of our society and nation, make ourselves ready to meet with such felt needs.

We should also endeavor to discover the area of gifting or giftedness of people, allowing them to function therein for best and optimal results. People’s attitude help to shapen their behavioural and they should be allowed and with professionals at hand to help in guiding them and working with people to effect a necessary change in people’s behaviours.

Professional chaplains, spiritual care and psychospiritual care practioners can learn to become behavioural therapists. Chaplaincy is scientific in nature and scope. Professional practioners who will not have anything to do with science is not qualified to engage in clinical chaplaincy and spiritual care practice.

Chap. Prof. David Mike

Certified Chaplaincy Educator

5^th May, 2020

Chaplaincy Practice on Trial

Chaplaincy Practice on Trial

Beloved Chaplains, Greetings:

I want to say here that the importance of environment and surrounding in which we sojourn can never be overemphasized. Other interdisciplinary professions have grown environmental professionals such as:-

a.     Legal profession have grown environmental lawyers specializing in offering environmental services in our nation, Nigeria.

b.     Healthcare professionals have grown healthcare providers offering healthcare services as environmental health professionals.

In developed nations of the world, there are environmental chaplains who sometimes called ECO-chaplains offering specialized services on environmental issues.

In Nigeria and the continent of Africa, however, chaplaincy is on trial as we are yet to grow and develop professional chaplains who will even offer general chaplaincy services, talkless of the specialized services. Chaplaincy is on trial.

Here is good news for you chaplains, interested chaplains who desire to be trained to offer beneficial chaplaincy both in the general level or specialized level in collaboration with other professionals can now have their dreams come through.

Contact: Chap. Mathew Ngobua, Publicity Secretary on 08137038682 or

Chap. Joy on 08035092416. God bless you all.