The High Need of Counsel and Counselors in the Society

 

The High Need of Counsel and Counselors in the Society

 

“Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors, there is safety – Prov. 11:14.” This is biblical saying, yet it is factual.

 

Our nation Nigeria, has a population of about 200 million people and by extension, the continent of Africa has a population of about 800 million people.

 

Conversatively, if 10% of the population in Nigeria and continent of Africa are professional chaplain-counselors, we will have 200 million chaplain-counselors to attend to people of the nation Nigeria and 800 million in the continent of Africa at large.

 

On the average, there are 100 million people for a single chaplain-counselor to attend to. This gives us an indication of how badly chaplain-counselors are required in Nigeria and the continent of Africa.

 

There is a cry on daily basis that there are no government jobs and employment for people in developing nations such as we have in Africa, but must everybody be employed by government? Are there no opportunities for people to become employers of labour?

 

Here we offer the public an opportunity in Prodam-J Chaplaincy Concept and Institute to be trained to become professional chaplain-counselors to attend to our teaming population in Nigeria and continent of Africa.

 

Of a truth we have people graduating from universities and other higher institutions with degrees in guidance and counseling with no boldness to set up professional counseling centers and outfits, because they lack the needed professional, skills and competence to practice, they usually end up in the classroom.

 

Prodam-J is prepared to offer you this needed entrepreneurship, training and professional development that will make you to become certified professional counselors.

 

Every well trained and equipped professional chaplains are counselors but not all counselors are suitable to become chaplains, unless they are trained in chaplaincy profession.

 

When legal counsel is required, people go for lawyers, when other counsels are needed people should have professional counselors or chaplain-counselors to go to.

 

Where in our societies, nation, in the continent of Africa can we find such professionals and how many are they?

 

I need to let you know here that we have many kinds of counselors in developed nations of the world, and we also are in dare need of them in Nigeria and continent of Africa; so that we will not have leave the stage for untrained, unqualified and uncertified counselors who presently expose people’s lives to danger instead of providing needed safety for them. We are in dare need of the following professional and certified counselors:

 

1.    Family counselors.

2.   Addiction counselors.

3.   Children counselors.

4.   Adolescent and youth counselors.

5.   Marriage counselors.

6.   Relationship counselors.

7.   Elderly/aged people counselors etc

 

To offer needed assistance and professional counseling services to them in their categories to navigate through the difficulties and challenges of life without being destroyed and help them resilient through crisis and disastrous situation.

 

What are you waiting for, come for the needed training to be of beneficial service to people in your community and the nation at large.

 

Chap. Prof. Mike-David

Certified Chaplaincy Educator

3^rd Aug, 2020

Globally Accepted and Endorsed Chaplaincy Education

 

Globally Accepted and Endorsed Chaplaincy Education

 

1.   Secular Education: minimum of O’ Level guarantees placement for people and those who have a calling into chaplaincy at any standard and recognized seminary.

2.   Seminary Education: those called into chaplaincy take up theological studies or Divinity to graduate or post-graduate level with chaplaincy concentration.

3.   CPE or CCPE Training: This is the professional training for clergies who want to make chaplaincy their choice profession. During the seminary training, candidates are expected to obtain one or two Units of CPE (CCPE in Africa) by intern which is part of professional chaplaincy education programme.

4.   Residency: Candidates can also do their Units of CPE or CCPE through residency programme at centers accredited by the professional chaplaincy association or body. This is a supervised chaplaincy practice training under qualified Board Certified Chaplain as the supervisor/educators.

5.   For the remaining 2 Units: Candidates are expected to have obtained Masters or Doctoral Degrees in theology or divinity in a recognized seminary. However, for Board Certified chaplains, they are expected to have doctoral degree.

6.   For Certification: Certification responsibilities are vested in the professional chaplaincy bodies of which APCIN is one in Nigeria and by extension the continent of Africa.

 

NB: Those who are authorized to offer CPE (CCPE for Africans) are qualified and recognized seminaries; chaplaincy outfits, organizations and associations are not usually granted authorization to run CPE/CCPE study programmes.

 

Situation in the Continent of Africa and the Way Out: Prodam-J Chaplaincy Concept and Institute in collaboration with The Open Christian Theological Seminary of close to 3 decades theological training experience to conduct CCPE study programme for candidates, making them to be eligible to earn the needed CCPE units for certification.

 

Our situation is very unique and special in the continent of Africa as there is no there is no theological seminary that offer or condct professional chaplaincy training for chaplains, apart from The Open Christian Theological Seminary in collaboration with Prodam-J Chaplaincy Concept and Institute. This is because professional chaplaincy education and training is new and strange to us in this part of the world.  

 

Special Warning: Professional chaplaincy education and training is not just another training and education programme for chaplains to earn another academic degrees and honours but rather a practical development of professional chaplains and practioners for practical application of knowledge and skills acquired in training for the benefit of their various clients and the society at large.

 

It is also for the advancement of chaplaincy profession as well as actualization of the professionals themselves.

Chap. Prof. Mike-Jacobs

Certified Chaplaincy Educator

3^rd June, 2020

Chaplaincy Practice Service Culture

 

Chaplaincy Practice Service Culture

 

Chaplaincy is a service industry, where the professional chaplains offer needed services to people in need of such through professional practice and service delivery.

In maintaining chaplaincy practice service culture, all chaplains must endeavor to have what we call duty post or practice base from where they can legitimately offer various care and services they have the capacity to offer to the general public both in private and public domain.

 

With this understanding, all chaplains are encouraged to endeavor to begin to practice professional chaplaincy as no one can be called a chaplain if he/she is not practicing, neither is he/she retired from active practice.

 

People in the public are beginning to ask chaplains for their practice base and duty post(s) and they have the right to do so. It is obligatory for us chaplains, to ensure that the chaplaincy practice service culture is upheld for the needed sustainability. 

Chap. Prof. David Mike

Certified Chaplaincy Educator

30^th Sept. 2020

Recognition and Acceptance of Other Association’s Certification in APCIN

 

Recognition and Acceptance of Other Association’s Certification in APCIN

 

In academic and professional circles, recognition and acceptance of other professional association’s conferment or certification, is not automatic as there are procedures for harmonizing the content and quality of studies that makes one eligible for such awards.

 

Without any form of bias and prejudice, APCIN will not grant automatic recognition to any other professional bodies’ conferment or certification without following the following procedures:

 

1.   There must be first and foremost a working relationship with APCIN by such professional body.

2.   There must be an in-depth consideration for the course contents.

3.   A critical analysis of the structure of certification of such association will be made.

4.   The level at which certifications are given will also be thoroughly be scrutinized by APCIN.

5.    The status of educators in other associations must be known.

6.   APCIN does not accept completion of a course of study as a certification as an educator.

7.   The course for chaplaincy educators is a specialist course which is done after board certification.

8.   APCIN is involved in chaplaincy studies that covers every aspect of human endeavours and not limited to in any way to any particular sector or aspect.

 

The chaplaincy embraced by APCIN covers the physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual, environmental and social aspect of human life, so our standard in APCIN about chaplaincy education and certification remains uncompromisable, Diplomate of any sort is unknown to us in professional chaplaincy education.

 

Standards established should be uphold and protected.

 

Chap. Prof. David Mike

Certified Chaplaincy Educator

1^st May, 2020

Purpose Chaplaincy came into Being to Fulfill

 

Purpose Chaplaincy came into Being to Fulfill

 

After a thorough analytical study of what transpired between the legendary founder of chaplaincy and the Master Chaplain; the following differences can be drawn as to what the purpose of chaplaincy is.

 

1.   Showcasing the love of God for humanity without discrimination.

2.   Demonstrating empathy for all and sundry.

3.   Showcasing shared love with other humans.

4.   Showcasing how to care for people irrespective of their beliefs, religions, culture ethnicity etc.

5.   Demonstrating the interfaith ministry of chaplaincy.

6.   Demonstrating the kind of support, assistance and ministry of presence for the abandoned, traumatized, hopeless, distressed individuals.

7.   Showcasing how to make life better and meaningful for others.

8.   Showcasing the universality of chaplaincy in solving problems.

9.   Showcasing one’s availability to offer needed services, care and help in the service of God through humanity.

 

In conclusion, we have been called unto chaplaincy or we have found ourselves in chaplaincy, let us all fulfill the purpose for which we are called.

 

NB: Critical analysis of the episode; summarizing the legendary founder of chaplaincy according to history has nothing to show that Martins of Tout was on a mission or evangelistic crusade as a pagan Roman Solider, neither was he aware of what he was doing to a fellow human who was in dire need of assistance on that fateful snowing day but he was moved by compassion and empathy to share the only thing he has – his cape.

 

However, the Master Chaplain who was behind the scene was aware of what He wanted to institute which is “Chaplaincy.” The humans and the entire universe belong to the Almighty God, all creatures in the heavenlies as well as on the earth and beneath the earth.

 

The nature and the environment given to humanity by this same God, belong to Him. The desire of God for us all is to continue living together in peaceful co-existence. Consider how God made this possible during Noah’s age and flooding and all creatures were in the Ark without constituting danger to one another.

 

The same spirit of God which was so much upon them at that time is what chaplains are expected to have and carry now to usher peaceful co-existence to all and sundry.

 

I also want to remind all my readers that chaplains especially practicing professional chaplains are not to proselytize or take one’s religious belief to their clients. No wonder, chaplains are required to offer multifaith, interfaith and interreligious chaplaincy services. What a wonderful profession chaplaincy is!

 

Always remember that chaplaincy does not take any chaplain away from practicing his/her religious faith and belief nor make you to become a member of a particular religion of your client before you serve such client.

 

With this write up, I believe that every ambiguity about practicing chaplaincy is cleared. May God richly bless you all.

 

Chap. Prof. David Mike-Jacobs

Certified Chaplaincy Educator

17^th May, AD2020

 

Beyond the Altar

 

Beyond the Altar

 

Professional chaplaincy practice and service delivery has gone beyond the altar, or pastoral care and religious services; it has actually become evidence clinical professional practice and service delivery which has incorporated into the practice the followings:-

 

1.   Psychological care and services.

2.   Mental health care and services.

3.   Spiritual care and services.

4.   Psychosocial care and services.

5.   Psycospiritual care and services.

6.   Nature care and services.

7.   Animal care and services.

8.   Environmental care and services.

 

All these cares are incorporated in chaplaincy practice to ensure that wholistic care is made available for the total person.

 

Professional chaplaincy practice has gone beyond a particular congregation, denomination or any particular religious sect; it has become an interfaith, interreligious and multireligious practice and service delivery in a pularistic setting.

 

Professional chaplaincy practice and service delivery has become what has to be taken to all sectors of the economy and all facets of life to ensure adequate care and services are provided for the public.

 

Chap. Prof. David Mike

Certified Chaplaincy Educator

6^th Oct, AD2020

Lack of Professional Mentality

 

Lack of Professional Mentality

 

1.   Lack of professional mentality has been traced to the state in which chaplaincy find itself in Nigeria and continent of Africa.

2.   Lack of professional chaplaincy training and education has also resulted in the unhealthy development and growth of chaplaincy in Africa.

3.   Lack of professional orientation has helped in stagnating chaplaincy practice in Africa.

 

Beloved chaplains,

 

1.   What is your opinion is professional mentality?

2.   How has it affected the development of chaplains in Nigeria and continent of Africa?

3.   What is the way out?

4.   How best can professional mentality be inculcated into chaplains in this part of the world?

5.   What responsibilities do we owe the generation yet unborn?

 

NB: Any other suggestions or recommendations?

 

What we Stand for

 

We stand for robust professional mentality , robust professional chaplaincy practice, effective service delivery at all times.

 

We stand for chaplaincy scholarship, robust chaplaincy education, evidence based clinical practice and best chaplaincy practices in all situations.

 

We stand for high moral standards, high integrity, sincerity of purpose, honesty in dealing with all humans in the discharge of our professional duties.

 

We stand for high level of competence, highest form of skills and tact on the part of professional chaplains in the discharge of their professional duties.

Chap. Prof. David Mike

Certified Chaplaincy Educator

11^th Oct, AD2020

Professional Mentality

 Professional Mentality

 

What has been missing in chaplaincy profession in Nigeria and continent of Africa by extension is what I called and classify as “professional mentality.”

 

Professional mentality has been conspicuously absent and lacking in chaplaincy trainings and orientations. Chaplains were made to believe for years that this was so because they were designed to offer humanitarian services to the public.

 

This claim is not only false, but also misleading and mischievous as such claims demonstrate the level of ignorance on the part of chaplaincy leadership in the past years.

 

Lack of professional mentality has actually been discovered to be the bane of profitable development of chaplaincy in this part of the world. Of a truth, chaplaincy profession is contended amongst professionals that are classified as service industry professions or help professions such as legal profession, medical profession, radiographic professionals, accountancy profession etc.

 

For example

 

1.   Medical doctors usually refer to radiographic centers or departments for diagnostic examinations which will help confirm the diagnosis made by medical doctors. The radiographic practioners offer their professional services in support of medical professionals’ services. The professional mentality of radiographers makes this assessment possible.

 

2.   Medical doctors also do make referrals to medical science laboratory professionals, patients who require laboratory diagnosis to assist medical practioners in confirming medical diagnosis for treatment and care of their patients.This is also professional mentality because of the mentality inculcated in medical laboratory services.

 

Chaplains must of necessity shun wrong orientations, embrace and develop professional mentality to enable them take their rightful places in the scheme of things. God bless you all!

 

Chap. Prof. David Mike-Jacobs

Certified Chaplaincy Educator

3^rd Oct, AD2020