2021AD Conference in Celebration of

World Chaplaincy/Spiritual Care Week Celebration @

Ibadan, Oyo State

On 29^th October 2021AD

Conference Topic: The Need For Research in Chaplaincy Practice

Introduction:

Research work and engagement by chaplains in chaplaincy profession and practice is indispensable and is what cannot be overlooked, downplayed or toil with. The daily life we live is filled with research, without it, we cannot be where we are today.

For instance, through research you know the food that is sweet, you know the food you love, you know what is best suited for you, where to live, whom to marry, associations to keep, where to go or not go. Research is irreplaceable and absolutely necessary in life and existence.

If research is this important in our day-to-day living, is it in a profession which is part of our lives it will not be important? If No, is the answer, let’s consider these questions:

1.     Why are we not keen about research in chaplaincy practice in this part of the world – Africa and especially, in Nigeria?

2.     Why do we not like to engage in chaplaincy research to help develop this noble profession?

No marketer will come out to the public without carrying out necessary research, if not, his/her next name will be capital “FAILURE.”

3.     Why do we prefer to copy the research of people from other continents different from our cultures, ethnicity, beliefs, orientations etc. to impose them on our people?

4.     How effective do you think this will be in proving the effectiveness and efficacy of chaplaincy care and services which are emotional care, spiritual care, mental health care, psychospiritual care and otherwise?

5.     What will you offer us as counsel or suggestion that will help change chaplains in Nigeria focus and understanding of chaplaincy as a profession to enable them engage in chaplaincy research activities?

Definition: Research is the systematic investigation into the study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusion. It is also systematic investigation into stories, events, situations, happenings etc, in order to establish facts, have a better understanding and how to bring about the needed change or added value and meaning.

Internationally, our colleagues have done many research findings to validate the effectiveness and efficacy of chaplaincy care and service to people with various health challenges.

We should not just copy them and impose them on our people, we need to conduct our own researches to validate or refute what their findings are and as well improve our standards of professional chaplaincy practice in this part of the world in order to be proud to be called “practicing professional chaplains” before them.

Why We Need Research in Chaplaincy Practice and Service Delivery?

1.     To prove the effectiveness and efficacy of chaplaincy practice, care and service delivery.

2.     Research will help us to know the most felt needs of our CRs and how to deliver quality care and services to CRs – how to deliver spiritual care effectively with positive outcomes.

3.       Research can find answers to things that are unknown, filling gaps in the knowledge and changing the way that professional chaplains works.

4.     Research bring about discovery that brings improvement which brings needed change that aid growth and development in chaplaincy profession.

5.     Research helps us to prove our worth and chaplaincy benefits to collaborative professional teams (IPT) for respect and acceptance, even to the CRs, their families, the public and the government.

6.     Research builds us and equip us the more for better chaplaincy knowledge, practice and effectiveness.

7.     Research makes us to be engendered to the public, organizations and the government thereby giving the opportunity of recognition we have been clamoring for decades.

8.     Research helps us on how to use existing methods of care, assessment tools, interventions and treatment models in the best possible ways and also helps us in discovering new assessment tools, interventions and treatment models available and effective for quality care and service delivery.

9.     Research will bring overall development to chaplaincy profession and sustain its existence beyond us and for many generations.

10.                        Research will assist us to leave behind us a legacy for emerging and generation yet unborn to enable them practice chaplaincy with ease.

11.                        Research helps us to identify what is needed in chaplaincy profession, practice and service delivery for improvement and advancement.

12.                        Research legitimize our efforts in the care of CRs and staff.

13.                        Research makes management of the organization where chaplains serves to approve their proposals.

14.                        Research certifies our purpose such as what we are trying to accomplish, how we will know it can help, and how we can improve.

15.                        Research helps us to measure successes and quality care outcomes.

Questions for Discussion:

1.     What type of chaplain would you suggest to be involved in chaplaincy research and why?

2.     What would you suggest would be chaplains’ qualification for engaging in chaplaincy research and why?

3.     How would we have a good research team for chaplaincy practice in Nigeria and continent of Africa?

Word from the Bible: Luke 3:11 – Without research, you won’t know what you need to have or you have in other to share or impart to others, without research, you won’t know who is actually in need of that which you have and the right time to share to meet the need of the moment.

With all these today, I believe you agree with me that research is indispensable in professional chaplaincy practice and service delivery. God will help us!

Finally, which way forward chaplains in Nigeria, which way forward chaplains in Africa? Shall we continue in wearing uniform and ranks, matching and parading for fame and vain glory to continue while many people around us are dying in silence under their burdens posed to them by difficulties and challenges of life and various crisis because there is no one to help strengthen their emotional, mental and spiritual coping capacity and resolve their emotional and spiritual crisis. God have mercy on us!

Let any chaplain that have ears, hear this clarion call, “Come over to the road of Dark Sea Journey of Life and help us,” cries the suffering world and population.

Who will the Lord send? Who is trained, equipped and prepared to go? Who is ready and available?

May the good Lord open your eyes to see this wounded population and your ears to hear their emotional and spiritual cries?

It is an urgent call that require urgent answer and attention, God bless you as you answer this clarion call today! Thank you all.

Chap. Dr. Joy David-Mike SCC, CPC.

+23480 3509 2416; WhatsApp: 0909198144

Email: uchejoyjp@gmail.com