Webinar Discussion to Mark 2021AD Chaplaincy/Spiritual Care Week Celebration

On 27^th Oct., 2021 AD

Time: 8.00pm

Topic: The Primary Duties and Responsibilities of Chaplain in Providing Spiritual Care to Care-recipients

Welcome: Thank you every one is nice been here, I thank God for this wonderful opportunity this year in doing something unique during this weeklong celebration which is in line with what our colleagues are doing in the developed nations.

I thank God for the life of our able President-General (Chap. Prof. David Mike-Jacobs) for his effort to put this gathering in place, also for every one of us who made this a reality God bless you all, and to our able anchor and presenter Chap. Olugbenga Olukosi, kudos to you and more grace to continue in greater height.

As the topic of the discussion says, “The primary duties and responsibilities of chaplains in providing spiritual care to Care-recipients,” permit me to start with the word “Primary” which kept me thinking since the topic was given, so we can have a good grip of the word which will enable us to understand our duties and responsibilities better and makes us eager to offer them better and effectively.

Primary, for the purpose of this topic of discussion is what I consider as:

1.     Something of first rank, importance or value.

2.     What is direct or immediate rather than secondhand.

3.     Something that is not derived from another thing or reducible to something else.

4.     Something which is the basic, the very first and indispensable.

5.     Something that is first in order of time or development or in intention, primitive (crude, raw, organic), fundamental and original.

6.     First in order, as being preparatory to something higher (primary education).

7.     First in dignity or importance, chief, principal and a matter of primary importance.

Looking at the definitions of primary, you will understand that they have answered the question or solve the issue of chaplains’ primary duties and responsibilities.

The primary duties and responsibilities of chaplains in providing spiritual care to CRs means the very first care and services a chaplain can offer to CRs at the first contact and even after, in providing spiritual care to them. Though, these care and services may vary depending on the situation or case of each CR.

Because of time, let me merge these words together, “Duty and Responsibility” as chaplains’ mandates in providing spiritual care to CRs, though responsibility goes a little deeper with an obligation attached to one’s deed: that is being responsible, accountable or answerable for whatever one does in line of carrying our his/her legitimate duty or responsibility.

This is because of the trust reposed in us (chaplains) by people we care for and serve by giving themselves, life issues and releasing their live secretes on trust, which must be respected and protected at all times. Also it is the chaplains’ responsibility to research to discover what is the most felt needs of the CRs and search for a way of meeting such needs with the knowledge of being accountable for the outcome whether positive or negative.

If this is the case, then chaplains who must offer spiritual care to CRs must be well trained, tutored, and certified to be eligible to carry out such duties and also must be bold to make deliberate choices knowing fully well they have made deliberate preparations as professionals whatever may be the outcome.

With this you can believe with me that professional chaplaincy practice is not for all comers, quacks and paras. Professionals’ accountability of their actions is what differentiate them from the paras and quacks who can easily be thrown off-balance when problem arises.

Coming to the topic of this discussion, here is my humble submission of chaplains’ primary duties and responsibilities in providing spiritual care to CRs:

1.     Making Intentional Friendship: To identify with CRs to arouse the desire to see a chaplain and to establish cordial relationship of trust with the CRs which will aid meaningful spiritual care provision.

2.     Making Intentional Presence: This may be short at first contact but longer in subsequent visits when journeying with the CRs in their darkest moment of life or “Dark Night of the Soul” or a “Night Sea Journey.” This is known as chaplain’s ministry of “BE” and “BEING,” and it also may involve chaplains’ ministry of words and silence.

3.     Intentional Listening Presence: This is listening with the presence of “Being” which encourages CRs to be free to share their stories, pains, griefs, thoughts etc, without reserve, this help CRs relieve their burdens and pains, knowing fully well that there is someone who is available for them, not in a haste to listen to them without judging them in whatever way.

4.     Active Attentive Listening: This goes beyond just listening but being engaged with the CRs actively in what they are saying, listening attentively to hear and understand their intents, fears, feelings, pains and even joys, body languages, etc. this will enable chaplains to have a good grip of what CRs are passing through, discover their most felt needs and what is the suitable intervention or care in meeting those needs.

5.     Wholeness: To help CRs in attaining wholeness in whatever situations they may be for healing and recovery to take place.

6.     Nurturing Connectivity: Helping CRs to connect rightly with self, others, nature and God in order to attain the needed wholeness.

These care and services are unique, special and exclusive reserve for trained professional chaplains which other care providers in any given profession cannot offer. These are what make us unique, special, spontaneous and cherished among CRs, IDTs, IPTs and the public at large.

Let’s endeavor to rise up to this unique task with its attendant challenges, for the sky is our stepping stone. Let’s go up there, let’s fly, soar through professional chaplaincy practice and announce to the suffering world “Behold, Comfort, Hope, and Healing is Possible Attainable.”

Thank you and God bless you all.

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

+23480 3509 2416; Email: uchejoyjp@gmail.com