Chaplaincy Profession and The Vine Tree, An Analogical Study

I wish to define chaplaincy as a calling, vocation and occupation, a profession that provides needed care and services to all people through her branches regardless of status, gender, beliefs, sexual orientation etc. through branches, specialized areas and specialty settings.

In the like manner, the vine which is a climbing plant, climbs with all its branches rooted in it and serves all people through its branches – which bear fruits.

All the branches of the vine are deeply rooted in the vine and depends on the sustainable life of the vine just as the branches of chaplaincy called specialties or areas of specializations are deep rooted in chaplaincy profession also depending on her for sustainable functioning and effectiveness.

No wonder our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ did compare Himself with the vine tree when He said “I am the Vine, you are the branches.”

This is a very loaded statement and from the owner of life Himself in whom all branches are rooted for sustainable life and existence.

Just as we owe whatever we do to Him, His grace and mercy, the branches of the vine tree owe whatever services they render to humanity to the vine tree; just in the same ways all chaplaincy branches and specialties which took root in chaplaincy owe whatever they do and offer humanity to chaplaincy profession.

All these known specialties are outcome of researches targeted to improving what had been in operation before, which chaplaincy profession through chaplains have been offering humanity.

I am proud to be a professional chaplain first and foremost, clinical psycho-spirituo therapists and others.

Chap. Prof. Mike-Jacobs JP, AP, CPC, BCC

Certified  Chaplaincy Educator & Trainer

12^th Oct. 2021

 

 

Chaplaincy: An Academic Discipline

Chaplaincy is an academic profession and discipline; chaplaincy education is an empirical discipline with real academic work, as both general chaplaincy education and professional chaplaincy education consist of theoretical and practical studies and application.

Chaplaincy has a global acceptance to be an academic discipline and area of study which includes:-

a.     Humanities.

b.     Anthropology.

c.      Theology.

d.     Psychology.

e.     World religion.

f.       Sociology.

A branch of behavioural science.

Chaplaincy can therefore be pursued academically to a logical conclusion. Chaplaincy is learnable and can be practiced professionally.

NB: We are worried about the kind of misrepresentation and mispresentations some untrained chaplains from Nigeria and the continent of Africa had made to counterpart chaplains at the international front that there are no academic chaplains in Nigeria and continent of Africa, it is high time this misrepresentation is stopped and put to an end.

I have no doubts in my mind that the crops of professional we at Prodam-J Chaplaincy Institute and Association of Professional Chaplains Inc. have presently produced and grown through actual and rigorous academic chaplaincy education will be able to correct any kind of misgiving as far as chaplaincy is concerned in Nigeria, the continent of Africa and beyond.

 Let all certified professional chaplains we have presently arise from slumber and inaction to prove to the public at this point in time that they a very much around and alive “The Elite Educated Academic Chaplains.” God bless you all.

Are you interested in professional chaplaincy training to prove that chaplaincy is an academic discipline worthy of studying and practicing, Register with Prodam-J Chaplaincy Institute - Call 08033072375; 07055287861 or WhatsApp – 09091981944

Chap. David Mike-Jacobs CPC, CPST.

Certified Chaplaincy Educator and Professor of Anthropology

26^th Feb, AD2022

 

 

 

Chaplaincy Africa

Chaplaincy Africa is a vision and work that focuses on providing the right concept of chaplaincy for the continent and people of Africa. It is also called chaplaincy Afrique which has Africa as her center part in action, activities and action plan to cover the entire continent of Africa.

Chaplaincy Afrique Objectives:

1.     Knowing fully well that chaplaincy profession is global concern and matters, the first objective of chaplaincy Afrique is to bring about the needed domestication that it requires.

2.     To establish professional chaplaincy practices in the continent of Africa as obtainable in Europe and America.

3.     To bring beneficial chaplaincy service delivery people of Africa.

4.     To encourage every African nations and national governments to domesticate chaplaincy practice and service delivery in their areas of jurisdiction and governance.

5.     To help and concerprate to develop manpower or human resources in the form of professional chaplains for Africa.

6.     Encouraging all chaplains to imbibe professional chaplaincy education and training.

7.     To make continuous professional development mandatory for all practicing professional chaplains.

8.     To promote supervised clinical evidence base practice and make it mandatory for all professional chaplains.

9.     To champion wholeness champonsis to make people and government come to the appreciation of professional chaplaincy and practices.

10.                        To make chaplaincy information available in different languages in Africa.

Action Plan: This action plan of chaplaincy Afrique is to scout for people who desire to see professional chaplaincy take root in the continent of Africa and encourage chaplains for professional training and professional chaplaincy practice to enable them have at least five of such chaplaincy each year in every country in Africa.

Over the period of years, we are trying to have helped produce 510 professionally trained chaplains in each African country. We are anticipating to have helped grow 2500 of such chaplains in ten years – by year 2031, in the continent of Africa.

Goals: Chaplaincy Afrique goal for the implementation of the action plans are as follows:-

1.     Taking professional chaplaincy on mission to the 510 nations or countries in the continent of Africa.

2.     Taking professional chaplaincy training to all countries in Africa.

3.     Encourage digital bank  in the continent of Africa to reduce cost of training to the good people of Africa.

4.     To organize conferences seminars and symposia at intervals especially in designated countries who have the needed facilities and manpower to host such.

5.     Conducting digital or online seminars on regular basis to expose the good people of Africa to the right concept of chaplaincy.

6.     To mount advocacies to create awareness in the general public in every nation and country in the continent of Africa.

7.     Making presentations to ECOWAS and African Union officers for consideration for domestication of chaplaincy which is a global phenomenon and concern in various countries in the continent of Africa.

We are calling on all interested chaplains and people to register their interest by contacting Prof. Mike on whatsapp and telegram – 09091981944; or call – 08033072375.

Chaplaincy Afrique is a project and action plan for needed implementation. The people of the continent of Africa has been waiting for the right chaplaincy concept and practice for many decades.

Let us all arise to bring professional chaplaincy and its benefits for the people of Africa. Let us therefore keep the flag of chaplaincy Afrique flying high. It is a known fact that the continent of Africa have a population of 1 billion people and 800 million xxx requiring adequate provision of proper chaplaincy practice and service delivery.

It is our duty to bring professional chaplaincy to the continent of Africa.

Chap. Prof. David Mike-Jacobs JP, AP, CPC, CPST, BCC.

Certified Chaplaincy Educator & Trainer, Certified Pscyhospiritual Therapist.

10^th Oct 2021

 

 

Faster and Better Ways

Introduction: There are so many ways at our disposal to carry out our individual assignments, tasks and special missions on the planet earth. Some of the ways are pretty crude, some are faster and better; however which way becomes our choice depends on our conceptions, understanding, knowledge, education as well as how fast and better we desire the accomplishment to be.

Necessity is said to be the mother of invention, the situation coupled with the demand will also cover our choice.

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to prepare professional chaplaincy practitioners for choices amongst the available options in the discharge of their legitimate duties, based upon their conceptions, knowledge, education and necessity surrounding options or to the individuals who need to make such choice and how fast.

This can be done to the individuals concerned, what is interesting there is that all available options are still operational side by side in the world.

Perception: In like manner, chaplaincy practice and service delivery can be viewed and perceived through three known lenses and spectacles:

1.     Pre-modern lenses and spectacles.

2.     Modern lenses and spectacles.

3.     Post-modern lenses and spectacles.

The beauty of these various spectacles and lenses which chaplaincy can be viewed are in operation side by side with none of them abrogated or outlawed. However the choice of what lenses or spectacles to employ is left for the practicing professional chaplain.

Professional chaplaincy practitioners are expected to be people of their own minds, who are capable of making needed choices and decisions in offering beneficial services to the general public or care recipients.

I need to call your attention to an erroneous concept that post-modern lenses and spectacles are some distance in the future. Please be informed that post-modern lenses and spectacles are in use and operational right now in the present generation.

Your commitment to further development and improvement in chaplaincy practice and service delivery will enable you keep abreast of professional developments and advancements in professional chaplaincy practice and service delivery.

Are you interested in professional chaplaincy training to enable you know and employ these lenses and spectacles in your chaplaincy practice effectively? Call 08033072375; 07055287861 or WhatsApp – 09091981944

Chap. David Mike-Jacobs JP, AP, CPC, CPST, BCC.

Professor of Anthropology, Certified Chaplaincy Educator & Trainer.

21^st March, 2022

 

The Long-lasting Effects of Covid 19 Pandemic on People in the World

It is becoming clearer to all people in the world that we may have to live with corona pandemic devastating effects for much longer than anticipated, as no cure has been found for the popular covid 19 and its various stigma.

Since December year AD2019 when the covid 19 virus surge was discovered in aa city and region of China, it has spread to all nations and parts of the world. Many people in the world are beginning to think of having to live with the pandemic as we are presently living with HIV/AIDS virus.

To cushion the effects of the covid 19 pandemic surge upon the world, professionals, world health organization, World Bank, reginal banks and central banks of nations have been thinking of providing succor to cushion the devastating effects of the pandemic on people world over.

The accounting, financial and economic professionals have been at the fore front of the economic and financial recovery of the entire world. Various governments of nations of the world have been rolling out plans and assistance to their citizens for economic and financial recovery.

Banks and other world organizations are also not left out of this arrangement. What a laudable ideas?

This has been made possible by the advocacies of professionals who have been able to call the attention of various international and national organizations, governments and well to do individuals to the devastating effects of the pandemic surge popularly known as covid 19 and its various stigmas.

However, no matter how laudable the ideas and plans of recovery and implementations, it has been discovered to be one sided or lopsided in scope.

Permit me to remind us of an adage which says; “Health is wealth.” The recovery has been found to have played down on the social aspects of the people of the world or make recovery plans for social recovery of the people.

The recovery was also down played upon the psychological, emotional and mental effects on the people or providing needed psychological, emotional and mental recovery plans for the people.

The spiritual and psycho-spiritual recovery of people has also been found to be down played upon. For wholistic recovery of people in the world to recover positively from the covid 19 pandemic surge, the recovery plan must be wholistic in nature which will incorporate psycho-social-spiritual, emotional, mental aspect of human being.

There is need for the urgent attention of professionals trained in these aspects to help mount the needed advocacy for recovery other than economic and financial recoveries.

“A healthy nation is wealthy nation.”

“Healthy people are wealth people.”

“Healthy world is also a wealthy world.”

The idea and plan of healthy recovery of the people from the devastating effects of covid 19 is a welcome development.

Clarion Call: Consider this as a clarion call for psycho-social professionals, psychospiritual professionals, clinical psychologist, mental health professionals, spiritual care specialists, professional chaplains to arise and help roll out plans for recovery of people psychologically, socially, mentally, spiritually and emotionally to enable them enjoy the cushion effects rolled out by various world organizations and government of nations.

Are you interested in professional chaplaincy training to enable handle your clients’ issues effectively? Call 08033072375; 07055287861 or whatsapp – 09091981944

Chap. David Mike-Jacobs JP, AP, CPC, CPST, BCC.

Professor of Anthropology, Certified Chaplaincy Educator & Trainer.

3^rd Feb. AD2022

 

 

Chaplaincy Education

Just as secular education is used to prepared people as capable workers and manpower offering services to humanity at various levels they occupy in their various societies and workplaces; chaplaincy education in turn also is used to prepare chaplains who are expected to provide adequate and beneficial chaplaincy services to people at various levels they occupy in societies where they work.

Just as there are primary school teachers all over the world, with trainings and qualifications appropriate for the lowest level of human beings, there are also chaplains whose training and educational qualifications cannot take them beyond the people at the low level of human strata; those chaplains are classified as low level manpower and service providers with some limitations, inclusive of:

a.     Lay chaplains.

b.     Chaplains with diploma or diplomate certificates.

c.      Non-professional chaplains who are expected to be under qualified professional chaplains.

Just as there are secondary school teachers with appropriate trainings and qualifications to provide needed teaching and instruction to secondary school students; there are also chaplains who have been prepared and trained to provide services to middle class in the society.

The said teachers may be professionally qualified and registered professional teachers but are limited in exposure and experience which make their services to be limited to the secondary school level of education.

Chaplains who have been prepared to offer services to people of middle class are expected to have from first degree theological education with chaplaincy concentration or masters or doctoral degrees in Divinity with chaplaincy concentration. These chaplains are called middle manpower or workers.

Just as there are professional teachers who by their educational qualifications and trainings are made to offer teaching services to people in tertiary institutions, there are also professional chaplains who by their educational qualifications and trainings as well as professional qualifications, competencies and skills make them suitable for providing chaplaincy services to higher class individuals.

I wish to submit here that only professional chaplains who have undergone professional chaplaincy training and education and have been certified to practice chaplaincy in both public and private domains with some years of experiences are best suited for professional chaplaincy services provision in a higher level.

There are chaplains whose responsibilities and qualifications limited the primary level service provision, while there are some who by their trainings and competencies are limited to the secondary level of service provision while finally, there are those whose trainings, education, specialization and professional competencies make them best suited to provide specialized chaplaincy services at a higher level of chaplaincy service provision.

“All animals are equal but some are more equal than others.”

Are you interested in professional chaplaincy training to enable you offer beneficial chaplaincy care and services, get registered at the prestigious chaplaincy institute – Prodam-J Chaplaincy Institute for adequate and proper professional chaplaincy education and training to make you outstanding among your equals? Call 08033072375; 07055287861 or WhatsApp – 09091981944

Chap. David Mike-Jacobs CPC, CPST, CCET

Professor of Anthropology

6^th Jan, AD2022

 

 

 

 

 Classification and Categorization of Chaplaincy and Chaplains in Nigeria and Continent of Africa and Beyond: A Case Study.

Preamble: This is a scholastic article which its writing is informed by the haphazard kind of classification and categorization, leading to great confusion even amongst chaplains themselves not to talk of the general public and the society at large.

Purpose: The purpose of writing this article is to place at our disposal of all and sundry an academic and scholastic classification and categorization which can stand the test of time and also to enable all chaplains and professional practicing chaplains know what categories they fall into.

The Classification and Categorization: The followings are the authentic classification and categorization from a chaplaincy educator, seasoned professional chaplaincy practitioner and Doyen and pace-setter of professional chaplaincy in Nigeria, continent of Africa and beyond.

1.    Sectoral Classification and Categories

a.    Public sector chaplaincy and corresponding chaplains.

b.    Private sector chaplaincy and corresponding chaplains.

c.    Voluntary sector chaplaincy and corresponding chaplains.

2.    Structural Classification and Categories

a.    Military chaplaincy and corresponding military chaplains.

b.    None military chaplaincy and corresponding none military chaplains, sometimes known as ‘Civil Chaplains.’

c.    Paramilitary chaplaincy and corresponding paramilitary chaplains (Law enforcement chaplaincy and chaplains).

3.    Functional Classification and Categorization

a.    Health care chaplaincy and corresponding healthcare chaplains.

b.    Hospice chaplaincy and corresponding hospice chaplains.

c.    Palliative care chaplaincy and corresponding palliative care chaplains.

d.    Mental health care chaplaincy and corresponding mental health chaplains.

e.    Family chaplaincy and corresponding family chaplains.

f.     Education chaplaincy and corresponding education chaplains.

g.   Paediatric chaplaincy and corresponding paediatric chaplains etc.

4.    Positional Classification and Categorization

a.    Hospital chaplaincy and corresponding hospital chaplains.

b.    Prison and correctional facilities chaplaincy and corresponding prison chaplains or correctional chaplains.

c.    School chaplaincy and corresponding school chaplains.

d.    University/College chaplaincy and corresponding university/College chaplains.

5.    Incidental, Emergency and Disaster Classification and Categorization

a.    Critical incident chaplaincy and corresponding chaplains.

b.    Disaster chaplaincy and corresponding chaplains.

c.    Emergency chaplaincy and corresponding chaplains.

d.    Fire chaplaincy and corresponding fire chaplains.

6.    Classification and Categorization According to Types and Kinds

a.    Industrial chaplaincy and corresponding industrial chaplains.

b.    Cooperate chaplaincy and corresponding cooperate chaplains.

c.    Workplace chaplaincy and corresponding workplace chaplains.

d.    Agricultural chaplaincy and corresponding agricultural chaplains.

e.    Animal chaplaincy and corresponding animal chaplains.

f.     Community chaplaincy and corresponding community chaplains, etc.

Conclusion: This scholastic article I wish to submit that “Chaplain” is the general nomenclature given to all chaplaincy practitioners, but when we get down to specifics, peculiarity and  particularity their differences and diversities begin to be made manifest according to the categorizations listed above.

It is my heartfelt desire that every practicing chaplain will know where he or she belongs and what category of chaplain one is.

Contact Chaplain Prof. David Mike Jacobs CPC, CPST, CCE, FCCN, and Doyen of professional chaplaincy in the continent of Africa.

Call: 234- 803-3072-375; 705-5287-861; WhatsApp: 234- 909-1981-944; 813-5016-317

Facebook: chaplain David Mike. Blog: Thechaplain1.blogspot.com

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