International Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy Week, 2017AD

I welcome all pastoral counselors, pastoral care givers and chaplains to this year’s pastoral care and chaplaincy week, 2017AD. This is an open opportunity for us all to discover how best to impact our world better professionally as offer them the needed services.

The year 2017AD theme of discussion is “Hospitality: Cultivating Inclusion.”  This is the topic we are going to examine carefully, and tactically too, to enable us discover where to exact greater efforts on to enable us fulfill our mandate in the best profitable and beneficial professional ways. Let’s begin with the definition of the key words:

Hospitality: means kindness, tenderness and being compassionate.

Cultivating:  means the act of nurturing someone, the act of developing someone, the act of making someone to flourish, the act of improving someone, the act of equipping someone.

Inclusion: means adding someone in a group of persons, adding on acquaintance.

Hospitality in pastoral care and chaplaincy simply means:

1.     Extending kindness to visitors.

2.     Extending kindness to tourists.

3.     Extending kindness to patients in hospitals.

4.     Extending kindness to people in need.

In pastoral care and chaplaincy practice, allowing our compassion to make us attend to people with tenderness and kindness in our practice and interaction with others.

Cultivating an inclusion simply means, extending the hospitality (kindness) to others that we may come across in our life journeys. Adding people to our circle of influence at all times; caring to bring an improvement to them in life, nurturing them and assisting examine personal development.

From the definitions of the key words in this phrase, we are well positioned to put forward our views on this topic, calling on all practicing pastoral counselors, care-givers and chaplains to join us in this journey.

Hospitality Chaplaincy:

In hospitality chaplaincy and pastoral care practice and service delivery which can be found spanning in the following industries.

1.     Hospitality industries.

a.     Hotels.

b.     Restaurants.

c.      Guest houses.

d.     Camps.

e.     Brothels etc.

2.     Tourism industries.

a.     Tourist centers.

b.     Ancient landmarks.

c.      Water falls.

d.     Museums.

e.     Cultural centers.

Professional pastoral counselors, care-givers and chaplains are to extend their kindness to all visitors, strangers and tourists as they offer them pastoral care and chaplaincy services with all tenderness, and compassion for them regardless of their races, cultures, status and religious leanings.

Practicing professionals in pastoral care and chaplaincy must cultivate, nurture, develop and equip others for profitable interaction and collaboration with all people, extending their kindness to people of all groups and ages.

We are to show hospitality: cultivate inclusion in our practice and service delivery to the generality of people. We are to expand our circle of influence to accommodate others to whom our services are to be extended to. This will favourably position us for greater services and recognition.

In conclusion, let all of us professionals, embrace hospitality: cultivating inclusion, in our works, activities and professional practices.

Happy celebration!

Prepared by

Chaplain Prof. David Mike-Jacobs JP, AP, CPC, CBC, CCE.

Professor of Anthropology.

The president General, The Association of Professional Chaplains in Nigeria

GRAPPLING WITH DEMOCRATIC PRACTICE AS WELL AS PROFESSIONAL CHAPLAINCY SINCE 1966AD

GRAPPLING WITH DEMOCRATIC PRACTICE AS WELL AS PROFESSIONAL CHAPLAINCY SINCE 1966AD

Nigeria as a nation and people have been grappling with democratic practice in political and governance since granted independence in 1960AD by the colonial masters. Political and democratic embarked upon by the nation and people were truncated severally by military intervention and military rule, the first of its kind in 1966, only six years of democratic practice trial.

The year 2014AD, marks the first time of 15 years of uninterrupted democratic practice and government in Nigeria. The past 15 years has actually witnessed no military intervention and obstruction of civil and political governance.

However, Nigeria is still grappling with proper democratic practice as the present practice is full of scale of corruption in every sector of our national life, coupled with high rate of insurgencies, terrorism, kidnapping, high rate of unemployment, lack of power and energy, with over 70% of the population living in abject poverty.

Our democratic practice and political governance is yet to get to where our democratic practice will enjoy acceptance by international communities even after 53 years of national independence.

In same vein, our nation Nigeria is grappling with professional chaplaincy practice. Initially, chaplaincy practice which came into the country with the colonial masters had its area of influence in:

i.              The Military.

ii.            The Church.

The practice which has for long been restricted to the military formations and Churches where rhetorical and ritualistic services of the Church were carried out amongst the serving military officers as well as the Church congregation in the case of the Church. However, around year 1981, Civil Chaplaincy made an inroad into our nation Nigeria and Africa at large.

Since the introduction of civil chaplaincy in the country, chaplaincy practice is known to have been frost with:

I.              Deception.

II.            Fraudulent practices.

III.           Militia practice.

IV.          Malpractices.

The police force, as well as the NSCD force are both grappling to put in place proper chaplaincy practice. There is therefore, a sure need for standard practice to be laid or put in place for professional practioners to follow in rendering professional chaplaincy care and service delivery to the generality of the people in best way possible and in most appropriate professional way in line with the world standards and acceptable norms.

In line with the desired paradigm shift in chaplaincy practice from the past, this piece of work is the effort and contributions of a practicing professional consultant Chaplain in advancing chaplaincy profession in Nigeria.

Chap. Prof. David Mike-Jacobs JP, AP, BSC, MBA, PHD, D.D, DED, THD.

DMin. Chaplaincy Major, CPC, CCE, CBC.

Professor of Anthropology.

Valiant for the truth in disseminating Chaplaincy information: PROFESSIONAL CHAPLAINCY PRACTICE MUST FOLLOW KNOWN...

Valiant for the truth in disseminating Chaplaincy information: PROFESSIONAL CHAPLAINCY PRACTICE MUST FOLLOW KNOWN...: PROFESSIONAL CHAPLAINCY PRACTICE MUST FOLLOW KNOWN PROFESSIONAL CULTURE Chaplaincy may be practiced publicly, as well as in the private o...

PROFESSIONAL CHAPLAINCY PRACTICE MUST FOLLOW KNOWN PROFESSIONAL CULTURE

PROFESSIONAL CHAPLAINCY PRACTICE MUST FOLLOW KNOWN PROFESSIONAL CULTURE

Chaplaincy may be practiced publicly, as well as in the private or corporate settings either by individual professionals or by a group of professionals, professionally. Even professional chaplaincy is done by individuals; the professional chaplains are usually assisted by others, who may be trainees, assistant chaplains or lay chaplains in attending to a particular client(s).

However, the professional chaplains take responsibility for the care and service provided for such client or clients. All documents made on such client(s) must be in the custody of the professional chaplain, attested to with his or her signature. Any report on the client(s) provided, care given or services deliver to the client(s) must be signed by the professional chaplain.

When the chaplaincy practice and service delivery is done by a group of practicing chaplains as a team; a team of practicing professional chaplains or interdisciplinary team, as sometimes found in collegial collaboration; there must still be a team leader amongst them who is usually held responsible for the care, attention, concern and service provided and the method of the provision.

Just like in legal representation in courts of competent jurisdiction; there may be a team of counsels representing an interest in any important case that is of national importance or societal importance from two to hundred counsels appearing in court for the particular case of interest.

However, as many counsels there may be on the representation, there is always a lead counsel who earns the official recognition of the court, and other team members usually submit to the leadership of the lead counsel, who is usually the team leader.

Also in accounting firm, there may be a number of accountants working in the firm. The particular accounting assignment or work given to the firm of accountants may be done by many or all the accountants, trainee accountants and the accounting clerks in the accounting firm as a team.

However, the final reports of such accounting work is usually signed and presented by the team leader, called lead accountant who takes responsibility for the works done by the team members.

Just in like manner, in professional chaplaincy practice involving other colleagues, chaplains or other professionals from disciplines related to chaplaincy must be led by a team leader called and styled as Chief Consultant Chaplain, who takes responsibility for the work done by the team and sign any report made.  Even when signed by another team member, it must be signed on his or her behalf.

Chap. Prof. Mike-David D. JP, AP, CPC, CCE, CBC.

THE ESSENCE OF COMMUNITY CHAPLAINCY.

THE ESSENCE OF COMMUNITY CHAPLAINCY.

Chaplaincy as we all know is a child of circumstance born out of empathy, strong emotional status and spiritual outlook.

     Whether  we live as home boys and girls, old and young, in our small grouped native environment or are exposed to people of different backgrounds, creed, ethnicity and affiliation found in the division of difference geographical locations known as communities, one phenomenon is inevitable “cross road experience”

      In the case of our profession ancestor martius of tours, it was a man found on the way to his (martius) barrack who was freezing helplessly death. Since it happened on a road, other people may have selfishly by passed the lying man without providing succor and spiritual considerations.

     In our own present day, the picture may be different  but the signal is still the same, “ assist the helpless mortals”.

     Selfish ambitions have made the world crazy, both public officials and some of the members of public inclusive syphoning fund meant for internally displaced persons (IDPS), crazy bills by power distribution companies without prepaid meters, payment of sanitation bills without service, extensive detention of suspects by arms bearing agencies without trials’ oligarchy disposition of the ruling class etc. Are very much freezing to the gullible and helpless members of the society even to the point of death. In essence the professional chaplain should braze up now and save life. `

The Rev’d Chap. Stephen Nwankire BTheo.

FUNCTIONALITY, THE ANTIDOTE TO UNLOCKING YOUR HIDDEN POTENTIALS AS CHAPLAIN

FUNCTIONALITY, THE ANTIDOTE TO UNLOCKING YOUR HIDDEN POTENTIALS AS CHAPLAIN

Functionality means the quality of something being very stable for the purpose it was designed for or expected to perform. Functionality of trained Chaplains is a challenge for the Chaplaincy profession in Africa especially Nigeria in particular. Function means a special activity or purpose of a person or thing, the social event or official economy.

NB: The greatest challenges the Chaplaincy profession is facing today in our nation have been discovered to be that of “Functionality.”

Chaplaincy was introduced into Nigeria through the Royal British Army by the Colonial Masters at about 150 years ago. Chaplains were then limited and restricted to the military barracks and cantonments in their operations as they render their services to serving officers and their family members.

The functionality of Chaplains was limited in scope and nature to only military formations until Churches appointed Chaplains to assist their Bishops, which made Chaplaincy services available to Church members, congregation and their families.

However, round about the year 1981AD, Civil Chaplaincy services was introduced into our nation by Sir Ige Olumide of blessed memory. This singular act of his brought Chaplaincy services to the majority of the populace of our father land.

Since the year 1981AD thousands of Chaplains have been trained by various Chaplaincy organizations. Training, though an important factor in the growing and development of Chaplains who are expected to deliver the goods to the public in our nation and world, training seems not to be the end.

What then becomes of the Chaplains trained by these Chaplaincy organizations is our concern and one of the challenges facing our noble profession right now is “Functionality of the Chaplains” rolled out since 1981AD to date, remains a great challenge to us and our noble profession.

The following questions I stand to ask you colleagues who are reading this write up with wrapped attention are:

i.              What were these Chaplains trained for and to do?

ii.            What had been the functions of these Chaplains being produced since 1981AD?

iii.           Have these Chaplains performed creditably and satisfactorily? What challenges do they have to face in the performance of their duties?

iv.           What do we have to do now to tackle and find lasting solutions to whatever challenges they have to contend with in the discharge of their duties?

v.            What will the Chaplaincy profession do in making sure that functionality becomes the watchword in the profession as well as in various Chaplaincy organizations?

Dysfunctionality is surely the bane to sustainable development of Chaplaincy profession.

One of the greatest challenges facing Chaplains in our nation has been discovered to be that of functionality of Chaplains to enable them provide profitable services to humanity and general public.

It will therefore be expedient for us to consider some known causes of this noticeable challenges and difficulties in Chaplaincy practice and services in our nation.

Causes of dysfucntionality of chaplains in Nigeria:

i.              Inadequate preparation and shoddy training of Chaplains.

ii.            Shallowness of the training curriculum and manuals of most Chaplaincy training institutes, colleges and academies.

iii.           Inadequate preparation of trainers and lack of trainers trainings for updates.

iv.           Lack of specializations in training Chaplains, expected to function in different areas of life.

v.            Duplication of courses by most training institutions

vi.           Unavailability of many professional books or text books on Chaplaincy.

vii.          Unavailability of professional journals that can be useful for the continuous development of Chaplains.

viii.        Educational limitations of trainee Chaplains

NB: In specialized institutions like “Technical schools and colleges, there are specialized departments and divisions such as carpentry and hand works, fabrication, electrical, mechanical, foundry etc. Although there are basic or general courses all students are made to study, as soon as they are done with those courses, their attention will be directed to their area of specializations.

Likewise, after the universal basic general study courses in general Chaplaincy practice has been done with, trainee Chaplains must be made to focus their attention on the areas of their choice and specializations such as Hospital Chaplaincy, Aviation Chaplaincy, Parliamentary Chaplaincy, Sport Chaplaincy etc. Failure to address this area poses danger to the development of the profession as well as the development of the practicing Chaplains.

Profounded Remedies:

As a professional Chaplain, who has been cross-trained to proffer solutions to problems and difficulties in life, please find my suggested remedies capable of providing the needed solutions to the functionality issues of Chaplains we keep on rolling out of various Chaplaincy colleges and institutions.

1. Provision of adequate training for trainee Chaplains by Chaplaincy institutions and colleges.
2. Proper curriculum development by training institutions to help produce the type of professional Chaplains needed by our society and the public we are called to serve.
3. Training institutions must be prepared to discover areas Chaplaincy services are needed in our national economy and fashion courses that will help provide or produce the needed man-power for service.
4. Continuous and re-training programmes must be developed and put in place by training institutions and colleges as well as Chaplaincy associations with the aims of making all practicing Chaplains relevant in life.
5. We now live in a sophisticated society, enjoying the benefits of advanced technology challenges and difficulties. Challenges and difficulties we encounter in operating in sophisticated societies demand practices and services beyond “General practice.” Our system must learn to devote their attention to the production of specialized professionals. Professional courses must be developed along special areas needing the services of Chaplains.
6. Chaplaincy training institutions and colleges should learn to do away with duplicating and copying others. Originality should be our watchword. Duplicating other people’s efforts encourages mediocrity.
7. Chaplaincy organizations, professional Chaplaincy associations must learn to collaborate with government and government agencies to create an enabling environment for Chaplaincy practice and services.
8. Endeavouring that trained Chaplains are incorporated into public service by government.
9. Training institutions should be encouraged to produce specialized Chaplains and they should be celebrated and rewarded for such.

10.     Practicing Chaplains must be made to know their duties and be made to be committed to fulfilling such duties and never go beyond such in any given situation.

11.     Practicing Chaplains should be encouraged to obtain membership of international Chaplaincy associations relevant to their specializations to enable them obtain current views of practice as obtained in developed nations of the world.

12.     As Chaplaincy profession is not an invention of Africans. We would need to learn how Chaplaincy profession is practice in developed nations of the world and what services Chaplains render to people fashioning our own practice against such with needed modifications to suit the needs of our own society.

In conclusion, there is a need for mounting of advocacy to make the public see the usefulness of Chaplains in the society and to receive the needed recognition from the government of the day.

Chap. Prof. Mike David D. JP, AP, BSC, MBA, PHD, D.D, DED, THD.

DMin. Chaplaincy Major, CPC, CCE, CBC.

Professor of Anthropology.

INTELLECTUAL CHAPLAINCY PRACTICE AND SERVICE DELIVERY

INTELLECTUAL CHAPLAINCY PRACTICE AND SERVICE DELIVERY

We are presently in a time and period of high technological advancement in our world, where we are expected to render services that will improve the lives of humanity.

In this era of technological advancements, problems which could be handled simply in the past, have become complicated, sophisticated dynamic and continue to defy simple solutions.

Our methods of approach of handling problems and proffering the needed solutions to such problems must also experience a paradigm shift.

Intellectual Chaplaincy practice and service delivery is what is needed in contemporary times to make life meaningful and fulfilling for humanity who is constantly confronted with diverse problems inflicting pains and sorrows of unmeasurable dimensions upon the people of our world.

As problems have assumed this status in our age, the service delivery being expected from the hands of practicing professional Chaplains is a pragmatic one. The kind of Chaplaincy practice and service delivery needed in this age is “Intellectual Chaplaincy Practice and Service Delivery.”

Intellectual Chaplaincy Practice and Service Delivery are demanding from all practicing Chaplains, most especially professionals the following:

1.   High degree of professionalism. This enable professional Chaplains handle cases presented to them with uttermost care (compassionate care) with professional touch.

2.   High degrees of education. This enable practicing Chaplains go about the discharge of their duties in the most scientific way. Educated illiterate are capable of many ship-wrecks in professional Chaplaincy practice and service delivery for their lack of understanding.

3.   High degree of forensic analysis and investigation. This gives an added advantage to those who have been adequately trained to make right professional diagnosis and proffer the needed therapeutic solutions as a result of the forensic investigation and analysis of knotty problems.

4.   High degree of dynamism. Problems of humanity have become dynamic in nature and scope; those who are called to handle such problems – giving succor and comfort to the victims of situations undergoing one kind of suffering or another - cannot but tackle such problems with greater dynamism. Professional Chaplains who desire to be relevant in this age must endeavour to be dynamic in practice.

5.   High degree of pro-activeness. Premium is being placed upon prevention rather than remedial treatment. Problems can also be prevented before occurring by those who are highly trained and are pro-active. Professional Chaplains seeking relevance in this age must therefore endeavour to be pro-active in Chaplaincy practice and service delivery.

6.   High degree of professional skills. Only skilled manpower in this age is able to do exploit, reducing or attempting to eliminate human sufferings. Unskilled manpower is capable of worsening the situations of mankind, making it difficult for man to experience the needed deliverance.

7.   High degree of morality. Professional Chaplains who are the epitomes of morality amongst the people are expected to shun all forms of immorality in professional practice, showcasing to the general public the possibility of upholding moral standards in a polluted and corrupt world like ours.

8.   High degree of compassionate concern, care and love. These calls for unparalleled concern and identification with the people, the practicing professional Chaplains are called to serve. They are expected to offer the needed services without condemnation and judgement.

9.   High degree of proficiency. This particular demand puts this task on the practicing Chaplains to put into use the knowledge and skills they have acquired in training, in the most efficient and effective ways that is capable of transforming the lives of the people positively.

10.                High degree of consultation. Collegial consultations as well as consultations with other professionals relevant to Chaplaincy practice and service have become of a necessity as problems are better tackled from all angles and sides for sustainable solutions.

In conclusion therefore, I wish to advocate that all Chaplains especially practicing professional Chaplains embrace intellectual Chaplaincy practice and service delivery with the views of enhancing the needed recognition by the general public and relevance in contemporary Chaplaincy practice.

Chap. Prof. David Mike-Jacobs JP, AP, BSC, MBA, PHD, D.D, DED, THD.

DMin. Chaplaincy Major, CPC, CCE, CBC.

Professor of Anthropology.