I am always being asked a very fair question:
"What do you do?"
Chaplaincy is really very simple. Some have described it as "being a professional loiterer." I prefer to look at it as hanging around until needed!
If you've taken the time to read my other two Blogs on this subject, you've already found out that there are more than 3000+ year’s history to Chaplaincy.
It didn't start as a "Christian" concept, or a
Buddhist one, or any other kind of "-ist."
Chaplains are not there to force some kind of mandated religion on people. They don't force their opinions on people. What they do is provide an ear, a shoulder to cry on, another viewpoint or opinion: and they do it on whatever terms YOU decide.
INDIVIDUAL CHAPLAINCY
This is something we do on an "as needed" basis for what we call, "Entertainment Industry Professionals." That would be someone who is in the Industry, and due to their lifestyle is not able to avail themselves of the kinds of spiritual assistance most people would typically search out and rely on.
We go to them!
In some ways it is similar to Personal Life-Coaching, a concept most "A-List" and "B-List" people are familiar with.
Let me get more specific:
This is the cornerstone of everything we do. At the moment, we give it away. We don't charge any fees unless someone asks us for an exclusive relationship (like being on call for them 24/7, being on set or on tour for an extended period of time). If you're an Indy artist who can't afford an exclusive relationship with us, or an established professional who just wants to get to know us, that's okay! What matters most to us is you. Your spiritual and emotional well-being. Not money.
Our Chaplaincy program is Spiritual Support for you AND your immediate family. The focus is on the Spiritual Health of you and immediate family members.
Some Examples:
Make jail visits to family members who are incarcerated, as well as assisting the family during the time of separation. Also, assist them to transition back into mainstream society.
Direct funeral services, to include helping families cope with grief, and planning the funeral service. Continual support for family members is provided after the funeral.
Officiate at weddings, including assistance in planning the ceremony, pre-marriage planning, and follow-up pastoral care to newlyweds.
Make hospital visits to family members, as well as home visits when appropriate, for those with serious, long-term and/or terminal illnesses.
Helping you when struggling with major life issues and/life change. Such as helping you find the assistance you need when you've decided it's time to overcome an addiction.
And help secure ministers, priests, rabbis or other faith group representatives when requested.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT?
Most people have some kind of pain in their lives, whether emotional, spiritual, physical or other--and sometimes they just need someone to talk to!
It is also about ‘challenging’ people to live the best lives they can ‘Moving on’ - recognize and respect the varying stages of "faith" a person can experience throughout their lives.
WHAT DO CHAPLAINS DO?
Comforts, counsels, cares
Helps, hopes, hugs, holds
Assists, acknowledges, advocates, accompanies
Prays, passes peace
Listens, laments, laughs, loves
Accepts, acts, advises
Invites, incarnates, instructs
Notices needs, nurtures
More to come...
