Chaplaincy: A Ministry of Presence

In Paul’s letter to Timothy and the church at Rome, the Apostle Paul implores us to pray for those who serve in government and describes their calling to a certain degree. First Responders face unique challenges in their lives in that they are constantly on the front lines as they serve our communities. This is true of police, fire, EMS services, as well as hospital employees and those who serve in social services. There is a stress that comes from constantly helping those who are in crisis moments of their lives that can wear on a person’s soul. Chaplaincy has been called a “Ministry of Presence”. It is a different kind of ministry in that it takes place in the secular arena, outside the four walls of the church.

There is a great push amongst departments and organizations across the nation to provide wellness services to their employees. Mental health is at the forefront of the conversation in almost every arena. In the church, we almost always put an emphasis on the whole person: spirit, soul, and body. In the secular arena, the spirit is often overlooked, and the soul hasn’t received much help either. As there are specialists in the area of our bodies that need healing, it is the desire of chaplains to be specialists in the area of the soul and spirit.

Dr. Cesar Minera uses a great analogy when it comes to the issues we face in life. The Dead Sea (which is more of a lake than a sea), is dead because of the high salt and mineral content in it. This has happened over millennia because it has inlets, but no outlets. In our lives, when there is no outlet for anxiety, stress and the pressures of life, things tend to slowly die. Chaplaincy provides a stressor outlet for those who serve. We serve alongside peer support groups and the culture of departments or organizations, plugging in to where we best fit. We are not trying to be a replacement, we desire to be a supplement to existing programs, and see ourselves as another tool in the duty belt of those who serve.

There is much more that can be said, but I’ll leave you with this: if you desire to serve in your community, especially to those who lay down their lives for us daily, the ministry of chaplaincy may be for you. NCI, through Faith Alliance for Community Engagement, is offering a chaplain training program in the month of April. We are quickly expanding in Washoe Valley, and have opportunities throughout the state of Nevada, in hospitals, police departments, and other organizations. We grant a ministry license to every person who joins our organization, to provide you with the level of confidentiality you need to serve others well. We would love to have a conversation with you!