Chaplaincy: How to Be

Kate Bradford

Much is written about the role of chaplains.

In literature, chaplaincy is distinguished from other ministries as a ministry of accompaniment rather that a ministry of preaching and formal teaching. Chaplaincy training focuses on sharpening the skills of accompaniment, tequniques around active reflective listening and increasing awareness of self and others – listening is privileged over speaking. Good practice is essential, yet as a chaplain we bring not only our technical skills, but ourselves – we are our role.

We know what a chaplain should do but how do we know what a chaplain should be? Christian chaplains are in essence followers of Jesus. What does being a follower of Jesus bring to the chaplaincy role? Is there anything special about being a chaplain who is also a follower of Jesus? A deeper issue or perhaps the prior question is: how is a follower of Jesus ‘to be’?

In the distilled words of The Sermon on the Mount, Matt 5-7, Jesus imparts wisdom concerning how ‘to be’ by detailing the distinguishing marks of his followers. This wisdom contained within the sermon is the essence of being a comfortable Christian. Such a person is known by God and knows personally the comfort and forgiveness of Christ. Flowing from this is the blessing of a life lived in fellowship with him. A life lived in fellowship with Christ knows the deep truths of the great reversal. The reversal promises to those who cling to God:  the poor in spirit, the mourning, the humble, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the peacemakers and persecuted that they will see the Kingdom of God. They will receive comfort, mercy, inheritance and fulfilment – they see his hand in their lives raising them up.  The followers of Jesus have lives transformed by him. This transformation, in turn enables them to endure persecution, extend mercy and work for peace. Followers of Jesus live truthful lives directed towards God. (Matt 5:1-12)

In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus likens his followers to salt and light, embracing the world and offering a preserving element against decay, and illumination against darkness. Once the demands of the law have been internalised, a follower of Christ is free to inhabit the world. Such a follower does not simply make short sharp forays into the world only to just as sharply retreat back to the safety of the Christian burrow. (Matt 5:13 -16)

The marks of the transformed life are seen in people with integrity that embraces, reconciles, and honours. Followers are to be trustworthy, willing to forgive, to have love for enemies, and to be generous without ostentation. (Matt 5:17 – 6:4)

Central to this passage is Jesus’ teaching on prayer, the Lord’s Prayer. Such prayer reflects a dependant relationship with the Heavenly Father that in turn deeply informs the pray-er’s identity. Religious life is discreet, it is between the pray-er and God, true faith is expressed internally rather than external displays of religiosity. Dependence on God is expressed in other ways: travelling lightly through life, living life in a transparent manner and avoiding duplicity. (Matt 6:5 – 24)

The follower is encouraged to live in the present, trusting God with their needs. Jesus lays the first plank in relationships, stating that there is a need for non-judgemental engagement that acknowledges our own limitations and finitude. Space for discernment remains. There is an expectation that the follower thinks soberly about themselves engaging a degree of self-reflection. Jesus’ followers are to engage openly, yet comprehending that not everyone will be open to them or to the wisdom of God. Likewise the chaplain discerns when to share the things of God and when not to. There are responsibilities when working with the sacred wisdom. (Matt 6:25 – 7:6)  

Jesus’ teaching has shifted subtly from how to be to what to do; when to speak; and where to stand. Chaplains help create a space for people to explore their own questions around belief and meaning. The chaplain responds to these questions leading and guiding according to the Jesus’ wisdom. Christian Chaplaincy is concerned with belief and meaning and the connection with Jesus wisdom: a truth that is beyond a perspectival relativism. Jesus knows that there are many ‘wisdoms’ in the world, but not all are true and not all lead towards his way, truth and life. For some people, crisis, trauma, sorrow, sickness and distress will lead to a time of deep seeking and searching. (Matt 7:7 -14)

Jesus sees truth as being reflected in eventual outcomes, and likens these outcomes to fruit on a tree, or the integrity of the foundations of a building. (Matt 7:13 – 29).

Christian chaplaincy arises out of and has its foundational anchor points in the wisdom of Jesus. Listening and active reflection are the substance of chaplaincy practice but the wisdom of Jesus is the essence. As the chaplain prayerfully listens, they respond depending on the wisdom of Jesus and exercising the discernment of which he spoke – sometimes a time for silence, sometimes a time for speech.