Become a Chaplain

Lesson 9

Counseling is all about active listening. You can’t just sit there and give the person or persons in front of you lip service. Not only are you wasting their time and money, but you’re betraying their trust. What you need to do is pay attention to what’s being said, make comments where appropriate, and develop a plan for this person to make their life better or to get through a tough situation. If you don’t listen you could miss something really important, and that could threaten the life of that person and the lives of the people (s)he comes in contact with.

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have various classes in Christianity, one on Wicca, along with several Pagan courses, more than a few courses about Metaphysics with more being added regularly.

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free, legal and lasts for life, so please take advantage of our Free Online Ordination.

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of minister supplies.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and am proud to have started the Seminary.

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Become a Chaplain

Lesson 8

Building trust is exactly what I’m working on right now in my department. I need to show the firefighters I work with and my officers that I am a trustworthy person that can handle the responsibilities of being the department chaplain. I draw on my experience in counseling and recognize the everyone’s right to privacy and confidentiality. The rest seems to be falling into place.

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have various classes in Christianity, one on Wicca, along with several Pagan courses, more than a few courses about Metaphysics with more being added regularly.

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free, legal and lasts for life, so please take advantage of our Free Online Ordination.

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of minister supplies.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and am proud to have started the Seminary.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

 

Chaplaincy Studies Course

Master of Chaplaincy Studies Lesson 10‏

My policy is to shake a hand, pat hand, or shoulder. I keep myself at a distance, for I would not want one to anyone to make actuation later of something that did not happen. I have taken many courses in the military concerning policy regarding touch and keeping distance of personal space and I have applied the same rules. Sometimes, it's said sad to say that some people are looking for trouble or are not mentally there that they can easily get someone who is trying to help them in trouble.

Martin A

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

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Chaplaincy Studies

ULC Seminary

Master of Chaplaincy Studies

Final Essay

Rev. Nick Federspiel

You Have Only Just Begun… from lesson 20. No truer words; no matter when and where one is in a project, as the old saying goes this is the first day of the rest of your life, This day a new chapter in the project has just begun. Except that with Chaplaincy it is not just your life but others as well and "us" chaplain's, ministers, pastors, reverends and evangelists have volunteered for this responsibility and duty. In my opinion this course was full of simple practical information. Did it take?

About Lesson 5 – The Chapel – Where One Ministers: Hospitals, Hospice, Nursing Homes – Part II; I decided to call the local hospital and inquire about volunteering as a chaplain. The door was slammed shut, not interest, barriers, rules, etc. "They" said that ministers were only allowed in the hospital by INVITATION of the PATIENT – IF - the patient specifically requested of the staff to see their minister AND the patient was a REGISTERED member of the ESTABLISHED church's congregation! I kid you not. WOW! Was I deflated! I felt like I had just read a lesson and took a step towards becoming a public enemy. "They" said the rules were made by the legal department. The hospital's lawyers are now their patients' spiritual gate keepers and the patients and doctors answer to them. Generally speaking, it has been my observation that few professions are as void of training in spiritual inspiration and moral discipline as are lawyers and law schools. The local hospital is a tangible case in point.

Later, on Christmas Eve, I attended a special holiday Anglican service held at the college chapel that I pastor services at on Sunday Mornings. The priest has a very active and long standing mission chaplaincy program at "correctional institutions." His staff were all "corrected and enlightened." A Long story short; he invited me to accompany him on his mission to observe and become aware of the how his program operates. He felt that in the correctional facility one meets many types of personalities, some salvageable and some not, but all were once NOT YET incarcerated and some will be repatriated and those are certainly people any chaplain or minster might meet along the path of life and mission service any time any place. There it was; the chaplaincy door slammed shut and locked tight earlier was suddenly wide open. You Have Only Just Begun.

Chapter 9 – The Listener - My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak… (James 1:19, NIV). This is the hard one for me. I want to jump right in and help right now, impatient am I, and I have to restrain my offer until I fully understand the issue. THINKING one understands the issue is simply unprofessional and inadequate. One has to be very certain one understands the issue or the person being administered to might feel even more left out and not accept any offer of assistance from the chaplain, lord, or anyone else.

Lesson 13 – Traps to Avoid - When I am asked about an area that I have no training or experience in, I will be honest and say, "I'm sorry, I have no experience there. I can give you some ideas or tips from scripture that you can study but if your problem is serious like you say it is, I can refer you to a professional better equipped to…

I could not help but think of our local lawyer run hospital making care decisions by rule for the patients in an area in which they have no training or experience and worse yet appreciation for another's profession. Worse yet, spiritual assistance and the Holy Grace have produced spiritual medical miracles time and time again – look what they are denying their patients! It is tantamount to torture. In our small chapel I minister prayer requests between the reverent prayer and worship service and the sermon. No private prayer requests is my policy as the power of the congregation in prayer exceeds that of only me. Last November a new attendee with a long standing and diagnosed inoperable thus lethal brain tumor submitted to God and prayer. Today he is up and around and feeling fine and the doctors call it a miracle. Is that chaplaincy or ministry? I am not sure if there is a difference really, but it shows how the Lord listens and he provides "professional" Godly services to the worthy and open minded.

Appreciating the gifts other devoted and competent people can deliver to help one's spiritual patient is part of our duty as is bringing God closer to the bedside by bringing the patient closer to God.

Lesson 14 – Ceremonies - An application meeting: This is where you meet with both persons. Ask them why they want a "religious" wedding ceremony. I find this to be a wonderful time to learn more about what the couple believes and why. Often this leads to friendships long after the wedding where I mentor them spiritually. I explain my policies for weddings. If the institution has any policies (use of chapel and grounds) also provide them as well. I would also give the couple a "data collection" form that I use to review in preparation for pre-marital counseling. …

I performed my first wedding of mixed faith partners in December. Neither was really committed to 'their religion' but the parents demanded a "church wedding." So the question was to decline a church wedding or make it into an opportunity? Opportunity knocks is my business. When the lesson 14 like process above was undertaken, and the congregation chipped in to make it a better wedding than the budget allowed for, and the wedding completed – AFTERWARD – in a chance encounter the couple was exuberant in praise and gracious and generous with appreciation. A light had been lit - I pray it stays so.

From lesson 1: The Need is Great - There are hurting people everywhere. … A chaplain can help come along side those who are hurting. This unique minister is still viewed as the "keeper of the sacred" by those who are unattached to a religious congregation. A prayer, a word of advice, a simple ritual, and a touch of a caring hand does much for people who seem alone, detached, or afraid. I am reminded of the teaching of Jesus Christ who taught the parable of the sheep and goats: (Matthew 25:34-40, New King James Version).

Matthew 10:1-18 NKJV "Jesus the Good Shepherd" Chaplains and ministers many times stand at the gate with the responsibility of inviting many in need IN and explaining to them, ministering to them, as to why IN is better and for them. The Mansions of God per John 14:1-5 ( … many mansions … and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.) The mansions have some fine doors (gates) and it is "our" duty to help as many as we can to have a place PREPARED ready and waiting and an Inviting Light On in the window for when that time comes.

My point is chapter by chapter this ULC Seminary Chaplaincy course is an excellent summary and brings forth real issues. 

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To ordain yourself with the Universal Life Church, for free, for life, right now, click on the Free Online Ordination link.

Rev. Long created the ULC seminary site to help ministers learn and grow their ministries. The Seminary offers a huge catalog of materials for ministers of the Universal Life Church, as well as an online seminary program and a chaplaincy program.

Become a Chaplain

Lesson 7

As stated previously in my response to Lesson 6, I am not a recognized chaplain in my department, but I have been urging my officers to create a chaplaincy program. Until then I will continue to do the work I feel that I am called to do. It’s not about the title or the office, it’s about the service to others. That’s what really counts.

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have various classes in Christianity, one on Wicca, along with several Pagan courses, more than a few courses about Metaphysics with more being added regularly.

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free, legal and lasts for life, so please take advantage of our Free Online Ordination.

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of minister supplies.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and am proud to have started the Seminary.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

 

Become a Chaplain

Chapter 6 

While I have not been named as an official chaplain in my fire department, I do try to take on the roll when I’m needed. I have a background in counseling and spiritual studies and mostly what I do is help the members of my department before and after some of the tougher calls. More than anything people need someone to talk to. A few days ago we had a young girl, 18 years old, and she caved in her head when she crashed her car into a town plow truck. We’re not sure if she made it. Having someone there to talk to the responders who were called out to clean up the mess made a huge difference for them.

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have various classes in Christianity, one on Wicca, along with several Pagan courses, more than a few courses about Metaphysics with more being added regularly.

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free, legal and lasts for life, so please take advantage of our Free Online Ordination.

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of minister supplies.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and am proud to have started the Seminary.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

 

Master of Chaplaincy Studies

Master of Chaplaincy Studies Lesson 9‏

As a chaplain one must be an active listener and speak. However, the main role as a chaplain to be a good listener and your doing so take into account the body language and the over all non verbal communication. Good listeners as a chaplain is important and it also give positive feed back to clients that you are listening and concerned of what is happening to them. Also think before speak, because many times clients come to in grade need and how interest to be judged or spoke done down. They come to as someone they can confine with you and a form of support.

Martin Arredondo   

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have various classes in Christianity, one on Wicca, along with several Pagan courses, more than a few courses about Metaphysics with more being added regularly.

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free, legal and lasts for life, so please take advantage of our Free Online Ordination.

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of minister supplies.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and am proud to have started the Seminary.

Become a Chaplain

Write a paragraph about how you conduct your counseling:

In the realm of counseling I have the luxury of a background in psychology and substance abuse addiction counseling. When I am called to counsel I fall back on my training. I make sure that I provide an accurate mirror of the client/patient’s personality, emotions, and actions, I become an active listener, and I provide advice and comfort wherever necessary. I adhere to the strict code of ethics that all who are in the counseling field must abide by, both for the sake of the client and myself. If I'm met with a case that's over my head I refer that person to a counselor with a specialty in that area or someone with more expertise than myself. As a mandated reporter I have to keep in mind that confidentiality must be breached if thoughts or plans of suicide, homicide, or self harm are revealed. Also if a client/patient has a terminal communicable disease and is knowingly exposing others to said disease, confidentiality must be breached. Aside from these situations though, confidentiality is a must and cannot be ignored for any reason, except for those that I have just mentioned.

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have various classes in Christianity, one on Wicca, along with several Pagan courses, more than a few courses about Metaphysics with more being added regularly.

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free, legal and lasts for life, so please take advantage of our Free Online Ordination.

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of minister supplies.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and am proud to have started the Seminary.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Become a Chaplain

Lesson 5

I once spoke to a hospital chaplain that worked for St. Francis in Hartford, CT. I asked him what he did in his service and he told ministered to the sick and their families. He was there to provide comfort to those who were suffering and spiritual comfort to the sick. He told me it was a trying, but reward job and the hours he spent volunteering there were well spent.

*******************************

The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have various classes in Christianity, one on Wicca, along with several Pagan courses, more than a few courses about Metaphysics with more being added regularly.

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free, legal and lasts for life, so please take advantage of our Free Online Ordination.

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of minister supplies.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and am proud to have started the Seminary.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

 

Become a Chaplain

Lesson 3

In researching what is required to be a chaplain in the military I stumbled upon the requirements as defined by the U.S. Army:

                        You must obtain an ecclesiastical endorsement from your faith group. This endorsement should certify that you are:

                        A clergy person in your denomination or faith group.

                        Qualified spiritually, morally, intellectually and emotionally to serve as a Chaplain in the Army.

                        Sensitive to religious pluralism and able to provide for the free exercise of religion by all military personnel, their family members and civilians who work for the Army.

                        Educationally, you must:

                        Possess a baccalaureate degree of not less than 120 semester hours.

                        Possess a graduate degree in theological or religious studies, plus have earned at least a total of 72 semester hours in graduate work in these fields of study.

                        Applicants for active duty or the National Guard MUST be U.S. citizens. Permanent residents can ONLY apply for the Army Reserve.

                        Be able to receive a favorable National Agency Security Clearance.

                        Pass a physical exam at one of our Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS).

                        A minimum of two years of full-time professional experience, validated by the applicant’s endorsing agency (This requirement is not applicable to Army Reserve applicants).

                        Must be at least 21 years of age, but younger than 45 at time of appointment. Prior service applicants with at least 3 years of prior AFS or creditable USAR service must be younger than 47 at time of appointment.

Aside from these prerequisites, it seems as though being a chaplain in the army and being a chaplain elsewhere comes with the same duties and obligations. One must be ready and willing to serve members of all faith groups and possess a demeanor appropriate for faith based service.

*******************************

The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have various classes in Christianity, one on Wicca, along with several Pagan courses, more than a few courses about Metaphysics with more being added regularly.

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free, legal and lasts for life, so please take advantage of our Free Online Ordination.

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of minister supplies.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and am proud to have started the Seminary.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

 

Chaplaincy

REVEREND ADAM ROCKE

ESSAY: MASTER OF THE CHAPLAINCY STUDIES

I have completed Rev. Daniel Moore's course on the Master of the Chaplaincy Studies.  As is required for certificate, this is my submission of the essay of the course and it's meaning to me.  The role of the chaplain comes down to the basic tenants that offer, in essence, an objective friend to those in need.  'Those in need', is a comment that one must consider as a chaplain.  Who are they and why do we think the may need a chaplain.  Is it brash self-centeredness for us to assume we can fill the role for those in need?  As one determines the role of the chaplaincy in progressing through this course, it is my opinion that it is in essence, a role of friendship and an open being for those who have the need.  This need is the need to commune with some sort of figure who can provide some connection to the things that may be happening in one's life at some point in time.

It is also not only an individualistic need of someone else, but a collective need of participants, groups, or families depending on situations.  Whether it be a religious mentor at a time of grief or of one who is to assume duties of a multitude of tasks in blessing, the chaplain is the one who acts as the connections to the spirit and needs of those of which they serve.  It may be an organized grouping or a visit to hospital, family or any number of a wide variety of issues.  The chaplain is the connection to the spirit for those of the need.  In time of disaster or family grieving, as well as,  in time of blessing for good intentions, the chaplain serves the function of the mediator of connection. 

A chaplain must be open and flexible and immediately able to adapt to the constituents of his duties.  As I moved through each lesson, it became so apparent of the value of this position in the culture of society and religion.  There are many who may have no religion or religious preference, but they all may have need for the soothing voice of an independent being who can be their for them to provide the inner and outer faith that one must be prepared for.  The chaplain may have to improvise to the moment.  They may have to give of themselves so that others may obtain peace and serenity.  It seems the chaplain is the crucial link in connecting for someone or groupings no matter the size of such, nor the religious preference.  One must be able to adapt.  As I conducted my reading I felt that manner in which one must give and the means in which they must make change on the spur of the moment.  If one lays dying and a chaplain is alone with them, all of the sudden family comes in grieving and going into a flurry of emotions, it is the chaplain that must step up, or even back away.  A chaplain can sit outside a room and privately in their inner thoughts and prayers still give blessing in the worst of situations. 

Now there is much one can say of the duties and as the Rev. Moore describes so well, one must be prepared and one must as take care of their own being to be able to minister to others.  They provide trick of the trade, so to speak, on how to be prepared and how to deal with conditions that one may be called upon to deal with.  It could be in a hospital, a prison, a field or any other type of setting.  Yet one will ask if prayer is desired and follow such directions. 

During the course of this study, I had personal experience with a chaplain while undergoing a very high-risk surgery.  I was fortunate that where I worked there was a reverend friend who new of my upcoming issue.  He new of my fears of cancer and of the risks of survival.  The morning of my surgery at 6:00 a.m., as my wife sat with me, out from behind the curtain, came my pal and friend and even mentor.  With him was his prayer book, an abbreviated bible, he always carries.  As I lay in fear and such we talked and I thanked him for being there.  Now he did not have to go out of his way to see me, but he chose to do so.  As we spoke and his calmness, strength and belief came forward, he provided comfort to me in his words and our genial chatter; and, as it came near to my operation, he asked if we could pray or if I was so inclined to consider.  Well of course I was ready and he opened his book and frankly I cannot remember even which verses he read to me.  He had selected ones that were pertaining to the area of my surgery and the verses were like a calm that came over me.  He held my hand and proceeded to give me and my wife the comfort I needed to go into the procedure. 

Well as luck will have it, I made it through as is obvious by this essay, but as I think back at what he did and his sacrifice to be with me and his holding my  hand and comforting words to my wife, were amazing.  I felt like I was in the hand of God and his spirit was with me as I was wheeled into the room.  And hours later that evening there was a call to us, from him giving us encouragement and asking of our needs and what he could do.  My response was you have given me the gift of your friendship and of God's spirit to watch over me.  I will forever keep that experience in my mind in relation to what the role of the chaplain is.  I experienced what I was in the midst of studying in the finest of moments and settings that one could ever hope for.  I not only felt comfort from his actions, but now a week after and after reading my lessons for the past few days to catch up, it is so very obvious to me what the good Rev. Moore is saying and what may pal showed me.

I was on this side of receiving such goodness and faith and it provides one with the example of what it is to have such a person there for one's needs.  As I progressed in the course and this last week of recovery, I had a sense of completeness and felt that I too could be able to know what it was like to have such a person be there.  I had past conversations with hospital chaplains because of family illnesses, and they were meaningful.  However my experience of being the one in the bed and having the service of one who I am trying to be, was nothing short of a miracle of coincidence.  And yet, there seems to be a fate of connection that I have benefited from during this course.  I cannot understand why this happened when it did.  But, I am thankful that the actual course occurred to me and I was party to the teachings and receipt of what was placed on the table to me by this course.

So in conclusion, I hope that I have gained the insight of the course and I have experienced it first hand as a benefit of life and I hold dear the lessons within.  As I review what I have read, it becomes so evident of the role and need for the chaplain to go forth.  And, I am blessed with actual experience to understand what the role truly can be.  I hope it will make me better in my directions in the future to accomplish the same type of benefit to others.

 Now as asked, how can this course be improved, I am not sure.  Personally, I think it met my needs and showed me how one must be ready to do the commitment of the position if so gifted to receive such commission to do so.  Being of a non-affiliated religious direction, it is more difficult to make the inroads to be considered for such a position.  And yet, in everyday life it is something I do each and everyday, via an email or phone call or contact.  I find that I use this training now in most situations as I recognize them happening and that my non-affiliation, still allows me to act in the capacity of helping to fill the needs of others.

So, basically this is my submission.  I have no negative critique.  I think the course was one of almost a feeling of pleasantry in how it comes across and it is one where others who may take it, should feel the content flow in a positive manner.  I am glad I had this opportunity to learn from it. It is provided in a manner that gives the feel of a chaplain writing it and for that, I think it is very positive and serves well to all who may take it.

Sincerely ,

Reverend Adam Rocke

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To ordain yourself with the Universal Life Church, for free, for life, right now, click on the Free Online Ordination link.

Rev. Long created the ULC seminary site to help ministers learn and grow their ministries. The Seminary offers a huge catalog of materials for ministers of the Universal Life Church. 

Chaplaincy

Lesson 20

Final Paper

·        What did you learn?

·        What helped you?

·        What could improve this course?

·        What you hope you will accomplish as a result of taking this course.

Being a chaplain and a health care worker working with ALS patients and their caregivers is something I never would have imagined myself doing.  I have been involved in health care since the early 1980’s.  When I graduated from high school in 1975 I knew that I wanted a career in some field where I would be able to help people.  Specifically, I wanted to help people who were not in a position to help themselves.  Health care provided me with that opportunity.  Health care began to lose its personal aide back in the late 1980’s and I found myself discouraged.  The emphasis was no longer on helping people.  That was still important but not as important as cutting expenses and turning profits. 

So, in an attempt to once again devote my efforts to helping people, I entered seminary and began a short career in pastoral ministry.  After spending about 8 years in pastoral ministry, I realized that the people in the church that I was serving didn’t want to be helped.  Once again finding myself discouraged, I returned to health care and doors of opportunity began opening.  Doors continue opening to this day.  One of those doors brought me to this course in chaplaincy.  What a blessing this has been for me as it has equipped me to provide spiritual care in an arena that hadn’t existed until 2007. 

People have always had ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.  What was new was a clinic developed just for people afflicted with ALS.  This clinic opened in the town where I was once again working in health care and I was offered the opportunity to use my health care skills helping ALS sufferers.  What was and still is lacking in the ALS clinic that I work in is spiritual care of both the ALS patients and their care givers.  This is where ULC and this chaplaincy course intersected with my current pathway.  This course work has helped equip me to minister both a healing ministry and a spiritual ministry to people with very real and immediate needs.  Completion of this final lesson will provide me with the credentials and the documentation that I need to bring me to the next door of opportunity – ALS Chaplain.

As an ALS Chaplain, I hope to become the first official ALS Clinic Chaplain in my home State of Michigan.  I see myself accomplishing several goals in this role.  First, I will be able to use my health care credentials to minister to the physical needs of ALS patients (PALS).  ALS is a horrible, irreversible, progressive, neuromuscular disease that can claim the life of its victim in less than a year from the date of the initial diagnosis.   ALS attacks people as early as their late teens and always ends in physical death.  Care givers suffer as much or more than the PALS.  My heart goes out to both.  And now, thanks to the training I received in this course, I am equipped to provide physical care to the PALS and spiritual care to both PALS and their caregivers.   

It may take a small miracle from God to make this possible.   But as God is in the business of connecting people so they can help each other experience grace, peace and healing, I will leave the future in God’s capable hands and seek to be open to more opportunities.  This is what I hope to be able to accomplish as a result of taking this course.

One of the most important things I learned through this experience is that God is very big.  God’s love is deep, wide and unpredictable.  God’s grace extends to those who need it but don’t deserve it.  Faith in God is not something that I can take for myself.  Nor is faith something that I can give to someone else.   God gives faith and hope to those who come into an experience of God’s love.  God’s love is very big.  As people experience God’s love, they also experience God’s healing and can know wholeness even in a broken body, even in a body ravaged by ALS.  I believe God’s vehicle of love, grace, faith, hope and healing is people.  In some instances God will reveal God’s self to those in need through the chaplain.

The chaplain isn’t God.  The chaplain is a vessel God can use.  The chaplain isn’t a healer but the chaplain can facilitate healing.  The chaplain can make a broken person whole again but God can make people whole again and sometimes uses the chaplain to begin this process. 

God isn’t Catholic, Buddhist, Jewish, Baptist, Unitarian, etc.  God is Truth.  Somehow, though we can make a mess of God’s Truth, God can and does work through us in all our imperfections, to draw people into the Truth.  The chaplain, as a spiritual person, must not assume that he or she has a handle on God’s Truth but must always believe that God’s Truth is knowable.  God will draw people into God’s Truth through those whom God chooses to use as God’s servants.  The chaplain that God can use is the chaplain who allows God to work by not having an agenda, timeline, plan or purpose beyond being open and available for God to use. 

As a servant of God, the chaplain must do his or her best to speak truth.  Whether that truth is physical truth such as affirming that ALS is terminal or acknowledging that anger is a God given emotion as is sorrow, the chaplain must always speak the truth.  As God is Love, the chaplain must speak the truth in love with great compassion and an open mind, again realizing that it is God who draws people, who changes hearts and minds, who bring spiritual and physical healing and to make love known.

It is important to help people become comfortable with you, the chaplain.  Listening and being with the person who is in crisis is essential.  Helping the person in crisis be able to express what they are feeling by helping them put it into words is very important.  Record your notes because you will refer back to them as you seek to understand and help the person in crisis.  I learned that it is important to prepare, to be prepared, to know where you are going in the process of helping, to plan, to be accountable and hold accountable and yet, through it all, to let God orchestrate the changes that will come and to push the person in crisis forward toward a goal of healing and restoration that God will bring. 

This course was very helpful to me in the conciseness of the lessons set forth.  I also appreciated the use of Scripture at the beginning of each lesson.  God’s word is Truth revealed.  As closely as I am rooted in God’s Truth, that Truth can be manifested and as I stay as close as I can to God’s revealed Truth in my planning and preparation, I can be useful to God’s purpose for the person in crisis.  I think the counseling process can also be simple, concise and equally powerful.  God doesn’t need complicated structures to accomplish God’s goals and purpose for the person in crisis.

I would like to suggest for consideration the addition of life examples that would give a life application of each lesson for the student to ponder as he/she ponder the lesson contents themselves.   It would have driven home the points of the lesson even more to have had a life story to relate the lesson contents to.  Story is such a powerful tool for learning.  The biblical story at the beginning of each lesson is huge.  The personal application story at the conclusion of each lesson could be what really drives the lesson home for the learner.  

What a challenge it is working with people.  But what greater fulfillment is there than knowing that what God gave you to work with was used to help people find their way back to God.  If God sees fit to use what little I have to offer, my life will be worth it.  There are so many needy people and here I am in a small corner of the world hoping to be able to help a few find hope where they see only hopelessness.     

ALS is a horrific disease.  The end of the disease is death.  There is no physical healing for those afflicted by ALS but there is a spiritual healing that transcends the physical.  Those who find the spiritual healing that God offers, will find that even though they die, yet they will live.  What an awesome privilege to be a servant worker with God in sharing that message.

Thank you for helping me prepare for this ministry challenge.  God bless you all at ULC as you continue to help shape students for ministry.

Rev. Brad Norg

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have various classes in Christianity, one on Wicca, along with several Pagan courses, more than a few courses about Metaphysics with more being added regularly.

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free, legal and lasts for life, so please take advantage of our Free Online Ordination.

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of minister supplies.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and am proud to have started the Seminary.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

 

Become A Chaplain

Master of Chaplaincy Studies Lesson 8‏

My whole ministry if filled with compassion. I know that I was not always like this, however after completing CISM training both peer-to-peer and group I had a better understanding of what I was missing. Compassion was very much something that I was missing and once I found that out, I worked hard to better my ministry by becoming more understanding and compassionate. Now that I found what I was missing my ministry has grown from animals to nursing homes chaplaincy. Their noting like bringing out a smile or being a shoulder to lean on. Compassion is the key to understanding, communication, and your ministry.

Martin A

*******************************

The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have various classes in Christianity, one on Wicca, along with several Pagan courses, more than a few courses about Metaphysics with more being added regularly.

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free, legal and lasts for life, so please take advantage of our Free Online Ordination.

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of minister supplies.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and am proud to have started the Seminary.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar