Chaplaincy Studies

Lesson 17 ~ Chaplaincy Studies ~ Accountability ~ Essay

Rev. Trent Murman, OSM, OSF

 

Do you have a mentor? If not, what is your plan to find and establish a mentoring relationship? If you do, write a brief description and the blessings you have received from it. I do not presently have a mentor.  However, it would be prudent to have a mentor to be able to discuss situations you may come up with during your stent as a chaplain.  Myself, I would prefer to have a military chaplain because of my background.  I have had the pleasure to come into contact with several military chaplains during my military service career.  I feel these chaplains are the very well equipped to handle mentoring and usually straight forward and mostly very level headed in their decisions making process.  Accountability is most important for all clergy.  Accountability leads to trust by the people the chaplain ministers to.  Without the trust of your followers your credibility is toast. 

Go In Peace

Chaplaincy Studies

Lesson 16 ~ Chaplaincy Studies ~ The Soul Friend ~ Essay

Rev. Trent Murman, OSM, OSF

 

Who in your ministry do you see as a potential soul-friend? Do you have more than one potential soul-friend? Describe in a paragraph or two how you have been or become a soul-friend to this person and how you would like to improve this relationship. Three is only one person that fits this category.  He and I work very closely together and although we have not shared any part of our personal lives with each other, I think this would be a definite way to "seal the deal" as a soul friend.  We have had many in depth discussions regarding incidents in our ministry's however small.  We do think a lot alike and are definitely on the same page as far as the way we handle situations.  I feel it would be nice to invite him into my "inner circle".  The only way to improve our relationship on to becoming soul-friends would be to enter into a binding friendship, one that is not only unspoken but is unbreakable by bonding.   The greatest asset for both of us to have is trust.  At any time this trust is broken it would be very difficult to rekindle the bond.  In closing it would be a great honor to have him as a soul friend.

 

Go In Peace

Chaplaincy Studies

Lesson 15 ~ Chaplaincy Studies ~ Worship Matters ~ Essay

By:  Rev. Trent Murman, OSM, OSF

 

Using simplicity, describe how you would develop a "sacred space" in a small or medium space and how it would be led?  If I were a military chaplain I would create a "sacred space" inside a small to medium military tent on the front lines of the battlefield and in times of peace or truce I would invite the neighboring clergy of minority sects to provide their religious ceremonies to their followers.  I feel this would be more respectful to them and their followers than me attempting to provide them with a botched ceremony.  I believe this would gather more respect for me from these soldiers male/female by them seeing me go the extra effort to provide them with a proper ceremony of their own.  Even on foreign lands, these clergy could be invited to enter the camps to perform these sacred ceremonies.  I believe even in foreign lands the religious persons are usually not also involved with the combatant entities of war and being religious people they would be very willing to provide these ceremonies for those of their own faiths.  An altar would be constructed by using a foot locker with a simple sheet or blanket over it with a cross on top.  It is very easy to construct an altar which is normally used in every form of religious ceremonies.  Simple chairs or wooden benches could be used as the pews.  Bread, water or juices could be substituted, once consecrated, for the sacraments.  On the battlefield the clergy may only have his visitation stole to use for the ceremony, this is however, acceptable because full priests or clergy dress. 

Develop a marriage policy as a chaplain. As a chaplain, one does not usually have a set following or congregation, so my policy would be to:  meet with the prospective bride and groom at least 2 to 3 times prior to officiating the ceremony.  However, in my state premarital counseling is not required.  Chaplaincy, I feel is an exception to this.  My goal regarding meeting with them would be to see their position or views on the sanctity of marriage and to be sure this is what each of them wanted.  It would also be advisable to meet maybe once with each of the parties individually to get their views and thoughts, so there is no pressure on either partner for the marriage.  Once I have been satisfied in my own mind then I would either proceed with the ceremony or simply state to them that I did not feel I was the one to marry them.  This policy was also discussed in Lesson 14 and my thoughts regarding the marriage policy and the chaplain has not changed.

Go In Peace

CHAPLAINCY LESSON 10

Suggested resource involving 'appropriate touch' and conduct in general: www.virtus.org/virtus/pastoralconduct.pdf and www.pasadena.edu/hstutoringlab/communication/touching.cfm   My updated list re: appropriate touch: 1. I will never touch anybody without their permission and if ok'd only on the hand or shoulder for greeting/prayer. 2. I will be mindful of your personal space; I will not hover or crowd you. 3. If allowed to anoint your head and pray over you I will lightly touch the crown of your head or your forehead as I pray over you. 4. I will always make sure somebody in charge knows I am there or, if you are in my office, I will make sure that somebody knows you are there. This keeps things 'kosher' so to speak. 5. I will never be unaccompanied when with a child. 6. Most fellas I know are barely 'huggy' with their own kin, much less a stranger. It's a guy thing and I appreciate that. 7. Most ladies are wary of strangers, even of their own gender. It's better to be safe. For 6/7 a hand pat/squeeze if allowed is usually enough. 8. I promise will use hand sanitizer that is not obnoxious smelling. 9. As a personal rule I only give really close hugs to the closest inner circle of my family (spouse/mom/dad/grandparents/loving aunts/siblings/REALLY close friends). It's just the way I was raised. Church folk get the minimal 'church hug' and only then after we've known each other for a while. It's just how I was raised. Peace, Rev. K Hyler

Master/Chaplaincy Lesson 10

My policy on appropriate touch: I approach this not just as a chaplain-in-training, but also as a sensitive as well as a Reiki and Energy Medicine practitioner. My Reiki/Energy Medicine teacher set forth some fairly standard guidelines during our training. 1. Always introduce yourself first and be as pleasant as possible without being condescending. Try to exude warmth and compassion. 2. Avoid strong smelling hand sanitizers; find more neutral smelling 'natural' sanitizers (available at any health food store). 3. Always ask permission to step into somebody's personal space. 4. Read the person's body language. That will tell you how comfortable they are with you being there. 5. Stick to the hands if they do allow personal contact. You may feel inclined to hug somebody but this is 2012, not the 1960's/1970's. If they do want a hug then keep it 'easy' and friendly, not personal. 6. The general rule is hand or shoulder. You have no business touching anybody any place else; you are not their physician. 7. When praying for somebody ask if they'll allow you to hold their hand or touch their shoulder gently. Press or touch lightly (and warm your hands!). (I've also simply held my hands over them without touching them and that seemed to go over well too.) 8. Know the policy of the places you visit and be aware that what one might deem appropriate another might see as 'sexual misconduct'.  That's it for now - Rev. K Hyler

Chaplaincy Studies

Lesson 14~ Chaplaincy Studies ~ Essay

By: Rev. Trent Murman, OSM, OSF

 

Develop a list of holidays celebrated by the institution you minister as a chaplain.

Christmas

Lent

Easter

Thanksgiving

Veteran's Day

Ash Wednesday

Good Friday

 

Develop a marriage policy as a chaplain. As a chaplain, one does not usually have a set following or congregation, so my policy would be to:  meet with the prospected bride and groom at least 2 to 3 times prior to administering the ceremony.  However, in the state of Indiana pre-marriage counseling is not required.  Chaplaincy, I feel is an acception to this.  My goal regarding meeting with them would be to see their position or views on the sanctity of marriage.  To be sure this is what each of them wanted.  It would also be advisable to meet maybe once with each of the parties individually to get their views and thoughts individually so there is no pressure on either partner for the marriage.  Once I have been satisfied in my own mind then I would either proceed with the ceremony or simply state to them that I did not feel I was the one to marry them. 

Go In Peace