Lesson 16

Lesson 16 Answer

Who in your ministry do you see as a potential soul-friend?

            I see a couple of people as potential soul-friends. The first is my pastor and the second is a pastor who is also treasurer for my American Legion post.

Describe how you have been or become a soul-friend to someone and how you would like to improve this relationship.

I have a very old and wise Gideon friend that has helped me and prayed for me for many years. I have a tendency to neglect him but would love to increase the mentorship that has developed into something more like the soul-friend relationship described in the lesson. I would also like to cultivate that same relationship with my pastor or possibly the other pastor I mentioned. Unfortunately, I'm a very solitary and self-reliant person. I'm the type of person that, if stranded on a deserted island, would just set up housekeeping and start a new life alone. I would wish for rescue but wouldn't rely upon it. I'm the type of person that people can rely upon, but I fail to rely on others, so I'm not sure I could ever be much of a soul-friend to anyone – including my precious wife.

To spite my love and compassion, my desire to serve, my dedication to seeing souls saved, I may not be a very good candidate for soul-friend. I will endeavor to preserver in the pursuit of these relationships though, just in case it is something that can be learned, instead of coming naturally. It definitely does not come naturally to me.

Master of Chaplaincy Study Lesson 18

This is a great study i love every lesson, i have learn so much from this course, how to be effective in my ministry as a chaplain

                                                                                                                                                                   Imam Mark Ali Muhammad

                                                                                                                                                                    Chaplain to be.

 

Master of chaplaincy lesson 16

This is a beautiful scholarly course i cant say enough about the course.

The course is teaching me how to be a good chaplain.

                                                                                                                                                 Imam Mark Ali Muhammad

                                                                                                                                                           chaplain to be

Master of Chaplaincy Study Lesson 15

I will definitely incorporate this scholarly course into my ministry of chaplaincy this is a great course.

                                                                                                                                                    Imam Mark Ali Muhammad

                                                                                                                                                            Chaplain to be

                                                                                                                                                                 

Lesson 15

Chaplaincy and Creating a Sacred Space

            As a Christian my sacred space could be very simple. All that would be needed in a small to medium space is a portable sacred desk or pulpit, my cell phone or tablet and a Bluetooth speaker. A small Christian flag could be hung from the pulpit. Just remember that from the congregation looking toward the pulpit, the cross is always on the left when the flag is vertical or horizontal.

Pulpit

            The pulpit would serve as a place to put my sermon notes, my Bible and or a tablet with the Bible and my notes stored within it. The tablet or smart phone could also store music for the worship service. A small Bluetooth speaker could be sat at the base of the pulpit to amplify the music for small or medium size spaces. Depending on the size of the Christian flag you choose, it could be hung vertically or horizontally from the pulpit.

Music

            As attendees arrived I would have modern Christian music playing. I would shut the music off for the opening prayer, then lead a traditional, well known hymn with music as a congregational hymn. I would have simple folders with numbered sheet music that would be passed out by volunteers before leading one or two congregational hymns. A modern or traditional worship song could be played softly for the alter call.

Attire

            I would be dressed in a traditional suite and tie, or at least a shirt with a religious patterned tie, or shirt with embroidered religious symbol depending on the expected dress of my congregation. The shirt could just say Chaplain.

No additional things would be necessary, because the focus of the meeting should be worship and developing a better understanding of what God wants us to know from scripture. Baptism could be arranged for a later date, as needed.

chaplaincy course

I am thoroughly enjoying the content.

thanks so much for your work in creating. 

Maryanne deGoede

Master of Chaplaincy Study Lesson 12

This is a great course this course is very helpful to me. i have learned a tremendous amount about the chaplaincy  on a scale 1-10 this course is definitely a 10 am grateful to have a course like this 

                                                                                                                                                    Mark Ali Mmuhammad

                                                                                                                                                     Chaplain to be    

lesson 8

steps to Building trust,

1. Be honest with yourself and others

2. Be the first to trust

3. Show compassion and empathy

4. Use good Communication skills

5. Be dependable

6. be flexible

7. Be consistent

8. Be open

9. Show tolerance

10. Be patient

Reporting of crimes

Note from me: it has been difficult for me to find online the letter of the law in reporting criminal activity by clergy in layman's terms. I have done my best to decipher the legal babel. Sorry if i have failed in its interpretation.

It is to my understanding that the clergy is a mandated reporter on issues of child welfare and health, from there it gets tricky. the department of child welfare has on their website a list of who is by law a mandated reporter and the clergy are on that list with no exceptions. When looking at the actual law it seems that if the information of a child's welfare or health is in danger was obtained in confidentiality as a clergy then michigan grants clergy/penitent privilege. From what little i have found on other crimes or suicide again it's tricky. It seems clergy/penitent privilege can and has prevailed in cases but technichly if it is not written in law saying so the state doesn't stand by one single side it states it will not grant nor protect the privilege.       

As for deeds of compassion in my ministry, i do not belong to one. I personally have had no situation in the last 2 years that i can think of that needed my compassion. I or rather the people around me have been blessed. :)

                                                                             J.P. Welch
                                                                                                

Master Chaplaincy Lesson 10

 my religion appropriate touching for women is no if she's not your wife. i learned a lot from this lesson 10 about appropriate touching this lesson is great for me it has helped me very much as a interfaith chaplain i will adopt this lesson on how to use appropriate touching.

                                                                                                                                                                       Imam Mark Ali Muhammad

                                                                                                                                                                             Chaplain t

Master Chaplaincy Lesson 10

In my religion appropriate touching for women is no if she's not your wife. i learned a lot from this lesson 10 about appropriate touching this lesson is great for me it has helped me very much as a interfaith chaplain i will adopt this lesson on how to use appropriate touching.

                                                                                                                                                                       Imam Mark Ali Muhammad

                                                                                                                                                                             Chaplain to be

Master Chaplain Lesson 8

This is a great study am encourage more to be a chaplain i have learned so much from this course it,  has gave me so much  insight

Any one thinking about chaplaincy i would recommend this course.

                                                                                                                                                             Imam Mark Ali Miuhammad

                                                                                                                                                                 Chaplain to be

                                                                                                                                                    .

  

lesson 7

In most universities they have chaplains of various faiths who work together to serve the spiritual needs of the students, faculty, staff and all those who are part of the campus community. To students who many are away from family friends and their spiritual community at home to the faculty and staff who work long hours spending a great deal of time on the campus away from home. In both these cases it is difficult for them to keep close ties with the the ministers and congregation they may be affiliated with.

Chaplains provide practical care in a number of ways

which may include:

enabling individuals to understand their spiritual concerns;

providing personal advice and counsel;

providing services to overseas students who are dealing with the dislocation and adjustments of living and studying in a foreign culture;

diversifying social contact especially for overseas students and others living away from home;

providing support for those adjusting to life in the residential colleges;

creating opportunities for students and staff to meet across faculty and cultural barriers;

providing support for co-religionists in relating tertiary study and faith;

including alumni in various activities; promoting the sense of community within the institution as a whole;

advocacy where appropriate;

engaging the broader University, for example on issues relating to ethics or social

I live on a houseboat in a marina and i've found that my marina. I've thought about a plan to make that change and it is as followed:  

speaking with the owners about the benefits of an on site chaplain like blessing of boats, spiritual council and services, holidays and general celebrations held and how they can market this to their list of services offered when obtaining a well in their marina.

Rev, J.P. Welch

Lesson 10 - The Healing Touch

This lesson hits home for me. At the age of 13, my son fell out of a tree and ended up with Traumatic Brain Injury. After his fall, things changed with him. I could no longer hug my son like I used to as he did not like to be touched. With him, I learned some pretty good lessons.

I will always extend my hand for a handshake. I feel that is appropriate in most situations. That gives the other person the option of shaking my hand or not.

As far as touching beyond that, I believe one should always ask permission before touching. If it is someone I know well, I will already know what is appropriate.

In today's society, one can not be too careful. A simple touch could land one in court for sexual harassment. That is why it is my policy to ALWAYS ask permission before touching.

Chaplain To Be,

Rev. Lisha

Lesson 12 Answer

Counsel to the Troubled

By: David L. Brown

            I have no counseling experience as a Chaplain. I do have general counseling training and psychiatric training. Part of my Independent Duty Corpsman training involved counseling troubled Marines and Sailors when no physician, psychiatrist or Chaplain was available. The reality was that they were seldom immediately available and I was the first person available to provide counseling. I then referred the personnel to additional counseling as needed. Psychiatric training was also part of my Bachelor in Health Science degree curriculum.

            In order to improve my current skills, I need to find a mentor in various types of counseling and see if I can legally shadow them during counseling and group counseling sessions, like I did during my Bachelor studies, but encompassing a broader range of subjects. I produced a list of local counselors including, marriage, family, grief, addiction, Christian, spiritual and financial counselors. Until I receive additional training, I can at least refer people to proper care. Acquiring mentors and/or additional formal training would be my next step in improving my counseling skills. Practicing those skills would be my next step.

Lesson 11

Ministering to the Grieving

By: David L. Brown            

            I've had very little experience in this aspect of the Chaplaincy. In my distant past I would even avoid grieving people to avoid the pain and distress that comes with the experience. As I matured in Christ and continued to read through the Bible multiple times, I realized the need to be present for the grieving and provide comfort to those in distress due to loss.

            I remember one occasion that a co-worker lost her brother to suicide. She was extremely distressed, because she thought for sure that he was not able to go to heaven because he took his own life. She was not a Catholic, but a Christian, so I asked her why she believed he was not in heaven. She replied, "well that's what they say in the movies, if you kill yourself, it's considered a mortal sin, so you can't go to heaven." She obviously hadn't read the Bible but was relying on Hollywood and the media to guide her.

            I asked her if he had ever accepted Christ as his Savior. She said, "yes." Then I asked what denomination of church he attended, and she said, "Baptist." So, I reassured her that Baptist doctrine and the Bible clearly state that you cannot lose your salvation, that when you accept the free gift of grace, you are sealed as a child of God and joint heir with Christ in heaven. Her brothers sin was forgiven on the cross when Jesus said, "it is finished:" John 19:30

 "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." Romans 8:16-17

            I reassured her that since he accepted Christ and was a born-again believer that her brother was definitely in heaven. After that, you could see joy return to her face. She still had grieving to do, but it was grieving with hope, instead of grieving in despair.

Comments Lesson 1

May 1, 2018 Posting for Forum

This is part of my Lesson 1 in Masters' of Chaplaincy Studies. I felt it was so important that by answering the three (3) questions, I not only learned important things about Chaplaincy; I realized it is an important, lifelong responsibility for a Chaplain- for ME! – to keep on learning about ALL the Faiths & be part of the Community- to be present at activities of the different faiths to be KNOWN to be of best use.

First, I have to say when I got ordained, I was on a mission- it wasn't to officiate a wedding (I keep trying to convince people to do so or at least have a Handfasting – a commitment of a year and a day!) I wanted to DO something MORE!

I saw Chaplaincy Studies & went right through to seminary courses – no that wasn't it! So I looked up the word Chaplain because I really didn't know what they were! That's right I looked in the dictionary! Satisfied I signed up- still needing a reality check, a chaplain is not a mystical creature like a unicorn- I only found this out through the Chaplaincy Study & Comparative Religion.

A-    Short paragraph or two on what I know of Chaplains- 

Well I confess I had to look up the word to personally learn if this was something I could commit to. What I did know or thought I knew was that a chaplain was Christian, mostly Catholic and I thought  a chaplain being another word for Deacon, which I equate with Protestantism. You also don't have to be ordained either as a deacon- but having the "Call" I was blessed a deacon by Father Newbury during my foray as an Episcopalian.

I was to go to the hospital in Fathers' stead especially if I knew the person or family requesting "Spiritual Care".  Episcopalian's do laying on of hands, and I am especially blessed in that area. I have worked closely with Cancer patients. My specialty is Pain Management, some shrinkage of tumors AND people become "Lucid", come out of comas to talk with me! More EXTREME miracles have happened and are documented because they were "Impossibilities"!

B-     Does my Faith group have chaplains?-

In my Spiritual forays I've never come across one!

C-    What is your view of chaplains and their role is society today? – My view is that the role of chaplains today is so important!  More important than I ever thought and more important than ever before. It seems to be the way – my way to world peace and harmony.

Now, more than ever, I accept the commitment for the undertaking of teaching and sharing with others the importance of understanding other Faiths and Ethnicities; by learning to accept each other for who we are – even if our beliefs and traditions differ. What people don't understand, they fear! Moreover, not being understood is even SCARIER!

I loved finding out that St Francis of Assisi, was essentially a chaplain.  That's my favorite prayer. No matter what the Belief/Faith system is – it says it all!

The most important part of the prayer is when He says;

"Lord make me a channel of Thy Peace-- that where there is hatred, I may bring Love—that where there is wrong, I may bring Harmony—that where there is error, I may bring Truth—that where there is doubt, I may bring Faith—that where there is despair, I may bring Hope—that where there are shadows, I may bring Light—that where there is sadness, I may bring Joy."

"Lord, grant that I may seek to Comfort—rather than be comforted—to Understand, than be understood—to Love, -- than to be loved."

"For it is by Self-forgetting that one Finds and it is by Forgiving that one is Forgiven.

 

This is the role of the chaplain, my role; today and ALWAYS!

Gr8archangel

 

Lesson 10 Answer

The Healing Touch

            I've never been comfortable touching people I don't know. I believe in shaking hands, but that's about it. I have in the past tentatively hugged friends at church, but I quickly grew uncomfortable with it. Hugging is just to intimate and should be relegated to family, extended family and trusted friends.

            My plan, as a Chaplain, would be to always ask permission before I touched anyone. Even if I ask to pray for the person, because, depending on the circumstances, the person may actually recoil from you if you reach for their hand. So, I will always ask first. The same thing applies for putting my hand on a person's shoulder, arm or head, which is the only other appropriate places to touch someone that you are trying to comfort. In todays sinful world with its plague of political correctness and sexual divergence from the Biblical ideal, no other touching seems appropriate to me.

            Those that are amiable to a healing touch will only be touched on the hand, arm or shoulder by me. I may also, with permission, lay my hand on their head. The hand will always be my first choice, unless it has an IV catheter in it or some other device attached (like a pulse oximeter, etc.). The healing touch is very important, but it should always be applied appropriately and in keeping with the person's religious beliefs (for instance, a man must not touch an Islamic woman, especially if he is a Christian or Jew).