Chaplaincy Program

Master of Chaplaincy Studies Lesson 8

·         If you are already a chaplain, write a paragraph how you built trust in your organization. If not, write a plan on how you would go about building trust.

I feel a good way to build or establish trust is to be as accessible as possible and to follow through on promises.  This means to be counted upon when people are in need and to be held accountable for your promises.  If you tell someone you are there for them and then when the call goes out, you frequently cannot follow through on your intent, people will stop calling because they cannot trust your sincerity.  That definitely gets in the way of relationship building. Building good relationships is critical to building trust.  It shows a true and sincere interest, caring, and compassion in the other person which leads them to a comfort level with you.  This will lead to opening up.  Once that occurs, it is critical that what they tell you is held in confidence.  Any trust you have built will dissolve if you speak with others about what one has trusted you to keep to yourself. 

·         Check the laws in your state concerning what clergy are required to report on and develop a short paragraph.

With regard to mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect, Maryland law states that Clergy are not enumerated as mandated reporters but may be included with "any person" designation. This privilege is granted but limited to pastoral communications.  Maryland cod Ann. Fam. Law 5-705(a)(1), (a)(3) states:  Except as provided below, notwithstanding any other provision of law, including a law on privileged communications, a person other than a health practitioner, police officer, or educator or human service worker who has reason to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect shall notify the local department or the appropriate law enforcement agency.

A minister of the gospel, clergy member, or priest of an established church of any denomination is not required to provide notice ( when they have reason to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect) if the notice would disclose matter in relation to any communication that is protected by the clergy-penitent privilege and:

·        The communication was made to the minister, clergy member, or priest in a professional character in the course of discipline enjoined by the church to which the minister, clergy member, or priest belongs.

·        The minister, clergy member, or priest is bound to maintain the confidentiality of that communication under canon law, church doctrine, or practice.

·         Write a short paragraph on recent action of compassion in your ministry to another.

I am a member of the Christian Motorcyclist Association and I have recently begun to carry Bibles with me, whether I am on my motorcycle or in my car.  There are many homeless individuals standing on street corners seeking donations to help sustain them. This past week, at the traffic stops, on 2 occasions, I handed the individuals one of my Bibles and a donation.  In the short time I had at the top, I tried to establish a relationship with them by asking them to consider reading the Bible that I gave them and to ask the Lord for help as well.  I then asked them their name and continued to ask them if they felt comfortable with me praying for them. In both cases, the individuals were very gracious and I could see that they were touched.  Once the weather gets better and I can get out on my motorcycle, I plan to stop and spend more time with these people, and not only pray for them, but to pray with them. Luke 14:23 says "Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full."  It is my hope that not only am I helping these individuals to sustain themselves financially, but more importantly spiritually with the Lord.

May God Bless you.....

   Rod

Luke 14:23

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