Spirit at Work

In my recent experience, people who have had access to a chaplain will sometimes fight tooth and nail to keep him /her. In a recent round of cutbacks in the local hospital region, the Chaplain's salary was cut. In the past year, the community has raised funds to pay the chaplain themselves and, at every oppportunity, try and press the powers that be to reinstate funding. It's pretty incredible the head of steam they have built up - led by retired judges, stacking meetings, writing letters, holding street protests.

I was working as a contractor in a plant when the girl (literally--she had just turned 20) I was sharing an office with was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She died 4 months later, and everyone who had known her was devastated. The company brought in a grief counselor who worked with us throughout the next day and brought much comfort to all of us and helped us to refocus and go on in our grief. In retrospect--and I know this sounds callous--it was the most cost effective thing they could have done as few of us had our heads "in the game", and our productivity was nil. Still, most companies would not have taken that step, and I still remember being shocked (and very grateful)that this one did.

I want to affirm that we are facing some tough times ahead in this world and that we need to help people deal wiht this. We need to deal with people at a heart level. I can say that Jesus Christ has made the difference in my life. Once I surrendered my will to his I found freedom in that He will take care of things. Not always as I see it but he will. I agree that a chaplin at work places is very effective and we need to keep praying that God will show his power through chaplins as they proclaim the name of Jesus and show the compassion and mercy to ohters that Jesus has shown us. Remember Jesus loves you and he wants to be your helper through tough times.

Yes, I have experience as a chaplain in business and in law enforcement.

I particularly find that I am asked to accomodate a wide variety of needs both spiritually and practically that other social workers and figures in the "therapeutic" field don't even bother to familiarize themselves with because "it's not their job."

I believe that pastors who may be used to networking with a broad variety of people and who can assemble a wide array of resources to meet the whole needs of people make good chaplains and the chaplains serve a better EAP function than narrowly focused, alleged professionals in other fields.

After leaving a position as Sr. Executive in the Medical Device Industry I have spent the last five years studying, training and ultimately being ordained by my church and certified as a Chaplain. I plan to market my experience from CEO to Chaplain and to find a noiche in Corporate Chalpaincy.

Chaplianicy is an inter-faith ministry where more counselling and spiritual support is addressed than evangelism. In fact in the milieu that I trained (a major ACPE-Association of Clinical Pastoral Education - teaching hospital) evangelism was a forbidden practice. Chaplains, while ordained wear no "collars" or badges of office.

I am confident that as a concern for the spiritual well-being of employees is addresses. The power of faith and mutual concern will drive corporate growth.

The Rev'd. Frances JK Brotherhood

Thanks for the information. I was recently appointed Police Chaplin of a small suburban City.This page is a "God-send".

I hope to contact some of you & network ideas, thoughts & programs.

Peace,
Deacon Tom Evrard

In answer to the question, "Do you think it'd work better if your company had an on-staff in-house chaplain -- or is bringing someone in every so often sufficient?" I say, "Yes." Yes, having a full-time on-staff chaplain would be great, but so would having an on-staff RN, MD, or any number of specialized professionals. I also say, Yes, bringing a chaplain in every so often can also be sufficient. I am a corporate chaplain in Mobile, Alabama and the later has been my experience. In this "Bible Belt" area, many business owners and CEO's are active church memberships and in a way, they see themselves as their company's chaplain. Fortunately, for my business, I am also active in training and development work, too.

Yes, I agree that Chaplins are needed in the workplace. I have spent the last 10 years working in human resources where most of my work centered around employee relations issues. I have seen a rise in organizations bringing in doctors and nurses to adresses workers compensation and medical leave issues. I think its time now to address the spiritual well being of the employee as it relates to employee productivity, conduct, conflict, attendance, substance abuse, family and general wellness. I am currently working through my church in preparation for ordination to ministry. I am considering Chaplinary in the marketplace.

Having read the many comments today I am enouraged. I have spent the last nine years in ministry as Pastor and have worked for 40 years with a major IT company. I am currently working through the IT Company as coach/mentor. As pastor with a (LLPC) Limited License Professional Counselor with the State of Michigan and MA in Pastoral Counseling, the HR person has asked me to become a coach/mentor. For those who have the passion, talk with your HR person share your passion and background. Yes, it is time to address the Spiritual well being of the employee as it relates to the whole person. I am truly considering Chaplinary in the marketplace.

Does anyone know of any organizations that are doing this kind of work in New York City or which Association would work best in New York?
I am an ordained interfaith minister and am very interested in getting involved in corporations. Anything anyone can share as next steps would be much appreciated.