From Chaplains to Chaplains
Chaplains Corner
A place for Chaplains to encourage other Chaplains
Maximize your chaplaincy self-care by also engaging with other chaplain’s communication. We hope if you are a volunteer or case worker practicing chaplaincy skills, you may also find encouragement in each Corner Communication.
Read the works of chaplains and/or submit your own words of comfort or encouragement to Living Shield Ministries for review and use in an upcoming Corner Communication.
Corner Communications
A Wide Place
Chaplain Lynne writes:
Have you ever driven the “Road to the Sun” in Montana?
It is a demanding road, in high mountainous terrain. Deep drops appear on each side at times and it is windy, narrow and only open during certain times of the year. It is also beautiful and scenic. Yet the demanding road requires total attention for most of the drive. Fortunately, there are turnouts and scenic viewpoints in many places.
A turnout (a pull-off for rest) is actually a purposeful “Wide” place in the journey.
A place to pull over and stop for a time; a place for a moment’s re-gathering in the journey… To catch your breath, before you continue you on. To meet your physical needs, as well as your mind and focus.
The harder and more treacherous the journey, the more the Wide Place is appreciated and needed.
We have found that for people who are in the midst of the arduous journey of grief and trauma, in pain and caught off guard by the crisis before them, they too need a wide place in the midst their journey.
A safe place
A Breathing place
A Calming space
A Nourishing place
A lift your eyes to the heavens place and breathe deeply, taking in what is around you.
Before they continue on the journey.
Chaplains create that “Wide place” for them in the midst of their crisis.
A wide place doesn’t change the journeys path, only how you cope in the midst of it.
A wide place is a safe resting place for a moments respite in the hard journey The journey does not really change, it’s still hard. It can be disorienting, making the terrain… the world they are in the midst of… feel foreign. Their pain creates distance between them and God. He feels distant and unknown; they feel isolated from God, with a crushed spirit within and the paralysis pain creates.
But the wide place provides the safety to breathe and be calmer. To have a safe place to seek out the questions the pain the journey before them creates, and to have a compassionate companion to be present with them in the midst.
Chaplain, are you a Wide Place? Do you create that nourishing place? (please click here to go to comments to add prayer request)
Blessings, Chaplain Lynne
“to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God…” ~ Ephesians 3:19 NKJV
A Wide Place
Explore common questions about the role of chaplaincy and how to improve these essential skills.
How do you create a wide place for a hurting person…?
Purpose – know your purpose, it’s not to change the journey path, but to walk the journey with them and keep them moving forward in the midst. To redirect to opportunities for a wide place and safety
Presence – be present with them, stay with them, hear their voice, be the safe place where they can speak frankly the wounds they are experiencing.
Compassion – make sure you meet the persons practical needs- physical safety, food, drink, warmth, using this as an opportunity of having eyes to see their needs.
Silence – offering them the space to hear what the experience is saying and sitting quietly with them as they share. Intent attention. Gentle words when needed by the person.
Peace – bring your personal peace in a peaceful presence with attentive intent to help create opportunity for peace to grow in the midst of the situation, and then grow to engagement.
Psalms 18:19 NKJV
Psalms 18:19 NKJV
He also brought me out into a wide place; He delivered me because He delighted in me.
II Samuel 22:20 NKJV
II Samuel 22:20 NKJV
He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me.
One Purpose
Chaplain Lynne writes: As a Chaplain, times like this week in September 2025, are exceedingly difficult. People of all walks are hurting. Grief leads to strong emotions. Emotions lead to stronger words. Those serving on the frontlines are facing difficulty, and the...
Crossroads of Despair and Hope
Chaplain Lynne writes: Our Chaplain role is to nudge people who are in despair... ever so gently, towards hope. With your deep well of peace, gentleness, love, attention, empathy and compassion, you gently turn people to hope. Your hope filled service, of quiet...
Spirituality and Hope
Chaplain Lynne writes: Hope and Spirituality are linked to Trauma Recovery. Spirituality has a deep healing impact on the recovery of individuals experiencing a traumatic event. Healing fundamentally centers around the spiritual impact of hope. Recent studies have...
Corner Opportunities
Contribute to the Corner
We are currently collecting one-page encouraging messages to be shared in future editions of the Chaplains Corner. A Living Shield Ministries board member will evaluate the submission and decide when to use it, after communicating back with you.
A Path Forward
At times someone helps us on the path of chaplaincy in an encouraging way. Here is an opportunity to help other chaplains. Consider sponsoring a chaplain you know to attend the School of Chaplaincy.
Add Light to the Corner
Light the way for poor prospective chaplains by contributing to the scholarship fund used by Living Shield Ministries to help educate more chaplains. Help a student start class with a scholarship.
Join the School of Chaplaincy
We are all “works-in-progress”. Take a major step towards enhancing your listening skills and get updated on the latest information for Chaplains. Practice what you’ve learned and/or will learn with others that share the same interest, so you can better share your experiences with your community. Together, we can make a difference.