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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

The Love of the Father

Chaplain Kevin writes:

As a crisis Chaplain, I share time and space with people whom are in the midst of a crisis. Many times, the crisis is the unexpected loss of a loved one. Seriously, what do you tell a mother or a father who just lost their teenager to murder, suicide, an accident, or illness? What do you tell a teenager who just lost a parent or both parents to one of the same? Truth is, that I have no words that can fix, solve or even comfort anyone in such a situation. On my own, I have nothing to offer anyone that can be of any lasting help or hope.

The big HOWEVER is: our heavenly Father has the words. Our heavenly Father has comfort. Our heavenly Father has hope. Our heavenly Father has encouragement. Our heavenly Father has the love that surpasses all understanding or comprehension. Our heavenly Father has exactly what we need when we need it. It is my job as a Chaplain to bring our heavenly Father on scene.  Do I preach? Do I evangelize? Do I simply read from the Bible? Do I deliver platitudes or manufacture words of my own that seem comforting? NO!!!!!

As a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, I know that wherever I go I have God’s Holy Spirit actively living in me. In fact, he goes before me. When I arrive on scene of someone in crisis, I know that it is not me that is bringing the comfort, or the care. It is the Love of our heavenly Father that is on scene. As a trained and experienced Chaplain, I have been on many scenes and in many homes where I nearly said nothing other than “I am just so sorry for your loss”. I have stayed and held them when necessary and comforted them merely with my presence.

What is remarkable is that it seems to always be those brokenhearted people, that come back to me later and tell me how big of an impact I was to them at the time of the crisis. It is only then that I am invited in as a trusted person / Chaplain that they feel they can open up to and seek guidance. It is only then that I can share that it was God’s hand and arms that were upon them that night and not mine. It is then that they invite me to share with them the “Love of the Father”.

February often is called the “Love” month as Valentines Day is in the middle of the month. While the “world” celebrates what it understands as “Love” as believers and followers of Jesus Christ, may we all celebrate the “Love of the Father”. This kind of Love “surpasses all comprehension” (Ephesians 3:19). It is the only Love that is true, reliable, and consistent. We need only to look at the scars on the hands and feet of Jesus that say’ this is how much I love you”. May we all take this love into the “world”. Share it this month and every month.

Blessings, Chaplain Kevin “Ray” Ellstrom

“to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God…” ~ Ephesians 3:19 NKJV

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The Love of the Father

Explore common questions about the role of chaplaincy and how to improve these essential skills.

How do chaplains show “love”?

Being fully present in the darkest hour of one suffering

Listening empathically

Holding a safe space for the person to share thoughts and emotions

Showing compassion

Why show love in dark times?

Knowing that someone cares enough to be there helps the individual to not feel lost in the overwhelming emotions they experience. 

You become a safe place for them to explore hope again.

We are called to do so (see Proverbs 17:17).

A friend loves at all times, a brother is born in adversity.

Many new chaplains share that they hold fear around serving those in crisis. What do I say? How do I minister?

You simply love. It is not your words. It is the love you carry within.

It is having the courage to stand with them as they suffer.

Remember 1 John 4:18 – There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear.

How do I prepare to show love?

Build and strengthen your relationship with your faith foundation.

Grow in your understanding of how crisis affects people.

Grow in your resilience; by learning about resilience and resistance in Crisis.

Practice hearing people’s stories; quietly, with concern, compassion and love.

Season of Sorrow

Season of Sorrow

Chaplain Lynne writes: As an instructor for Living Shield, I am often asked how I maneuvered through seasons of suffering; how I face a new year before me during dark times. I found there was a key focus… gratitude.  My Hope in God, and gratitude. Don’t get me wrong...

Stress of December

Stress of December

Chaplain Lynne writes: December...    is a hard month for many people. Its holiday stressors, family gatherings that can be difficult, memory triggers that can be hard for those dealing with loss, and then it is compounded because it is the end of one year leading...

Standing in the GAP

Standing in the GAP

Chaplain Doug writes: I shared this devotional with the Living Shield Board of Directors, as part of my Chaplaincy role during a meeting …  sharing it as a vision of what Chaplaincy and Living Shield are.   I was told it encouraged and moved them as a Board and a...

Corner Opportunities

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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.