2/16/17 Chaplain Intro Class 2
Final Exam turned in Feb 17th after class
Multicultural Ministry
o 60% Protestant
o 30% Roman Catholic
o Jewish, Muslim, Wicca, Earth religions
-diversity in religious contexts don't always fit stereotyped norms.
*Good intentions are not enough you must understand the nature of the people you are serving
o When you try to classify people your pre-conceived boxes may keep you from being able to serve the people you met
*Treating everyone the same may be opressive
Culture: physical, social, relational, intellectual, emotional, behavioral, spiritual groups
How does culture affect how a person responds to traumatic events and recovers from trauma
Cultural Awareness
o Cultural Knowledge
-I know something about the culture
o Cultural Sensitivity
-I am conscious about doing the right thing within the cultural context
o Cultural Competence
-My actions are consistent with what I know and consciously sense
SAMHSA- rating scale of cultural awareness
- process of becoming culturally aware to know there are differences
- later becoming competent to know how to consider cultural differences in your approach in relating to people
o What are the cultural norms of hospitality of the people you are serving.
o Ethnic minorities may suffer more adverse psychological consequences after disasters and mass violence than do white Americans
- less accessibility to resources
- Cultural stigma mental health or asking for help
o Cultural competence is a dynamic, ongoing, developmental process that requires a long-term commitment and is achieved over time
Spirituality vs. Religion
- formalization in religion
-customs
- rites
- doctrine
o Spirituality
-awareness of otherwordly
-reverence
- self aware or introspective
- openness to self and others
Spirituality refers to our inner belief system. It is a spirit to spirit relationship to oneself other and the Transcendent. It includes the balance between values, beliefs, and relationships
Religion refers to the externals of our belief system: church, prayers, traditions, rites, rituals. It includes the practices of our belief systems.
Primary functions of Religion and Spirituality
o coping
o healing
o questions
o seeking
o stress mitigation
o connecting
Cross Cultural Considerations:
o Remember that each person is unique
-even within his or her cultural group
o Be open minded about differences
o The myth of sameness creates bias
o Culture is more than religion, national identity or racial origin
o Culture is influenced by many elements injury, illness, hunger, threat, poverty, isolation, desperation.
Red Flags for disaster spiritual caregivers
o proselytism
o attitudes of superiority
o false imitation
o false assumptions
o stereotypes
o impatience
o inflexibility
Practical guidelines for ministry in disaster diversity
o Interpreters:
-act as a culture broker to provide a cultural framework for understanding the message
- interpreters and translators are different
- -let people choose their own interpreters when possible
-never use a child as an interpreter
-use written material for support
-use interpreters who are trained in crisis and spiritual care when possible
-inform interpreters of your mission and purpose what you expect to accomplish
Orientation to time, title, touch, and threats:
- cultural norms of being on time
- who gets honored/respect
- what is personal space
Generally for Chaplains
- appropriate touch elbow down or shoulder
LGBTQ and Chaplaincy
o Jonah-God telling him to preach to people that are not wanted
Chaplaincy outside the walls:
-Chaplaincy takes place outside of the church
o Not usually in charge
o Makes recommendations not decisions
o support staff not considered operational
o an adviser not a decider
Accomodation
- what is in the means and ability of your organization
Chaplains Minister
o typically educated, trained, ordained and endorsed and often credentialed professional clergy
o from one's own theological background without requiring theological agreement from constituients
-cooperation without compromise
o In and To the institution/agency in which they serve
Questions about SBC Endorsement
o Alcohol
o Divorce
o Speaking in tongues
- Need to know and practice what you believe fervently
Ministry in the institution/agency
o direct ministry intervention to the clients, staff and families of both
o influencing the individuals to change for their own benefit or the needs of society/the institution.
o providing for the needs of the individuals
o protecting individuals from harm
Ministry "to" the institution/agency
o advising in cases of religious accomodation issues
o being a moral and ethical compass for management and the institution
o influencing the institution to act/change for the benefit of clients, staff, self-interest
In all contexts of Chaplaincy
-Chaplains take care of people
Contexts
1. Military
2. Workplace
3. First Responder
4. Correctional
5. Crisis Intervention/ disaster
6. Campus
7. Sports/Recreational
8. Parish/Lay Chaplains
Chaplain ministry is about keeping your foot in the door
- maintaining the right/ability to speak into people's lives
- provide dignity/respect and engage with people that disagree with your beliefs
Self Care:
o Prioritize what you are doing
o Self care idea collection
-other than sleep, eat, exercise
o Reflection time every day
o Delegate
-ask for help at home and work
o Unwind routine
-to keep work agitation out of the home
o Learn to say no
o Assess your trauma exposure
-recognize compassion fatigue in yourself and others
o Accountability partner
o Life long learner
-professional development
o Preserve family time
- one night a week for family
o Maintain boundaries
- sexual purity including the appearance of purity
- preserving the integrity of your reputation
- clarify expectations of self and others
o Build relational supports
- friends in hobbies
o Find purpose and meaning in your work
o Practice the Sabbath
o Spiritual Retreats
o Seek help before you hit the bottom
o Marketplace Chaplain
April 29th Disaster relief Chaplain training