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Integrity—Don’t leave home without it.

In chaplaincy, there is a foundation.  That foundation is integrity.  Without integrity the Chaplain has no ministry, let alone a message of hope.  Integrity goes a long way to define the Chaplain. In a pastoral care relationship trust is THE key component.  Everything else is built upon trust. 

 

Three key areas of life the Chaplain reveals his integrity:

 

1.  One’s word.  In the mid-20^th century there was a saying, “My word is my bond”.  As the century was coming to a close it was clear that one’s word was not their bond.  Obfuscation became the rule of the day.  It could be argued that in the business world and political world that was the best one could expect. After all, politicians have the reputation of lying like cheap rugs.  Unfortunately, obfuscation and deception seeped into the religious communities.  Since many Chaplains come out of a religious/faith community that culture which permitted obfuscation sometimes rubbed off.  I will say this as clearly as I can; a Chaplain’s word must be his or her bond.  For it to be anything but this, the Chaplain has no future. 
2.  Finances.  The Chaplain should have a superior credit rating as financial integrity is vital to the reputation of a minister.  When a Chaplain takes a position and agrees to the terms of the offer, he/she is bonded by his word and will work for the company that him or her.  I suggest that a Chaplain never accept a position if the financial terms are such that if the Chaplain took the position that he or she would immediately begin a search for a new position due to financial considerations. 
3.   One’s work.  The Chaplaincy is a challenging profession.  Some days are so busy that you wonder where the time went.  Other days are slow and mundane.  In whichever type of day the Chaplain finds him/herself it is expected that the Chaplain operate at the highest level of service possible.  Yes, it’s hard. Yes, it takes great effort, but we aren’t selling widgets, we are providing peace, comfort, and support.  It is expected of the Chaplain to put in a full day’s work.  I urge our Chaplains to have their work complete, their documentation complete, and their schedule ready for the next day by 4:30PM.  I expect them to go home and enjoy their family and invest themselves there.

 

Chaplain Colleagues, 2016 is a unique period in our national and world history.  The expectations of integrity hold firm.  Be a person who is known for this key character quality.

 

 

The Chaplain as Smooth Outrider

What are you talking about?  Chaplain and smooth outrider? 

If you are a rodeo fan, you’ll know the value and importance of the smooth outriders.  When a bunking bronco has completed his efforts to dislodge the cowboy from his back, he’s still a little agitated and kicks and bucks.  He’s forgotten the mission is complete and it’s time to head back to the holding pen.  He needs some help to calm down.  This is where the smooth outrider comes in.  Sometimes it’s one, sometimes it’s two outriders that enter the arena where the bronco is.  They ride up next to their frenzied friend and come along side.  Their manner brings calm to the bronco.  These outriders then guide the bronco to the holding pen for rest and food. 

 

The outriders are in every strata of the horse business.  In a story http://www.paulickreport.com/features/breeders-cup-presents-connections/the-wild-ride-of-an-outrider/ I read of the work of John Garges, an outrider.  He and his horse have brought calm to such a notable horse as American Pharaoh, leading him quietly to the winner’s circle.  Garges then tells an interesting story: “I've had a few people ask what you do when there's a horse running the wrong way, and well, you catch him going the wrong way. That's what you do.”

 

How does this apply to the Chaplain?  Have you noticed that from time to time, a fellow IDT member might get a bit upset at a decision made by the organization or another might be distracted by a personal problem, or yet another get hurt feelings and leave the meeting room in tears?  They need a smooth outrider to come along beside them to calm them.  That, my Colleague, is your role more often than not.  You have a wonderful opportunity to use your kind influence to get them going in the right direction.  You might even save their career.

 

The Chaplain is a peace-maker, a peace-giver.  Your demeanor may just be what that troubled IDT member needs.  As for the Chaplain Team as a whole, we need each other for support and a right perspective on what is happening around us.  While we cannot solve everyone’s problems we can be there as a calming influence.  “Saddle up, Smooth Outriders!”

Controversy, faux-outrage, hyper-sensitivity, and hyper-criticism seem to dominate the landscape of American culture now.  On Memorial Day we gain perspective.

Thank you (a phrase that cannot possibly be enough in expressing the gratitude I feel for our fallen Heroes) for your sacrifice.  We stand on your shoulders to make this country what our Founders dreamed it could be.

Thank you.

Great piece for Blessing of the Hands...

Blessed be these hands that have touched life.
Blessed be these hands that have nurtured creativity.
Blessed be these hands that have held pain.
Blessed be these hands that have embraced with passion.
Blessed be these hands that have closed in anger.
Blessed be these hands that have drawn blood and administered medication.
Blessed be these hands that have cleaned beds and disposed of wastes.

Blessed be these hands that have carried out endless tasks
as part of caring for our community.

Blessed be these hands that have comforted the dying and held the dead.
Blessed be the hands that hold the promise of the future.

It’s OK to be patriotic…

Thankfully, in the hospice environment we have the privilege to recognize and “pin” our patients who served in the military.  There has not ever been a “pinning” ceremony that I’ve attended that has not moved me to tears. 

 

I have witnessed a Marine pin an Army Vet; seen a Vet with dementia who was non-responsive for weeks have an awakening and salute during a pinning.  I have witnessed a Vet tell stories of his experiences in war that his family never knew happened. 

 

At Cornerstone Hospice we have a corps of Cornerstone Salutes volunteers that invest their time and efforts to visit and conduct the pinning ceremonies.  It is wonderful to watch them and sense their patriotic pride as they do their work.

 

As I review my life, I remember how each school day began from the time I was in Kindergarten until I graduated from high school.  The entire school pledged allegiance to the flag of the United States of America…even in the tumultuous 1960’s.  Being proud of my country is part of my fabric as an American.  As a hospice Chaplain, I am very much OK with being patriotic.

 

This weekend we remember those that died that we might be a free nation.  How can we ever repay their sacrifice…

 

Be safe, enjoy your family, and give thanks. 

Time Management

One challenge a hospice Chaplain will encounter is that of time management.  If the Chaplain has transitioned from the parish pastorate this could be quite a challenge.  Therefore, a simple schedule provided by the hospice Chaplain manager will help.

This is what I provide for our facility Chaplains (home team Chaplains are trickier as they work by appointment—there are several ways to make the appointments, so I do not have a standardized format for them.  However, I expect their documentation to be completed by 4:30PM so they have their work done):

 

8AM: Work phone is turned on/Computer is turned on/synchronize Allscripts

 

8:30AM: Read email focusing on ACE Notifications of new patients, deaths, requests for Chaplain

 

9:15AM: Follow your Scheduler, head out to the facility, and begin making visits

 

4:30PM:  Have all documentation completed and have a great evening with your family.