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Welcome to the
Mennonite Chaplains Association Web Site Mennonite Chaplains Association is a network of chaplains and pastoral caregivers called by God as followers of Jesus Christ, committed to the Anabaptist faith perspective, providing fellowship, support, collaboration, collegiality, educational opportunities, and resources for ministry Good Reading this Month
May Reflection Article
Why I Am A Chaplain After serving a local congregation as pastor for eighteen years, I am now in my fourth year of chaplaincy at a continuing care retirement community. At times the question is raised about the differences/similarities of pastoral and chaplain ministry. These occasions provide the opportunity for reflection upon my calling as a chaplain. Following, in no particular order are a number of reasons I embrace my present chaplain vocation: It is God’s call upon my life for this particular season. I have and continue to feel strongly that chaplaincy is a calling unique in itself with accompanying gifting given by God. It is not something we do as a transition or because there are no other available ministry opportunities. Rather it is God’s appointment for us. I have the pleasure on a daily basis of interacting with seniors for whom retirement is not inactivity but rather a second (or third) season of life to be lived to its fullest. Pastors, executives, teachers, missionaries, public servants, and many more who find creative outlets for gifts endowed by God that continue to seek expression. I sometimes feel that I am in the front row of the bleachers with the best view of God’s people continually living out their passion on the court of life. Chaplaincy affords the opportunity to bring the presence of God to bear upon life at its most significant point. While end of life is rarely easy, it is a beautiful experience to usher into glory the children of God. There are times when God’s healing and hope are ministered even in the end days. Today I shared communion with an 87 year-old man who left the church as a young adult after a painful experience, who now has weeks to live and has reconnected with Christ. Serving as a conveyer of God’s grace certainly must be one of the highest callings for all of God’s children. Blessings to each today as you embrace tour calling as one of God’s instruments of grace and hope! Chet Yoder
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RESOURCE LINKS
Check out the following websites for information concerning education, certification, or for articles about spirituality in healthcare and meditative reflection.
Association of Professional Chaplains National Association of Catholic Chaplains Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. (ACPE) Spirituality & Health PlainViews Psyche & Spirit CPSP Pastoral Report GOOD READING
Below are some interesting reading contributed by our members.
Do you have an article on spirituality in healthcare that you wish to share? Send it to . |
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