Chaplain Jason Callahan, MDiv, MS, BCC.

Thomas Palliative Care Unit at Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center and instructor for the Departments of Patient Counseling and Pastoral Care at VCU

Bridging the Divide: Chaplaincy in the Secular Age

Growing Divides:

Economic

• Millennial generation considered to be the first generation with lower opportunity for financial success than their parents
• Having a career is seen more from an entrepreneurial lens than as an employee
• Less available money to support non-necessities

Political

• Millennials are more liberal leaning, importance of social justice more important than traditional views on gender, religion, race relations, policy, etc.

Spiritual vs Religious

• Millennials are in search of a spiritual system that affirms who they are in a world without persecution or shame
• Looking for community that does not require adhering to system of beliefs but allows the diversity of it
• Seeing scandal around clergy persons and predatory behavior. Not seeing themselves reflected in the leadership and not expecting that to change

Language

• Seeing mental health issues increase and the language around it change
• Segregated settings use vernacular specific to their context
• Not to say they weren’t there in previous generations, but are becoming more visible

Vocational Calling

• Increased sense of pressure particular for middle-class education millennials that work should be about meaning and purpose, should be a calling, and doing something meaningful with life to make the world a better place
• Experiencing a “calling”; want meaningful work

Tribal Orientation

• Easier to be around people that look like you, act like you, speak your language, prefer foods you eat, and have your back the way you want because of an affiliation base upon cooperative experience
• Social media makes it easier to find your tribe

Humanism Manifesto III:

• Knowledge of the world is derived by observation, experimentation, and rational analysis
• Human are an integrated part of nature
• Ethical values are derived from human need and interest as tested by experience
• Life’s fulfillment emerges from individual participation in the service of humane ideas
• Humans are social by nature and find meaning in relationships • Working to benefit society maximizes individual happiness

Communities:

• American Humanist Association
• Local AHA Chapter
• American Humanist Association Center for Education

Professionals

• Chaplain represents Humanist values and principles in all settings; helps make meaning; understanding the views of others and providing them with the service they need
• Human Celebrants create and conduct humanist-oriented life-celebration services that are custom-made to honor the uniqueness of those involved.

Questions

Chaplain or Spiritual Care Provider/Spiritual Care Practitioner?

• Hold on to tradition of “chaplain” because of holding on to history/values or use different language that does not have boundaries, i.e. religion.
• Or “take back” word of chaplain and recreate/reframe it based on what a professional chaplain does, i.e. not imposing a particular religious belief system

Chaplaincy Training

• Education/Seminary or Graduate School: Be open to those outside your belief system
• Clinical Training (CPE): Open to diversity
• Certification: Endorsement issues if required from a religious community; open doors to other certifying organizations for diversity, mentoring, encouraging

What do you do when a patient asks specifically for a prayer and what would be a ritualized title for prayer in the humanist language?

• As a humanist, accepted prayer as a helpful tool in chaplaincy contacts; have seen the results of its use to support someone’s belief system
• Prayer creates an opportunity for someone to express themselves and a Humanist chaplain can be a part of that

What happens at the bedside when the patient/family is religious

• Always make sure “it’s not about me”; it is about the person before you and the support the chaplain provides

What would be a non-faith-based ritual that you would provide for secular end of life with families?

• Focus on the person as he/she is, not as God/Divine sees him/her and be adaptive

What does it mean for a human being to be emotionally/spiritually healthy or well regardless of one’s tradition or beliefs?

• Strong self well-being, including being surrounded by a supportive community in whatever manner brings a sense of belonging.

How to reach out to build a relationship with Humanist community?

• Go to American Humanist Association website and look for community location
• Be present at some of their gatherings; tend to gather more around issues and how to engage around them than traditional religious services
• Get literature from AHA website or local community to understand beliefs and community offerings
• Find out what humanist communities’ health care needs are and how they can be addressed