New directions in hospital chaplaincy: Chaplains – the Church's embedded apologists?. (November 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Newitt, Mark
• Is Part Of: Theology. Volume 117:Number 6(2014:Nov./Dec.)
• Page Start: 417
• Page End: 425
• Publication Date: 2014-11
• Subjects: apologetics -- Church -- evangelism -- healthcare chaplaincy -- mission; Theology -- Periodicals; 230.005
• DOI: 10.1177/0040571X14547481
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0040-571X

Abstract

Research and anecdotal evidence suggest that the relationship between healthcare chaplains and the Church is characterized by a deep sense of alienation in one direction and profound mistrust in the other. This is due, in part, to a lack of understanding about the work of chaplains. Recognizing a need for chaplains to explain their work, this article begins by describing research that investigated the support chaplains provided to bereaved parents. Contra to their poor expectations, I recount how, alongside the provision of liturgy and ritual, parents valued the chaplain's pastoral presence. This is followed by an exploration of how, for some parents, such support could be the trigger for growing religious faith or spiritual awareness. Resonances are then drawn between the nature of support provided and descriptions of apologetics. The article concludes by arguing for greater dialogue between chaplains and the wider Church, suggesting a fruitful metaphor may be to view chaplains as embedded apologists.