Abstract
This article presents an overview of exploratory research regarding the skills, knowledge, attitudes and practices considered necessary for chaplains to be highly competent in providing holistic care to clients and staff. Utilising a qualitative methodology, two focus groups comprising Salvation Army chaplains and their managers provided data about their expectations of chaplaincy personnel and about the pastoral care interventions undertaken by chaplains. The results indicated that while there were some differences in opinion, nevertheless, in overall terms, there was general agreement between chaplains and their managers about particular personal and professional qualities necessary for chaplains to be considered appropriate and proficient. Evidence was also obtained indicating a need for change with regard to the organisational attitude and culture of The Salvation Army towards chaplaincy. Recommendations are presented concerning (1) the selection criteria for chaplaincy, (2) training and utilisation of chaplains plus (3) issues relating to organizational cultural change necessary to develop a future-ready chaplaincy more suitable for the twenty-first century.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adams, S. P., & Stevens, M. E. (1996). “The Padre at the Front”: The World War I Letters of Chaplain Walter Beaudette. The Wisconsin Magazine of History, 79(3), 204–228.
Bryman, A. (2012). Social research methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Burchard, W. W. (1954). Role conflicts of military chaplains. American Sociological Review, 19(5), 528–535.
Carey, L. B. (2012). The utility and commissioning of chaplains. In Mark Cobb, Christina Puchalski, & Bruce Rumbold (Eds.), The textbook of spirituality in healthcare. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Carey, L. B. (2014). Court chaplaincy and spiritual care in Australia: An exploratory study (of the role of Salvation Army chaplains). Journal of Religion and Health. doi:10.1007/s10943-014-9878-3.
Carey, L. B., & Cohen, J. (2014). The utility of the WHO ICD-10-AM pastoral intervention codings within religious, pastoral and spiritual care research. Journal of Religion and Health. doi:10.1007/s10943-014-9938-8.
Carey, L. B., & Rumbold, B. (2014). Good practice chaplaincy: A report and submission to The Salvation Army Melbourne Central Division, Australian Southern Territory. Melbourne: Palliative Care Unit, La Trobe University.
Carey, L. B., & Del Medico, L. (2013a). Correctional services and prison chaplaincy in Australia: An Exploratory Study (of the role of Salvation Army Chaplains). Journal of Religion and Health. doi:10.1007/s10943-10013-19788-10949.
Carey, L. B., & Del Medico, L. (2013b). Chaplaincy and mental health care in Aotearoa New Zealand: An exploratory study. Journal of Religion and Health, 52(1), 46–65.
Clebsch, W., & Jaeckle, C. (1964). Pastoral care in historical perspective. Nashville: Abingdon Press.
Clinebell, H. (1984). Basic types of pastoral care and counselling: Resources for the ministry of health and growth. London: SCM Press Ltd.
Clinebell, H. (1990). Looking back, looking ahead: Toward an ecological-systems model for pastoral care and counselling. The Journal of Pastoral Care, 46(3), 263–272.
Earl, M. D. (2012). Christian military chaplaincy: “Being there”. The Expository Times, 124(2), 53–63.
Gladwin, M. (2013). Captain of the soul: A history of Australian Army chaplains. New Port, NSW: Big Sky Publishing.
Gross, P. R. (1994). A pilot study of the contribution of empathy to burnout in Salvation Army officers. Work & Stress, 8(1), 68–74.
Hopkins, C. H. (1958). Review of Herbert A. Wisbey ‘Soldiers Without Swords. A History of the Salvation Army in the United States’ Church History: Studies in christianity and culture, 27, 88–89. doi:10.2307/3161347.
Hutchinson, M. (1993). Religion and university education in Australia: Debates over the introduction of chaplaincies to Macquarie University. Journal of Religious History, 17(3), 351–368.
Knight, D. K., Hood, P. E., Logan, S. M., & Chatham, L. R. (1999). Residential treatment for women with dependent children: One agency’s approach. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 31(4), 339–351.
Lewis, B. M. (2003). Issues and dilemmas in faith-based social service delivery: The case of The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia. Administration in Social Work, 27(3), 87–106.
Lyons, G. C. B., Deane, F. P., Caputi, P., & Kelly, P. J. (2011). Spirituality and the treatment of substance use disorders: An exploration of forgiveness, resentment and purpose in life. Addiction Research & Theory, 19(5), 459–469.
Macritchie, I. (2001). The chaplain as translator. Journal of Religion and Health, 40(1), 205–212.
McKernan, M. (Ed.). (1986). Australian Dictionary of Biography (Vol. 10). Canberra: National Centre of Biography Australian National University.
Muravchik, S. (2011). American protestantism in an age of psychology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
NHS. (2005). Spiritual and religious care capabilities and competencies for healthcare chaplains. Edinburgh: National Health Service Education for Scotland.
Norum, J., Risberg, T., & Solberg, E. (2000). Faith among patients with advanced cancer. A pilot study on patients offered” no more than” palliation. Supportive Care in Cancer, 8(2), 110–114.
Puchalski, C., Ferrell, B., Virani, R., Otis-Green, S., Baird, P., Bull, J., Chochinov, H., Handzo, G., Nelson-Becker, H., Prince-Paul, M., Pugliese, K., Sulmasy, D. (2009). Improving the quality of spiritual care as a dimension of palliative care: The Report of the Consensus Conference, Journal of Palliative Medicine, 12 (10). doi:10.1089/jpm.2009.0142.
SHV. (2009). Capabilities framework for pastoral care and chaplaincy. Melbourne: Spiritual Health Victoria (formerly Healthcare Chaplaincy Council of Victoria Inc).
Swain, S. (2011). The T. Mort. Chaplaincy at ground zero: Presence and privilege on holy ground. Journal of Religion and Health, 50(3), 481–498.
TSA-MCD. (2012). A practical guide to chaplaincy. Coburg: The Salvation Army Melbourne Central Division.
TSA-MCD. (2013). MCD Chaplaincy Development Plan. Coburg: The Salvation Army Melbourne Central Division.
VandeCreek, L., & Burton, L. (2001). Professional chaplaincy: Its role and importance in healthcare. Journal of Pastoral Care, 55(1), 81–97.
Vangopoulos, K. (Feb 12, 2013). Chaplains still providing a friendly ear for those in need, Daily Liberal and Macquarie Advocate.
WHO. (2002). Pastoral Intervention Codings. Tabular list of procedures ICD-10-AM: Australian classification of health interventions (Vol. 3). The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, (10th rev.), World Health Organization and the National Centre for Classification in Health. Sydney: University of Sydney.
Wiley, B. I. (1953). “Holy Joes” of the sixties: A study of civil war chaplains. Huntington Library Quarterly, 16(3), 287–304.
Wisby, H. A. (1955). Soldiers without swords. A history of The Salvation Army in the United States. New York: Macmillan.
Wolf-Branigin, M., & Duke, J. (2007). Spiritual involvement as a predictor to completing a Salvation Army substance abuse treatment program. Research on Social Work Practice, 17(2), 239–245.
Young, T. (2013). Ten good reasons why not all clergy will make good chaplains. Defence Anglicans—Australian Defence Force. http://www.defenceanglicans.org.au/10-good-reasons-why-not-all-clergy-will-make-good-chaplains/.
Acknowledgments
It is important to acknowledge The Salvation Army Chaplains and their Managers who participated in this research. Their willingness to share their time, their experience and their knowledge is gratefully appreciated. Particular appreciation is acknowledged to Captain Jason Davies-Kildea (Manager, Victoria Social Programme and Policy Unit, Salvation Army Melbourne Central Division) for allowing access to chaplaincy and managerial personnel.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Carey, L.B., Rumbold, B. Good Practice Chaplaincy: An Exploratory Study Identifying the Appropriate Skills, Attitudes and Practices for the Selection, Training and Utilisation of Chaplains. J Relig Health 54, 1416–1437 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-014-9968-2
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-014-9968-2