Spirituality

Spiritual Care

A Brief Introduction

by

Rev. James C. Johnson

Lead Chaplain, Mercy Health Partners, Muskegon, MI

© 2008

Most people recognize that they are spiritual, and

ALL people are spiritual.

The

Human
Spirit

Because they are spiritual, each person has Dignity.

The

Human
Spirit

Dignity is not something we achieve by our behavior, nor is it granted to us by other people’s treatment. Rather, it is given to each person by God. Everyone is a unique and wonderful creation of the Almighty! Nothing can change this – however we might appear to others, we are all precious in God’s eyes! Individual Human Dignity is, like life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, an inalienable right and an undeniable characteristic of each and every person.

The way you approach, touch and talk communicates your attitude and has an impact on the person.

You provide spiritual care when you value and respect people. If you recognize the dignity of the person you are taking care of, you are providing spiritual care.

Because they are spiritual, each person is capable of Relationships.

The

Human
Spirit

We often talk about family relationships or working relationships. We all enjoy relationships with friends. All people crave the mutual understanding of real connections with other people. Human beings live in community with each other.

All of us were created to enjoy a connection with God’s love and to communicate love to other people. Whether or not we are attractive, intelligent or talented, we all do enter into relationships with other people and with God.

When you pay attention to the people, take time with them, and really listen to them, you will communicate that you care.

When you open yourself to a real relationship with someone, you are providing spiritual care.

Because they are spiritual, each person’s life has Meaning.

The

Human
Spirit

Everyone wants her or his life to have significance, to matter, to be in some way special. Each person does, indeed, have special value, and everyone has a particular place in the world. Sometimes we all wonder about this and try to discover it. Many people look back on their life-story, and many may look at their current situation, and they may struggle to make sense of it all. You don’t have to give them answers, but you do need to hear their questions.

When you listen to the stories people tell, and when you pay attention to the emotions they express, you are assisting them in their quest for meaning, and you are providing spiritual care.

Religion / faith is intimately related to spirituality.

Each individual, whether unconsciously or deliberately, chooses to make some commitment. Whether this is a tangible goal in life or a hoped-for eternal end, everyone centers her/his life on some ultimate concern of prime importance. This is faith.

Often, but not always, this faith commitment is religious. A person’s faith, whether synonymous with their religion or not, provides their primary motivation as well as the organizing principle of their life.

Many people also use religious language to help them understand their spirituality. Religious practices often help people both to deepen and to express their spirituality.

The

Human
Spirit

Each person’s own religion / faith MUST be honored and respected. When you do so, you are providing spiritual care.

While always unique and personal for each individual, religion usually brings people together in a community. The local gathering is also often connected with a larger, sometimes international association. This incorporation into community helps provide people with a sense of identity, belonging, and support. Sometimes, the religious community may be intertwined with, or even replaced by, other groups, such as a political party or ethnic identity.

Religion also often involves the experience of transcendence. Whether we experience this in the wonder of nature or in the worship of God, we all sometimes sense that there is more to life than physical existence and ordinary experience. An individual may experience transcendence quite frequently or only on rare occasions. Occasionally the experience may be a bit disturbing, while at other times it may be quite comforting. An individual may refer to this as a relationship with God, with a Higher Power, or with the Universe Itself. It may well provide the individual with a sense of reverence, awe, or ecstasy.

Religion provides people with a system ofvalues. Everyone has some standard for determining what is True, Good, and Beautiful, and for many people this is provided by their religion. The theological/philosophical framework and the code of ethics/morality provided by a person’s religion may help them to determine what attitudes and actions are commended, required, accepted, permitted or forbidden.

Religion not only regulates ordinary behavior, it may also prescribe certain rituals. The religious community and/or the individual may perform special ceremonies and celebrations during certain times, circumstances and events. These may serve to support the individual, reinforce the system of values, strengthen the community, encourage transcendent experience, or express faith.

You are certainly free to share your beliefs, but you must never impose your religion on another. While remaining honest about your own convictions and faithful to your own commitments, you must always respect and support the other person’s beliefs and practice. This is particularly important because of the vulnerable condition of many of our patients. With genuine caring, careful conversation, and real permission, however, it may be not only appropriate, but truly wonderful for you to share prayer and/or scripture. Both of you may be blessed by this!

You can always provide spiritual care

to people by silently Praying for them.


The Chaplain

Mercy Health Partners chaplains are Christian ministers, but they will visit anyone regardless of the other person’s particular beliefs. They will never impose their beliefs on anyone else. Instead, chaplains try to encourage each person and to support the individual’s spirituality, faith, and religion. This service is especially important because of the stress, distress and even crisis that people experience during a hospitalization or other health care encounter.

Chaplains have special training to help people with Spiritual Distress:

Separation from the religious Community (inability to attend church for fellowship) & from religious Rituals (worship, prayer, scripture & sacraments);

Concerns & questions about Theology (“Will I see my dog in heaven?) or Ethics (“Is it a sin to refuse dialysis?”);

the Challenge of Suffering (“Why did God let this happen to me?”)

or Death (“I’m afraid to die!”);

Guilt or resentment (“Am I being punished by this illness?”);

and Generalized Misery (questions of personal value).


The chaplain’s work is not limited to religious and spiritual concerns, but they also help people working through Normal Emotional Processes:

dealing with Crisis,

going through Grief,

managing Conflict,

addressing Loneliness,

responding to Anger or Worry,

conducting Life Review,

The chaplains are also available to a patient’s family and visitors, and will certainly help you, too, in any way they can.

You may make a referral (for any reason) to the chaplain by calling 672-3912 and leaving a message. If there is a crisis, you can page an On-Call Chaplain (24/7) by calling 339-0904 and entering a call-back telephone number.

Even if you are not exactly sure what the need or concern may be, please feel free to consult with the chaplains – they may be able to help you figure it out!