Think about this: how MANY hospitals and nursing homes were created by religious people who had NO medical knowledge/training. These were perhaps the first faith/community outreaches to folks in the area. These religious people responded to their belief that treating the whole person was an extension of God's tender and comprehensive care for them. And so they moved - they learned - they found the right experts - they organized - they reached out - and as a result, folks in need found that connection and that care. I'm fully on board with chaplains stepping into the effort to reach out into the community again - into people's lives, where they live, to offer holistic care. Even if chaplains don't have training, per se, IF they have the desire and want-to, this can be a wonderful full-circle return to pastoral and integrative care of any person. (ala' the scripture, "comfort ye my people").
What was the period for the study?
Think about this: how MANY hospitals and nursing homes were created by religious people who had NO medical knowledge/training. These were perhaps the first faith/community outreaches to folks in the area. These religious people responded to their belief that treating the whole person was an extension of God's tender and comprehensive care for them. And so they moved - they learned - they found the right experts - they organized - they reached out - and as a result, folks in need found that connection and that care. I'm fully on board with chaplains stepping into the effort to reach out into the community again - into people's lives, where they live, to offer holistic care. Even if chaplains don't have training, per se, IF they have the desire and want-to, this can be a wonderful full-circle return to pastoral and integrative care of any person. (ala' the scripture, "comfort ye my people").