Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Feb/81

Contributor - Rev. Jan Van Oostveen

Title - A Special Ministry

Topic - Ministry

You are going to be a chaplain? What is that? You are leaving the ministry? Those were some of the reactions I received from people when it became known that I was going to be a Resident chaplain at Pine Rest Christian Hospital for one year.

It was a big step and much prayer and preparation had gone into this decision. God guided and led, and made it possible for our family to move to Grand Rapids, out of the parsonage and into new endeavors.

Chaplaincy - what is it? The primary function of a chaplain is to provide a spiritual ministry for staff and residents, or patients, in a hospital setting. This could be in a psychiatric institution, a general hospital, a penitentiary, or for the mentally retarded. The duties of a chaplain in Canada include, "the coordination of appropriate voluntary or other chaplaincy services for persons in the institution who, by conscience, lay, or religious custom, are entitled to the ministrations of another chaplain who is of their own faith".'

Added to this, a chaplain may also be expected to interpret the function of a chaplain and the meaning of religion within the institutional setting, to encourage pastoral education, to interpret the work of the institution to the community where it serves, and to use the various community resources that are available for the extension of his ministry.

So far in my experience as a chaplain I have learned much about myself and how I function. This enables me to understand and experience the feelings of those to whom I minister.

I have discovered a deeply troubled humanity. The consequences of loveless and painful marriages are seen. I see the terrible damage that broken homes and broken lives can cause. I now see more clearly the terrible hurts and pains of suffering people. I now experience in a very real sense the burden of guilt which many people bear and who almost, and some do, succumb under the impossible burden.

I now hear and experience people who are searching for God. "Please help me find God", is a rather common cry. What a good and thankful feeling it gives when a patient, upon leaving the hospital, writes: "Thank you. You have helped me to find God again".

I meet those who are suffering from the consequences of drug abuse and alcoholism. What do I as a pastor offer them? I may bring the love of Jesus and his forgiveness, available to all who come in faith and repentance. God's forgiveness is a difficult thing to accept. Many have never been able to forgive themselves, so how can they accept God's forgiveness? I may offer them God's love, but they cannot accept it because of what God has commanded. "Love your neighbour as yourself" has not been experienced because so many of us have never really loved ourselves and how can we then love God?

The need for human friendship and love is very great. Someone who will not only actively listen to us but will also hear us, from which will flow a type of

redemption for us because we are being understood, accepted, and yes, loved. We are often so ready with our criticisms and frowns and condemnation, but those who are depressed have no need of our condemnation. What is needed is acceptance, a listening ear, an open heart of love, and empathy and understanding.

What a joy to experience the presence of Christ and his forgiving love and acceptance, and to see a patient who comes in almost at the end of life and finds love again because of a healing ministry which Pine Rest Christian Hospital offers to all who come to experience its ministry.

Please click the "Back" button of your browser to return to previous page.