Our medical institutions around the world have been established for one main purpose—to further the spread of the gospel message. To carry this idea forward, our stated objective is to heal the whole man—spirit, soul, and body.
The Key Factor
Since the key factor in these institutions is the employee who is in contact with the patient, even before he enters the hospital, until he leaves its doors, the spiritual experience of the employee should be of major concern to the administration. Such is the case at the Hinsdale Sanitarium and Hospital. Continuing efforts are exerted to foster our spiritual heritage, and to magnify the real purpose of our existence.
Two major areas of steady activity are used to help keep before our employee family the responsibility of individual spiritual growth, and the feeling that we are part of a great world family, committed to a task.
One area involves the holding of brief departmental worship periods in forty-four locations each day. The hospital chaplains conduct the worship in each department once each week, by contacting seven to thirteen each day. When the chaplains are not present, the worship period is under the direction of the department head. Three of the nonnursing departments include a hymn in their worship period. Where no hymn is sung, the period lasts a total of five minutes—including a text of Scripture, an illustration and practical application, and a closing prayer.
These devotional periods have served a good purpose, and, we believe, have increased the spiritual tone of the institution. After one of the worship periods recently, one person thought that what was said was so personally applicable to him, and needed at that particular time, that his wife must have tipped off the chaplain ahead of time. At the present time a number of our administrative personnel also conduct the worship period in a number of areas on a regular basis. This is a good morale builder.
Employee Assembly
The second activity is called an employee assembly. Three duplicate programs are held at 7:30, 8:00, and 8:30 A.M. to enable the largest number of employees to attend. These assemblies are held approximately once each month, and usually feature one of our denominational leaders, who emphasizes the spirit of dedication and loyalty, and helps to keep before us the fact that we are part of a great world program, and that our individual contribution is of vital importance. In addition the following spiritual activities are fostered:
On the second Wednesday of each month, at 3:00 P.M., a pastor from the Illinois Conference is the speaker at the spiritual hour, planned especially for the student nurses.
Twice each year a Week of Prayer is conducted, at which time the hospital and church cooperate closely together. During these weeks five separate services a day are conducted—at 7:30, 8:00, and 8:30 A.M. for the employees, at 3:00 P.M. for nursing students and other students in the schools of X-ray and laboratory technology, and at 7:30 P.M. for everyone. The evening meeting is held in the church.
Surely, if the spiritual experience of our employees is on a high plane, the spiritual influence of the institution will be greatly enhanced.
