March 2024 Issue
Anointing the sick: Revisiting a misunderstood service
Kim Papaioannou
Paddy had been a stalwart member of his small Adventist church. When he was in his 70s and in frail health, I got a call from his daughter, who said that he had been taken to the hospital’s intensive care unit and was not expected to last the night. At the hospital,…
Cultivating divine wholeness amid human brokenness: Ministry to the sick, dying, and grieving
Sanders, Amanda E.
Olivia was a patient who died unexpectedly from a perfect storm of unpredictable complications before I saw her and her family. She was six years old. Ministering in such situations as Olivia’s case is an intimidating aspect of pastoral work, yet we cannot neglect…
What is clinical pastoral education?
Ivan H. Omaña
In the summer of 2000, I completed my first unit of clinical pastoral education (CPE). That experience left an indelible impression. It began a journey that proved both exciting and painful, and it brought to life the words, “The truth will set you free.” But first,…
Spiritual healing through care
Steve Thomas
Research has shown that professional chaplain visits during hospitalization increase patient satisfaction. A survey of patients found that a chaplain’s care correlated highly with their belief that their spiritual needs had been met. Chaplain visits contributed to…
The clinical pastoral education program and its benefits to church pastors
Victoria Tayo Aja
Clinical pastoral education (CPE) has been one of the most helpful programs in both my personal and professional life. It enables me to work on my issues, such as lack of self-confidence, fear of self-disclosure, and impatience. By teaching me how to reflect on who…
Religious news from around the world
Photo: Bryant Taylor, Communication director, Southern Union Conference Pastoral leadership conference celebrates chaplains as ministers in a pluralistic setting Huntsville, Alabama, United States In 1976, when I became a chaplain, it was said that I was leaving…