By Rev. Rhonda James-Jones In 2008, everything I had ever known about prayer, what it is, the way it functions, what it yields for the righteous who pray fervently and the hope it affords standing on the promises of God, crumbled as the prayer to allow my mother to live was denied. The offering you … Continue reading
By Renée Owen Loving God, It is a holy experience to journey alongside another,invited into the sacred space of another’s story. Often unknowing of what the day may hold,our CBF-Endorsed Chaplains and Pastoral Counselors enter their specialized settings,to see, to experience, and to walk beside peoplewho are experiencing crisis, grief and loss, pain and suffering. … Continue reading
By Rev. Dr. Barbara W. Dail Serving as a chaplain is different from serving as a pastor because, even though I have my own faith tradition, I am serving people of all faith traditions. This is particularly true serving as a chaplain in law enforcement, where we must recognize and uphold the separation of church … Continue reading
By Renée Owen Spiritual Care Week is celebrated the last week of October as a time when we highlight the sacred work of chaplains and pastoral counselors. It was first designated in 1985 by the Network on Ministry in Specialized Settings (“COMISS”). This year’s theme is “Relevant and Responsive in Times of Crisis” and invites … Continue reading
By Laura Stephens-Reed During the pandemic, when church committees could not gather in person and were forced to find other ways to discuss and decide, many of us realized that we had long been attending some meetings that could have been emails. It does not require a two-hour negotiation to choose a Sunday school curriculum, … Continue reading
By Laura Stephens-Reed A few years ago, I was a regular guest preacher at a church in the city where I lived after the minister there had submitted his resignation and as the church awaited the arrival of an interim. On the first of those Sundays, a woman stood up during the announcement time and … Continue reading
By Laura Stephens-Reed The Enneagram is an ancient tool that gives us a framework for understanding ourselves and others. It helps us identify the unhelpful stories we tell ourselves about who we are and about how we interact with those around us. Out of that understanding, we can name and lean into narratives that draw … Continue reading
By Caleb Mynatt It was in March of 2018 when Ch. Dr. Maj Christina Pittman decided it was time to try something different. As a Cooperative Baptist Fellowship-endorsed chaplain at the McEntire Joint National Guard Base in South Carolina, Pittman is no stranger to ministering to others struggling with grief. But following the loss of … Continue reading
By Grayson Hester Leah Botona Boling woke up the week of June 21, 2021, to discover something she’d never experienced before: In her country of origin, the Philippines, she was trending on social media. From one Pacific Island, Hawaii, to another, Boling was making headlines. As well she should. Three days before – on Juneteenth, … Continue reading
By Brent Raitz 0600 – Rounded in pre-surgery area and offered prayer for nine out of 11 patients that I met before they went in for heart, vascular or thoracic surgery. Provided support to nurse who was vaccinated but got COVID-19 anyway. Today is her first day back after being off for 10 days. 0700 … Continue reading
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