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How are chaplains being used in the midst of organizational changes?
A few people initially responded to my request for sharing the diverse roles chaplains are playing in ministering to fellow employees losing positions. As mentioned, we want to put together resources for all of us, so that we may have more advice from one another on how to be a healing ministry in the midst of these difficult times. Here are some ideas members have shared. Someone recommended a listserv for this topic, therefore, you can go to the QuickTopic link below to add to the ideas. You may also contact dlichter@nacc.org with your experiences.
Appreciatively,
David Lichter
Executive Director
Discuss Chaplains ministering in tough financial times
Comments by Chaplains on Ministering in Tough Financial Times
I am Chaplain at a small, community hospital. I am the only full time person in my dept. and I have 6 PRN chaplains who work nights and weekends.
As per the norm nowadays, people are edgy and not trusting of Administration. I spend a lot of my time listening, what we Chaplains always do. It is amazing what you hear.
First, make sure what you are hearing is "gospel", not a rumor. The employee needs to know there is nothing personal in this. It is business/bottom line. It is not a reflection on how they did their job.
Morale seems to be what we need to be helping keep up, each day. People are scared and need reassured.
Also, do not forget Senior management, from the CEO on down. Make an appt. and see how they are doing. They are also going through extremely gut wrenching times and it is affecting their lives big time. (At least, that is what I am hearing.) So, be available and be watchful. None of what I wrote is earth shattering or new, but we need to be reminded, even as we worry about our positions. ______________________________________________________________________
Regarding your comments about recent job loss or down sizing, it is encouraging that you care about the issue and name it. I’ve been experiencing something that I will call “Survivor’s Guilt” because the son of a patient I visited this past month spoke of his experiences in war and the guilt he felt that he lived—that’s what he called it—Survivor’s Guilt. I felt uneasy being in Florida (at Summit 2009) while this was happening to others—knowing also it could happen to any of us. The only thing I can think of doing at this time is pray for them. But I have been unemployed in the past also and relate to the feeling tone of your note to us. (Refers to availability at Summit 2009 of chaplains to chaplains.) Perhaps some of our NACC members would be willing to be chaplains to those chaplains now in transition via phone or email? Perhaps National (office) could be a clearing house for that linkage so no one chaplain gets linked to multiple folks requesting support? If any more ideas surface, I will let you know.
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At "my" hospital we are not being asked to assist - however we do so informally - not primarily because of the economic crunch, but because this area was hard hit by hurricanes - Rita in 2005 -- then Ike in 2008. 95% of the homes in nearby Bridge City were hit hard by tidal surge -- so were several other areas closer to the Gulf of Mexico. Many of the people who work at the hospital are still not back in their homes. Many are still in FEMA trailers - IF they were able to get one.
Our hospital and our sister hospital in nearby Beaumont have been considered one hospital with 2 campuses for several years. My area was under a compulsory evacuation order before Ike - the other was not - yet chaplains were "required" to leave. We have put together a policy suggestion for the future.
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