Philosophy of Healthcare Chaplaincy Paper Assignment
Earlisa Brockenberry – L27287122
CHPL681: Healthcare Chaplaincy (D01)
November 16, 2025
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Contents
Philosophy of Healthcare Chaplaincy Paper Assignment..........................................................1
IntroductionMy Philosophy on Providing Spiritual and Emotional Support with Consideration
of ...........................................................................................................................................1
Culture Diversity with Respect to Ethnicity, Beliefs, and Language...........................................1
Patients........................................................................................................................................2
Family Members..........................................................................................................................3
Medical Staff and Others.............................................................................................................4
The Position of The Patient in the Healthcare Setting..............................................................5
Cultural Diversity Issues..........................................................................................................5
The Invitation from the Patient to Open an Evangelistic Conversation.....................................6
Conclusion..............................................................................................................................7
Bibliography............................................................................................................................8
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Philosophy of Healthcare Chaplaincy Paper Assignment
Introduction My Philosophy on Providing Spiritual and Emotional Support with Consideration
of
Culture Diversity with Respect to Ethnicity, Beliefs, and Language.
In today’s diverse society, concerning all aspects of religion, in chaplaincy, one must learn
to focus on the individual, not necessarily their personal belief, or religion itself. Nonetheless, as
a new chaplain working for the VA, my role has become diverse in the areas of ethnicity and
race. As an African American woman, it is hard to navigate the complexities behind a male-
driven position in chaplaincy that is known in past times to be strictly for males, and not
females. However, in today's diverse society, things have changed, the position of a chaplain has
become more open to females and other types of nationalities, such as African Americans. For
instance, I was shocked to see the first African American chaplain (female) in our hospital in Bay
Pines, FL, on the Gulf of Mexico. Knowing this brings me to understand and realize that if I never
become a chaplain as an African-African female, I can still assist and serve areas in my related
field because there are so many different areas of chaplaincy, in which mine is disaster relief
because of the many hurricanes that have affected citizens, in the St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay
areas in Florida. Here I will discuss other areas of my philosophy on chaplaincy, which support
patients, family, medical staff, and others that I consider more critical than ever. A chaplain
should have the heart of God's mercy, kindness, compassion, and empathy for everyone, not
just a particular denomination or group (Ephesians 4:1-3).
Next, I will elaborate on serving patients in a healthcare setting as my commitment to
service. Then, I will discuss issues of diversity, which I touched on here, in which my personal
philosophy of chaplaincy is to serve people on their spiritual journeys, regardless of their beliefs
or backgrounds. I believe that every person is valued and is unique, that they deserve to be
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listened to and appreciated. Last, I will exhort on the evangelistic conversations as a chaplain
that will create a safe space where people can communicate their questions, voice their distrust,
and find comfort in times of sorrow. My personal philosophy is understanding that my role is to
direct, help, and encourage the diverse spiritual pathways of those I serve by cultivating a
feeling of community and fellowship. My goal is to help others find purpose, expectancy, and
recovery in their lives, facilitating a holistic strategy using the Word of God to support the well-
being of others that surrounds not only the spiritual but also the emotional dimensions of
human reality (Matthew 25:36). This paper will advocate for my future role as a chaplain for the
innate fulfillment of every person and analyze how such a philosophical framework can enhance
patient experiences and support the emotional and spiritual needs of those facing health
problems.
Patients
The holistic respect for patients, overseeing their spiritual, emotional, and psychological
conditions alongside their physical health, requires chaplains to remember that patients are not
merely humans but have cognitive, expressive, and spiritual dimensions to their overall being as
well. As a licensed esthetician. I do believe that meditation and breathwork are important
aspects of calming and healing the body, mind, and spirit. Having a holistic approach in
chaplaincy not only aims to integrate these elements into patient care but also recognizes the
significance of spiritual well-being in the healing approach to ministry. Moreover, one of the
main focuses and functions in patient care is "listening and being present." When I serve as a
chaplain. I want to provide an understanding presence by communicating with patients without
judgment or strain, creating a safe space for people to voice their worries, expectations, and
inquiries, which can be extremely healing in itself (John 15:12).
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Furthermore, as I train in chaplaincy in the hospital setting, particularly the VA, chaplains
are instructed to respect and understand the diverse cultural and religious backgrounds of all
patients before moving forward with communicating and counseling with them. Knowing this
sensitivity to diverse cultures and backgrounds, it will ensure that I am providing the correct
spiritual care that is aligned with the person's beliefs and practices, encouraging a more
personalized and momentous experience for the patient. Because people tend to appreciate
service of any kind when respect for their culture and community is managed with care. When
patients encounter existential questions during their condition, which can lead to pressure,
discomfort, or a pursuit for meaning of "Why?" As a new chaplain, I aspire to assist patients in
examining these questions based on their personal situation, instructing them to uncover
stability and meaning, even in challenging cases.
Family Members
As a future chaplain, I recognize the role of family members of the patient, and
sometimes they need just as much care and counseling as the actual patient does. The impact
of terminal illness can be devastating to the family, which could indeed pose a threat and can
impact the family dynamics on a patient’s healing journey. When I communicate with family
members, I serve as an advocate and intercessor, delivering a sympathetic presence during
demanding times for them to fully understand that maintaining a loved one in the hospital can
create a considerable amount of stress and emotional turmoil for them in the healing and or
death process. Moreover, by actively listening to family members to express their
apprehensions, expectancies, and emotions helps them to process their feelings and fosters
sincere communication, permitting them to remain interconnected with one another and the
patient in the healing or death process.
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Furthermore, as a chaplain, I will encourage personal family services, gatherings,
and meetings, and offer them specialized services for sacred communion and prayer, helping
them to decipher complicated medical facts into understandable spiritual terms in reference to
God's Word, and ensure that their spiritual and emotional needs are being met and considered
in the patient's care plan. By including the family's concerns and fears, as well as their beliefs, in
meaningful discussions, this creates a safe space for us to work as a team, where I can
encourage an overall holistic approach to care not only for the patient, but also with respect to
the diverse backgrounds of the patient's family as well.
Medical Staff and Others
In chaplaincy, my direct patient care includes cooperation and partnership with medical
staff and other third-party representatives such as case managers, nursing homes, hospices, and
sometimes attorneys. As a future chaplain, my collaborative approach with medical staff should
always be grounded in wisdom because chaplains work as necessary partners of the healthcare
team, partnering with physicians, nurses, social workers, and other specialists in the hospital.
For instance, Wirpsa and Pugliese states, “Palliative Care is specialized medical care for people
with serious, often end-stage, illness. It is focused on relief from the symptoms and stress of
illness with the primary goal of improving quality of life. It is provided by a specially trained
interdisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, social workers, and chaplains.”1 Vital collaborations
with medical staff and others assure that the spiritual necessities of patients are integrated into
their overall care program, leading to a more complete path to healing or death.
Moreover, in the hospital, chaplains serve as pastors, counselors, liaisons, and spiritual
advocates between patients, families, and the overall healthcare team. As a chaplain in the
1 Jeanne Wirpsa and Karen Pugliese, eds., Chaplains as Partners in Medical Decision-Making: Case Studies
in Healthcare Chaplaincy (London; Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2020) 78.
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hospital, I will support the spiritual and emotional needs of patients, sharing insights into
medical staff about patients’ opinions, thoughts, worries, fears, and wishes. The team dynamics
that I must have with medical imperative to the understanding of patients' understandings and
advises treatment decisions to the medical staff on how it may affect the patient spiritually and
mentally. Furthermore, it allows the medical staff to focus on clinical necessities while assuring
that spiritual and emotional supervision is also managed.
The Position of The Patient in the Healthcare Setting.
In healthcare chaplaincy, it positions the patient at the center of care, acknowledging
that each person is not simply a medical case but a real person with unique spiritual, emotional,
and cultural requirements. Fitchett, White, and Lyndes states “Church-operated hospitals were
much more likely to have chaplaincy services.”2 Knowing this perspective emphasizes that
healthcare in the hospital setting should be provided in a manner that appreciates and
promotes the diverse characteristics of a person's individuality, specifically in times of terminal
illness and emergencies. Healthcare chaplains support a standard where the patient's voice is
heard and loved. Moreover, by recognizing that healthcare is not exclusively limited by physical
wellbeing, chaplains emphasize the significance of a person's emotional and spiritual needs.
Cultural Diversity Issues.
Cultural diversity in chaplaincy identifies and determines the differences in others as
they interact with patients and families from various backgrounds. Chaplains are prepared,
trained, and equipped to recognize the unique belief systems, religious traditions, and practices
that declare each patient’s understanding of healthiness and sickness. Matthew’s state,
“Chaplains have a valuable role in helping people to clarify situations, to see what really matters
2 George Fitchett, Kelsey B. White, and Kathryn Lyndes, eds., Evidence-Based Healthcare Chaplaincy: A
Research Reader (London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2018) 31-32.
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to them, to address fears that may affect their decision-making, to offer them counsel at
difficult times in their lives and help put things into perspective so that they can make the right
choice rather than merely any choice.”3 Knowing this consideration in chaplaincy enables an
atmosphere where patients sense the value of their health concerns, which enhances their
general reassurance during medical therapies. Moreover, cultural competence is a must in
chaplaincy, because it affects adjusting spiritual care systems and methods to fulfill and
complete the individual conditions and primacy of patients. In understanding cultural nuances,
it permits chaplains to speak in formats that are discreet to patients' backgrounds. Furthermore,
this technique helps in creating faith and fellowship, which are necessary elements for adequate
spiritual support in healthcare chaplaincy.
The Invitation from the Patient to Open an Evangelistic Conversation.
When chaplains engage in evangelistic conversation, they frequently recall the patient’s
passion for a more in-depth spiritual experience or contact with God during tough times in their
life (2 Timothy 4:2). Chaplains must identify with the patient on a personal level, which poses an
excellent possibility to explore faith and hope in God. Moreover, showing a trustworthy
connection is necessary before going into evangelistic conversations. Chaplains can build a safe
space where patients discern God by opening up to the chaplain and conveying their beliefs and
emotions spiritually. Each patient's spiritual journey is distinctive, and chaplains must be
susceptible to their uniqueness by inviting open-ended questions and permitting the patient to
communicate their understandings and feelings. Chaplains can navigate the discussion in a
manner that echoes with the patient’s perspective and outlook.
3 Pia Matthews, Ethical Questions in Healthcare Chaplaincy: Learning to Make Informed Decisions
(London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2018) 49-50.
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Furthermore, when it is fitting, chaplains can communicate their own faith in Christ by
sharing biblical insights and experiences that will help the patient to know, realize, and
understand that they are not alone. Experiences or insights. When sharing faith to a non-
Christian person, chaplains should be gentle and humble, because even if the patients faith
differs, one of the things all people understand is "Love," so conveys the love of God is a good
start to evangelizing, because it offers the patient a glimpse of the hope and calmness to be
imputed can without imposing on their belief system (Psalm 46:1).
Conclusion
My philosophy of healthcare chaplaincy enriches the patient’s experience, enhancing
family dynamics and supporting medical staff within the healthcare setting. My philosophy
emphasizes the significance of recognizing a patient's necessities, views, and values, which can
significantly impact the healing process. This patient-centered approach that chaplains give
fosters an atmosphere where patients feel cherished and understood, empowering them to
engage energetically in their healthcare healing journey. Addressing cultural diversity issues is
required by my philosophy. Chaplains are conditioned to accept and appreciate the various
backgrounds and belief systems of patients and their families. Moreover, when a patient asks a
chaplain to employ an evangelistic conversation, it signals a deep moment of openness and
honesty. In conclusion, the philosophy of healthcare chaplaincy prioritizes emotional and
spiritual wellbeing that contributes significantly to an empathetic healthcare environment,
serving patients in navigating their concerns with fulfillment, resilience, and expectancy.
Bibliography
Fitchett, George, Kelsey B. White, and Kathryn Lyndes, eds. Evidence-Based Healthcare
Chaplaincy: A Research Reader. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2018.
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Matthews, Pia. Ethical Questions in Healthcare Chaplaincy: Learning to Make Informed
Decisions. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2018.
Naughton, Margaret. Healthcare Chaplaincy: An Unfolding Narrative: “Standing in the Gap.”
Oxford; Peter Lang, 2022.
O’Brien, Mary Elizabeth. Spirituality in Nursing: Standing on Holy Ground. 7th ed. Burlington:
Jones and Bartlett, 2022.
Wirpsa, M. Jeanne, and Karen Pugliese, eds. Chaplains as Partners in Medical DecisionMaking:
Case Studies in Healthcare Chaplaincy. London; Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2020.
