THE PROPHETIC -ROLE- OF THE INDUSTRIAL CHAPLAIN

To define the responsibility that an Industrial Chaplain has as a prophet of the Lord in industry is to ask first of all what is a prophet and what does he do. For if a prophet is simply a preacher delivering sermons to audiences of workers in industry, in most cases he will not be allowed to work in the industrial scene. Of if being prophet means being an evangelist who is primarily interested in and actively working for saving souls for a particular church or denomination, only a few already Christian organizations will hire him. There is no question but that the prophet is a preacher or an evangelist and the Industrial Chaplain might engage in preaching or evangelism, but these are not his primary tasks as a prophet of the Lord.

A study of the Scripture reveals that the prophets in the Old Testament were people clearly identified by the Israelites as "men of God" or "messengers from God to people". Sometimes they spoke to God's people; sometimes their words were heard outside the covenant community of believers. Louis Berkhof describes these Old Testament prophets as "ministerial monitors of the people, interpreters of the law in its moral and spiritual aspects. Their duty was to protest against mere formalism, to stress moral duty, to urge the necessity of spiritual service, and to promote the interests of truth and righteousness." (Systematic Theology, p. 358) Their ministry as representatives of the Lord often called them into the marketplaces of injustice and inhumane practices to be pastoral to the brokenhearted and despairing and confronting with all the authority of the Lord the causes of injustice, sinful unrighteousness, and social evil. They were not officially connected to the structure of the organized temple "religion" even though they were parts of schools of prophets who sought to know the will of the Lord. They had the freedom to be the Lord's spokesmen in the marketplaces of kings' palaces, farmers' fields, shopping centers, and even the temple itself.

  Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophets.  As our Chief Prophet, he does not deny their ministry but rather affirms it and gives it God's fullness of meaning. Reconciliation, righteousness, justice, truth, restored relationships between God and the human being by faith and between people and people in Jesus Christ are some of the realities of life Jesus Christ as a prophet was about. G.C. Berkhouwer makes this significant point as well.

We have no objection to those who emphasize His (Jesus') prophecy, but we do object to the fact that they lift his prophesying from the totality of his person and work and formalize it into the proclamation of a 'religious truth'. ... He did not come merely to proclaim a generalized Kingdom of God. ... In his prophetic office he is also Immanuel: God with us. Thus he taught with authority, yet being submissive and dependent. The people were deeply impressed by Christ's authoritative appearance, but still they did not comprehend the full extent of his prophecy. ...His doctrine was diametrically opposed to the barrenness of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees, basically because he could say, 'My teaching is not mine, but his that sent me.' (John 7:16). From this originated his authority, which was the authority of God who spoke through him. (The Work of Christ, p. 68-69)

 

This all too brief piece of Biblical-Theological reflection provides the framework to understand the prophetic character of the Industrial Chaplain. The Industrial Chaplain is a modern day prophet of the Lord in the same way the Old Testament prophets were in their day and more particularly in the affirming and fulfilling way Jesus Christ is our Chief Prophet. He, therefore, is a "man of God" who conveys his authority from God through his Biblically worked out convictions on ethics, interpersonal relations, personality, societal structures, family, justice (and therefore injustice), ultimately the full orbed Gospel... It is therefore important that his identity as "chaplain" or "industrial pastor" or "plant minister" be that of one identified as a man of God. He IS the prophet of God who counsels; he is the prophet who calls people & industry to struggle with their sin of injustice; and he IS the prophet who interprets back to local congregations how to see and serve God in a madding world.

Functionally, I would like to describe the prophetic character of the Industrial Chaplain in three ways.

 

First of all, he is a prophet in his pastoral counseling work. His responsibility is to help people clarify their values and deal with their problems from the perspective of God's righteousness. This in itself is a prophetic task. An Industrial Chaplain may or may not go on to present the fullness of Jesus Christ through faith depending on the circumstances, but ultimately he is working from the full orbed Gospel perspective. Whether those who receive counsel accept the prophet's ministry as from the Lord is ultimately the work of the Spirit, who he is as God's messenger and what he does is a prophetic ministry.

Certainly there are "priestly" and "kingly" aspects to the pastoral counselor role of the Industrial Chaplain, yet the "prophetic" element is essential to being an effective pastoral counselor. For then in a one on one encounter, the Industrial Chaplain, much like the Old Testament prophet "protects against mere formalism, stresses moral duty, urges the necessity of spiritual service, promotes the interests of truth and righteousness. "(Berkhof, Systematic Theology., p. 358)

Secondly, the Industrial Chaplain is a prophet as a spokesman of the Lord to the entire industrial setting. Dr. Hugh Koops in a paper he presented several years ago on Industrial Chaplaincy writes: "He must bear witness to the employer, employee, and their interrelationships.  His task is not only to comfort but also to challenge. He will evaluate the cost of production not only in terms of raw materials and man hours, but also in terms of impersonalization and dehumanization. There may even be times when he will contribute to the workers' discontent, that they may see how close to the brink of hell they can be driven by the 'principalities, the powers, the world rulers of this darkness, the spiritual hosts of wickedness' with which they wrestle. " (Koops , Industrial Chaplaincy, p. 3) A large corporation is a delicately tuned conglomerate of people which tries to work as a well-oiled, impersonal machine. Most people within the system, however, have feelings and problems and for the most part feel trapped by the structure. It is not the prophetic task of the Industrial Chaplain to oil the machine, but rather to challenge the system so that the will of the Lord for the lives of people may be met.

And thirdly, the Industrial Chaplain is a prophet of the Lord in ministering to local churches and denominations with the insights and abilities God has given him in his setting. The Industrial Chaplain both serves the Church of Jesus Christ in industry and in the local congregation or denominational setting. In performing this prophetic ministry back to the church, I am convinced that he cannot nor should not limit himself to his own personal church or denomination, even though it is with this local church and denomination that he has his primary emphasis. This makes the Industrial Chaplain not merely another person for pulpit supply, but rather, he is a "Man of God" with unique insights from whom the congregation of believers seek to hear the Lord speak to them. To the "Church" he is an interpreter of values in a mixed up society. He is a healer of broken lives who then can effectively communicate the skills and resources necessary to bring healing and reconciliation. In conversations with hospital, military, and campus chaplains, it has been my discovery that they are wrestling with questions that the local congregation will wrestle with in the future. And often the local congregation is ill equipped to wrestle with the questions without the prophetic insights of these men of God on the front lines of "extension ministries". My plea is that the church at large use the resources of our modern day prophets.

THE PRIESTLY ROLE OF THE INDUSTRIAL CHAPLAIN

Intertwined in this prophetic character of the Industrial Chaplain is his priestly (and kingly) character. The Industrial Chaplain is a Shepherding pastor as he ministers to industry. The Pastoral or Shepherd identity with which the chaplain performs his ministry is crucial to being a priest. The author of Hebrews deals extensively with the priestly character of Jesus Christ which in turn clarifies the Industrial Chaplain's priestly role. "For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sinning. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews if:15-16)

Certainly Jesus Christ is our great High Priest at this point. His self-sacrificing life and finally his atoning death is at the heart of his priestly work. But we read that Jesus is in constant intercession before the Father today as part of his ongoing priestly work. And Jesus described himself as the "Advocate" before" 'the Father' as the Paraclete '. Louis Berkhof describes the Paraclete as "one "who is called on for aid; one who pleads the cause of another and also who gives him wise counsel" (Systematic Theology , p. 1 01 . ) Other Scriptures describe Jesus priestly work in terms of a "Shepherd". When we unite the Paraclete-advocate description of Jesus with this Shepherd-Pastor model (who both tends the ninety-nine and seeks after the lost one), we begin to understand the priestly characteristics of every one who is called a "Christian". However, it is in the pastoral care ministry of those engaged in the ordained ministry of the church that this is clearly identified.  

The pastoral ministry of comforting, healing, reconciling, caring for people in their hurting world, and recovering of spiritual sight to the spiritually blind is part of the description also of the Industrial Chaplains work. He is an ambassador of Jesus Christ who is present to sympathize with a man's weaknesses, to understand him and his temptations, and to lead them with confidence to the "throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." The Industrial Chaplain like his parish colleagues is a "pastor" and pastoral care is one of the most significant aspects of his work.

THE KINGLY ROLE OF THE INDUSTRIAL CHAPLAIN

Just as with the prophetic and priestly character of the Industrial Chaplain, the kingly character of the chaplain focuses on Jesus Christ. Jesus came to usher in the kingdom of God where a redeemed people of the Lord by faith were called to be the agents of the kingdom and where the whole creation was to be its domain and where God in Jesus Christ reigns supreme. Much has been written and spoken about the kingdom of God which I choose not to deal with here. But two vital elements of the kingdom and kingship are very significant as we consider the kingly role of the Industrial Chaplain. One is the concept of "authority" and the other is the concept of "servant".

Jesus proclaimed "as one having authority"; he taught "as one having authority"; he healed "as one having authority". Essential to the ministry of Jesus Christ was the authority to which he could appeal and from which he could minister. He himself made it clear that his authority was not his own, but came from his Father in heaven. The kingly character of the Industrial Chaplain comes from the same authority that Jesus Christ made use of in his ministry. For the authority is ultimately from the Lord. Righteousness, justice, morality, love, compassion, hope, and faith take their definitions for life not from the world around us. The self-disclosure of God in the Word, Jesus Christ, and the Written Word, the Bible, has the Industrial Chaplain exercise his kingly office as he appeals to and derives his direction from the authority of the Lord. Many people will not submit to the authority of the Lord as the Chaplain engages in his work, but the Chaplain who is faithful to His Lord Jesus Christ must appeal to the authority of God for his ministry.

This authority motif has to be seen against a second concept of the Kingdom of God, and this is that those who exercise their kingly ministry do so as a "servant". Jesus emphasized that those who are greatest in the kingdom of God shall be SERVANT. This message was so contrary to the ideas most people around him had and so contrary to the ideal of our society as well. Jesus himself emphasized this servant ministry by washing the disciples' feet and by dying on the cross. The Apostle Paul called himself "a servant of Jesus Christ". The Apostle Peter's exhortation to elders to "not lord It over the flock" again emphasize the "servant" ministry as exercising the kingship of Jesus Christ. The Industrial Chaplain is also a servant both of the Lord and of the people as he ministers in the industrial world. He does not have rank and power in the world's sense of the term, but he is the serving enabler of the Lord for demonstrating and proclaiming the Kingdom of God.

MODELS OF INDUSTRIAL CHAPLAINCY

Industrial Chaplaincy has taken many forms or shapes in its young history. Each individual chaplain is ultimately to develop his own ministry which utilizes his abilities and interests and which addresses the needs that are posed within the industrial setting. In order to understand the various kinds of Industrial ministries in which a Chaplain could engage, I will describe a number of models of Industrial Chaplaincy. These models are often adapted to the individual style of the Chaplain and are often found in combination with each other.

 

1 • Pastoral Counseling model.

Most industrial chaplains today engage in a ministry of pastoral care and concern as the primary emphasis of their ministry. According to statistics furnished by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, nearly 10 percent of any labor force are workers with problems crippling their job performance. People bring their problems to work with them from home and other relationships and face additional ones within the work setting itself.

These problems cover the whole range of resentments, frustration, fear, anxiety, inter- and intra-personal relationships. The boredom, stress, meaningless, and injustice that people experience at their jobs compound the inward struggles they are experiencing. An industrial engineer best summed it up when he said, "We have very few technical problems, just PEOPLE PROBLEMS". Industrial Chaplains have experienced that these "people problems" are generally morally, ethically, and spiritually defined.

Rev. Lowell Sodeman defines the business-industrial chaplain as

an ordained minister approved by his denominational endorsing agency. He is equipped by experience, attitude, and training to offer pastoral counseling in a business or industrial setting for persons of all religious faiths as well as those who claim no church affiliation. He sees his ministry as an example of God's care and concern for all persons. By his words and deeds he goes to persons where they are and as they are. (Sodeman, Industrial Chaplaincy, p. 18)

The Pastoral Counseling model has the chaplain circulating throughout the industrial complex(es) in which he is working and meeting with ALL people of the complex -- from management to labor, office staff to custodian staff. On the job encounters lead to other times of more in-depth counseling. Sometimes referral ministries or group therapy are necessary. Southern Baptist Industrial Chaplains are advised to seek the following objectives in counseling with others.

 -- an understanding of the basic problem; -- insight into the causes of the difficulty and a willingness to face up to them; -- a broadened range of interests; -- establishment of worthy goals which see beyond the immediate moment; attainment of a quality of religious faith that will enable the individual to function satisfactorily. (Sodeman, Industrial Chaplaincy, p. 2 ff)

2. Ministry of presence. This model of ministry is most often associated with the Pastoral Counseling model, but some Industrial Chaplains have made this their model almost exclusively. The Ministry of Presence model is a "man of God" on the scene to basically learn about people, their problems, and the structure of industry. The Industrial Chaplain demonstrates his interest in the people by being around and engaging in small talk. Some crisis counselling takes place. Occasionally the Chaplain will be a mediator to relational problems that exist. His presence in the structure allows the chaplain to learn the injustices and inequities of an industry. It is my conviction that this ministry of presence is inadequate apart from being combined with other models of ministry, but absolutely necessary if any other model of industrial chaplaincy is to be successful.

For many years the Industrial Missions (not chaplaincies) of Detroit, Boston, Chicago, etc. used a model like this to determine what the real needs of the industrial society were. The information that gathered was certainly helpful for the Church to learn more about the dynamics of industrial life, but very little real ministry took place. Likewise, many part time, non-paid chaplains look at their ministry as a ministry of presence. By spending up to a day a week in an industrial setting, a local pastor has opportunity to display an interest and concern for people in industry while learning about the industrial context of his congregation. The ministry potential for this model of industrial chaplaincy is minimal but the learning potential about needs is great.

3. The Prophetic Model.

This model of industrial ministry has had two different emphases in the past. One emphasis is found with the Industrial Mission concept of ministry which has been described above. Basically, Industrial Missions have created an agency of Christian theologians, ethicists, sociologists, and industrialists to come to industry from outside industry itself and enter into dialogue with people to determine injustice, inequity, and other forms of sin. Several large corporations responded to the approach of the Industrial Missionists and the addressing of the racism, sexism, and affirmative action took strides forward. However, many smaller corporations and businesses were too threatened by the ministry to ever engage the Mission to do their ministry. Recently, the United States Federal Government has been enacting laws forcing industry to internalize many of the functions that Industrial Missions have been doing for years. This has resulted in a diminished need for the Industrial Mission program.

The introduction of the "Prophetic Chaplain" is relatively new. I know of only one in Hamilton, Ontario, Here the local area churches banded together to hire a man to become the church's prophet in industry. The Chaplain is an advocate for human and just treatment of people. He is an interpreter of Christian theology to the "jungles" of industry.  He is not nearly as concerned about individual problems or soul salvation as he is about the causes of injustice in industry.

Said Ray Gostelow, the Prophetic Chaplain of Hamilton, Ontario: "It's our business to assist and encourage these Christian laymen to be even more effective in their Christian witness, within industrial organizations. We must try to help them in the complexity of decision making, to interpret Christian ethics." ( Report - Hamilton Ministry in Industry , p. 8)

The Prophetic Chaplain has a responsibility to minister to the church as well as to industry. I described this ministry above under the Prophetic role of the Industrial Chaplain. As a Prophet, he is the interpreter of the industrial world to the church so as to enable the church to more effectively minister to people.

H-. The Preventative ministry model.

The Industrial Chaplain who uses the" preventative model of ministry also is engaged in other models of industrial chaplaincy. It is therefore a supportive ministry model much like that of the "Ministry of Presence" model. In the preventative model the Chaplain maintains ongoing relationships with all levels of industry. He is sensitive to people's problems; he is alert to injustices and inequities; and he attempts to establish ministries which prevent problems and injustices to occur. This model of ministry is more educative than pastoral or prophetic. Training sessions on moral, ethical, and spiritual values may be held with management people. The education of counseling skills or human relation dynamics or inner self-fulfillment is part of this model. Developing better lines of communication and interrelationships has the Chaplain look at how to take away the occasions for difficulties and problems to arise.

One military Industrial Chaplaincy program in Sacramento, California, has developed a "para-counselor" network of non-paid, but recognized people within industry who may be called upon by anyone in the military depot for help. The "para-counselors" are the extensions of the chaplain's ministry to people that normally would not come in to see a chaplain. The Chaplain is the equipper of these people in skills appropriate to their ministries. Other kinds of preventative ministries within this model might include seminars and retreats on specific needs. Marriage enrichment, parent effectiveness training, loneliness, grief, sexual identity, retirement, job identity crises, all provide areas of self-development in which the redeeming grace of God is significant.

5. The Evangelistic model.

The purpose of the evangelistic model of industrial chaplaincy is to win people for Jesus Christ, and then to equip the new converts for continued evangelism. Preaching sessions in industry, soul saving counseling sessions, and Bible Studies for the purpose of growing in Jesus Christ are many of the activities of the Industrial Chaplain who engages in this model of ministry. Very frequently, this model of ministry is introduced because the President of the corporation and most of the high level management people want to have a truly Christian industry. In Saginaw, Michigan, for instance, the Severence Tool Company begins each day with a worship service in the chapel part of the building. An altar call is given to everyone to dedicate his life anew to the Lord. All employees -- Christians and non-Christians -- are expected to attend chapel.

Chaplain Dave Martin has had a different kind of Evangelistic industrial chaplaincy in the Ford Motor Company since the early 1970's. His emphasis has been to gather people together in small groups & preach. The emphasis in this evangelistic model of ministry is on the salvation of Jesus Christ and not, generally, on getting employees to a given church or denomination. Christian "businessmen" or "working person's" luncheons and dinners are an outflow of the industrial chaplain's ministry. Local clergy who are of a clear evangelical (and most of the time fundamental) conviction are invited to share in preaching or Bible Study aspects of this ministry. It has been my observation that the Evangelistic model all by itself is totally unacceptable in all but a few Industrial settings. And these are the ones where most everyone is Christian in the first place.

6. The Public Relations Model.

The Industrial Chaplain who perceives his ministry as a Public Relations person is one who makes visits on hospitalized employees, grieving families within the industry, and other appropriate people as the official representative of the industry. He becomes the "spiritual" spokesman of the company. He is called upon to communicate the values and ethics of industry to the community, the church, and the home. He is a liaison person between industry and church, industry and helping professions, industry and government. The Industrial Chaplain who zeros in on this model of ministry is on an ego trip and is horribly misused by industry. However, every industrial chaplaincy program has elements of the public relations model In it. As the chaplain representing an industry or industries, a certain amount of public relations between industry and outside groups need to be nurtured. One of the essential areas of public relations is with the "church" community.

A chaplaincy program can be valuable in interpreting the industry to the community and the community to the industry. It should create good will for the industry and provide the community with resource persons available to community organizations, schools, and churches. The chaplain is often invited to speak to civic clubs, business and industrial groups, and church functions. Clergy and the people of industry need to talk to one another, to understand one another. When they fail in this, both groups lose. Often this failure is the result of the clergyman's lack of understanding of the complexities of modern business and industry. (Sodeman, Business and Industrial Chaplaincy , p. 10)

The Model Action Program of the United States Army Darcom Division of Industrial Chaplains.

 I have described this model in greater depth in an earlier report, but will outline it here to describe a full orbed, staff ministry of Chaplaincy. The model, described below is that of the Sacramento, California Amy Depot "Industrial Chaplaincy.”

The Model Action Program's expressed goal is:

The Industrial Chaplaincy is designed to assist employees, military and civilian, in their quest for congruity and wholeness in life. Influences from the sacred as well as the secular impact upon the individual's development as a whole person. Efforts concentrate upon rejection of that which dehumanizes and accepting that which enhances life situations.

A staff of a Chaplain, chaplain's assistant, psychologist, secretary, and marriage counselor operate together in the Chaplain's department of this industry. The total program of ministry is divided under five areas  

1 ) Pastoral Care and Counseling in which a)orientation of both military and civilian employees, b)visitation in the work areas, homes, and hospitals, and c)Counseling of all kinds takes place (Alcohol & Drugs, marriage & family, personal problems, religious questioning);

2)Preventive ministries in which a)Civilian training in communications, counseling, and vaules, b)Human Self Development, and c) Para-counselor ministries are a part.

3)Redemptive ministries in which a) weekly Bible Study Groups, b)quarterly prayer breakfasts or luncheons, retreats and Christian fellowship activities, and d)religious services on significant days are included.

4)Community Relations with a) local churches (clergy day, ministerial alliances, growth seminars), b)domestic Action Plan  c)radio and television, d) church Service bureau and ministerial alliance, e) Rehabilitation facilities, and f) Alcoholism councils being some of the areas of ministry.

And 5) Administrative ministry which focuses on a)a ministry to incoming personnel, sick or hospitalized employees, crises situations, or retirees, b)establishing and maintaining a budget, and c) keeping records and statistics.

Very important to the operation of this full orbed ministry is the full endorsement and requirement of the government to have chaplains within the context of the military industrial setting. The Chaplaincy department is responsible only to the Commanding Officer (or president of the industry) and works in close cooperation with other departments in the organization. An "Employee Assistance Program" policy statement which allows employees and their families to receive help from the various helping professions (including the chaplain's department) is essential to the carrying out of this ministry. It is my observation that a ministry as expanded as this one would be very difficult to implement in civilian Industrial settings. The key to its success would have to be in the general acceptance by everyone, and especially high level management, to the industrial chaplaincy concept.

8. Part time, non-paid chaplaincy models.

Part time industrial chaplaincies are springing up in many places. Christian business or industrial leaders in high levels of management will call their pastor  or other gifted clergy person and ask if he/she will minister in their places of business or industry. Pastors and other concerned Christian leaders are also taking the initiative to approach selected industrial complexes and attempting ministries. Police departments and fire departments, hospitals, crisis intervention centers, and other similar civic services are engaging clergy to share in what might be properly called "industrial chaplaincies". A brief description of these ministries below will identify only a few of the many ministries in which Industrial Chaplaincy can take place.

 

a. Shopping mall and store chaplaincy. An office set up in a shopping mall for counselling provides the setting for a number of volunteer clergy to minister to employees and patrons of the stores. The counseling center is to be staffed by local Christian clergy and non-clergy personnel throughout the opening hours of the mall. At least one full time paid person -ordained or non-ordained- is necessary to organize the ongoing ministry of those volunteering their time.

A visitation program to identify the chaplains to the employees of the various stories is also necessary. Mrs. Nancy Knight is a chaplain, for instance, at a Department Store in Roanoke, Virginia.

A friendly smile, genuine concern for people and time to listen are what Nancy Knight is armed with when she goes to Miller & Rhoads each week. The morning begins by visiting each floor so that most employees know that the Chaplain is in the store and available if needed. Since most employees have lunch between 11:30 and 12:30, Nancy can be found in the lounge visiting and chatting informally over coffee. There is also a private place available for those who have problems they do not wish to discuss in their own department or the lounge. (The ICM Communique, October, November 1975 issue, p. D )

b. Industrial plant chaplaincy.

The volunteer industrial chaplain pledges a certain portion of the week (generally a half or whole day) and becomes the chaplain to a designated group of people. By regularly circulating among the work force and entering into appropriate conversations, the chaplain develops a relationship of trust and confidence where counseling, sharing the Gospel, and challenging injustice are very much accepted. Rev. Herbert Fisher is such a pastor at the Virginia Electric and Power Company.

On his weekly visit, he makes his rounds through the various departments. He's usually on the platform in the late afternoon to see the crews coming in from the field and occasionally will stop by a construction site to say, "Hi ."

The Reverend Fisher's yellow hard hat was not chosen by chance. He wanted to avoid any association with management. His only instruction from Vepco are that he cannot interfere with work and must wear his hard hat. He is available upon request for counseling after work hours. He also visits district employees who are sick, hospitalized, and in mourning. ( The ICM Communique , August, September 1976 issue, p. 3)

c. Crisis Center Chaplaincy.

Many communities have crisis centers which use volunteers to minister to people who attempt suicide, are trapped by drugs, alcohol, finances, family and personal pressures. Clergy are often asked to train the staffs of these ministries as well as participate in the counseling ministry. The range of problems at a crisis intervention center is wide and referral counseling to more qualified people is often suggested. Three basic ingredients of the crisis centered ministry are 1 ) identify the problem(s), 2) consider alternatives, and 3)implement constructive action. Although this kind of ministry is not directly related to an industry, it is one that many people of ministry turn to in stress and difficulty.

d. Police Chaplaincy.

The need for chaplains within police departments is especially acute today.

 From the time a police officer first pins on their badge until the day they put their uniform away in retirement, they will experience and live with a phenomenon known as police stress. Many academicians and physicians believe POLICE STRESS manifests itself in such PROBLEMS as: alcoholism, divorce, physical and mental disabilities, and in some extreme cases-suicide.

What are these stresses and what causes them? Two types of Stress Categories are. 1. Internal stresses. a)Rotating shifts : working nights, weekends, holidays. b)Court Sessions on their days off. c)Lack of educational incentive programs, d) Little recognition for good performance of duty. e) Bad supervision and management. f) Unsatisfactory working conditions. G) Poor equipment. h) Low pay, few benefits and inadequate retirement. 2. External stress situations, a) Political interference in police procedures, b) Internal affairs investigations of the most minute complaints, c) Political patronage within the department. d)Ridicule and harassment by law breakers, e) Mistreatment by defense counsels in court, f) Being the scapegoat of most of societies' ills. g) Lack of understanding by the public of what the police role is.,h)Lack of respect by certain segments of society (Paper-POLICE STRESS -DILEMMA OF THE POLICE PROFESSION, International Conference of Police Chaplains, p. 1 & 2)  

The Police Chaplain is not officially a law enforcement officer even though he often wears a police uniform and in some instances may be sworn into duty when needed. He is a staff assistant to the Chief of Police. "He is therefore authorized to visit the District Station Houses(Precincts) and has access to all buildings and scenes where the presence of police officers indicate the requirement or need for his services." ( Handbook of the International Conference of Police Chaplains )

The list of "Duties and Responsibilities" of Police Chaplains offers the best description of their work.

 As part of their official duties with the department, the Chaplains are expected to perform the following tasks and other such duties that may be requested of them by the Chief of Police. -Assist department officials in making notifications to families of police officers receiving serious injury or upon death. When an officer is seriously injured or has died on duty, respond to the hospital emergency room on request and identify himself to the hospital staff and the hospital chaplain and work with both according to common ethical courtesies. -Visit sick and injured police personnel at home or in the hospital. -Attend and participate in funerals of active as well as retired members of the agency or department. -Be on call and on the street during any major demonstration in the city or any public function requiring the presence of a large number of police officers. -Counsel officers with personal problems. -Conduct memorial services. -Instruct and Interview recruits. -Present formal lectures at the police academy, participate in "In-service" training classes. -Be willing to enter into training courses to enhance his (her) effectiveness. -Periodically attend roll calls. Attend department graduations, promotions, award ceremonies, dinners, social events, etc, and offer Invocations and benedictions. -Represent the department before official bodies upon request. -Be responsible for the organization and development of the spiritual organizations in the department. -Public relations efforts. -Write column for the local police association newspaper, in-house newsletter or magazine, -Attend monthly staff meetings of the chaplains and discuss mutual problems and programs. -Respond to all major disasters in the city; bombings, building collapses; explosions; airplane crashes; multiple -alarms of fire; unusual industrial accidents and other disasters. -Provide liaison with other religious leaders in the community. -Notify as soon as possible the involved person's clergymen in cases of death or serious injury. -Make proper referrals in unique cases which need specialized attention. (Handbook of the International Conference of Police Chaplains , p. 7 and 8.) 

e. Fire/ Chaplains. Many of the same needs that police men and women have are also found with firemen. The Fireman Chaplain has a ministry to both the personnel on duty and those people whose homes have been damaged by fire. Much the same description of responsibilities of a police chaplain is shared by a fireman chaplain. The ministry of a fireman chaplain to the public adds an additional dimension.

The chaplain has been able to give comfort and support to families whose homes have been damaged by fire. By being on the fire scene, he has stayed with the victims until relatives or friends come in. On the occasions where the houses have been a total loss, the families losing all their possessions, the chaplain has been able to help obtain clothing and household goods immediately needed and help provide whatever may be needed until the family could recover or a community agency or individual could take over. (The ICM Communique , October-November 1975 issue, p. 2)

 

 

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