Ministering During a Pandemic

It is during times like these that the time and relationships invested in prior to difficult circumstances pays off because people reach out to share their struggles or needs. This is the ministry of presence that we teach on during our trainings and continue to emphasize. The same is true now and could be even more important. Rev. Dr. Naomi Paget BCC, FBI Chaplain and Crisis Interventionist, is a certified member of the American Red Cross Spiritual Response Team -Task Force and Divisional Advisor, Denver Seminary Critical Incident Stress Management Team, and Director of the California Disaster Relief Chaplain program. She has graciously provided to us a digital copy of her book, “Ministry During a Pandemic” and is available in the RMPC resources online. Click here for a direct link. 

In her writings, Dr. Paget explains, “Chaplain ministry has often been called the ‘ministry of presence.’ Presence is both physical and emotional. First, the chaplain makes a conscious choice to be physically present with the client. Second, the chaplain is emotionally present with the client through empathetic listening. Through presence the chaplain begins to build the relationship that eventually brings comfort to those who feel alone in their suffering or despair. Some become frustrated with the ministry of presence. Goals don’t seem to get accomplished. Tasks don’t seem important. Doing seems secondary to being. Both the chaplain and the public may perceive that nothing is happening. But for the experienced spiritual care provider, the art of ‘hanging out’ with patients, clients, victims, or team members becomes an intentional event that leads to providing a calm presence during times of stress or chaos. The law enforcement chaplain practices intentional presence—‘loitering with intent,’ to calm, to build relationships, to provide compassion… Presence may seem insignificant, but presence is the grace gift that chaplains and ministers bring to the human encounter…The chaplain probably won’t be able to ‘fix’ problems, but the Chaplains and ministers represent the presence of God during… Sharing the moment of crisis through the ministry of presence may be the most powerful and appreciated act of ministry performed by the chaplain. The care-giving relationship is greatly strengthened when a person never finds him or herself alone because of the chaplain’s own presence—or because of the chaplain’s assurances that God is always there…The very presence of the chaplain reminds the client that God is very present to them. Chaplains and ministers share God’s presence with clients even as they share their own presence and words of assurance—‘I am with you.’”

Now is the time. We must be creative in ways to continue being present with our officers, staff, and their families. Though we may not be able to be face to face with them, we can call, text, facetime, or find other ways to communicate that we are here for them and God is with them.

Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Travis Akins