By Renée Owen
For the past 40 years, The Network on Ministry in Specialized Settings (“COMISS”) has been hosting Spiritual Care Week as a national, and now international, movement to highlight the work of chaplains and pastoral counselors. The celebration of Spiritual Care Week provides an opportunity for chaplains and pastoral care counselors to share their story and to celebrate diverse ministries in settings outside of the local church. This annual observance honors the boundless compassion of spiritual care providers who offer solace, empathy, and support to individuals and families navigating the complexities of life in its many hardships and celebrations.
The symbol for the 40th anniversary of Spiritual Care Week is the ruby. Since ancient times, the ruby has been known as a sign of protection that sustains a good and whole life. Under ultraviolet light, the ruby fluoresces, reflecting an inner light that in other situations is difficult to see. The ruby is also thought to provide clarity and healing for those who wear it. Therefore, the ruby seems an apt descriptor for the type of care that is part of everyday life for chaplains and pastoral counselors, as they often provide a safe and healing space for those seeking clarity of God’s presence in their journey.
Since 1998, CBF has been endorsing chaplains and pastoral counselors to this sacred ministry of fostering healing, resilience, and holistic well-being for all people. Currently, 928 CBF-endorsed chaplains and pastoral counselors are actively serving in specialized settings, such as hospitals and hospices, long-term care facilities and retirement communities, the military, alongside first responders, in federal and state prisons, on college and university campuses, and within businesses and industries. Daily, they represent CBF in an excellent manner, embodying the presence of God’s love and the hope of Christ throughout our country and world.
During this global celebration of Spiritual Care Week, I invite you to join me in celebrating, thanking, and praying for CBF-endorsed chaplains and pastoral counselors that they will be refilled, refreshed, and renewed, as they continue to live out their calling. Let us join together in celebrating the profound impact of spiritual care, and envision a future where deep and genuine support remains at the core of compassionate care.
To learn more about the work of CBF Chaplains and Pastoral Counselors, please visit our webpage at https://cbf.net/chaplaincy-pastoral-counseling.
To pray for our CBF-Endorsed Chaplains and Pastoral Counselors by name, please access a copy of “Prayers of the People” at https://cbf.net/prayers-of-the-people.
We invite you to support the work of CBF Chaplaincy and Pastoral Counseling Ministries with gifts to the George Pickle Fund and Christopher O’Rear Chaplain Assistance Fund.
Renée Owen is the Endorser and Director of Chaplaincy and Pastoral Counseling Ministries for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Renée oversees the chaplaincy and pastoral counseling ministries endorsement process, including coaching and mentoring seminary students and ordained clergy through the process, as well as providing ongoing professional and emotional/spiritual support to our endorsed chaplains and pastoral counselors, serving as a “chaplain to the chaplains.” Connect with her at rowen@cbf.net.