The origins of Christian chaplaincy are thought to have begun in the fourth century, when St. Martin, bishop of Tours and a Roman soldier, came across a person without adequate clothing, shared his cloak, and accompanied him. Chaplaincy is embodied through the ministry of God’s presence and in the offering of spiritual care. Chaplains navigate existential questions about faith—about belief and unbelief, suffering and hope, good and evil, life and death—as they seek to facilitate flourishing for people and communities.
As more individuals in the US identify as “spiritual” rather than “religious,” there is a growing need for spiritual care outside of traditional ecclesial settings. In the fall of 2023, Fuller launched a two-year, cohorted MA in Chaplaincy (MAC) degree, designed by chaplain faculty-practitioners, to prepare chaplains to create new paths and spaces for providing spiritual care while staying grounded in their personal Christian faith and to engage four main competencies—integration, holistic wellness, embodiment, and leadership development. This issue of FULLER magazine centers on the chaplaincy landscape and the chaplain’s role in God’s desire for human wellness and thriving.
As loneliness and social isolation deepen and spiritual needs increase, chaplains who work outside of ecclesiastical contexts have unique opportunities to help people find integrated and holistic wellness in uncertain, uprooted, and in-between times. Chaplains see and understand the divergent points and complex dynamics and cultivate meaningful connections and safe spaces.
In this issue, we’ll hear the stories, wisdom, and experiences of chaplains, educators, and practitioners, in a variety of contexts, who recognize tangible and intangible spiritual needs. These voices are both relevant and innovative, navigating roads and contexts that are familiar and unknown.
Paul Bullock reflects on his journey from a traditional pastoral role to becoming a community chaplain. Ashley Abercrombie shares her experiences of accompaniment in jail chaplaincy. Rafee Jajou offers insight into how to embody a listening and caring presence as a hospital and hospice chaplain. Brandon Cash holds sacred space during the ups and downs of professional sports as the chaplain for the LA Dodgers.
We (Jaclyn and Mary) bring to the forefront the gifts of rootedness and collaboration that stem from the ethos of chaplaincy. Marèque Steele Ireland illuminates the healing power of seeing a moment of need and responding with compassion. Tyler Brewington-Mathis shares insight on the gift of presence and processing. Sean Love guides us through experiences of wilderness and the healing work of the Holy Spirit. Nathan H. White and Katherine Voyles share how education and training of chaplains should be places of holistic formation. Heidi Kugler shares how she facilitates bridge building and peacemaking. And Sara Barton describes how she cultivates welcoming spaces and provides care that realizes the hope of spiritual fortitude.
Danie J. Buhuro reflects on movement chaplaincy that she is pioneering. Wendy Cadge describes the current landscape for chaplaincy through the research and work of the Chaplaincy Innovation Lab. Angela Song shares how she helps patients to live well despite life-altering illness. And Earl Smith recounts being the youngest person ever hired to chaplain at the San Quentin Prison, as well as his role as chaplain for the San Francisco 49ers.
As you read through the contributors’ stories and perspectives, we hope that you hear the heart of the need for spiritual care throughout the world. We hope that you are enlivened by the dedication and passion of those engaged in the work of chaplaincy. We invite you to join this movement, cultivating and nurturing holistically engaged spaces, places, and people for this work.
Mary Glenn is Guest Editor and Co-Chair of the MA in Chaplaincy Program
Jaclyn Williams is Guest Editor and Co-Chair of the MA in Chaplaincy Program
The origins of Christian chaplaincy are thought to have begun in the fourth century, when St. Martin, bishop of Tours and a Roman soldier, came across a person without adequate clothing, shared his cloak, and accompanied him. Chaplaincy is embodied through the ministry of God’s presence and in the offering of spiritual care. Chaplains navigate existential questions about faith—about belief and unbelief, suffering and hope, good and evil, life and death—as they seek to facilitate flourishing for people and communities.
As more individuals in the US identify as “spiritual” rather than “religious,” there is a growing need for spiritual care outside of traditional ecclesial settings. In the fall of 2023, Fuller launched a two-year, cohorted MA in Chaplaincy (MAC) degree, designed by chaplain faculty-practitioners, to prepare chaplains to create new paths and spaces for providing spiritual care while staying grounded in their personal Christian faith and to engage four main competencies—integration, holistic wellness, embodiment, and leadership development. This issue of FULLER magazine centers on the chaplaincy landscape and the chaplain’s role in God’s desire for human wellness and thriving.
As loneliness and social isolation deepen and spiritual needs increase, chaplains who work outside of ecclesiastical contexts have unique opportunities to help people find integrated and holistic wellness in uncertain, uprooted, and in-between times. Chaplains see and understand the divergent points and complex dynamics and cultivate meaningful connections and safe spaces.
In this issue, we’ll hear the stories, wisdom, and experiences of chaplains, educators, and practitioners, in a variety of contexts, who recognize tangible and intangible spiritual needs. These voices are both relevant and innovative, navigating roads and contexts that are familiar and unknown.
Paul Bullock reflects on his journey from a traditional pastoral role to becoming a community chaplain. Ashley Abercrombie shares her experiences of accompaniment in jail chaplaincy. Rafee Jajou offers insight into how to embody a listening and caring presence as a hospital and hospice chaplain. Brandon Cash holds sacred space during the ups and downs of professional sports as the chaplain for the LA Dodgers.
We (Jaclyn and Mary) bring to the forefront the gifts of rootedness and collaboration that stem from the ethos of chaplaincy. Marèque Steele Ireland illuminates the healing power of seeing a moment of need and responding with compassion. Tyler Brewington-Mathis shares insight on the gift of presence and processing. Sean Love guides us through experiences of wilderness and the healing work of the Holy Spirit. Nathan H. White and Katherine Voyles share how education and training of chaplains should be places of holistic formation. Heidi Kugler shares how she facilitates bridge building and peacemaking. And Sara Barton describes how she cultivates welcoming spaces and provides care that realizes the hope of spiritual fortitude.
Danie J. Buhuro reflects on movement chaplaincy that she is pioneering. Wendy Cadge describes the current landscape for chaplaincy through the research and work of the Chaplaincy Innovation Lab. Angela Song shares how she helps patients to live well despite life-altering illness. And Earl Smith recounts being the youngest person ever hired to chaplain at the San Quentin Prison, as well as his role as chaplain for the San Francisco 49ers.
As you read through the contributors’ stories and perspectives, we hope that you hear the heart of the need for spiritual care throughout the world. We hope that you are enlivened by the dedication and passion of those engaged in the work of chaplaincy. We invite you to join this movement, cultivating and nurturing holistically engaged spaces, places, and people for this work.
Mary Glenn is Guest Editor and Co-Chair of the MA in Chaplaincy Program
Jaclyn Williams is Guest Editor and Co-Chair of the MA in Chaplaincy Program
David Emmanuel Goatley, Fuller Seminary president, reflects on the importance of the tender and relational work of chaplaincy today.
