Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care in the Twenty-First Century: An Introduction

by Wendy Cadge (editor), Shelly Rambo (Editor)

Wendy Cadge and Shelly Rambo demonstrate the urgent need, highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, to position the long history and practice of chaplaincy within the rapidly changing landscape of American religion and spirituality. This book provides a much-needed road map for training and renewing chaplains across a professional continuum that spans major sectors of American society, including hospitals, prisons, universities, the military, and nursing homes.

Written by a team of multidisciplinary experts and drawing on ongoing research at the Chaplaincy Innovation Lab at Brandeis University, Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care in the Twenty-First Century identifies three central competencies—individual, organizational, and meaning-making—that all chaplains must have, and it provides the resources for building those skills. Featuring profiles of working chaplains, the book positions intersectional issues of religious diversity, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and other markers of identity as central to the future of chaplaincy as a profession.

Genres: Theology

336 pages, Hardcover

Published June 14, 2022

Reviews

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't have much to compare this book/reading to, but overall, it is a good primer to the things of chaplaincy and even includes a few nods to the shifting environment of chaplaincy in light of COVID-19 and a world in need of spiritual care (in all kinds of workplaces, etc.). Certainly a little dry at times, but it does have a variety/diversity of contributors, which contributes to its ability to address all the facets of the art of chaplaincy.

[Lucy Burch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for my Chaplain residency. This is one of the most relevant books I have read thus far in my journey in clinical pastoral education.

[David Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book destined for multiple readings for it does double duty.

On the one hand it is an excellent primer of what spiritual care is and how it came to be that way.

On the other hand, written in light of the shift from modern religion to postmodern spirituality, which has been accelerated by COVID 19 pandemic, Dr. Cadge provides a prophetic description of where the future of spiritual care is likely to be found.

[Ryan and Sara Wendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Book for Chaplaincy!

This is an excellent book for individuals who are interested in learning more about chaplaincy as well as experienced chaplains. I found this book helpful for me in understanding the current trends and issues of chaplaincy as well. I am giving this book a five out of five stars and recommend it to anyone who is an experienced chaplain and individuals interested in learning more about the field of chaplaincy in general.

[Peter Kiss · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the death of all true worship of the true and living God. I don't think there was a single genuine Christian author in this book, but of course, we have the PCUSA/Buddhist/Muslim hybrid chaplain, thank goodness! That, and all the popular postmodern leftist language, like intersectionality, fill the pages of this book instead of genuinely helpful advice for those who have a real reason to go into chaplaincy. 350 pages of the blind leading the blind.

[Matthew Huffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers a history of professional chaplaincy, an overview of some of the skills required for the profession, examples of real spiritual care interactions, and investigation into the systems at play in the lives of those seeking and offering care.

This is one I’m going to want to return to again and again.

[Joel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a specific audience. If you are a CPE resident or working on BCCi essays for board certification this will be a helpful reflection partner and primer. I’m interested in hearing how CPE educators are incorporating this text into their curriculum.

[Elizabeth Deters]

I read this book over the course of a semester for my Pastoral Care of Chaplaincy class. It presented a variety of perspectives and good insights from various authors about the diverse field of chaplaincy.

[Bilal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grateful for this project.

Shifts and yet only to turn full circle. New language and yet familiar intimate meanings. Take our hands but remember to follow your path. Be blessed and become what you are called to do.

[Jax Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid resource for chaplains. ACPE-flavored.

[Logan Crews · Rating 5 out of 5]

the last chapter described all the problems with berkeley divinity school so perfectly that it gave me hope and also made me want to scream and cry