CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has taken a significant step in learning more about individuals who serve ministries in chaplaincy, counseling and clinical education. Representatives from ELCA ministries in specialized settings met here Feb. 11-13 to examine results of a survey that revealed the reality and challenges faced by those in clinical education and specialized pastoral care settings.
"We are the most diverse and scattered of this church's various groups of leaders, serving in a multitude of institutions, social structures and points of mission," said the Rev. Donald A. Stiger, ELCA director for specialized pastoral care and clinical education.
Clinical pastoral education is "experiential, supervised learning for people in ministry preparing for a certified specialized ministry," said Stiger.
"There is a burgeoning interest in ministries of chaplaincy, counseling and clinical education. Workplace and police chaplaincies are growing at a remarkable pace," Stiger said.
There are about 800 ELCA members active in positions of specialized pastoral care ministries, which are comprised of seven areas: pastoral counseling, long-term care chaplaincy, general health care chaplaincy, mental health care chaplaincy, correctional chaplaincy, substance abuse chaplaincy and counseling ministry, and mental retardation and developmental disability ministry.
The survey, conducted last year, invited 1,046 ELCA members in specialized pastoral care ministries to share information regarding their specializations; their sense of connection with ELCA congregations, synods and churchwide office; and their preferences for support, needs and concerns for the future. About 790 responded to the survey developed by the ELCA Division for Ministry and Department for Research and Evaluation.
"While health care continues to reflect the largest proportion of specialized pastoral care settings, long-term care is not far behind," said Stiger.
A quarter of respondents serve in hospitals, and 21 percent serve in long-term health care settings. Fifteen percent of the respondents are retired, said Stiger. More than half of respondents serve as chaplains.
"The 'chaplain' identity still predominates," said Stiger. "Nationally, some of the fastest growing specializations are hospice and police ministries -- a low proportion of specialized pastoral care ministries in the ELCA," he said.
Other findings of the study indicate that only 10 percent of respondents serve as clinical pastoral education supervisors, Stiger said. "That percentage reflects the most dramatic decline in the last 10 to 12 years -- having once been at the forefront of the clinical pastoral education movement. This is, to me, no less than a crisis," he said.
"Our overall numbers of individuals involved in specialized pastoral care and clinical education has declined about 12 percent since 1988, and significant numbers are now approaching retirement," Stiger said.
Many respondents also indicated feeling "isolated" from the church or being perceived as "outside" the general understanding of ministry, Stiger reported. "These respondents want more communication and to be seen as a valuable resource within their ELCA synod. Others indicated that a perceived inequity in the compensation of specialized pastoral care clergy as compared to the compensation of parish pastors further emphasized the sense of isolation from the church," Stiger said.
"There is also minimal multicultural representation in our ranks," Stiger said.
About 66 percent of clergy in specialized pastoral care are endorsed by the church and certified for their ministries, Stiger said.
Clergy are trained through programs within schools sponsored by the ELCA and others. Candidates in specialized pastoral care ministries are expected to go through a process to receive "endorsement" from the church and certification by an outside organization.
"All Christian people are called through Baptism to be part of the consoling, nurturing, caring, listening ministry of the Body of Christ, but some are called and equipped to address specialized needs," said Stiger.
The findings of the survey were used by specialized pastoral care and clinical education representatives, ELCA bishops and synod staff, and staff of churchwide offices meeting here to produce a plan for the ELCA specialized pastoral care and clinical education ministry. The plan includes goals, objectives and time lines. The board of the ELCA Division for Ministry will meet here March 10-12 to consider the plan.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
