I received an email today regarding the chaplain and social worker cutbacks in the FHA today. According to the article that I read in the AbbyNews , 12 hospital based chaplains and 15 social worker positions will be cut. I'd like to address the cuts to chaplaincy services.
I am a believer in the value of pastoral/chaplaincy ministry in hospital situations. There's no doubt that good spiritual/emotional support in this setting contributes to the health and recovery of patients who are open to receive it. I am also a realist and recognize that given the choice between a chaplain's position or an ER or Surgical nurse, the vast majority of the population will choose nurses. We live in challenging economic times and while I would prefer something different, in this case I understand why this decision has to be made.
Some of the most creative and successful approaches have arisen during some of the most difficult seasons. I see an opportunity for faith based groups and individuals who are concerned about these particular cuts to become proactive and provide a creative solution to the situation. Several years ago, the IHA made similar cuts to chaplaincy positions in Kamloops. In that particular situation, a local MLA took leadership and raised the necessary resources to provide for chaplaincy services at RIH.
The region served by the FHA is home to BC's largest churches and because of population alone, has more church groups than anywhere else in the province. While it's not fair to look at the largest churches alone and expect them to shoulder the financial burden, it is realistic to look to the church community as a whole to consider finding a way to creatively fund this important area of ministry. We, more than anyone else should be committed to seeing these positions continue and if necessary, find the ways and means to properly resource them through our own efforts. I realize this a departure from expecting government and health authorities to fund this through tax dollars, but perhaps this is also a way for the church to provide leadership within our communities and to be a blessing to caregivers and patients alike.
I'm calling on denominational leaders, pastors and churches to give serious consideration to finding a creative way to serve the people of the FHA through ensuring the continuation of these services. It's time to put our faith to work and ensure that chaplaincy services continue within the FHA.
5 comments:
I agree that given the choice between life-saving surgery and a chaplain one would naturally choose surgery, but I have trouble with the either-or nature of that scenario. I suppose if one was to use that line of thinking it could be very difficult to justify the massive spending on the Olympics while senior care homes are being closed throughout the island.
I don't wish to sound negative here, but I do think our prayers need to be balanced by also reflecting a call for justice. Our present government absolutely needs to be prayed for, which includes prayers of encouragement, yes. But, there is plenty of biblical precedent for crying out to God for justice amidst unjust rule. I think we needn't feel bad about praying in that way. In fact, I believe God wants us to be angry about the things that anger him. Instead of acting on that anger by protesting and hurling insults, however, our anger should be a righteous form of anger that works to rectify injustices and increasing accoutability for our leaders. Spending billions on the olympics while seniors, children, the homeless, etc go without undoubtedly gets God's blood boiling. Shouldn't it have the same affect on us?
I guess what I'm saying is there is a place for standing up and saying "enough".
There's no question that there's a time and place to stand up and say 'enough'. I've learned that saying 'enough' gets it's best results when you are able to do it in the context of relationship.
good evening tim
i was part of the on call chaplaincy team in Kelowna that developed a 3 yr plan. at first, the churches supported the chaplaincy, but by the end of the 3 years, Interior Health assumed 100% responsibility. after 10 yrs, the cut both full time positions. Several yrs later, they realized the serious mistake, its MORE COST EFFECTIVE, to fund the chaplaincy than to be without. Kelowna now again has a full time chaplain and a half time secretary, at least that's my understanding. Very recently, the chaplain in Kamloops strongly urged our pastoral team in Vernon, not to pursue support from our churches via a separate sponsorship program. He now disagrees that how they maintained the chaplaincy in Kamloops was a good strategy. When the community donates to the foundation of the hospital ear marking the donation to the chaplaincy, the leadership of IH will take notice. Just some serious thoughts.
I'm aware that the funding was restored in Kelowna (and perhaps Kamloops too). I think that as time goes on, government comes to recognize the value of chaplaincy ministry again. In the meantime, these positions are being cut in BC's most densely populated region and I don't think that political pressure alone is going to see them restored. The church can (and I think SHOULD) arise to find a way to provide the necessary resources to keep the positions in place.
I'm aware that the funding was restored in Kelowna (and perhaps Kamloops too). I think that as time goes on, government comes to recognize the value of chaplaincy ministry again. In the meantime, these positions are being cut in BC's most densely populated region and I don't think that political pressure alone is going to see them restored. The church can (and I think SHOULD) arise to find a way to provide the necessary resources to keep the positions in place.
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