Ministering in a Pluralistic Setting as a Hospital Chaplain
Chaplain Beverly Brikins
A Church of God chaplain testifies of her experiences in a Texas medical center.
By Beverly Burkins
As a clinical chaplain I work as a team with medical doctors. They see changes in the patients they refer to me. I will always believe in miracles of healing through prayer, yet I encourage patients to stay on medication until their doctor says they do not need it. I know that God answers prayer in His timing. The ultimate healing for a believer is to be with Christ. To pray God’s will be done is showing my trust in God. “If God’s will is your will and if He always has His way [with you] then you always have your way, also.” -Hannah Whitall Smith.
I am not intimidated in ministering to people of other faiths, including Muslim, or atheist. I recall a psychiatrist referral for grief counseling of a 20-year old single female client. She was an atheist on suicidal watch. Being aware that I am a faith based counselor, she began by telling me she did not believe in God and she did not want prayer. I listened intently to her story of her father dying by the act of suicide. She believed she inherited his mental disorder. She felt hopeless because he fought his bi-polar disorder until the torment had overcome him. She did not want to experience another 20+ years of torment like he did. He had turned to drugs and alcohol for self medication. The first anniversary of his death had recently passed on Christmas day. Having lived with his abusive behavior toward her; she carried guilt that she was glad he died. She was not aware that feelings of anger and guilt are a normal part of grief.
I looked in the eyes of a beautiful young lady and thanked her for sharing her pain with me. I knew God had plans for her future. I showed respect to her belief system by explaining that my reference to my beliefs was not intended to hurt her. I shared my dependence upon God in my life and that I believed God had given me insight to understand her. Her eyes brightened when she asked what He had revealed to me? I explained that I believe she really wants to believe there is a God. The reason she doesn’t believe in God is because He did not answer her prayers. If she thought she could trust God she would believe in Him. She has chosen to be an atheist because she does not want to be hurt again. She was shocked at my words.
Tearfully, she told me that she had gone to Sunday School and church as a child and occasionally, as a teenager. When she called for God’s help, he didn’t answer. She was surprised that I understood why she lost faith in God. I had no words of condemnation when she vented her anger toward God. When she apologized to me, I told her God understands and He never ceases to love her.
I encouraged her to protect herself from further brain damage by staying on her medication. I counted it a blessing that she had received medical help at an early age. She had not experienced the torment of drug and alcohol abuse. God intervened to give me favor with her. She looked forward to our visits. Yes, she asked me to pray with her. Now she understands that God does answer prayer in His timing, according to His will. At first she resented being on suicide watch but later she saw it as an expression of love from her family and God. She calls every now and then to let me know she is getting a grip and doing better. She now runs to hug me when she sees me in public places. Thank God for ministry of presence where I can share Christ by just being there.
To learn more about the Church of God Chaplains Commission chaplaincy programs, visit the Chaplains Commission website at: www.cogchaplains.com.
