Chaplain Rozann Allyn Shackleton on putting it down on paper

Advocacy and the Written Word

Often in discussions with colleagues, one hears the comment, “That’s a good idea. You should put it down on paper,” or “That’s a valuable program. You should share it with your colleagues.”

It’s my experience that while chaplains are active listeners and themselves highly verbal, they are, with few exceptions, reluctant writers. Thus, despite the fact that the written word is one of the best avenues of advocacy for the profession, we continue to see a proliferation of articles related to spiritual care written by physicians, nurses, social workers—everyone but those who are professionally trained—and called—to deliver it.

Just as those to whom we minister have stories to tell, so do we. Some of these “stories” are research/statistics based; some are how-to’s; some are rooted in the history of our profession; some are reflections on the days—and nights—spent in the ED, the ICU, the OR waiting room. Each of these illuminates a different facet of chaplaincy. Each advocates in a unique way for our profession.

With a subscription base of 7,200 worldwide, PlainViews is an ideal vehicle for “getting one’s feet wet,” though perhaps a better metaphor would be “getting one’s fingers moving across the keyboard.” The now famous refrain of PV Managing Editor Martha Jacobs—“It’s only five-hundred words”—can serve as a motivating factor. The specific categories, which focus on professional practice, advocacy, education and research, and spiritual development, help the neophyte writer to stay on track.

I encourage chaplains to consider other venues as well. Admittedly, as editor of Chaplaincy Today, the official journal of the Association of Professional Chaplains, I have a vested interest in making such a statement; however, I think it is fair to say that this and other publications focused on spiritual care not only provide us with ways to share our expertise with our colleagues, they add to our credibility as healthcare professionals.

The path to publication in CT is not a difficult one. Guidelines for authors are published on page two or each issue and also appear on the APC Web site (www.professionalchaplains.org) under Publications. Articles, essays, poetry/artwork are welcomed; submission via e-mail is preferred (cteditor@sbcglobal.net).

One of my editorial goals, indeed one aspect of my chaplaincy, is to provide assistance to prospective writers. I look forward to working with you as together we advocate for our profession via the printed word.

Do you have thoughts about advocacy you’d like to share with your colleagues? Send an e-mail to info@PlainViews.org.