Rev. Connie Madden on interconnected ministries

A Moment of Glory

The interconnected ministries of local clergy and chaplains can be a bane or a blessing. While clergy get to share life with members through their many stages of celebration and tragedy, chaplains are posed perfectly for the best moments of ministry—deaths, births, life-changing decisions, relationship climaxes, etc., which are all forged in the stress of their unique institutions. Many chaplains utilize the skills of clergy to help in their ministries while clergy see chaplains as uniquely qualified to help them with more delicate situations.

In a perfect world, the ebb and flow of these ministries should complement each other. When a patient from a certain faith family enters the chaplain’s setting, the clergy should be contacted. When a minister needs advice about helping in a complex ethical situation, the chaplain should be called. When the chaplain and clergy are both present for a patient and family, no sense of competition or threat should be present. The problem is that many chaplains and clergy simply don’t cooperate, communicate or respect each other.

While my husband serves in the pastoral role, I have seen both ends of the spectrum, having been both pastor and chaplain. My husband complains of chaplains waiting until the final hours of life to contact him, if they call at all. Now furious at the pastor, the family turns to the hero or heroine on the white horse, the chaplain, who has been present for them since the beeper called them to give prompt support. He sees the chaplain as wanting that “moment of glory” in the funeral service or in the crisis while the clergy person is blocked out.

Yet, I have been the chaplain who has attempted to involve clergy at every step, through calls or otherwise, without response. If the minister is present, they are often threatened and uncomfortable with my presence, so my unique perspective is often ignored. While this tension isn’t the norm, the often strained relationship of chaplains and clergy warrants examination on both sides.

Recently, I was called to cover a termination of life support for a patient. The family was Greek Orthodox, and although the priest was on his way, the family still wanted my prayers for their situation. After a prayer, the priest arrived, someone that I had met at a local clergy association meeting. While preparing the elements for anointing, he asked how I was and how my family was doing, while sharing his grief over this loss of a beloved church member. Then, we both entered the room as I watched him perform the ritual. While waiting for her to die, I shared how singing can be meaningful and the family eagerly sang a hymn with me, and then offered another song from their tradition in Greek. The harmony of the moment, with both ministries flowing respectfully and compassionately, embodied how powerful this cooperation can be. May the future bring better understanding, foster trust and reciprocal respect between the ministries of chaplain and clergy, such as I experienced that night.

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