Chaplain Jack Galle on being richer in the things that matter

Why I Love Collegial Ministry

I am serving as a navy chaplain at a large teaching hospital. I serve on the oncology ward and clinics. I am endorsed by a fellowship from Grace Brethren Churches. That is not important, except that is sets the stage for the scenario that follows.

Recently, the wife of one of our patients asked about her husband being baptized into the Roman Catholic Church. I contacted one of our priests, and he was willing to grant her request. In fact, the patient would be baptized, have his first communion, and receive the anointing of the sick all at the same ceremony.

Several months before this I remember reading scripture while this priest baptized a very sick infant. Now, here I was, standing at the bedside of this patient with his wife at his side, and my friend and colleague, a Roman Catholic priest, beginning the baptism. As the service began I realized many clergy who work at a church, synagogue, or mosque never get to know clergy from outside of their faith. Yet, here I was watching a man with a difficult diagnosis coming to profess a faith towards the end of his life with my friend and colleague presiding. After receiving the Host, the priest asked if he needed some water. At that point the patient just reached over and washed the Host down with his coffee! After we left and were talking at the nurses’ station, the patient’s wife told us that a tear ran down his cheek, which was very unusual for him. I will always remember being at that bedside.

I am privileged to know and work with clergy members from outside of my own denomination. I am richer in the things that matter because of my colleagues. Part of this is due to the large pastoral staff at our hospital, part of it is the example set by our senior chaplain who encourages our work together, and part of it is that we enjoy and respect each other. We have chaplains who are Episcopal, Methodist, Church of God, Seventh-Day Adventist, Baptist, Lutheran, and Disciples of Christ. During our morning meetings we review the duty calls and do a lot of laughing. Before the day ends, at least one of us will enter a patient’s room and weep with them. We weep because we deeply care about our patients; we laugh because we care for each other.

My colleagues are my friends. Our patients are better served by the bridges we build to work together; not walls we erect to be exclusive. I’m a better person because of my friends. That’s why I love collegial ministry.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense, or the United States Government.

I am (a military service member) (an employee of the U.S. Government). This work was prepared as part of my official duties. Title 17 U.S.C. 105 provides that ‘Copyright protection under this title is not available for any work of the United States Government.’ Title 17 U.S.C. 101 defines a United States Government work as a work prepared by a military service member or employee of the United States Government as part of that person’s official duties.

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