Abstract

It was the purpose of this paper to attempt an understanding of the chaplain's role on the health team, both in the United States and in the Far East, in light of research conducted in four specific Seventh-day Adventist Hospitals: the Glendale Adventist Hospital, the Loma Linda University Medical Center, the Paradise Valley Adventist Hospital, and the White Memorial Medical Center.

Before attempting any field research in the area of chaplaincy, I felt I must understand to some degree the general under lying philosophy of this profession. Thus, both the published and unpublished works of leaders in the field were consulted as a basis for further study.

The research was conducted by the private interview method. Appointments were made with the head chaplain in each of the above medical institutions for extensive interviews, orientation to each chaplain program—counseling, visitation, worship services, et cetera—and introductions to each hospital and its staff. During the one or two days spent in each institution, tape recordings were made of each interview and used later for analysis. The information thus gathered was organized under three main headings of the chap lain' s program: (1) the chaplain's personnel and facilities; (2) the chaplain's daily working schedule, including such activities as visitation, baby dedication, the teaching program, and counseling; and (3) the chaplain's weekend program.

After analysis of the general aspects of the chaplain's ministry as practiced in four hospitals in the United States, an attempt was made to apply the information gathered to a specific situation in the Far East—the Hong Kong Adventist Hospital, to which I am under appointment as chaplain. Each aspect of the program was considered—the cultural setting, the needs of the people, the chaplain's facilities, his services, counseling. worship, baby dedication, literature, teaching and follow up programs—and a tentative plan set up for the future.

Finally, the chaplaincy in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, as a specific ministry, was analyzed as a basis for understanding this work as a whole. The chaplain is a specialist, and as such. he has a specialized ministry to perform in the church. I felt that four general headings essentially covered his functions in this ministry. They are: (1) to make man whole - this is the goal of the whole denomination in its educational, evangelistic, and medical work; (2) to be a leader of worship, but in the hospital setting-—every pastor is a leader of worship, but the chaplain must arrange for the availability of such services at any time and to people of any religious conviction; (3) to serve the community—public health programs, including nutrition and physical fitness are some of the services the chaplain can offer; and (4) to make personal friends—the person who has been introduced to Christ usually has been introduced first to one of His followers.

LLU Discipline

Religion

Department

Religion

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

Charles W. Teel

Second Advisor

A. Graham Maxwell

Third Advisor

Paul C. Heubach

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Degree Level

M.A.

Year Degree Awarded

1971

Date (Title Page)

5-1971

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Hospital Departments; Religion and Medicine

Type

Thesis

Page Count

iv; 50

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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