Chaplains, pastoral counselors, specialized ministers gather for groundbreaking training sessions tackling moral resilience and self-care challenges
VALLEY FORGE, PA (11/5/2024)—On October 19, the American Baptist Network of Chaplains, Pastoral Counselors & Specialized Ministers and the Chaplains & Pastoral Counselors Chapter of the American Baptist Ministers Council brought together approximately 70 ministry professionals in person and online for an annual training session. Titled “Spiritual Care: Chaplains Beyond Religious Roles,” this event marked the first time in the history of both groups that they convened jointly for such training, setting the stage for enriched fellowship, networking, and professional development.
The day opened with Rick Barnes, president of the Chaplains & Pastoral Counselors Chapter, speaking on the significance of fostering collegiality within the chaplaincy community. The Rev. Sarah Fogg, the chapter’s immediate past president, followed. She highlighted the dedication of the event planners throughout their months-long process and particularly praised the featured workshops aimed at empowering chaplains to minister more effectively in stressful contexts. Ecclesiastical Endorser the Rev. Dr. Patricia Murphy, BCC, then took the podium to extend a warm welcome on behalf of ABHMS Executive Director Dr. Jeffrey Haggray. Murphy noted the special collaboration between the Chaplaincy Network and the Ministers Council, characterizing the day-long event as a “unique milestone.”
The Rev. Dr. Anne Dondapati Allen, a healthcare chaplain and Moral Resilience Program Lead at the University of Colorado Hospital, led the first of day’s two workshops. In her session, Cultivating Moral Resilience, she tackled the complex issue of moral distress—a condition that arises when chaplains feel constrained from acting in ways they believe are ethically necessary. She described the emotional, physical, and spiritual toll that moral distress takes on healthcare workers, especially in challenging cases where chaplains must navigate tensions between respecting patient autonomy and ensuring safe discharge plans
Using a case study of “David,” a refugee with quadriplegia and limited social support, Dondapati Allen illustrated the ethical dilemmas that chaplains often face. David’s situation raised profound questions of autonomy, beneficence, and non-maleficence. Although he was eager to discharge from the hospital, his only option was the street, an unsafe choice his care team was powerless to change. For chaplains and care providers, Dondapati Allen explained, “such situations create moral distress, leading to symptoms like emotional exhaustion, disengagement, and even moral injury, which occurs when one’s deeply held beliefs and values are compromised.”
The workshop provided tools for identifying and mitigating moral distress, equipping participants to cultivate “moral resilience.” To help chaplains address such distress, Dondapati Allen introduced the concept of moral agency and imagination, which enables caregivers to find ways to honor patient dignity even within institutional constraints. By creating a supportive environment for David, care providers enabled him to explore his talents as a sketch artist, nurturing his dignity despite the challenges he faced.
Dondipanti Allen then encouraged her audience to reflect on their own experiences, learning to identify and apply ethical principles such as beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice in complex situations, and to foster resilience and a supportive moral community within their care teams.
After a brief working lunch, training resumed with the second workshop, Self-Care for Spiritual Care Practitioners, led by the Rev. Dr. Petra van de Water-van Driel. Recognizing the demanding nature of chaplaincy and ministry, she explored both personal and professional self-care strategies, offering practical tools to foster self-awareness and emotional balance sustainably while compassionately ministering to others. She also facilitated small-group discussions where workshop participants were encouraged to share personal self-care challenges and strategies on how they balance the demands of ministry with their well-being.
During the workshop, Van de Water-van Driel also introduced two contemplative practices: Embodied Listening and Practicing Presence. Embodied Listening encourages tuning into physical and emotional sensations to foster self-awareness. Practicing Presence involves fully engaging with oneself, others, and God in the moment, nurturing a grounded, compassionate caregiving presence. She then closed with suggested resources for continued self-care and reemphasis of the sacredness of caring for one’s own well-being.
Murphy concluded the day’s event with closing remarks, emphasizing the importance of continued support and collaboration among the attendees. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to foster a sense of shared purpose and encouraged participants to carry lessons learned into their ministries.
Participants in the training departed with a sense of empowerment and practical tools for addressing the ethical and emotional challenges of their roles. Further, the Chaplaincy Network and Ministers Council, through their collaborative efforts, demonstrated a shared commitment to supporting the well-being of chaplains and spiritual caregivers, equipping them to face the ethical and emotional demands of their work with resilience and compassion while fostering a supportive community dedicated to holistic care.
To learn more about Chaplaincy & Specialized Ministries at ABHMS, visit us online.
American Baptist Home Mission Societies partners with American Baptists to promote Christian faith, cultivate Christ-centered leaders and disciples, and bring healing and transformation to communities across the United States and Puerto Rico.
American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.
