My Personal Pastoral Theology
A Personal Pastoral Theology
I begin with a story about a spiritual journey similar to my own.
One day in the South Pacific, a navy ship captain saw smoke coming from the hut on an uncharted island. Upon arriving at the shore, they were met by a shipwreck survivor. He said, “I’m so glad you’re here! I’ve been alone on this island for more than five years!” The captain replied, “If you’re all alone on the island why do I see three huts?” The survivor said, “Oh, well I live in one and go to church in another.” “What about the third hut?” asked the captain. “That’s where I used to go to church,” replied the survivor.
I believe that theology is lived and that it must be grounded in religious experience. I believe also that theology grows as I grow; it changes as I change, and it evolves as I evolve. Everyone has a sacred story to tell and that is why I am a hospital chaplain, to be there in the sacred and holy moments in which people need a companion to enter into the journey with. Completely in the flow of the moment, I am giving my full attention, listening to discover the person’s sorrow, suffering, joy, strength, unique experiences, and connectedness to the divine. I am privileged to be a companion to our patients and families as they draw upon their beliefs, values and support systems to deal with sickness, homelessness, sorrow, poverty, dying, chronic illness, and all of life’s changes.
It is a “God thing” that points me in the direction of my spiritual journey. I get to watch God work the hallways all the time. I have the gift to comfort people in their darkest hour. It is sacred space on holy ground and to be invited on somebody’s holy ground is a privilege and an honor. On this holy ground all are loved, cared for, respected and valued by me. Like Saint Paul, I believe “that nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God…” (Romans 8:39)
My spiritual journey is a
I begin with a story about a spiritual journey similar to my own.
One day in the South Pacific, a navy ship captain saw smoke coming from the hut on an uncharted island. Upon arriving at the shore, they were met by a shipwreck survivor. He said, “I’m so glad you’re here! I’ve been alone on this island for more than five years!” The captain replied, “If you’re all alone on the island why do I see three huts?” The survivor said, “Oh, well I live in one and go to church in another.” “What about the third hut?” asked the captain. “That’s where I used to go to church,” replied the survivor.
I believe that theology is lived and that it must be grounded in religious experience. I believe also that theology grows as I grow; it changes as I change, and it evolves as I evolve. Everyone has a sacred story to tell and that is why I am a hospital chaplain, to be there in the sacred and holy moments in which people need a companion to enter into the journey with. Completely in the flow of the moment, I am giving my full attention, listening to discover the person’s sorrow, suffering, joy, strength, unique experiences, and connectedness to the divine. I am privileged to be a companion to our patients and families as they draw upon their beliefs, values and support systems to deal with sickness, homelessness, sorrow, poverty, dying, chronic illness, and all of life’s changes.
It is a “God thing” that points me in the direction of my spiritual journey. I get to watch God work the hallways all the time. I have the gift to comfort people in their darkest hour. It is sacred space on holy ground and to be invited on somebody’s holy ground is a privilege and an honor. On this holy ground all are loved, cared for, respected and valued by me. Like Saint Paul, I believe “that nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God…” (Romans 8:39)
My spiritual journey is a
Bibliography: New York, New York. 1994 Shea, John