The Role of a Chaplain

By Dr. Darryn Hewson

The role of a chaplain is to provide spiritual care, guidance, and support. Sometimes, however, it’s also to just be a presence and reminder that no one has to be alone. 

Most chaplain roles are interfaith. You serve a community, group, organization, school, hospital, and base. It is a calling that is one of the most fundamental representations of the holy because you are called to be a presence in the midst of need. You don’t get to judge and should not proselytize. You listen and respond with what you can for what is needed. The role is to be there whether a Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, humanist, or an agnostic person needs you. If someone is dying in the hospital, they need a presence of love and compassion. If someone is struggling, they need reassurance. If someone is in fear, they need a safe person and place and that is the role of a chaplain.

In Seattle, a group formed to provide chaplaincy on Capitol Hill for the CHOP or CHAZ as it became known and publicized. People had taken over an area in peaceful protest mostly against the police but we all know it’s much bigger than that. Various faith groups contributed to provide things like water and snacks as well as some first aid supplies. Faith leaders signed up to be present. 

The chaplains who were able to spend time there talked about people coming to the chaplain’s table to ask for prayer, healing, counseling, food, or to ask questions or just say thanks for being there. In a city with some of the lowest religious affiliation in the country, the presence of faith was recognized and appreciated. 

People are hurting. People are angry. People are dying, including those dying at the hands of those meant to protect them. Faith leaders around the country have volunteered to be “protest chaplains,” walking the edges of protest marches hoping that a faith leader in full regalia might be a symbol of peace to keep people safe. 

This is a hallmark of movements for change and solidarity as people of faith band together. Yet, it needs to continually be lifted up so that we are reminded that we are called to this work as chaplains, leaders, and marchers. 

Amid rampant hate and ignorance (including from people who profess faith and people in positions of leadership), it becomes that much more important for those that believe in a higher power to stand up and with those who are hurting, those who are being oppressed, and those who are in need. All people of faith are called to be a presence for justice, compassion, love, peace, safety, and what is right. It is not a Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Sikh, or Hindu thing, it is a faith thing. We need more chaplains. 

Dr. Darryn Hewson spends much of his time learning about and experiencing first-hand the traditions of others. His doctoral work was focused on worship as a form of dialog and creating sacred spaces. He has worked with Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, and others all over the world, trying to help people understand what is most important in their relationship to an infinite God. His mission is to build bridges across the things that divide us, doorways through the barriers that separate us, and windows into the knowledge that can erase the ignorance of hate and fear between us.