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April 28, 2010
Small Group Members as Corporate Chaplains
Why you are already on the Lord’s payroll.
"As fewer Americans attend houses of worship on a regular basis, more people are receiving the compassionate help one might expect of a minister from corporate chaplains—professionals hired by companies to be a listening ear, a quick responder in crises, an arm to lean on through difficult challenges.” So notes an article in a Business Reform News and Commentary e-newsletter.
It goes on to say: “It's not that businesses are trying to take on a religious role. Corporate chaplains serve people of any or no faith, and the use of their services is voluntary. But business leaders increasingly recognize that employees who face crises often can't help bringing their personal difficulties to work, and job performance can suffer. Making provision to care for their workforce becomes a part of good business practice. As a result, many employees are getting support that can make a significant difference in their lives, while companies say they're seeing a more satisfied, even more productive workforce.”
This is an interesting development. I know of a few companies near my home on the North side of Indianapolis which also have a “chaplain” on the company pay role. But overall, very few companies have management that would hire such a person. Even in Christian managed companies, few have hired chaplains. And while the trend is increasing, from my perspective it is unlikely to become a very wide-spread business practice.
However, I would argue that there are many more “corporate chaplains” than one might expect. Take my small group for instance. When we meet tomorrow night, my living room will have the following people in it: a nurse who oversees a clinic at a mental hospital, a camera/video technician who travels to various corporate and academic clients to train them how to use camera equipment, a draftsman for an engineering firm, a stay-at-home mom who home schools her children, and a truck driver who makes daily deliveries to retail customers.
What do these people have in common? They are all ministers to the people they work for and serve. Of course, that’s not really their job title or why they get a pay check. But I know from their stories that each one of them is performing the role of “corporate chaplain” in their vocational setting. At that is how it should be.
I am hopeful the position of “paid corporate chaplain” is created in many more companies, but the one thing I know is that Christians who are embedded in every vocational setting have the greatest opportunity to impact others for Jesus.
As the article concludes: "...there are millions of people the institutional church will never touch." Your small-group members who are working with other employees can build relationships that make it easier for people to come to them for help and ultimately find a relationship with Jesus as a result.
Next time your group meets remind them they are on God’s payroll to minister in whatever vocation He is placed them!
posted by Dan Lentz on April 28, 2010 10:24 AM
