Top
Gathering together thoughts and visions of experienced practitioners, academics, educators and strategic leaders from around the world, this edited volume sheds light on the nature of chaplaincy and its role and significance within ever-changing contemporary healthcare systems.

A wide range of issues central to spiritual care delivery are covered, including reflections on what it feels like to be cared for by a chaplain through illness; the nature of chaplaincy as a profession; and how chaplains can engage with healthcare institutions in ways that have integrity yet are also deeply spiritual. The focus throughout is that chaplaincy should not only be guidance for people in distress, as a form of crisis intervention, but is rather about helping to promote wellbeing and enhance people’s quality of life.

Where specialisms tend to fragment systems and individuals, this book seeks to show that true health and wellbeing can only be found through a holistic approach, and shows how chaplaincy can bring this to the table. This book is for anyone who recognises the centrality of spirituality for wellbeing, and wishes to see what that might look like in practice.

Reviews

Rev. Dr. Amy Greene, Director, Center for Spiritual Care, Cleveland Clinic Health System, and Board Chair, 2018-2019, ACPE: The Standard for Spiritual Care and Education
There is by now absolutely no doubt that the profession of chaplaincy (in an increasingly complex and secular world) is facing a watershed - with an ocean of creativity, relevance and sustainability on one side and a rapidly-drying riverbed of outdated approaches on the other. This new volume is a wide-ranging and well-informed look at the most relevant challenges, as well as possibilities, for influencing which way things will ultimately flow. If you are in the professional chaplaincy field and care even one drop about our future, read this collection.
Simon Evers, coordinator of the European Network of Healthcare Chaplaincy
The voices and needs of patients - the most important focus of chaplaincy in healthcare - are connected with the challenges for the profession of a chaplain. The experiences of patients, chaplaincy practice, outcome-oriented research by chaplains and a theoretical underpinning of the profession are all presented in a unique, patient-centered way, for a broad public.
Rev Canon Dr Iain Macritchie, Programme Director for Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy, NHS Education for Scotland
Swinton and Kelly have drawn together important voices in spiritual care to produce this timely, stimulating and necessary collection. Here is a 'must read' for anyone involved in Health and Social Care Chaplaincy, helpfully alerting the reader to contemporary questions in a way that will stimulate further thought and debate.
Stephen D. King, Manager: Spiritual Health, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, and Chair, Joint Research Council
Chaplains and health care leaders from across the globe passionately convey diverse perspectives and bold invitations that are thought provoking and deserving of critical consideration. A must read for front line chaplains and health care leaders confronting chaplaincy care challenges and opportunities in the 21st century.
Dr. Simon Harrison, President, College of Health Care Chaplains
Kelly and Swinton have together produced a milestone publication in Healthcare Chaplaincy. 28 experienced authors, both co-creating and conflicting, address key issues facing Chaplaincy today as healthcare and social paradigms rapidly shift. Many offer important standalone contributions, but together they weave a landscape from which the future shape of our Profession may well emerge.