Engaging in the Struggle - April Editorial
For those engaged in Spiritual Care, Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy, you understand the fundamental and beneficial nature of your work. Not always, but often, you are fortunate to witness the transformative nature of spiritual care in people’s lives.
However, we are also aware of the struggle facing Spiritual Care in affirming it as a discipline in its own right, with its own identity and approaches. We know we are distinct from therapists, wellbeing officers and social workers, and in the best of worlds, operate as part of multidisciplinary teams. And yet, questions still arise from organisational leaders, from government and from other disciplines about both our relevance and efficacy. Those not convinced by the value of spiritual care offer many arguments, some pointing to anecdotes of unprofessional practices, some questioning the role and place of “spirituality” as a concept in their sector, and some believing that the work of spiritual care can be subsumed within other disciplines.
Within this landscape, Spiritual Care Australia continues to strengthen its established role as the peak body for spiritual care practitioners in Australia. We are growing our membership, credentialing more members to be safe and competent in alignment with our capabilities framework, and every month developing meaningful partnerships with industry and education bodies. In a word, we clearly affirm that we are an organised, professional body whose members make a significant difference through their work. I take great confidence in the new partnerships we are enjoying with a number of universities, the relationship with our CPE partners, and the serious consideration being given to what we are doing within our sectors.
We know that who we are and what we do hold great value. What is becoming clearer to me in my role, is the need for each of us to tell our story. Share the value of your profession and the impact you are having. For our foundational partners, we need to hear why you value SCA and why spiritual care is a significant dimension of your work. For our education partners, we need you to continue to develop education pathways, and promote the research which undergirds all we do.
Please share with me your testimonies, your stories, your ideas about how we can advocate for the work of spiritual care. Who can we ally with? What extra support do you need in your own role?
Let us work together to ensure the building up of spiritual care, and safeguard the future of this much needed profession.
Best wishes,
Richard
Richard McMahon
SCA Executive Officer