Professional Dissertations DMin

Date of Award

2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry

College

Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary

Program

Doctor of Ministry DMin

First Advisor

Ronald Costa

Second Advisor

Ricardo Norton

Abstract

Problem

There is a high demand for chaplains in the Fresno Police Department who can support police officers in addressing city crises. Most Adventist pastors in Fresno do not have the basic knowledge of police chaplaincy nor do they have the certification to practice in this specialized ministry. The latest study published by the California Department of Justice (2023) on the wave of violence in California shows that in 2022, 2,206 homicides were reported, of which 60 were reported by the Fresno Police Department (2023) which required the intervention of trained chaplains to care for the survivors of each victim. However, there are not enough pastors of any denomination to meet this need. Due to a lack of training, most Adventist pastors in Fresno are not able to engage in this ministry.

Method

This research was based on applied theology. The project included recruiting and preparing pastors for police chaplaincy, an analysis of the literature on the crisis intervention, and surveys before and after the seminar, where participants responded about their knowledge and experience. The training seminar was a ten-topic training seminar based on the International Congress of Police Chaplains’ Basic Principles of Police Chaplaincy training. Its objective was to increase the level of biblical and practical knowledge as to how assistance can be provided in urban crises and to offer hope to those who suffer. It was hoped that the project would serve as the first step of orientation and training, encouraging Adventist pastors to become fully certified as police chaplains. -- The researcher followed an intentional process. He began by analyzing biblical and theological literature, especially the biblical concepts regarding anguish and alternatives for those who suffer. He then examined contemporary literature on the main factors impacting people and police officers in the midst of crises today. Additionally, he provided a profile of pastors’ knowledge of police chaplaincy obtained in a previous survey. After the seminar the participants were evaluated through written and anonymous questionnaires that measured their past experience in various police chaplaincy tasks and their likelihood of engaging in them in the future.

Results

The pastors participating in the Police Chaplaincy Seminar took the first step to serve as chaplains in the police department. They were informed of the problems and taught some key concepts and principles of police chaplaincy. After this police chaplaincy seminar, pastors must complete all the requirements to be able to officially serve as police chaplains. The survey conducted by the researcher revealed that most of them were hearing key ideas for the first time, since this is the first seminar aimed specifically at the police chaplaincy in which they participated. -- There were 24 participants of whom 92.9% indicated that they had never participated in a police chaplaincy seminar and 7.1% responded rarely. Of the 24 participants, 19 took the entire seminar. 50.0% of the participants were between 26 and 50 years of age. 33.3% were between 51 and 64 years old and the youngest group was 16.7% between 18 and 25 years old. -- In addition, 66.7% of the participants participated in all sections of the police chaplaincy seminars. And 100% responded that the seminar helped them understand police chaplaincy in their ministerial framework. Another 100% responded that as a pastor they would encourage their church to support their city's police chaplaincy department. -- In relation to the teaching resources used by the presenter and researcher, 100% indicated that it was very helpful. Also, 83.3% liked the promotion, registration and communication process between participants. And 16.7% considered the same process to be quite good. -- When participants were asked about compassion in moments of crisis, 53.8% answered that they had it, 38.5% said they often felt compassion, and 7.7% expressed that they sometimes felt compassion when watching moments of crisis. -- When the pastors who attended the seminar were asked whether they had any direct program that provides hope, spiritual support and follow-up to victims of crime in the city in which they reside, 28.6% responded that they did not have any program. Based on the same question, 28.6% considered that they have never, and rarely, had any follow-up program that assists people who are going through a crisis in the area where they live. -- When asked if they were willing to respond in a crisis situation, 50.0% reflected that they would do so if necessary, while 28.6% answered that they are often willing and 21.4% on some occasions. -- Another 64.3% indicated that they understand that police officers and their families need spiritual support, while 35.7% responded that sometimes since being police officers they are exposed to greater moments of crisis. Interestingly, 83.3% of seminar participants would be willing to offer and join the police department as a chaplain. And 16.7% liked the idea of participating in the police chaplaincy in Fresno. These same percentages indicate that support for citizens would make their ministry in their city more effective. -- One of the most difficult responsibilities of a police chaplain is notifying a family member of the death of their loved one. The survey reflects that only 28.6% would never, rarely and ever be willing to assume that responsibility. -- Interestingly, 57.1% indicated they feel concerned about people who lose a loved one due to crime in their city, while 35.7% felt worried often. When faced with an accident situation on the street, 42.9% have at some point stopped to provide help. While 21.4% indicate that they always stop to provide help. And 21.4% ever and 7.1% never stop. -- Participants were asked about their experience in providing support in a crisis of murder, suicide or some unexpected death and 50.0% responded never, 35.7% sometimes and 7.1% rarely. -- When participants were asked if they would be willing to give a death notification as a police chaplain, 28.6% answered always and another 28.6% answered sometimes, followed by another 28.6% often and 14.3% would rarely be willing. -- Finally, 66.7% of the participants believe that the topics discussed in the seminars were very relevant to carry out to address the city's crisis in a specialized way through police chaplaincy, while 33.3% responded that they are quite relevant.

Conclusions

Although the presence of pastors has not been notable only 1% have the endorsement in the North American division in the police departments of many of the cities, this seminar marked a genuine interest in those present for the training that was offered in the seminars. This interest in the basic principles of police chaplaincy became the first step for those who had never heard of this topic. -- The researcher noticed that the participants were very attentive to this new information, which for a large majority was the first time they had heard. This focus on police chaplaincy sparked great interest in the involvement of pastors to be equipped, trained, and certified to do this specialized ministry. -- The Police Chaplaincy Seminar for pastors generated ideas that are new to most of them and motivated them to prepare and train in police chaplaincy in the future. A pastor trained as a police chaplain could be of enormous help and support in the complex urban mission of our day. -- The researcher concluded that one of the factors that should have been included in the seminar was to have some type of practice after each section including some professional resources such as police officers, emergency department supervisors, emergency call operators and other officials so that share real experiences with the participants. -- The Seminar on Police Chaplaincy is, therefore, a very useful additional tool in pastoral ministry and is an instrument that could help in the professional growth and development of those who wish to get involved in police chaplaincy.

Subject Area

Chaplains, Police; Seventh-day Adventists--Clergy; Fresno; California

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