What is the role of a Chaplain at EverTrue?
David Corson, Lead Chaplain
EverTrue Meramec Bluffs
What is the role of a Chaplain at EverTrue?
EverTrue chaplains are more than a simple replacement for a resident’s pastor, minister, priest or rabbi. As a chaplain, I prefer to think of myself as a substitute prognosticator of Jesus’ love for everyone in my community. I am there to serve YOU – the resident, your family and your religious leader – as well as our on-site caregivers, leaders and more in any way I can.
As an EverTrue chaplain, I am privileged to be able to interact with residents every day and I love my job! EverTrue understands that the spiritual health, as well as the physical health, of our residents, and their loved ones and caregivers is important. EverTrue chaplains work hard to ensure spiritual life does not suffer due to changing life circumstances. In a time of change, it is imperative you feel the comforting presence of God and find peace of mind. To help aid this, EverTrue has a chaplain available in most communities to provide person-centered pastoral care through worship services, Bible studies, hymns, one-on-one interaction, and even end-of-life care.
Most EverTrue chaplains are theologically trained, ordained or commissioned servants of the Word. They have at least one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). Think of CPE as dedicated class time coupled with clinical training aimed at teaching potential chaplains best practices for the love and support of your beloved family member.
In CPE, chaplains are taught to be professionals. This serves to help the chaplain be aware of potential caregiver burnout. It also helps to cultivate the ongoing relationship between residents and their own pastor and congregation. However, residents have a way of endearing themselves to those who serve them. They make us laugh, they make us mad, they make us cry and they make us love them. They remind us daily why we got up and went to work that morning.
Truthfully, to be an EverTrue chaplain makes me think of the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz. He wistfully wishes for a heart. Now he must endure the price of prayers answered in this new heart created to love. As a Life Plan Community chaplain, my heart is filled by my residents, their families, our caregivers and more. I love my residents. My residents become like family members who I am blessed to serve.
As an EverTrue chaplain, every day is a good day to be me.