This project explores spiritual care in the state of Maryland, with a particular focus on three questions:
- How are chaplains interreligious leaders in their respective organizations?
- How do chaplains view their work? Do they see it as specifically interreligious?
- How have chaplains been prepared to offer spiritual care across lines of religion and spirituality, including the non-affiliated? What additional resources or support to chaplains need to do this work?
The Chaplaincy Innovation Lab drafted and fielded a survey to collect this information. We also conducted a small number of follow up interviews to inform an overall strategy for ICJS to better support chaplains in Maryland.
The Chaplaincy Innovation Lab mapped Maryland chaplains according to:
- Sector of spiritual care
- County-level location
- Training received
- Spiritual / religious affiliation / identification
- Support systems
- Individual demographics
The results of this project were published in the Chaplaincy Innovation Lab eBook Chaplains in Maryland: Mapping and Assessing Needs, by Amy Lawton and Lijun Lin. You can download the eBook here.