Something’s Stirring: A Call for Canadian Voices in Chaplaincy
Something’s stirring.
Across Canada and beyond, the landscape of spiritual care is shifting. Hospitals, long-term care homes, universities, and even corporate and correctional settings are still employing chaplains—but often with tighter restrictions, limited hours, and evolving expectations. Some institutions now require chaplains to avoid overtly religious language or symbols. Others are embracing chaplains from diverse or nonreligious backgrounds, reflecting the spiritual complexity of our time.
AND at the same time, fewer people identify with traditional religious communities. In the U.S., recent data shows that only one-third of Americans have ever interacted with a chaplain. Yet those who have nearly always describe the experience as positive. The ministry of presence—listening, comforting, showing up—still matters deeply. But as religious affiliation declines, some fear that the role of chaplain may become more marginalized, even as the need for spiritual care grows.
This context raises important questions for us in Christian ministry.
What does chaplaincy look like when many of the people we serve no longer share our faith?
What happens when chaplains are asked not to pray, not to use Scripture, not to speak of God?
What does it mean when spiritual care is offered—beautifully—by those who do not believe in God at all?
That last question is especially poignant in light of a recent story shared by CNN about Jason Callahan, an atheist chaplain serving in a palliative care unit. He offers end-of-life spiritual care to patients and families, rooted not in theology but in shared humanity. His presence is raw, attentive, and unflinching. He draws inspiration not from religious texts but from figures like Muhammad Ali and Tupac Shakur. And patients—many of them skeptical of religion—find comfort in him.
As Christian ministry leaders, we can both affirm the compassion of such service and wrestle with its implications. Our own calling to serve springs from a relationship with a living God—a God who created, redeems, and sustains. When we step into spaces of suffering, we do so not just as caring individuals, but as people carrying the hope of Christ. So what does it mean to offer spiritual care when faith is not part of the equation?
Rather than answering too quickly, we want to ask together.
We Want to Hear from You
If you are serving in chaplaincy or spiritual care—whether in a hospital, care home, school, military, or community context—we would love to hear your voice. Your stories matter. Your challenges and joys matter. We want to learn from you and connect you with others across Canada doing this vital, often hidden work.
We’d especially love to know:
What do you wish others understood about your work?
What resources do you wish existed but haven’t found yet?
How can Ministry Forum support and connect you better?
What ever your context, your insight is needed! Leave us a comment below or send us an email. Let’s gather the voices of Canadian chaplains and spiritual care providers. Let’s encourage one another, build shared resources, and bear witness to the sacred work of presence in a changing world.