Unveiling The Spiritual Crisis in Schools, Civilian Life and The Military
Spiritual Crisis Demands a Spiritual Response
The National School Chaplains Association helps students and teachers find their spiritual footing. Insight is shared by Tom Solhjem, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) former Chief of Chaplains U.S. Army.
There has been a rising number of casualties —not physical, but spiritual. Actually, the spiritual deficit results in physical tragedies. Today’s chaplains must resurrect the neglected foundation because a spiritual problem demands a spiritual solution.
The National School Chaplain Association has a mission to place qualified chaplains in every school with clergy representing the anchor in the storm. Chaplains are trained to train others to discover strength and confidence through faith before the battle comes, comfort while in the trenches and hope for the future.
An unprecedented number of people have lost the meaning of life. Some have lost the value of life; and have become disrespectful, violent and destructive. Tragically, too many are taking their own lives. It’s a failure to find peace.
“…like the nation, the Army wasn’t simply facing a mental health crisis —it was facing an historically unparalleled spiritual crisis. What is often misdiagnosed as a mental health crisis is in fact: “a deep crisis of the spirit and soul.” (Tom Solhjem), Major General USA Ret. / Chair, LUKE Advisory Board in his recent blog Mission, Meaning and the Moral Imperative of Flourishing.
Depression, domestic violence and suicide are the top examples of the war that rages across all socioeconomic spectrums. Who better to bring the previously missing spiritual support, than the battle-trained clergy who have either experienced or witnessed what its like and lived to tell the story. People who are living on the edge find it easier to trust and confide in those whom they sense have a real understanding of their pain and know the missing piece to the puzzle.
Recently, the military has empowered their chaplains to provide spiritual care.
Chaplains are available in state, federal and civilian settings, yet they are severely lacking in the schools where developing children are faced with many challenges. Clearly, without spiritual support, it’s difficult to focus and grow academically. Well-being has been replaced by confusion and fear. Due to school shootings and increased violence, many children are afraid to go to school.
The battlefield of the mind and soul cannot be wholly conquered without faith-based support. Confusion has clouded love. Chaplains understand the level of battle-readiness required to help others survive, thrive and flourish in any atmosphere.
In Points of Light: Continental Army Chaplains and Civil Relations (Brinsfield, 2024) Expressed that “Practical reasons for assigning chaplains to regiments and later, to brigades included the roles eighteenth-century clergy played in educational, social and moral leadership in civilian and military organizations.”
Not everyone already possesses the spiritual fortitude and endurance to replace fear with courage. A failure to thrive is evidence that more help is necessary. A firm spiritual foundation is the rocket fuel to combat fear. Fear is a demon that clouds the ability to survive.
School Chaplains are trained in threat assessment, crisis management and prevention. Already on campus, they can immediately respond to a crisis such as an active shooter. They can stop-the-bleed and bring peace to chaos. They assist the first responders and police on arrival and remain on campus daily, picking up the pieces.
Mental health experts discover evidence regarding spirituality
1) Dr. Lisa Miller, Professor of Psychology and Education, Director of the Clinical Psychology Program at Teachers College, Columbia University has published more than two hundred peer-reviewed articles in leading journals. She is also the bestselling author of the “Spiritual Child” and “The Awakened Brain.” Dr. Miller discovered:
Young adults with a strong sense of spirituality are 80% less likely to become addicted to drugs and alcohol
60% less likely to experience major depression
70% less likely to take unnecessary risks
Those healthy outcomes, increase exponentially to 82% when accompanied by a personal faith and belief that is shared in community with others.
2) Dr. Harold Koenig, Psychiatrist and faculty at Duke University focuses his clinical practice and research on religion, spirituality, and health. He published over 280 scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals, scholarly professional journal articles, and 60 chapters in professional books. He discovered:
Strong evidence that religious involvement is correlated with better mental health, less depression, substance abuse, suicide, stress-related disorders and dementia.
The School Chaplain Mission, Mirrors the Military & Civilian Chaplain Mission
The goal is to help others find their spiritual footing. Those who do seek help, often lack the language to describe what is missing. Religious lingo can sound like a foreign language. For some, the lack of spiritual exposure and nourishment has caused an unparalleled crisis. A dysfunctional and at-risk generation is desperate for the meaning of life!
School Chaplains facilitate mutually effective communication that reveals the heart of the matter and fills the critical spiritual void.
You’re invited to support the mission: Explore: National School Chaplains Association, Enroll in NSCA Academy
About the Author: Dorothy Kozar is a published author, public speaker and holds a Masters degree from Duke University. Functioning as an editorial writer for National School Chaplain Association (NSCA), she enjoys writing and being a Certified Chaplain after retiring from 32 years as a board certified CRNFA surgical nurse. Ultimately, became self-employed Acute Care Nurse Practitioner providing peri-operative patient care. Then she rounded out her career, as director of the Department of Robotic Surgery. Serving as Legislative Liaison for Operating Room Nurses, led to the passing of a bill in the N.C. House. Met with legislators at D.C. and spoke there at a national nursing convention. Dorothy seeks to be an agent of change in supporting godly standards in schools, culture, local and national government. Likewise, as an ordained minister, a wife, mother and grandmother; her heart is to calibrate, educate and celebrate by demonstrating the freedom; whereby Christ has made us free. Editorial Page Support