That each may have a home,
that all may safely rest
and be well
– A Chaplaincy prayer
Resources and Links
Chaplain Rennebohm’s new book
Gentle Bible
Links to other organizations
Checklist of Local Resources
Click here to download a sample form for identifying mental health resources in your locality. Pastors, church staff, and others may find this useful when responding to the needs of people in the congregation or community.
The Mental Health Chaplaincy:
Theory and Practice
The Chaplaincy is happy to share insights and methodologies developed over the years of its practice on the streets of Seattle. The following working papers are available for you to download at no cost by clicking on the titles. Except where noted, all are PDF files requiring the Adobe Acrobat Reader®. If you wish to receive hard copies of the materials (for a nominal fee to cover printing and postage), please e-mail us.
A Call to Mental Health Ministry. Mental health ministry is a core call for congregations and individuals. But how do we go about it? In “A Call to Mental Health Ministry,” Chaplain Rennebohm suggests that there are four basic tasks involved: education, companionship, family support, and the building of a healing neighborhood.
Spiritual Care with Psychiatric Patients. Good spiritual care appreciates the complexity of human beings. The workings of the brain, a person's inner life and relationships with others — these are all dimensions of one's soul, which is the ultimate subject of spiritual care. (Microsoft® Word document)
Extraordinary Experiences: Mental Disorders and Ministry. How can we understand the nature of mental illness in a spiritual context, and what can such an understanding tell us about how to minister with those who suffer from brain disorders? Chaplain Rennebohm addresses these questions in this paper. (Microsoft® Word document)
The Way of Companionship. The Chaplaincy practices one-on-one companionship with people struggling on the streets and in the community. This short paper introduces the practice.
ROEM: From the Street to Stability. People who live on the street are self-protective and wary. Those with mental illness can be especially mistrustful. The Chaplaincy has developed the Relational Outreach and Engagement Model (ROEM) — a set of attitudes, procedures, and person-to-person practices that have proven effective for connecting with persons who are hard to reach. In “From the Street to Stability,” Chaplain Rennebohm shares the basic principles of the ROEM method.
