Post by Cary Friedman on Nov 11, 2007 10:28:48 GMT -5
LifeNet
ICISF [International Critical Incident Stress Foundation]
Volume 18
Number 1 & 2
Winter - Spring 2007
Book Review: Spiritual Survival for Law Enforcement
Reviewed by Rev. George A. Grimm, CTR (Ret.), Hotline/CISM Teams Coordinator
Author Rabbi Cary A. Friedman hits the proverbial nail on the head with the statement, “Spirituality does not equal religion”; and he includes a special note to clergy that their ministry to law enforcement officers “requires special education, training, and sensitivity.”
His sample prayer for officers is well written and should be an inspiration to officers who are not comfortable with generating their own. As a former police chaplain I appreciate his emphasis that officers should “seek out the services of a good chaplain.” (Hopefully this statement will be useful to officers who are trying to bring chaplain services to their department.)
New chaplains would do well to read Chapter VI (“The Role of a Good Chaplain”), in which Rabbi Friedman concludes that a chaplain’s job is done well if, at the end of the situation, people ask, “Who was that chaplain?” He was quietly, unassumingly there doing what needed to be done. This summarizes what many of us have come to know as the “ministry of presence.”
I would certainly recommend this book to both new officers and to those who may need a refreshing look at who they are and what they do. It will help them be better officers.
Thank you, Rev. Grimm and Managing Editor Shelley Cohen!
ICISF [International Critical Incident Stress Foundation]
Volume 18
Number 1 & 2
Winter - Spring 2007
Book Review: Spiritual Survival for Law Enforcement
Reviewed by Rev. George A. Grimm, CTR (Ret.), Hotline/CISM Teams Coordinator
Author Rabbi Cary A. Friedman hits the proverbial nail on the head with the statement, “Spirituality does not equal religion”; and he includes a special note to clergy that their ministry to law enforcement officers “requires special education, training, and sensitivity.”
His sample prayer for officers is well written and should be an inspiration to officers who are not comfortable with generating their own. As a former police chaplain I appreciate his emphasis that officers should “seek out the services of a good chaplain.” (Hopefully this statement will be useful to officers who are trying to bring chaplain services to their department.)
New chaplains would do well to read Chapter VI (“The Role of a Good Chaplain”), in which Rabbi Friedman concludes that a chaplain’s job is done well if, at the end of the situation, people ask, “Who was that chaplain?” He was quietly, unassumingly there doing what needed to be done. This summarizes what many of us have come to know as the “ministry of presence.”
I would certainly recommend this book to both new officers and to those who may need a refreshing look at who they are and what they do. It will help them be better officers.
* * * * * * * * * *
Thank you, Rev. Grimm and Managing Editor Shelley Cohen!