SECTION 5 Spiritual Life

The Chaplain will meet with the resident and complete a spiritual assessment, A Purpose Filled Life. The goal for the Chaplain is to help each individual resident to find their God given purpose and meaning in life.

Spiritual Assessment Visits

I. Initial Spiritual Assessment visit

Within the first two weeks of a new move in, the Chaplain will make an initial visit to meet and welcome the resident. At this visit, the Chaplain will also complete initial spiritual assessment that focuses on building the spiritual component of “My Life Journey” using the following questions: 1. May I ask you about your religious beliefs? 2. What would you like us to know in relation to your faith background? 3. What role would you say your religious beliefs play in your life? 4. What spiritual activities, practices, or rituals are most significant to you? 5. Is there a spiritual milestone, a significant spiritual event, in your life you would like to tell us? 6. Are you experiencing spiritual struggles that you would like share with me? 7. What do you consider to be your spiritual gifts, talents, skills? 8. Would you like to know about the spiritual activities/services we offer? 9. Death is one of the realities of life and I’m curious to hear your thoughts about it. 10.How can I assist you to achieve your spiritual goals and preferences?

This information would then inform the overall ministry of the Chaplain to that individual resident, shape discussions in future visitation, inform focus areas of support group, Sunday sermons, Bible studies, payer, meditation groups, etc.

II. Ongoing Spiritual Assessment Visits

These could occur monthly, or quarterly, but at least annually per resident. At these visits the Chaplain will make a follow-up of the initial spiritual assessment visit to determine any changes or additions to the resident’s spiritual goals, needs, and aspirations. The Chaplain will use these on-going visits to keep the resident engaged and to build stronger connections & relationships with resident as a way of learning best ways to meet their spiritual needs and hence to inform the Chaplain’s ministry. The Chaplain will discuss with the resident any observations about the resident’s spiritual aspirations, expectations, and preferences the Chaplain may have noted since the last scheduled visit.

The Chaplain will write notes of his/her observations and discussions with the resident in the appropriate shared website area for the information of other stakeholders. As is the case with the initial visit, these observation statements will help to connect, maintain relationship, and shape the overall chaplain’s ministry to the individual resident.

III. High Quality In-House TV Worship Experience

We will endeavor to offer alternative in-house TV worship service experiences of a quality that matches the in-person chapel service experience, and this way help to increase choice, which is an important value of the baby boomer generation. • The IT will do what it takes to ensure high quality of picture and other functions of our in-house TV. • The Chaplain will utilize PowerPoint presentations with songs, scriptures, sermon title, (including sermon main points is encouraged) for Sunday services, and other main services. o This will enable the chaplain to bring the worship service experience to the resident apartment. o It will increase participation (in singing, reading, sermon etc) of residents who may choose to attend the service remotely in the comfort of their apartments. o It will enable the chaplain to engage those unable/unwilling to attend in person • Of course, the chaplain must beware of the danger of isolation/seclusion of residents who may choose to only participate remotely.

IV. High Quality Preaching & Teaching

We will present a clear and sound preaching and teaching of sermons and Bible Study lessons that bring the truth of biblical story alive and relevant to modern day seniors through the ministry of our chaplains. • Each chaplain will be given access to Logos Bible Software—a sermon preparation & Bible Study tool operated by Faithlife Corporation since 1992. • Resources include commentaries, books on historical background of the biblical narrative, church history, systematic theology, Bible maps, several Bible versions critical for understanding a text. • It’s non-denominational and interdenominational, hence aligns with the Acts chaplains’ commitment to provide a non-denominational service. o This will help chaplains prepare high quality sermons & Bible Study lessons at a much shorter time.

V. Participation Opportunities

Based upon the rationale that baby boomers want more participation and less spectatorship, we will provide a variety of opportunities that foster participation such as: • Talent Utilization Opportunities o Chaplains will create opportunities in which residents can continue to utilize their talents (time, skills, treasure, experience) as a way of worship.

o Chaplains will be creative in identifying these talents (painting, coloring etc) and engaging residents in pertinent activity. • Giving Back Opportunities o Chaplains will create opportunities in which residents can get involved in the society to give back in service to the community, such as the following: ▪ Serving in a Community Soup Kitchen. ▪ Donating items to the less fortunate: local community clothing banks, food pantry, refugees, inmates. ▪ Writing encouraging letters to military or missionary people. ▪ Participating in worship service: Assigning residents to lead in singing, scripture reading, responsive reading, Bible Study, prayer meetings, playing instruments, serving communion, editing bulletins, folding bulletins, serving in the spiritual life committee, setting up chapel, alter guild. ▪ Praying for others during national-day-of prayer, prayer service for employees during employee recognition week. • Mission Trip Opportunities o Chaplains will arrange and take residents on mission trips.

Resources & Technology Needs

1. Need to purchase “Logos Bible Software” 2. IT to assist with installation and Chaplain accessibility 3. IT to assist with ensuring high quality In-House-TV Picture Quality which in some communities it may require installing new system. 4. Electronic storage of the Spiritual Assessment is undetermined but under investigation

*Assessment data will be made available to the Well-Being Coach/Concierge for insertion into the residents Signature Well-Being Portfolio.