Spiritual Care at Methodist Hospital

"Love is the fulfilling of the law,
the end of the commandment.
It is not only the first and great command,
but all the commandments in one.
‘Whatsoever things are just
Whatsoever things are pure,
If there be any virtue,
If there be any praise,'
they are all comprised in this one word, love.
In this is perfection, and glory, and happiness!"

                        - John Wesley

The clinical environment of the Hospital presents various forms of tremendous suffering for people.  One may agree or disagree with the various solutions to theodicy, but what is apparent is that being in process of finding a solution, is necessary. Methodist Hospital's Spiritual Care Department subscribes to the Wesleyan tradition that declares God to be the absolute solution to human suffering.  That solution is inherent in the very nature and being of God. God in most basic language is love, not limited love as we know it, but holy love which is unlimited and unconditional.  The mysterious part, acceptable only through faith, is the total goodness and power of God. The incomprehensibleness of God takes the discussion out of the realm of logic and understanding and puts it in the arena of faith and experiencing God.

We understand that God responds to people through all different kinds of beliefs and cultural traditions. Spiritual Care requires flexibility and creativity in responding to the individual's spiritual needs in ways that are supportive of patients and ways that are meaningful to them.

Methodist Hospital has a commitment to the total well-being of its patients and staff. The Spiritual Care Department is accepted as an integral part of the healing team. The Spiritual Care Department supports the primary objectives of the Hospital to care for the patient as a whole person with emotional and spiritual dimensions as well as physical needs. 

The Spiritual Care Department supports the tenet that Hospital staff, patient's families and visitors shall be treated with respect and dignity. The healing mission often includes the patient's larger circle of relationships.