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Having a chaplain on staff is ingrained in Willow Brook’s culture. The chaplain role is a critical part of community life, particularly in a faith-based organization like ours, and one that encompasses much more than leading Bible studies.
Willow Brook’s chaplain, Adam Metz, just passed his six-month mark of employment with us. In today’s blog post, we wanted to talk with him about how he views his work and give you, our readers, the chance to hear from him in his own words. We hope you’ll enjoy getting to know Chaplain Adam as he shares a bit more about himself, his job, and why he loves his work.
Q: You’ve had just over six months on the job. What stands out to you?
Having spent sixth months now with boots on the ground, my impression of the blessing that is Willow Brook has only grown fonder. The residents here really look out for one another which is so encouraging to witness. It is such a joy to watch people become friends and companions; the people here are open to new ideas and new activities and are willing to try new things. I feel quite fortunate to work in an environment like this.
While I am optimistic and encouraged about the status of the chaplaincy program, there remains much room for us to grow. Three campuses that cover the continuum of care bring a multitude of needs and require a diverse skill set. I hope to actively improve my skills and abilities in ministering to people who are under hospice and palliative care to better connect the love of Christ with them and their families at the end of life.
I would also be remiss not to mention the detrimental effect Covid has had on chaplaincy programming, particularly outside volunteers, visitors, and those who plan church services. It looks to be a long, slow return to the robust volunteer bases we have had in the past, and I hope as restrictions ease, we will see an increase in our church support from the surrounding community.
Q: What is your chaplaincy philosophy? In other words, how do you approach your job?
In a nutshell, I believe chaplaincy is about connecting with people’s spiritual needs. It was nearly 30 years ago that God placed a calling on my heart to dedicate the entirety of my life to the ministry of his church, and that has been the motivation behind every decision and move I have made since. I have found, generally speaking, that we don’t provide nearly enough time or energy in our culture to reflect on the truly meaningful and substantive parts of life. Regardless of gender, age, background, education, or any other culturally-shaping influence, humans are captivated by spiritual matters. Life is good but not always easy, and I like to think that a chaplain can be a companion for anyone who is open to sharing their spiritual journey. Chaplains are uniquely suited to help walk alongside people as they reflect on weighty spiritual matters.
Alan Wolfelt’s approach to grief counseling resonates with my overarching philosophy of chaplaincy: spiritual companionship. We all need a friend to talk to, a companion with whom we can bounce off ideas, and a confidante we can talk to confidentially without fear of condescension or judgment. A chaplain seeks to be those things to as many people as they can and, at the same time, helps foster an environment to promote these kinds of relationships in the broader community. Yet, such companionship within an expansive community like Willow Brook brings some obvious challenges. With this in mind, perhaps a succinct way to capture my approach to chaplaincy in the first six months of my time at Willow Brook has been: Be visible to most, be active with many, and be especially present among as many as possible.
Q: What is the best part of your job?
Is it a cliché for a chaplain to say that the best part of being a chaplain is working with people? Probably so, but it doesn’t make it any less true. For me, one of the great joys of coming to work every day is the prospect of meeting new people and learning new things about people I’ve already met. Being surrounded by people with so many life experiences is a blessing that I never take for granted. Most of the people I work with are twice my age, and they have a lot to teach me!
I especially enjoy hearing stories from decades ago in a world that looks so different than the world today. Our world has become so obsessed with new, new, new, but I have long respected history and the past. Willow Brook brings together people who have diverse careers, whose families are spread all over the country and the world, and who are well-traveled, well-educated, and well-read. Such a climate is ripe for rich conversations! It is a true joy to talk among our residents and hear how God has blessed their lives and the many ways he has spoken to them and used them.
Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
Hopefully a lot! I try to keep surprises up my sleeve so no one gets bored with me. I have a pretty impressive resume of big time sporting events I have attended. In:
I have also been to a professional rugby game in Paris and an Arsenal game (of the English Premiere League) in London, but I am still waiting to see a Browns playoff game in Cleveland! (Editor’s note: aren’t we all.)
Q: What is one new thing you want to learn or study in the coming year?
I do have some bucket list things I’d like to learn: become fluent in Spanish and read a biography of every US President, but those don’t seem to be happening in the next year. I guess I would say I hope to learn more about space and metaphysics. I’ve dabbled in that area before and am always intrigued, but I need to find people smarter than me so I can understand more about the topic.
One thought on “Chaplaincy at Willow Brook: Q & A with Chaplain Adam Metz”
Enjoyed and appreciated this interview! Grace Lang