When I was in seminary, I was required to take a course called clinical pastoral education (CPE, a chaplain training course for seminarians). In a CPE course the student is required to do 400 hours of chaplaincy in a clinical setting. I did my chaplaincy in one of the largest hospitals in my community. We were required to complete these 400 hours by working two 12-hour shifts weekly for a number of weeks until we reached 400 hours. There were six students in my class and we met one night each week and saw each other briefly at change of shifts on the weekends. One of the students in my class was a Jewish rabbi who had taken this class before and was taking it again, in part, to become a certified professional chaplain.
After our first weekend of shifts in the hospital, we had a class together where we shared stories from our experiences. I mentioned that I was struggling to find my comfort zone in this new area of ministry. Rabbi Adam approached me after class and provided some comforting words. He gave me some advice that I could follow to become more comfortable. I thought it was a nice gesture but didn’t think any more about it.
On the day of my next scheduled shift in the hospital, I arrived 15 minutes before I was to start my day. I walked into the shared chaplaincy office, and Rabbi Adam was sitting in a chair. I asked him if I had made a mistake. Was I not the on-call chaplain for the day?
Rabbi Adam said, “No, it’s your day.” I asked why he had come to the hospital and he replied, “I came for you. I know you were struggling so I thought I’d spend the day with you to help you become more comfortable.”
Rabbi Adam’shelp, support, and advice made me more comfortable. After that we became fast friends, learning about each other’s faiths and each other’s families. This simple act of kindness brought us together, but it also brought us into a world of interreligious connection, work, and education.
When you do chaplaincy in a hospital, there is no one religion. As a Christian, I was called to minister to Christians, Jews, Muslims, and people of many other faiths or no faith at all. Rabbi Adam was called to do the same.
Our friendship and mutual respect allowed us to learn from each other. I was able to help Rabbi Adam understand my own Christianity, and he was able to help me better understand his Jewish faith. There were times that we saw patients together and other times when we were alone in the hospital.
Then something truly amazing happened.
One Saturday I was alone in the hospital and Rabbi Adam called my cell phone. He said, “You and I have talked a lot and learned a lot about our faiths.” I agreed. Then he said “I need a favor. Could you go and see an Orthodox Jewish patient for me?” Rabbi Adam shared the patient’s concerns.. He said, “You’ve learned enough from me and learned about my faith that I think you can help this patient. I’d rather he not see any chaplain besides you and I, because I think together we understand and we can do God’s work together.” It was a humbling moment for me to be recognized and valued by my friend and to be asked to act in such a holy way.
I saw the patient and was able to follow up with them along with Rabbi Adam until their release from the hospital. We’ve remained good friends for over 10 years, and we talk frequently. We both still explore each other’s faiths and beliefs. With regard to our shared faiths, I’m convinced that there is more that unites us than there is that separates us.
Rev. Ernie Lehr, III is a member of Holy Communion Lutheran Church and was a member of the 2024 ICJS Congregational Leaders Fellowship. Learn more about the ICJS Congregational Leaders programs here.
Opinions expressed in blog posts by the ICJS Congregational Leader Fellows are solely the author’s. ICJS welcomes a diversity of opinions and perspectives.