| The goal of this Doctor of Ministry project was to demonstrate that the education of hospice caregivers in historical Christian theological understandings would positively influence their ability to identify kenosis (spiritual emptiness or absence of God) versus non-kenotic suffering (i.e., depression, angst or grief) and offer appropriate support to the dying individual.; The project entailed the organization, systematization and visualization of models of Trinitarian anthropology, spiritual growth and the dark nights of St. John of the Cross. This was presented to groups of chaplains, clergy and hospice staff and volunteers. Models were used to explain the symptoms, etiology and pathology of spiritual suffering, particularly kenosis to the groups. Case studies were used to help differentiate between kenosis and non-kenotic suffering. Data was collected from questionnaires, which also served as discussion guides, to determine acceptance, understanding and potential affect on patient care. Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) was used for data analysis.; Kenosis and similar spiritual growth concepts were unfamiliar to 43% of the participants, but 94% expressed that it is a valid concept, 90% that it needed to be shared and 78% expressed interest in further study. 90% of the participants indicated that they felt that their new understandings of Kenosis would affect their practice. The data also showed that there is need for further research, education and development of skills both for identification and intervention related to kenosis and spiritual concerns. |
