One of the privileges of working in aged care ministry is that we, as chaplains, are often praised by staff and, more particularly, by residents and family members.

This praise rarely comes for proclaiming Christ crucified, but more often is for the love we show those in our care. We sit quietly with relatives and friends as they grieve because a loved one suffering dementia no longer recognises them. We pray gently with a couple married for more than 65 years as they walk in the valley of death. We chat with “Mary”, whose conversation no longer makes sense in terms of the reality we live in.

However important this is, as gospel workers our goal is not merely to comfort and console but bring glory to God by proclaiming Christ’s message of salvation. This rarely results in praise.

Lack of praise for proclaiming the gospel is hardly surprising. One cannot expect those who do not know the hope and joy of salvation to see its significance. Furthermore, staff and family members often fail to realise we are working hard to minister to them as well as to residents. We are proclaiming Christ in word and deed as we journey with them through what can be the most difficult times of their lives.

This dynamic of praise for little things and silence for big begs the question: what really is our function? As humans we crave praise and our role, as chaplains, is tough. Praise can be a ray of light in a painful space where grief and confusion reign.

However, as gospel workers we want to see God’s kingdom grow and be single-minded in our service to him. This can complicate our role. While we want people to hear the good news, we recognise that “Bible bashing” is not biblical. We take our example from Jesus’ response to the sick and grieving. So we are constantly looking for opportunities to share Jesus, but recognise people often do not want to hear or cannot hear this message. This can be due to medical issues such as hearing loss, cognitive impairment and pain, as well as spiritual issues such as pride and selfishness.

Since reading the Rev Dr Lionel Windsor’s article “Praise from people or praise from God?” (published in Southern Cross, August 2015), I have been reflecting on the parable of the sower as an image for aged care chaplaincy.

The sower’s function is to plant the seed of the good news, but he or she is not responsible for its germination and growth. We should, and do, try to present the gospel powerfully and appropriately, but salvation and growth are always miracles of God. We recognise that in order to sow we must be in the field.

We also recognise that people – particularly those who do not know Jesus as Christ – often see our loving action as that of a gentle walker who wanders the “fields” comforting the “plants”, many of whom are frail in body and mind. But ultimately we walk the fields with purpose. Our frequent pauses are not signs of aimless ephemeral niceness but evidence of our endeavour to effectively and lovingly proclaim the faith to all we meet.

We need our Father to give us an undivided heart so we can love as he loves and not be blown and tossed about by well-meaning praise. We long that we might love, in word and deed, for God’s glory alone and in his strength. We need to pray the good news of Jesus will reach all people, including those to whom we minister, so his kingdom might grow.

(This essay was originally published in the September edition of Southern Cross, in churches now)