Personal Narrative: Clinical Pastoral Education

In the Spring of 2006, I enrolled in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and I was amazed at the application process being so intense. I was accepted for the summer program 2006. During CPE, learned to forgive the church and bishop and this was a true struggle for the reason of deep down in my heart I sincerely deemed that I did not do any issue wrong. Yes, I made mistakes however I knew I could pass the disciplinary questions asked at the annual conference. After completion of CPE in the summer of 2006, I was offered a job as a chaplain at Vitas Healthcare, I worked there caring for the dying and this helped me to also heal from my hurt and anger of the church. In 2009 my mom was diagnosed with end-stage heart disease. I was devastated; additionally I knew how her death was going to manifest itself. I prayed everyday for God to heal my mom. I would drive 6 hours every weekend to hold services for the AME church my mom was the pastor of in Ormond Beach, Florida. I thought she was improving until July 2009, I looked at her and I could no longer be in denial that she was dying. Mom moved in with me in the fall of 2009 and during this time the church and work released me from some …show more content…
I was trying to become unstuck by taking a unit of CPE so I could have a new norm. The pastor could not move beyond the fact that I refused to visit the sick. For my own spiritual well being, I decided not to visit the sick on the only day I have off Saturday in view of the fact I visit the sick 5 days a week. I would visit church members and/or their family members if they were on hospice to help with end of life during the week. Additionally, I also attended all auxiliary meeting during the week, all youth activities, and Church school. The church had no activities on Saturdays except