On January 25, Bethel Bible Seminary hosted an academic presentation titled "Dialogue With Pain: A Spiritual Journey" in Hong Kong, covering pastoral care for betrayed spouses and for terminally ill patients.
In this Transformation Practice Series lecture, Dr. Ng Yuet-wan, visiting lecturer at Bethel Bible Seminary, presented her findings on the experiences of betrayed spouses and pastoral care, followed by Dr. Wu Kin-ling, chaplain at the Hong Kong Private Hospitals Association, who shared her research on Christian end-of-life spiritual care. The event was chaired by Dr. Fok Siu-ling, program director at Bethel Bible Seminary.
Pastoral Care for Betrayed Spouses
Dr. Ng's research centers on the experiences of Christian women who have suffered marital betrayal, focusing on their relationships with themselves, others, and God. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), she conducted in-depth interviews with five female participants to examine their emotional and spiritual responses to betrayal. Grounded in the differentiation-based model, which incorporates Bowen's Family Systems Theory and David Schnarch's work on relational dynamics, her study provides a framework for understanding the complexities of self-differentiation and relational growth.
Dr. Ng's findings revealed several key themes. First, individuals who experience marital betrayal often suffer a disintegration of self-image, leading to confusion, diminished self-confidence, and a loss of identity. This internal fragmentation impacts their relationships and spiritual lives, creating a period of intense emotional struggle. Second, participants described undergoing a spiritual struggle that initially involved questioning their faith and their relationship with God. Over time, however, many participants found strength and solace through renewed faith, which became a critical resource for coping with their challenges. Third, Dr. Ng identified a transformation in relationships as a significant outcome of the betrayal experience. Participants experienced reconstructing their relationships with themselves, others, and God, which facilitated personal and spiritual growth. She termed this process the "crucible" experience, likening it to a refining process in which individuals, through significant emotional and spiritual challenges, undergo profound internal transformation.
Dr. Ng concluded that the process of overcoming betrayal involves both psychological and spiritual dimensions. Participants' journeys of self-reconstruction and renewed faith highlighted the importance of spirituality in navigating such crises and achieving personal growth.
End-of-Life Spiritual Care
After Dr. Ng's presentation, Dr. Wu presented her research on chaplaincy practices in Hong Kong healthcare settings. Her research focused on strategies for spiritual care for terminally ill patients, with a particular emphasis on the practices of Christian chaplains in Hong Kong. By employing a combination of questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with 11 senior chaplains, Dr. Wu analyzed how spiritual care is provided at the end of life and how chaplains address the spiritual needs of patients. Her study was guided by Spiritual Needs Theory, which emphasizes the importance of addressing existential and spiritual questions related to meaning, purpose, faith, and emotional closure during end-of-life care.
Dr. Wu's findings highlighted an evolving paradigm in chaplaincy care. First, she observed that chaplains play a crucial role in identifying and addressing the spiritual needs of terminally ill patients. Second, her data revealed a notable generational shift in chaplaincy practices: while senior chaplains (with over 10 years of experience) tend to emphasize evangelism (52%) in their practice, younger chaplains are increasingly focusing on life review work (50% among those with less than four years of experience). This represents a broader shift from a "doing mode" to a "being mode" in spiritual care - moving from task-oriented approaches like evangelism toward more contemplative, person-centered practices that emphasize presence and reflection. Third, she found that chaplains actively engaged in self-reflection and evaluation to refine their care strategies, ensuring that their approaches remained responsive to the needs of patients and their families.
Dr. Wu concluded that chaplains' ability to address spiritual needs is vital to improving the quality of end-of-life care. By helping patients find peace, meaning, and emotional closure, chaplains contribute significantly to alleviating the suffering of terminally ill individuals.
The presentations concluded with Dr. Fok encouraging practical implementation. Through group dialogue, participants explored ways to apply these research insights in their respective fields and communities, contributing to both professional practice and community development.
