I have seen quite a few horrible things in my years of working in public safety. As a chaplain, I usually take time to reflect on what I saw and filter it through the lens of my faith. The very realness of what I see sometimes comes into stark clash with the faith that I was raised on.

Practical theology, as a discipline, is deeply intertwined with the practice of public safety chaplaincy. It forms the foundation of understanding and responding to human needs in various contexts. Public safety chaplaincy, on the other hand, is a specific application of this knowledge in the realm of public safety, providing spiritual, practical, and emotional support to individuals impacted by traumatic events, such as accidents, deaths, disasters, or violent acts.

As a chaplain, I need a solid framework for what I experience to understand what I’m seeing and experiencing. These are the questions of practical theology. The relationship between practical theology and public safety chaplaincy is mutual reinforcement. Practical theology provides the theoretical frameworks, scriptural interpretations, and ethical guidelines that inform the practice of chaplaincy. It offers tools for understanding and interpreting human experiences and responses in the face of tragedy, trauma, or distress. Furthermore, it guides chaplains as caregivers, counselors, and spiritual leaders. Practical theology asks four main questions and one overall question of the public safety chaplain in light of the Kingdom of God and living in a fallen world:

1. What is going on?

2. Why is this going on?

3. What should be going on?

4. How should we respond?

Overall question: Where is God in this?

Conversely, public safety chaplaincy highlights practical theology by presenting real-life situations where theological concepts and principles are applied. The reality of sin in the world causes those hurt to ask, “Where is God in this?” It shakes us up and requires us to grow from a sanitized Sunday school faith to one that addresses real questions from a hurt and dying world. It offers valuable insights into the complexities of human experiences and the challenges of applying theological teachings in the field. This feedback loop from the field, in turn, contributes to the further development and refinement of practical theology and causes us to grow in our faith and walk with God.

In essence, practical theology and public safety chaplaincy maintain a symbiotic relationship. Practical theology helps equip chaplains with the knowledge and skills necessary for their roles. In contrast, chaplains' experiences in the field contribute to the evolution of practical theology as a discipline and our growth as Christians. This dynamic relationship ensures that the theory and practice of care in complex situations remain relevant and effective. It guarantees that our understanding of God, humanity, and the world will continue to grow in relation to changing circumstances and challenges as we look towards the Kingdom of God in relation to a fallen world.