Chaplaincy Is Who You Become
Rev. JJ Flag
Cohort 2024, Ordained Christian. Pluralist, Chaplain of Unitarian Universalist Association, Judicatory with United Church of Christ, practicing Buddhist
CPE Alumni Stories: Rev. JJ Flag reflects on his formation at SF Night Ministry
Presented by the fabulous Winter 2026 Cohort
Given the number of Care Line calls and callers I engaged with during my time at the Night Ministry, it is difficult to narrow this reflection to a single experience. What stands out most, however, are the moments that occurred outside of direct care encounters.
My relationships with fellow cohort members, Care Line volunteers, and the Night Ministers were profoundly formative. Learning from each of them made the experience not only meaningful, but enduring. In learning how to be, I found that I could show up more authentically and, in turn, hold space for reflection and growth in others.
What distinguishes the Night Ministry is its flexibility and its integration into everyday life. It is not confined to a clinical setting; rather, it invites practice in the midst of ordinary living. This allowed me to become more gracious, more attentive, and more grounded in my own daily life.
I once heard a supervisor say that chaplaincy is not what you do, but who you become. I believe that wholeheartedly as a result of my experience at the Night Ministry. Through difficult conversations, a wide range of personalities, and the constant invitation to remain grounded, I learned to embody a theology of presence and grace more fully.
This experience was unlike anything I have previously encountered. It offered a space where those already established in ministry could be stretched, challenged, and renewed. The Night Ministry expanded my imagination of what community can look like, particularly as a source of support for those in ministry. It provided insights and practices that I will continue to integrate into my work for years to come.
My ministry has been an ongoing evolution, and much of that growth I attribute to my time at the Night Ministry. I can say with sincerity that because of this experience, I am a better person, a better father, and a better husband. And I believe, just as strongly, that the work of the Night Ministry makes the world a better place.
