With emergent cyber technology, and then the onslaught of Covid, those face-to-face meetings usually became “electronic image to electronic image,” or perhaps we could say “almost face-to-face.” The change did not mean a complete loss of value, but it did unquestionably mean a diminishment of value. A two-dimensional image is not the same as a three-dimensional body in its movements as well as its speech. Now that the virus has weakened, and – hopefully – in the process of mostly leaving us, we need diligently to return as far as we are able to hold Chapter meetings “in the flesh” rather than “in the monitor.”

At the creation of CPSP, Chapter meetings were intended to be at root psychotherapeutic, engaged in the care and cure of souls, our own and others, but in the context of camaraderie and mutual care rather than in the antiseptic office of someone whom we probably paid for service. Of course, not all Chapters diligently came together with enough commitment or for enough significant period of time to permit anything much to “happen.” When a Chapter meets at 9:00 a.m., and adjourns for the day in time for lunch, one can be relatively sure that not very much dynamically will occur. Most people are aware that it is not wise to start something weighty when they know that the clock is soon to run out. I would suggest that the very least time allotment for Chapter meetings should be all day. In that way, some members are likely to develop the courage to share something that they dare not present “on the run.”

The requirement of Chapter Life in CPSP was meant to communicate the fact that each of us must continue our professional growth and our education in the field. The Chapter model was conceived of as a sort of “clinical training for life.” Books are written, organizational changes take place. Crises occur. There is much to keep up with. The Clinician who does not continue to read in the field is derelict of duty. In addition to continuing education, Chapter life was intended to be a form of continuing psychotherapy. Not necessarily a substitute for individual office-based psychotherapy for those undertaking it, but a form of group psychotherapy that is affordable for all. Some Chapters have been very effective in this respect. Chapter members must care for one another and hold one another in some degree of respect. There can be no therapy in the context of disrespect – or hate.

Many of our late mentors have pointed us in the direction of group therapy as a potential alternative to individual therapy and analysis. The psychotherapist, Kurt Lewin, opined that group therapy was potentially even more productive than individual therapy. His view was that behavior was largely a function of one’s environment. Eric Fromm, Karen Horney and others seem to have listened to Lewin. Or perhaps they were listening earlier to Harry Stack Sullivan, as Anton Boisen was. But whatever the sequence, group process is an essential element of clinical pastoral training, and we cannot afford to cease “being trained.” And that precisely is why CPSP incorporates the continuing and constant small group process as a non-negotiable for certification and the annual renewal of certification.

It is neither too early nor too late for every Chapter to reflect on its ongoing life. Is the Chapter authentically engaging serious issues both within the Chapter and in relation to the larger community of CPSP, as well as the nation and the world? Some scattered data suggests that some chapters are little more than old-boys clubs, or ladies or mixed gender tea parties, and no one ever says anything that might create sweat in the palms of another.

To be sure, CPSP has not yet found a way to police what Chapters are really doing in their meetings, or even seeking clear evidence that they have actually met. And it is very unlikely that we will ever find a way to do so short of financing an internal police department. But policing is contrary to the image of who we think we are in this covenant community. And yet, it is without doubt that we must do something that has at least a slight resemblance to surveying the condition of our corporate Chapter life. Which is to say, Chapters should be giving at least a summary account of data that suggests that they are functioning as a therapeutic community on some level, beginning or advanced. And evidence of a Chapter’s sharing teatime or a bottle of whiskey together will probably not fill the bill.

The Co-Chairs of the Annual Chapter Re-Authorization Committee, Denise Parker Lawrence (who is not one of my ex-wives) and Karin Huddleston Gillespie, are in the season now of collecting Annual Chapter Reports. Of course, no Chapter can turn back the 2023 clock and redo what was done or left undone. And no Chapter will be expelled from our community for failing to live up to standards. But we can hope to see some evidence that many Chapters are engaged in serious interpersonal work, authentic mutual engagement and/or confrontation, and ultimately gaining a sense of spending time together productively and therapeutically. And of course, doing this as if time were a treasured commodity. No one of us lives forever. It is likely that neither will CPSP itself. Please cooperate with Denise and Karin as they attempt to do their job.

​​We should also note that Linda Cummings, Chair of Chapter Life, and her Committee members are prepared to consult with any Chapter who feel they may need some guidance in making their Chapter Life more fruitful. Please reach out to her if you need some help in this regard.