The Ministry of Presence:

Why Just Showing Up Matters

“Be still, and know that I am God.”
— Psalm 46:10

We live in a world that celebrates action; fixing problems, offering advice, filling silence with words. Yet some of the holiest moments in life are found not in doing, but in being present.

This is the heart of chaplaincy: the ministry of presence.
It’s the quiet courage to sit with someone in pain, to stand beside them in uncertainty, or to wait with them in the in-between. It is the grace of simply showing. 

Presence Over Performance

In chaplaincy, we quickly learn that we cannot always make things better.
There are no perfect words when someone has lost a loved one, when a diagnosis changes everything, or when faith feels like it’s slipping away. But even when we cannot fix the situation, we can still be there.

Our presence tells the other person:

“You are not alone. I see you. I’m here.”

That simple act of being with someone quietly and faithfully speaks volumes. It’s how God’s love often moves through the world: through ordinary people showing up in extraordinary moments.

God’s Presence Through Us

The ministry of presence mirrors the heart of God.
When Scripture says, “Be still and know that I am God,” it’s an invitation to trust that divine love is at work even in silence.
In our stillness — in our willingness to simply accompany — we create space for that love to be felt.

In those moments, presence itself becomes prayer.

Reflection

Who in your life needs your presence more than your words?
Maybe it’s a friend in grief, a family member in crisis, or someone who just needs a safe space to speak. You don’t need perfect answers — just a faithful heart willing to be there.

Sometimes, the holiest thing you can say is nothing at all.

In closing, I believe that God meets us most deeply through presence — not perfection. Whether you’re walking through grief, doubt, or transition, we are here to walk beside you with compassion, stillness, and hope.