Attitudes toward hospital evangelism: a comparison of pastors and chaplains

The attitudes toward hospital evangelism of a random sample of Baptist ministers from Texas are analyzed, with special reference to significant differences between pastors and chaplains. Findings reveal that these two groups hold divergent views on the central mission of hospital evangelism. In general, Baptist pastors tend toward a more idealized view focused on soul-winning than Baptist chaplains, who seem somewhat more attentive to the special circumstances of the hospital patient. The implications of these findings are discussed.