I admit to being an occasional fan of American Idol. The spring and summer season talent contest brings out both the best and the worst in entertainment. The audition shows are filled with the truly awful, unintentionally horrible and, through the skill of editing, some raw, uncut gems of singers who move on to the final 31 and then final 13.

It all comes down to one last show where the top of the group compete. Some are completely forgettable.

Others have gone on to respectable careers in the entertainment industry.

Often it’s the back story of the contestants which catches viewers. Special hardship, skill or unique circumstances all play into the Idol story.

This year, however, American Idol tipped the world on its axis. They have hired a chaplain.

You would wonder why a TV show would think seriously about hiring a chaplain. But the logic of Fox TV is actually quite sincere. According to a report in USA Today, David Hill, a former executive with Fox Sports, who was asked to overhaul the Idol franchise this year, realized that incredible pressure the competitors were under. He also recognized that many of them had started their singing career in church. And for a young person who was 17, 18 or 19, the idea of having someone not related to the Idol program who they could just talk to, made a lot of sense. Hill turned to his NASCAR roots (Fox broadcasts a lot of NASCAR races) and asked Billy Mauldin, president and CEO of the Motor Racing Outreach ministry, to join the Idol team. Maudlin and his ministry have been involved with NASCAR racing for 15 years.

A quick look at their web page says a lot about their ministry.

“MRO’s philosophy of ministry has been one of a low key, relationship style. It is an approach of being where the people are with consistency and availability. The Holy Spirit leads us into natural relationships in a non-aggressive way. It is a ministry centred on sensitivity to the needs of those to whom we are ministering.” They call it the “ministry of hanging out”.

They go on to say that “Building relationships is the most important part of ministering within MRO. We do not push our way into ministering to those who do not want it. We provide services of caring and availability in time of need.”

Many years ago, when I was doing clinical training for chaplaincy, we called that the ministry of “walking with”. The idea was that you did not hover over someone or tell them what to do or give direction. Instead you walked with people where they were, listed to them carefully and offered your support along life’s journey.

No matter what kind of ministry you call it; “hanging out”, “walking with” or a ministry of presence, it’s an important part of spiritual care in the 21st century.

Fox will also make spiritual advisors from non-Christian traditions available to contestants, should the contestants ask.

There will, eventually, be a winner on American Idol. The road to the finals will be difficult and challenging. But recognizing that there is a need for spiritual care is a step forward. It acknowledges that there are another dimensions to both competition and performance.

It will be interesting to see the end result this summer. But for now, we can all watch and enjoy, recognizing that there is a spiritual side to the Idol competition. And it’s in good hands.