3. In its most general sense, pastoral care refers to the
ministries or services usually performed by a pastor,
Rabbi, or Imam in an institution.
Some Christian denominations use this phrase to refer
to more specific aspects of a pastor’s ministry, such as
counseling and visitation.
The core idea of “pastoral care” is that pastors are to
care (for and/or about others.) The word pastor comes
from the Latin word for “shepherd.”
4. Pastoral Care ministries are just as valuable as the
delivery of a sermon.
Caring for a person who is struggling with a difficulty,
being present during a time of pain, praying with
someone in a crisis.
These are the moments when spiritual breakthroughs
occur!
Ministering through a good, biblically sound sermon is
absolutely necessary. But ministering through a
personal touch (pastoral care) is just as important.
5. Chaplains work in many environments.
Most commonly, chaplains are attached to:
◦ The Military,
◦ Hospitals,
◦ Law Enforcement,
◦ Fire Departments,
◦ Political Bodies (such as the United States Congress and Senate),
◦ Sports Teams, and
◦ Educational Institutions
Some corporations, music groups, and even households (historically
the nobility and now certain monarchs), may also employ chaplains.
6. Chaplains are expected to serve the emotional and spiritual
needs of others.
Some chaplains perform wedding or funeral ceremonies,
administer communion, deliver spiritual messages, offer
prayer at public meetings, and provide regular counseling.
Other chaplains meet the (emotional) need of the moment,
usually through listening and prayer.
Chaplains may also function as advocates. Hospital chaplains,
for example, may take the request of a nurse to help meet a
particular patient's needs. Military chaplains, as another
example, may provide for marriage enrichment retreats.
7. A chaplain is usually ordained and/or hired by an
organization or faith group to serve (“minister to”)
people's needs in a variety of different settings.
Chaplains commonly work at hospitals, nursing homes,
military bases and in prisons.
The chaplain’s role is to connect with people in need of
guidance and provide counsel and solace to those who
are ill, confined to the home, incarcerated or deployed
away from their hometown.
8. Depending on where you are employed (or volunteer),
your duties could include:
Visiting people affiliated with your congregation or
organization at home or in the hospital
Holding office hours during which people can come to you
Listening to and offering prayer to people in need of spiritual
support – don’t force the prayer!
Leading religious services or prayer sessions
Providing grief counseling
Conducting funeral services
Comforting people of ALL religions (YES!)
9. A chaplain must be capable of deep empathy and open to forming
relationships with a variety of different people from all backgrounds.
As a chaplain, you will be in a position to help people who are at their most
vulnerable state, whether they're terminally ill or stationed in a place far away
from their home and family. Having the ability to connect with people from
any type of background is the most important prerequisite for being a
chaplain.
Chaplains working in hospitals, prisons and at military bases interact with
people who have a variety of different religious backgrounds. Some people
seeking spiritual guidance may not be religious at all. To be an effective
chaplain, it's important to be open to and accepting of all types of religious
beliefs, even those different from your own.
Even if you're affiliated with a particular religious congregation, you'll need to
be able to work with people who come from many different walks of life. You
may be called to counsel someone who has made choices that go against the
tenants of your religion, for example. An ability to put your personal
opinions aside for the sake of being as helpful and empathetic as possible is
important no matter who you're working with or who you are serving.
10. One of your main duties as a chaplain will be counseling
those under spiritual distress.
When people come to you for help, they will share sensitive
details with you with the expectation that you keep that
information between the two of you. Just as a counselor or
psychiatrist is expected to remain confidential, you will be
expected to do the same.
A chaplain who cannot be trusted will soon lose his potency
and effectiveness.
11. People experience natural and spiritual crises all throughout
the day, even in the middle of the night. Depending on where
you work or volunteer, just like a doctor who is “on-call”, you
may need to drop what you're doing or wake up at odd hours
to help someone who is troubled if called up for service.
Being selfless in this way does not come easy to most people;
it can be exhausting and take a personal toll. It's this
particular generosity of spirit that makes chaplains special.
However, it will be important to erect some boundaries to
protect your own personal life. You may or may not choose to
give out your personal contact information, for example.
Depending on where you are employed or volunteer, there
may be other restrictions in place. Adhere to these guidelines
when established.
12. When you have to offer guidance to people all day
long, you may start to feel your energy drain away.
As a chaplain, you must be able to help yourself
and keep yourself from deteriorating spiritually.
Being firm in your own spirituality and being able
to handle the stress of helping others is integral to
becoming a chaplain who can make a difference.
13. Obtain your Bachelor's Degree as a minimum requirement. Many
institutions and organizations will not view you as a suitable
potential chaplain until you have earned at least a bachelor's
degree.
When seeking to become a chaplain, the most helpful and
relevant educational focuses will be theology and counseling.
However getting degree in religion or a related field is also
sufficient.
Some colleges, universities and seminaries may offer specialized
chaplain training with the goal of producing chaplains.
Supplement your undergraduate education with volunteer
experience in the type of institution you aspire to become a
chaplain in, like a hospital or a prison. This will be looked upon
favorably when it comes to applying for jobs, showing you have
some level of experience in that specific career area.
14. Professional Chaplain:
(In the military or most Institutions)
◦ Masters of Divinity Degree (M.Div.),
◦ Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Training (4 units), and
◦ Ordination from a recognized denomination or religious
organization
Volunteer Chaplain:
◦ Training from the institution at which you volunteer -
usually includes HIPPA training, infection control, and the
rules of the institution including volunteer guidelines
◦ Background check, and
◦ TB Test
15. Remain FLEXIBLE
Be willing to LET GO OF TRADITION. If you are very traditional,
you may not be a good candidate for chaplaincy.
DON’T JUDGE AND CONDEMN. Don’t compromise your own
values but don’t come off condemning of others.
HaveTHICK SKIN. Don’t take rejection personally.
Keep a PROPER PERSPECTIVE. You can’t and won’t please
EVERYONE.
Be APOLOGETICALLY SOUND. Study ALL faiths and be an expert
at YOURS! (Know how to defend it’s tenants.)
16. Rev. Dr. Mark Hamilton Stevens, Th.D.
Chaplain
Stevens-mark@cooperhealth.edu
Cell: 609-346-8343
