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An Introduction to
Pastoral Care
Chaplain Mark H. Stevens, Th.D.
Institutional Chaplaincy Hospitals Prisons The Military Law Enforcement Psychiatric Environments
An Introduction to Pastoral Care Related to:
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.”
What is Pastoral Care?
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.
Very Few Sermons
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.
Where are Chaplains Needed?
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.
What Are the Duties of a Chaplain?
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.
Understand the Job of a Chaplain
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!)
Primary Duties of a Chaplain
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.
Chaplains Must Be … Open Minded and Empathetic
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.
Chaplains Must Be … Trustworthy and able to Maintain
Confidentiality
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.
Chaplains Must Be … Available to Help at All Times
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.
Chaplains Must Be … Spiritually Strong
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.
Transitioning from Volunteer to Professional Chaplain
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
Educational Requirements
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.)
Helpful Hints
