What is a Chaplain?
A chaplain is a spiritual representative who provides counseling and religious and pastoral care to people in different locations and settings. As ordained clergy members, chaplains offer their services and support to people who can’t attend a religious service. While they can associate with a variety of religions or spiritual traditions, they’re attached to secular institutions such as a hospice, hospital, prison or church. Here are some of their common duties:
- Primarily to come alongside families in times of need and primarily listen
- Provide spiritual guidance and support to individuals, patients, residents, families or a medical staff.
- Give services to those in need of spiritual encouragement or comfort.
- Conduct nondenominational memorial services.
- Perform religious ceremonies or funerals.
- Provide training programs for pastoral care.
- Coordinate and conduct retreats and training.
- Provide grief counseling.
- Listen to and pray with people in need of support.
How to become a Chaplain
To pursue a career as a chaplain, you need to meet the right qualifications by following a certain set of steps. The more you meet the job requirements, the greater chance you have of earning employment in this profession. Use these steps to become a chaplain:
- Improve your skills
The most important skill is to learn to listen deeply. Most of us have been taught to tell and lead from the front. You also must learn to come along side. This happens as you develop the most important skill of a chaplain. The ability to listen deeply. Other skills such that are essential is your ability to display empathy and your people skills. In addition, know how to motivate and inspire people you’ve just met. It’s also important to have a strong sense of spirituality in order to offer support and guidance to people from all religious backgrounds. Having these skills can help you meet the spiritual needs of strangers and help you create meaningful bonds as a chaplain. - Earn your bachelor’s degree
Many institutions and organizations prefer to hire chaplains with a bachelor’s degree. Pursue a bachelor’s degree, preferably with a focus in theology and counseling. Either of these focuses provide you with relevant education to help in your future career as a chaplain. - Undergo training
If your college, university or seminary offers it, consider going through specialized chaplain training. If you want to become a chaplain for a particular institution, consider volunteering. For example, if you want to work in a hospital, supplement your undergraduate education by volunteering at your local hospital. Having this experience may improve your chances of getting a job at these institutions. - Pursuing an advanced degree
Many institutions require chaplains to have a master’s degree or a Ph.D.—especially if you plan to work in a hospital or work as a military chaplain. Consider pursing an advanced degree such as one in divinity or a similar field. You can also focus on biblical counseling or pastoral care to improve your qualifications for this field. - You will need Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) training.
You will need CPE training for completing it. Hospital chaplains typically need to complete this training. In addition, many certification programs also require CPE training. During CPE training, chaplains of different faiths come together and learn real-world experience they can apply to their future careers. - Ordination
You need to be ordained to become a Board Certified Chaplain. We can help with guiding you through the ordination process. Some religious organizations or groups also have qualifications they need you to meet prior to endorsing you as a chaplain. Make sure to meet any of the applicable criteria. - Earn your certification
ChaplainLink and other organizations can guide you in this process. The CPE process allows you to learn through experiencing helping others. You will also need to meet other requirements such as getting ordained as a minister and obtaining a graduate degree in theology. - You may be best served if you can to complete a residency
If you do, you’ll complete it under the supervision of a senior chaplain.
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Skills for Chaplains
Chaplains need a variety of skills to provide their services and support to a wide range of people. Knowing the skills you need in this profession can help you improve or add new abilities to your skill set. Here are some common skills for chaplains:
Listening Skills
This is absolutely essential and requires intention practice to fully learn to listen. This why the CPE process is so important.
“A chaplain‘s biggest gift is to be present and just listen.”
Diane Johnson
Communication Skills
Chaplains use their verbal communication skills, in particular, to speak with people during their time of need.
Empathy
Chaplains need empathy in order to understand a patient or a person’s situation. When they display empathy, it shows people that they genuinely care about them and the life challenges they face. In addition, empathy helps build trust and calms the people they work with.
Teaching Skills
Chaplains need some type of teaching ability to perform educational services. They also use their teaching skills to develop educational programs and activities.
Spiritual Knowledge
In order to serve as a chaplain, you need to understand a variety of faiths. Having an in-depth and varied knowledge allows you to administer spiritual services to people from a different belief systems. A strong spiritual knowledge also allows you to perform rituals from various religions.
How much does a Chaplain make?
The most valuable compensation to being a Chaplain is the satisfaction of helping those in need. Chaplains make a national average salary of $47,097 per year. They may also receive benefits such as parental leave and relocation assistance. Keep in mind that the specific salary or benefits you’d earn in this role depends on your geographic location, experience and your employer.