Chaplaincy and Care Ministry

Chaplains are pastors who usually serve in specialized settings, such as prisons, hospitals, counseling centers, and on military installations. As specially trained ministers of the gospel, they seek to encourage others in their relationship with Jesus Christ. They seek to minister to the whole person, addressing not only a person's spiritual needs, but also their physical and emotional needs.

Chaplains operate at the cutting edge where ministry and social structures intersect. They commit themselves to being available to those who are suffering, alienated and confused. They struggle with those who have perplexing questions about suffering, death, and the meaning of life. Chaplains offer resources and guidance that lead towards spiritual renewal and reconciliation with God.

Chaplains provide a caring, human environment in which spiritual guidance can be provided. In so doing they are a part of the professional team within the institution. The duality of serving both the church and institution is key to understanding the challenges and opportunities for this specialized ministry.

Currently we have seventy-nine active full-time chaplains; sixteen full time military chaplains; twenty-three part-time chaplains; five Reserve/Guard chaplains; and twenty-three students. We have seven Clinical Supervisors; thirty-one hospital chaplains; thirty-three in hospice and long term care; eleven Pastoral Counselors; five in the workplace, and fifteen in correction facilities, VA centers and other ministries.  

Our numbers in the military chaplaincy have declined recently, while opportunities and interest seem to be growing especially in the Reserves. We currently have in the active services: one United States Air Force chaplains, eight Army chaplains, five Navy chaplains, and two in the Canadian Military. In the reserves/guard: five in the Army. Many of our military chaplains have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Several of our chaplains in training are already committed to or exploring opportunities in the military. We are thankful to God for these chaplains, their families and their ministry to the men and women in the armed services of the United States.

We have been blessed as a church to have many of our chaplains in leadership positions in the institutions in which they work and in the professional chaplain organizations in which they have membership. The reputation for excellence in pastoral care of our denominational chaplains should be celebrated as a wonderful gift from God to men and women in the institutions where our chaplains minister.

The Office of Chaplaincy and Care Ministry supports and develops chaplaincy by:

• recruiting and assisting prospective candidates through their specialized training
• endorsing chaplains and their ministry
• supporting chaplains and their families
• maintaining links between chaplain and the church through conferences and newsletters
• promoting chaplaincy ministry in the church and community
• participating in national/state/provincial chaplaincy organizations
• educating the church about institutional ministry issues

Resources

Staff are available to provide the following resources:

• consultation to persons interested in chaplaincy
• supporting the development of ministry opportunities
• speaking to churches and organizations about chaplaincy ministry
• connecting chaplains with churches for speaking engagements or education

Links

Army Chaplaincy Bulletin
Help Give Bibles to Our Troops
National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Restorative Justice
The National Resource Directory
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Affairs Canada

For more information, contact Rev. Ron Klimp 616-224-0733 or chaplain@crcna.org