The Ministry of Chaplaincy

Opportunities are everywhere to minister in the workplace.

BY JUDITH FOLKERTS

GOD  /  MINISTRY
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When I told my high school students that I was an ordained Chaplain, one sassy young lady blurted out, “Can’t you just pay $10 and get one of those on the internet?”

Well, you possibly can, but the certification that I got took a five-day, 47-hour training course that was comprehensive and reputable. I have gone through continued training in specific areas of chaplaincy, including Billy Graham’s Rapid Response Team. This team is deployed to disaster scenes throughout the country and world for week long ministry trips. Chaplaincy takes innumerable forms. It's an incredible opportunity.

What is a Chaplain?

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A Chaplain is a minister in the workplace. They usually don't work for the church. They are ministers that infiltrate the secular community because, due to favorable laws, they have access where the church doesn’t. Chaplains of all faiths exist in our multi-faith culture. They are often paid by institutions like hospitals, the military and universities, and even corporations. Many Chaplains volunteer, working with firemen, the police, in disaster response, in prisons, homes for the elderly, emergency services, etc.

Chaplains minister to people who have experienced trauma and are at their most vulnerable moments. They are at that time in their lives where they need God the most. Chaplains can be there to pray with and for hurting people, and they can be the bridge that connects them with the help they need. In many situations, they are there to be with people when they would otherwise be alone.

"Jesus first helped people practically,
then He moved into the spiritual."

Chaplains are not expected to counsel or meet the long-term needs of the people that they minister to. They know where to point people for further help and do so when it is needed. Their first responsibility is to help with people’s physical needs and then to help provide resources to meet their emotional and spiritual needs. 

​Jesus first helped people practically, then He moved into the spiritual. People in crises can hear about Jesus after the immediate trauma that they have experienced. Chaplains are not Evangelists first, but they have the opportunity to answer questions when they come. They are there to listen and to comfort and offer hope beyond the trauma and crisis. 

Chaplains model faith in Christ. They are leaders and are confidant in the face of crisis. They can be counted on. Chaplaincy is not for the faint hearted. They are first responders in many cases. They need to be trained in what to say and what not to say. Above all, they need to be people of prayer. They need to be “prayed up” and prepared at any moment to be called upon. Through Chaplains, Jesus can be represented wherever there is need.
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Resources
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Billy Graham's Rapid Response Team

For basic chaplaincy information, The International Fellowship of Chaplains offers a Certified Chaplain Training Program that is held at sites throughout the country.
​Their website is www.ifoc.org.