STEPS IN PREPARING TO BECOME A PROFESSIONAL CHAPLAIN

1^st Step:

Having a Theological Degree or Divinity Degree or Mission Degree or Practical Ministry Degree from a recognized Seminary at the completion of the course of studies of your choice.

2^nd Step:

Getting an ordination from your religious faith group, denomination or sect to become a cleric or clergy of your religion.

3^rd Step:

Enrolling to study in a college of Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy for Pastoral Care and General Chaplaincy studies until graduation.

4^th Step:

Obtaining a professional Chaplaincy studies in any field or area of specialization of your choice for nothing less than 50 to 120 hours.

5^th Step:

Obtaining the needed endorsement from your faith group indicating that you are in good standing with your faith group.

6^th Step:

Commissioning as a Chaplain by the commissioning authority/Chaplaincy organization.

7^th Step:

Requesting for and obtaining board certification for Chaplaincy practice.

8^th Step:

Engaging in professional Chaplaincy practice and service delivery to the people either in public service, private or corporate services as one is licensed to practice Chaplaincy.

Only at this juncture can one claim to become a professional Chaplain, ready to render the needed service to humanity and as years go by one begins the journey of developing competence in practice.

On daily basis of professional practice, the Chaplain begins to accumulate experiences and in no time will develop the needed proficiency. As the professional Chaplain cares to remain relevant in his or her choice profession, and become engendered to his or her clients.

Roles and Duties of Professional Chaplains

1.   As inter-faith ministers, they have the mandate to minister to all in their diversities, in a pluralistic setting irrespective of their religious, political and philosophical leanings.

2.   Professional Chaplains have the mandate of their professional to provide care to all people, who need such services without intimidation or partiality whatsoever.

3.   Professional Chaplains have the mandate to provide pastoral care to the hurting and the down trodden in societies of our world.

4.   Professional Chaplains have the mandate to identify with the neglected ones in the society of our world and giving voices to the voiceless.

5.   Professional Chaplains have the mandate to provide religious care to all and sundry as clerics and clergies of religions.

6.   Professional Chaplains have the mandate to give religious care to the sick and the dying.

7.   Professional Chaplains have the mandate to provide palliative care to the terminally ill as well as those in hospice.

8.   Professional Chaplain have the mandate to provide spiritual care to all people with the intention of helping the obtain wholesomeness, wholistic care and wellness.

9.   Professional Chaplains render the needed spiritual care to clients, making such clients have meaning in life.

10.   Professional Chaplains have the mandate to work on people’s minds with the intentions of mending their minds or help change their attitudes and behaviours for better in life.

Chaplain Prof. David Mike-Jacobs JP, AP, CBC, CPC.