Who is a Chaplain?

Who is a Chaplain?

This question becomes necessary because chaplaincy is gaining precedent daily in the continent of Africa, and everyone is calling him/herself a chaplain even when they are far from the truth.

Dictionary definition is also grossly inadequate to compound the problem. I have therefore taken it upon myself as a stakeholder in chaplaincy profession, a practicing professional chaplain, a certified pastoral counselor, clinical psychotherapist and certified chaplaincy educator in private practice to give an adequate answer to who a chaplain is?

1.     A chaplain is one who has a calling into chaplaincy and has accepted to make chaplaincy his/her choice profession; practicing chaplaincy and offering chaplaincy services to the general public.

2.     Chaplain as a clergy man or woman who has the endorsement of his/her faith leaders or religious leaders to minister to people of different religions and faith (as interfaith minister) outside the faith or religious setting to provide pastoral care services to the general public.

3.     A chaplain may be a trained or untrained chaplain.

4.     A chaplain may also be a professional chaplain or para-professional or nonprofessional.

5.     A chaplain may be a volunteer chaplain or a regular chaplain.

6.     A chaplain may be a human chaplain, providing chaplaincy care services to human beings in various sector of the world’s economy such as

i.        Health care chaplain which include hospital, hospice home, palliative care hone etc.

ii.      Mental health chaplain.

iii.    Couples chaplain.

iv.   Family chaplain.

v.     Critical incident chaplain which include crisis and disaster management.

vi.   Pediatric chaplain.

vii. Workplace chaplain which include business, market place, industries etc.

viii.  Political chaplain which include political parties, people in political parties, people in government both federal, state, local govt. etc.

ix.       Faith group or denominational chaplain.

x.         Education chaplain which include nursery, primary, secondary schools and tertiary institutions, etc.

7.     A chaplain may also be an animal chaplain such as Vet chaplain, taking care of animals, their needs and their owners.

8.     Chaplain may also be an inanimate chaplain offering services to other living apart from humans and animals such as trees and nature. 

Chap. Prof. Mike-Jacobs JP, AP, CPC

Certified Chaplaincy Educator