What Does a Chaplain Do?
Chaplains lead nondenominational religious services and provide spiritual support to those who are unable to attend organized religious services. A Chaplain may work in a hospital, prison or university, and the military also employs many Chaplains. Although prison, military, school and hospital Chaplains work in very different environments, they all provide spiritual guidance to individuals who don't have access to formal religious services offered by their faith of choice. Schools offering Christian Ministry degrees can also be found in these popular choices.
Job Duties of Chaplains
A Chaplain is an ordained clergy member who provides religious services and support to people who are hospitalized, incarcerated or unable to attend religious services because they are on military duty. Chaplains may also work on college campuses.
In the past, Chaplains have been associated with the Christian faith, but today Chaplains are expected to provide truly nondenominational spiritual guidance. Chaplains now represent a variety of faiths, ranging from Judaism to Buddhism, and they often serve diverse constituencies by holding multi-faith or nondenominational services. Many universities and colleges, such as at Bates College, also have Chaplains on staff who lead nondenominational religious services.
Work Environments for Chaplains
Chaplains are employed in a variety of settings, including the military, parishes, hospitals, prisons, universities and schools. Military Chaplains may be assigned to ships or military bases, and they may even be deployed in war zones. Hospital Chaplains serve patients and staff members, and they may also provide in-home religious services for patients who are recovering from illnesses or receiving hospice care.
Religious Responsibilities of Chaplains
A Chaplain's most important job is to provide religious services, spiritual guidance and counseling to those in need. According to O-Net Online, a website created for the U.S. Department of Labor, a Chaplain gives sermons to encourage spirituality and provide comfort.
A Chaplain who works in a hospital or hospice facility provides counseling and spiritual guidance for patients, their families and even the hospital staff. Chaplains may also provide educational programs or conversion counseling to youth or prisoners. Chaplains can perform religious rites such as weddings and funerals as well. Depending on their work environment, Chaplains may plan and coordinate retreats and training for others who perform religious services and spiritual counseling.
To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below:
Subscribe to RSS feed for
Christian Studies and Theology FAQs
