Chaplain

What is a Chaplain?
In a country largely divided by spiritual differences, Chaplains work hard to build bridges and maintain healthy and beneficial relationships between secular and religious sectors of society for the purpose of ministering helping hurting people. Chaplaincy is sanctioned by the United States government with full provision by law to provide crisis care to citizens regardless of race, creed, or religious affiliation. While most Chaplains consider themselves Christians, Professional Licensed Chaplains deeply respect all faith traditions.

Chaplains provide an objective, professional, confidential service of listening, providing support, and just being there for people in need. Licensed Chaplains provide practical community support and spiritual counsel to people in crisis, crisis responders, and the community at large by meeting physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Trained chaplains provide counsel, education, advocacy, life improvement skills, and recovery training, with the goal of providing a natural bridge between the secular and spiritual environments of community life.

God meets needs outside church walls in everyday life and circumstances. Chaplains provide practical and spiritual support, when appropriate, in the areas of critical incident response, grief, loss, and trauma. Professionalism and empathetic discernment is essential in both religious and secular areas of Chaplaincy. Chaplains endeavor to conduct themselves with high standards of moral, spiritual caregiving in order to serve as professional and compassionate ministers of God. Chaplains maintain the highest standards of education and accountability.

Chaplaincy Services
Chaplains provide a wide variety of spiritual and support services that may include:
• Rapid response support in crisis situations
• Emergency responder support for death and loss
• Advocacy and educational support for local service agencies
• Military family support
• Support for senior citizens in acute and long-term situations
• Chaplaincy as a workplace benefit to employees
• Relationship reparation and conflict resolution
• Perform Christian ceremonies, worship, or prayer services

Trish Propson is Licensed through the International Fellowship of Chaplains (IFOC). For more information on the IFOC organization visit: International Fellowship of Chaplains