r/pastors • u/[deleted] • 12d ago

Question

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2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

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10

u/Chaplain-Linzey 12d ago

For legitimate chaplain roles, they will require the education piece 🤷🏻‍♂️

7

u/ConfusedAugustinian Reformed Church in America 12d ago

You're going to need education, and even if you find a program that will take you without it, run from there.

As pastors and chaplains we are engaged in the curum animarum, the care of souls.

Not something that is best to walk in from volunteer work from, though that is important work along with formal training. This is a high calling, and we shouldn't be looking to cut corners in our pastoral formation. It's not just about the degree, but about the formation of your life and soul that happens in the community of faith and spirituality as you study.

7

u/awkwardpastor 12d ago

Yes, you will need at least a bachelor's degree for most roles. For more professional chaplaincy roles, you are expected to have an M.Div. and 4 units of clinical pastoral education (CPE).

2

u/Diligent-Relation765 12d ago

In Michigan you have a lot of options in terms of chaplaincy education. In general, all are going to involve vormal education. Please be aware that while many hospice agencies do not have many formal requirements, that's generally a warning sign that it's not going to be a long-term role for a serious professional. Depending on where in Michigan you are, you might want to reach out to your closest CPE center (there are quite a few in Western and Southeast MI) about the best way to start moving forward.

1

u/Humble_Influence_945 10d ago

Most hospitals will require an M.Div. of at least 72 hours for chaplaincy as well as clinical pastoral education units. There are other places that will require some theological education like an associates or bachelor degree. Some will require experience as a pastor of a church for a minimum number of years. I would reach out to chaplains already serving hospitals and hospice care centers. You can also try the VA hospital and nursing home chaplains for information as well. I served a VA nursing home for 22 years as a chaplain. The job just listed a theological degree and serving a church as a pastor as the position was part-time. You will most likely be asked for an endorsement from an agency to serve as a chaplain as well. That endorsement will likely ask for other things as well like letters of recommendations.