What Are Competencies?

people up), my “detective ministry” (to learn crucial facts about their condition), and eventually my “sojourner ministry.”

I discovered an effective chaplain’s ministry was to “sojourn” with others, to walk alongside, to understand their story, and to discover together a deeper understanding of God and our response to Him. is new approach became a powerful and effective ministry model for me in my nearly twentynine-year ministry as an active-duty military chaplain. I had the privilege of walking alongside our military members and their families in many joyous and challenging times.

WHAT IS A CHAPLAIN?

In simplest of terms, a chaplain is a “visible reminder of the Holy.” Chaplains’ acknowledgment of the Holy within their own lives and ministry to others is essential. Otherwise, one is simply a counselor or a life coach. Representing the sacred is neither a badge one wears nor a job. Serving as a chaplain is a response to a call, a passion, and a profession.

What is a chaplain? For this book’s purpose, stated in a more comprehensive and foundational way, chaplains ful ll a sacred calling to accompany and provide professional support and spiritual nurture for everyone in their distinctive secular communities, which authorize and hold them accountable.

A chaplain’s spiritual/faith perspective, personality, experiences, skills, and education inform the form and style of ministry and spiritual care. A chaplain is a minister (pastor, rabbi, imam, etc.) to some and a chaplain to all. A chaplain may be a single volunteer among a loosely associated group of people or a paid member of a team providing ministry to a particular, highly regulated organization. Additionally, chaplains represent their faith groups and seek to provide (or provide for) persons’ spiritual or pastoral care. Chaplains are sojourners with others in their spiritual journey, providing a ministry of purpose and a calming presence in the middle of chaos.

Authors Naomi Paget and Janet McCormack note similarities and distinctions between clergy and chaplains. Both clergy and chaplains lead worship, teach, provide spiritual or pastoral care, counsel, and perform religious rites. Clergy’s positions and authority come from religious congregations or ecclesiastical bodies. Chaplains’ positions and authority come from