Renewing the Call for Community Chaplains & Spiritual Caregivers
If you feel called to accompany others with empathy and presence, you are welcome here. Your willingness and desire to serve are valuable, regardless of formal credentials or affiliations.
As a formally trained chaplain, I’ve been frustrated by society’s over-reliance on unilaterally applied criteria for spiritual caregiving, including master’s degrees in divinity, board certification, and related endorsements, associations, and approvals. Regardless of church, synagogue, or temple affiliation (if any), we are merely caring humans; chaplaincy, as its founder, Anton Boison, originally envisioned, was not intended as a call to preach or proselytize. That mission was for pastors, ministers, and leaders of religious sects. He envisioned trained, mentored, and passionate spiritual caregivers broadly available in the community; of the community, for the community. Their role would be to be wholly present to others and to listen.
The progressive institutionalization of chaplaincy, now a corporate, degree-focused career path, differs significantly from the community-based, relational spiritual care that’s urgently needed. While institutional chaplains often meet formal criteria and seek paid positions, true community spiritual care thrives on volunteerism, personal presence, and listening without needing professional qualifications. For example, a community chaplain might regularly visit an elderly neighbor just to share a cup of tea and offer a listening ear, help support a family navigating grief at a local park, or offer companionship at community events or meetings. Others might form small circles to check in on those who are lonely, organize supportive gatherings for new parents, or quietly support families during life transitions.
The central argument: effective spiritual companionship is needed in neighborhoods, where presence and empathy, not credentials or advice, make a difference.
Anyone called to serve as an ally and companion can practice spiritual care. Like artists, chaplains notice what others miss and remember those overlooked in institutions, homes, and neighborhoods. They listen to voices from society's margins who long to be seen.
Community Chaplaincy Preparation
Community Chaplaincy requires three main qualifications: a call to care, wisdom from life experiences, and respect for others' spiritual paths.
The training, ideally led by someone known for their caring and inclusive nature, begins by honoring your wisdom and personal spiritual choices. Rather than presenting a fixed theological method, Community Chaplaincy follows a step-by-step structure to build skills sequentially. Training starts by cultivating presence, then moves to listening techniques, to understanding grief, to supporting life transitions, to developing knowledge of global traditions, to learning creative life support, and, finally, to referring individuals to expert help when needed. The program is typically offered in a flexible format, with options for in-person sessions, live virtual gatherings, and self-paced online modules. Most participants complete the core training over six to eight weeks, meeting once per week and allowing time for reflection and practice between sessions. Such training includes:
The practice of whole-hearted presence
The art of listening intently
Understanding the stages and complexities of grief and supporting others through crisis
Helping others manage transitions, face changes, and explore possibilities.
A broad, informed view of global faith and wisdom traditions
How to use 'creative life support'—art, writing, and storytelling—to help others access feelings and find meaning.
Understanding when, how, and whom to refer a person in need of expert help.
Perhaps you might become that spiritual friend and ally. Say to someone, "I see you. I'm here. How are you?" For example, imagine a community chaplain who notices that an elderly neighbor rarely leaves their home. The chaplain takes the time to stop by each week, bringing a hot cup of coffee and simply sitting together to listen. Over time, the neighbor begins to share memories, worries, and moments of laughter. The regular presence and gentle companionship lift the neighbor's spirits, making each day a bit brighter. Make hope possible by choosing accompaniment—no agenda, no answers, just a willingness to walk alongside.
If you are affiliated with a religious or spiritual organization, they may want to start such a program if they don’t already have one. For help approaching them or to answer any questions you may have, you can contact me, Linda Clark-Borre, at shchaplains@gmail.com, to see if there is a community chaplain mentorship group in your area.
For important clinically supervised chaplaincy experiences that could lead to Board Certification if you wish, contact https://acpe.edu/programs