Daily Encouragement Net Header (Sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean)

  “Encourage one another daily” (Hebrews 3:13).

 Daily Encouragement Net is devoted to encouraging followers of Jesus Christ.

Home

  

Frequently Asked Questions

 

A description of chaplaincy ministry to the marketplace and business world.

I am a pastor (or am otherwise involved in leadership in a local church) and I have an interest in this type of ministry. What can I do?
In the observations I made about models there are various ways a pastor can get involved. A national agency may have company clients in your area and be looking for part-time chaplains. That is how I began with the national company I worked for and found the several hours I worked each week very fulfilling. However the national companies only have a presence in very few geographical areas. There may be a regional effort taking place in your area and the leader may need some backup support. I suggest you begin by offering to serve as a chaplain at the companies that members in your church own or can use your influence in getting you in. I would suggest though that you not introduce yourself as the owner’s pastor or even as a pastor for that matter.  The term chaplain is generally recognizable and will be held in respect. I suggest you read over both the description I wrote concerning corporate chaplaincy and the Agora articles.

I am working at a company and would sure like to see a chaplain in my company.
You can suggest that the program be considered by your HR Department or if you have any input with the owner or senior management by all means speak to them. Whatever happens, you can be a “chaplain” in your sphere of influence.
 
I am a company owner or member of senior management and would like to consider this type of service in my company.
You have an opportunity and responsibility to in one way or another use your position to influence for your faith. There are many ways to let your light shine but I feel implementing a corporate chaplaincy program is a part of an effective approach. There are many different models but if the interest begins with you I suggest you speak to your pastor to begin with.
Can a company provide this service in-house?
Absolutely, a growing trend is that  companies are hiring their own chaplains. However to be most effective I feel the chaplain should present himself as being independent of the management structure in the company. He needs to be able to develop confidence in the communications he has with the employees and they need to be assured of confidentiality and impartiality. I feel the best method is the chaplain working as an independent contractor type arrangement in a direct care manner.
 
I would like to start a ministry like this in my area.
I am developing resources for this and hope to be an equipper in seeing ministries like this develop all over the country. I may not even know my materials have been utilized or to what degree since I will place them on the internet for implementation, ideas and adaptation.
 
What type of background and training is needed for corporate chaplaincy?
This will vary. My view is that chaplains should be people of mature Christian character, doctrinal solidity and ministry experience with stable families and church relations. In most cases they will have some type of credentialing through a denomination. The expectations regarding amount of education that is expected will vary, although I don’t think this should be a major factor.  Some of the materials I have written thus far are at Agora
 
I am a Human Resource director and this sounds like a great idea as an employee assistance program.
In my experience some HR directors (who generally were our main interface with companies we served) were wholeheartedly receptive to the concept of chaplain care. Some were “won over” when they saw the program at work. A few remained skeptical, but tolerated the program since it was the owner’s desire. If your are an HR director you can suggest to senior management this concept as an EAP. It really will be a blessing to your employees regardless of any spiritual motivation you may have in initiating it. People simply are desirous of being cared about!
 
What about the issues of politically correctness, diversity, tolerance, and being inoffensive.
I could write a lot about this. Certainly we are in a climate that “ministry in the workplace” raises some flags. This is so unfortunate. Scores of people are unconnected to any church and are in broken families. The chaplain can be a tremendous caregiver. I cannot address strawmen that the secularists create to oppose a program like this.
Here are some points for consideration:
  • For a program to be effective as a ministry it should be staffed by those that hold a belief in Christ and I suggest a rather simple statement of faith such as that held by the National Association of Evangelicals. This brief statement expresses the essence of what should be needed to bind a staff together without dealing with the secondary doctrinal distinctives that separate many earnest Christians.
  • If the program is began be an individual any specific area it can’t be any more “diverse” than he or she is!
  • If there are several chaplains serving I suggest a variety of denominational backgrounds, gender, and racial.
  • If “diversity” extends beyond this to issues regarding sexual morals and broader religious expressions I believe the program would be meaningless as a Christian ministry.
  • The chaplain in the workplace must practice tolerance to others. However, in my view this does not mean he has to agree with and affirm every view and lifestyle.
  • The chaplain must seek to be considerate of others, including those with views or lifestyles he may not accept or approve of. However it is virtually impossible not to offend some people and some are specifically conditioned to be offended if you do not gushingly accept their views or lifest
  • The chaplain is available. He walks through the facility greeting the employees. Some will not be receptive and he needs to recognize this. Apart from the social pleasantries the employee must initiate any substantive discussion on personal issues. Most all reasonable people find this acceptable even if they don’t accept the chaplain’s care.
 
I am expecting to add to this article and welcome additional questions by those who view this page.

 

Return to Corporate Ministry

Agora – Resources for workplace ministry

 

****************************************

 

"Living today anchored in God’s solid foundation" 

Home