Chaplaincy

Chaplaincy Ministry

This concentration is an appropriate choice for professionals in these areas of chaplaincy: military, correctional, industrial, or educational.

Mission

Prompted by the promise of Christ's soon return, the Doctor of Ministry program at Andrews University is designed to develop spiritually mature and responsible professionals in ministry for the worlwide church. The DMin Chaplaincy Ministry concentration prepares participants for excellence in chaplaincy ministries and organizational leadership.

Outcomes of the Chaplaincy Ministry Concentration

The Doctor of Ministry Chaplaincy Ministry concentration seeks to develop the person (Being), knowledge (Knowing), and practice (Doing) of its participants. Following are outcomes that are important to evaluate. These outcomes guide the curriculum and should be reflected in the Ministry Development Plan developed by the participant.

Being
The graduate will be engaged in a learning process aimed at enhancing personal spirituality, enriching the personal life, and improving professional relationships through an expanding awareness of what God has called them to be.

1. Spiritual maturity
2. Living by the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-26)
3. Enrichment of personal and family life and how to care for themselves (Self Care)
4. Greater commitment to ministry
5. A biblical perspective of chaplaincy ministry
6. Positive collegial relationships
7. A global view of society and ministry

Assessed by: Requiring students to complete a section in their Ministry Development Plan (MDP) in which they will identify essential practices for chaplaincy ministries and practices they will develop to grow spiritually as they go about their life and do ministry. The direct assessments in module two of theological and spiritual foundations administered by faculty will also be a part of that assessment.

Knowing
The graduate will be expected to exhibit an advanced understanding of sound theological and spiritual care and counseling within the context of pastoral care and chaplaincy that contribute to responsible ministry for the worldwide church.

1. Exceptional theoretical knowledge of chaplaincy ministry and ethical issues
2. An understanding of spiritual care within the context of Adventist theology
3. An understanding of organizational culture and systems thinking
4. How to postulate the place of chaplaincy within the Adventist church in the future

Assessed by: Completing two theoretical chapters in their project manuscripts (chapters 2 and 3) in which students will provide theological reflection on their research topic and show a high level of acquaintance with the current literature on the subject. The direct assessments in modules one and two of assignments dealing with literature research and theological reflection administered by faculty, and of literature research in all modules, will also be a part of that assessment.

Doing
The graduate will model Christ-like ministry and demonstrate the ability to effectively contribute to the misison of the church by wise and competent application of pastoral care theology and theory to practical and innovative solutions for ministry challenges.

1. Practice of the following core chaplaincy essentials:
   A God-given passion-stirring shared vision
   Demonstrating faith-based hope
   Exercising solid integrity
   Courage to challenge the status quo
   Unswerving commitment to empowering people
   Spiritually through processes such as spiritual formation, devotional reading and journaling
   Appreciation of diversity issues within chaplaincy
    
2. Proficiency in a minimum of 5 of the following administrative skills:
   Facilitating effective planning
   Managing resources responsibly
   Communicating effectively
   Leadership and organization for chaplains
   Managing change
   Managing conflict
   Evaluation and assessment
   Making meetings matter
   Coaching
   Mentoring others

Assessed by: Successful assessment of the project before peers and respective project committees as well as direct assessments of case studies administered by faculty.

Learning Modalities

The following learning modalities will be included in the concentration's andragogy:

1. A ministry development plan reflecting the participant's current situation, personal vision statement, action plan, and helping/hindering forces
2. A context support group to provide feedback and assessment
3. Significant current literature in leadership, spiritual care, pastoral identity, themes
4. Journaling to encourage reflective and critical thinking
5. Learning groups to foster relational learning and encourage improved personal relationships
6. Mentoring from a field professional
7. Classroom consultation: including didactic and experiential learning and networking with top educators and experts in the field of chaplaincy
8. Research: including perusal of current literature, theological reflection, assigned readings, case studies, and field research in their ministry context
9. Praxis: including implementation of spiritual interventions in the context of ministry
10. Project: including theological reflection, field research, and intervention involving a specific challenge in their ministering context

Contact

 Dr. Mario Ceballos serves as coordinator for the Chaplaincy concentration. He can be reached at 1-301-680-6780, ceballosm@gc.adventist.org.

Cohorts are identified by the year in which they formed. Cohort participants will take these courses and modules:

2013 Chaplaincy Ministry Cohort

The cohort formation that was on the schedule for 2013 has been postponed to begin in April of 2014. More details to come soon.

Health Care Chaplaincy

Mission

To develop chaplains who manifest professional competency, academic excellence, professional leadership skills, spiritual/theological depth, clinical expertise, and the ability for self-reflection necessary for spiritual care within the clinical context.

Outcomes of the Health Care Chaplaincy Concentration

The Health Care Chaplaincy concentration seeks to develop the person (Being), knowledge (Knowing), and practice (Doing) of its participants. Following are outcomes that are important to evaluate. These outcomes guide the curriculum, and should be reflected in the Ministry Development Plan developed by the participant.

Being
The graduate will be engaged in a learning process aimed at enhancing personal spirituality, enriching the personal life, and improving professional relationships through an expanding awareness of what God has called them to be.

1. Spiritual maturity
2. Living by the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-26)
3. Enrichment of personal and family life
4. Greater commitment to the Seventh-day Adventist health care ministry
5. Positive collegial relationships
6. A global view of society and ministry
7. Become aware of their strengths and limitations (background, emotional state) and to realize the impact self-awareness and self-understanding may have on ministry

1. An understanding of spiritual health care within the context of Adventist theology of healing
2. An understanding of organizational culture and systems thinking
3. Knowledge of the professional field including spiritual leadership, consultation, networking, and ethical conduct
4. Knowledge of current issues and research related to the field of spirituality and health
5. Engage the discipline through sociological and psychological perspectives
6. Reflect theologically on the lived experience of patients
7. Learn basic research skills relating to the field of health care

Assessed by completing two theoretical chapters in their project documents (chapters 2 and 3) in which students will provide theological reflection on their research topic and show a high level of acquaintance with the current literature on the subject, the direct assessments in module one and two on assignments dealing with literature research and theological reflection administered by faculty, and of literature research in all modules.

Doing
The graduate will model Christ-like ministry and demonstrate the ability to effectively contribute to the mission of the church by wise and competent application of spiritual care theology and theory to practical and innovative solutions for ministry challenges.

1. Practice of the following core chaplain essentials:
   A God-given, passion-stirring shared vision
   Demonstrating faith-based hope
   Exercising solid integrity
   Courage to challenge the status quo
   Unswerving commitment to empowering people
   Integration of own spiritual and theological perspectives into the practice of ministry
   Appreciation of diversity
    
2. Proficiency in the following skills:
   Clinical skills pertinent to their practice in the field of chaplaincy and spiritual care within the context of health care
   Facilitating effective planning
   Managing resources responsibly
   Communicating effectively
   Building effective teams
   Managing conflict
   Spiritual health care evaluation and assessment
   Mentoring others

Participants acquire clinical skills pertinent to their practice in the field of chaplaincy and spiritual care within the context of health care.

Assessed by: Successful assessment of the project before peers and respective project committees as well as direct assessments of case studies administered by faculty.

Learning Modalities

The following learning modalities will be included in the concentration's andragogy:

1. A ministry development plan reflecting the participant's current situation, personal vision statement, action plan, and helping/hindering forces
2. A context support group to provide feedback and assessment
3. Significant current literature in leadership, spiritual health care, pastoral identity, themes
4. Journaling to encourage reflective and critical thinking
5. Small learning groups to foster relational learning and encourage improved personal relationships
6. Mentoring from a field professional
7. Classroom consultation: including didactic and experiential learning and networking with top educators and experts in the field of chaplaincy
8. Research: including perusal of current literature, theological reflection, assigned readings, case studies, and field research in their ministry context. Theological understanding of spiritual health care
9. Praxis: including implementation of spiritual care interventions in the context of ministry
10. Project: including theological reflection, field research, and spiritual intervention involving a specific challenge in their ministering context

Clinical Pastoral Education

Clinical Pastoral Education is a significant component and a standard requirement in the clinical training of chaplains. An applicant for this concentration must have at least one year of full-time work experience as a health-care chaplain, and two completed units of CPE. Persons who have four units CPE will be considered as having one year of work experience.  Participants who have no more than two units CPE are required to take at least one additional unit of CPE while in the program. A minimum of three units of CPE is required for the Adventist Board Chaplain Certification; four units are required by the Association of Professional Chaplains. The CPE requirement may be completed by arrangement in the first four years of the program. Participants may choose the CPE site that is in close proximity to their work place.

Contact

Dr. Johnny Ramirez serves as coordinator for the 2009 Health Care Chaplaincy cohort. He can be reached at 909-651-5952, jramirez@llu.edu.

Beginning with the 2014 cohort, Dr. Mario Ceballos serves as coordinator for the Health Care Chaplaincy concentration. He can be reached at 1-301-680-6780, ceballosm@gc.adventist.org.

Cohorts are identified by the year in which they formed. Cohort participants will take these courses and modules: 

2009 Health Care Chaplaincy Cohort

Course requirements and schedule for the cohort formed in 2009:
(follow the linked course names to obtain the course requirements documents)