community service Chaplaincy

Community Service Chaplains are men and women who are dedicated to the spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being of the employees, residents, patients, or inmates, of the institution or agency wherein they provide ministry. A chaplain may be professional clergy or a layperson dedicated to serve outside the four walls of a church, most often in a volunteer capacity.

The Church of God Chaplains Commission Community Service Chaplaincy program purposes to build a spiritual bridge between the local church and the community through concern that evokes compassion and manifests in care.

CONCERN

COMPASSION

CARE

Where Can a Community Service Chaplain Volunteer?

The opportunities to volunteer as a Community Service Chaplain are numerous and can be found in agencies and institutions such as:
  • Hospitals
  • Jails and prisons
  • Juvenile detention facilities
  • Hospice
  • Emergency Service Agencies
  • Disaster areas
  • Homeless shelters
  • University campuses
  • Industries
  • Athletic teams
  • Fire departments
  • Nursing homes

These are a few of the many agencies, institutions, and community outreaches you will find the opportunity to serve as a volunteer chaplain. Chaplaincy can happen wherever a need arises.

How Do I Become a Community Service Chaplain?

The Church of God Chaplains Commission is committed to training volunteer Chaplains in areas that enhance compassionate outreach. The Commission offers training classes to equip clergy and lay persons to operate as Community Service Chaplains. The training includes general overviews in the areas of spiritual guidance, peer to peer counseling, stress management, grief, critical incident management, ministry in a pluralistic setting, guidance in the workplace, as well as thorough training on the history and theology of chaplaincy.

More Questions About CSC Chaplaincy:

  • What's required to become a Community Service Chaplain?
    • Attend and/or complete at least one (1) Level 1 CSC Course
    • Complete and pass a criminal background check
    • Provide written recommendation from a pastor or ministry supervisor
  • What's needed to maintain certification?
    • Be actively involved in a community service ministry through an agency, institution, or local church
    • Certification must be updated every two years.
  • How Do I Update My Community Service Chaplain ID and Certification?

    To renew Community Service Chaplain Certification you must:

    • Be actively involved in a community service ministry through an agency, institution, or local church
    • Certification must be updated every two years by submitting the following:
    1. Written documentation from ministry supervisor or pastor stating active involvement in chaplaincy outreach
    2. Application accompanied by $60.00 fee to cover ID renewal and criminal background check

    ID Renewal 

  • How Do I Schedule Training?

    The first step in the process is to offer selected dates that would work for your church. Level I is a three-day course that usually takes place from Thursday through Saturday. After the Chaplains Commission receive dates, we will then schedule a date with an available trainer. 

  • How Much Does Training Cost?

    The cost of the training is $360.00 per person or $490.00 per couple. (A couple is counted as one person for training purposes.) 18-20 students are needed to make the course financially viable. There must be enough participants to cover the cost of the venue, instructor, instructor’s lodging and travel expenses, and any other variables. If and when all the expenses are met, the venue may receive a rebate that can be used to pay for any facility expenses (i.e., rental, utilities, cleaning, etc.). The rebate may also be used to return a portion of student registration fees. Therefore, the more students over the 18-20 baseline, increases the amount of rebate received.