The Chaplaincy Certification Program

THE CHAPLAINCY

The purpose of this lesson is to present the reader with a basic but comprehensive view of the work and ministry of the chaplain and provide basics insights to Christian Biblical Counseling. The work of the chaplain is often misunderstood within the sphere of ministry, and all too often churches minimize the role the chaplain plays in the lives of people who are experiencing a crisis. Some church leaders liken chaplaincy to a church outreach rather than a ministry appointment, yet in the world of paid chaplaincy and sometimes volunteer chaplaincy the educational and certification requirements are much higher than that required by most church pastorates.

Lesson 1 –  Introduction to Chaplaincy

• Pastor vs Chaplain
• Chaplains in Law Enforcement Fire Chaplain Overview
• Prison Ministry Overview
• The Hospital Chaplain Overview
• The Hospice Chaplain Overview
• The Corporate Chaplain Overview
• The Three Levels of Chaplaincy
• Ecclesiastical Endorsement
• The Professional Paid Chaplain
• The Volunteer / Reserve Chaplain
• Visitation Chaplains

Lesson 2 –  Chaplain/Volunteers in the Prisons

• When Arrested
• Maximum Security Inmates
• Comparative Chaplain Duties
• Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)
• Preservation of Evidence
• Communicating with the Victim
• The Anatomy of a Setup
• How to Prevent Boundary Violations
• Self-Evaluation

 Lesson 3 – Emergency Service Chaplain     

• Agency Confidentiality
• A Ministry of Presence
• Comfort during Crisis and Trauma
• Officer Involved Shootings
• In the Line of Duty Death
• Visit Sick or Injured
• Callouts and War-Bags
• Crisis Intervention Overview
• Notifying next-of-kin in death
• Victim Assistances
• Spiritual Guidance and Care
• Special Events

Lesson 4 –  Emergency Protocols

• Command Structure
• Emergency Call Outs
• Providing information
• Incident Command Protocols
• Prison Riots
• Arriving on the scene of a Traffic Accident
• The Communicating the right way
• Ride Along
• Radio Traffic

Lesson 5 – Confidentiality and Ethics                  

• Confidentiality – Case History
• Mandated Reporter
• Gratuity and Favors
• Chaplain Badge and Uniform

Lesson 6 – Dealing With Suicidal People                         

Suicide Callouts and on Scene Protocols

• The Jumper or Man with a Gun
• Attempted Suicide – Do’s & Don’ts
• Zone of Safety
• Common Misconceptions about Suicide
• Asking Key Questions
• Look for warning signs

Lesson 7 – Death Notifications  

In Person

• Time and Certainty
• Notifications in Pairs
• Use Plain Language
• Compassion during Crisis
• What not to say
• Viewing the body
• Work Place Notifications
• Hospital Notifications
• Debrief the Chaplain
• Notification Specific to Suicide
• Survivors Response

BIBLICAL COUNSELING

Lesson 8 – Biblical Counseling Overview

• Spiritual Counseling vs. Psychology
• Common Reasons for Counseling
• Two Reasons for Seeking Counseling
• Two goals in Biblical counseling
• Two Major Types of Counselee
• The Five –Step of Biblical Counseling

Lesson 9 –   Establishing Relationships    

• The Three Building Blocks of Relationship Building
• How empathize with others
• Use  Non-Verbal Communication

Lesson 10 – Anger/Guilt and Conscience

• The Definition of Guilt
• The Definition Conscience
• Identifying Feelings of Anger

Lesson 11 – Gathering Information                                      

• Listening and Observing the Counselee
• The Need to Gather Facts 
• Digging Deeper
• Active Listing
• Listen Beyond Attitudes and Feelings
• Control the Flow of the Talk

Lesson  12 – Pa Linguistic Communication (Halo Data)

• What is Halo Data?
• Learning about a Person from Body Language
• Material for Questions
• Productive Questioning

Lesson 13 – Personal Data Inventory Forms (PDIF)       

• Information Collection Tools
• Personal Data Inventory Form (PDIF)
• Marriage and Family Information
• Discovering Problem Patterns (DPP)
• Taking Thoughts Captive Worksheet

Lesson 14 – Biblical Process of Change            

• Carnal Feelings vs. God’s Will
• Taking Responsibility
• Elements of True Repentance
• Renewal of Mind
• Maintaining Change

CRISIS INTERVENTION

Lesson 15 – Critical Situational Stress                            

• Dealing with a Recent Death
• What is Critical Situational Stress?
• Counseling during Critical Stress
• Preparatory Checklist for Debriefing
• Phases of Debriefing
• Common Immediate Stress Reactions
• Symptoms during a Crisis

Lesson 16 – Traumatic Stress Reactions and Children   

• Three Basic Postures
• Key Points when Dealing with Children’s Grief
• Children / Post Crisis Behaviors
• Symptoms from Crisis
• Ways Parents Can Help Their Children

DEALING WITH DEATH AND DYING

Lesson 17 – Grief and Bereavement

• Grief comes in Waves
• Obsession with the Death
• Definitions, a quick checklist
• Reactions to Grief
• When to Make a Referral

Lesson 18 – Healing Conversations

• Four steps to the Conversation Process
• What to when Counseling the bereaved
• Communicating with those in Grief
• What to Say and What not to Say

Lesson 19 – Preparing For Approaching Death

• If they die today, are they ready to meet Jesus?
• Normal Physiological Signs and Symptoms during the
• Final Stages of Life
• Giving Permission
• Saying Good-Bye
• Bedside manners
• Things to Know About the Dying
• Habits of Effective Comforters