Institutional Chaplains

Institutional/nonfederal chaplains go out into our communities and serve faithfully among many who may not attend or belong to a local church. At a time when many are in the middle of a crisis or life challenge, our chaplains serve by building bridges to connect them to Christ.

The Alliance needs institutional/nonfederal chaplains who are called, committed, trained, and ready to do ministry among those in hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, police and fire departments, and state and county jails. There are also opportunities in marketplace ministries and recreational vehicle (RV) campgrounds.

Chaplains regard themselves as clergy in specialized ministries sent by The Alliance to extend the love of Christ to a lost and dying world. In many ways, they become the face of Jesus to those who might not see Him in another human being. The chaplains’ calling is best summed up in the words of an Old Testament prophet:

“To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

 –Isaiah 61:3, NKJV

Qualifications

Academic Requirements

• Institutional and nonfederal chaplains meet certain academic and professional requirements:
  • Meet the educational and training requirements of the position that they are applying for
  • Licensed and ordained/consecrated with The Alliance and qualified to represent The Alliance as an official worker
  • Have two years of Alliance licensed ministry experience  (a potential waiver is available at the discretion of the district superintendent)
  • We encourage our institutional chaplains to be an active member of an Alliance church in the local area where they serve.

The Process

• The first step is to complete a Next Steps application which goes to our Candidate Recruitment Office. You will receive a quick reply welcoming you and connecting you with the appropriate ministries and district. Connecting with your local C&MA district is especially important, since licensing and ordination/consecration are accomplished at the district level.
• The next step is to become a licensed official worker through an Alliance district and undergo the licensing, ordination, or consecration process.
• Complete the employment or volunteer application for the organization in which the institutional chaplain applicant is seeking employment.
• Request and obtain a district-level ecclesiastical endorsement letter where you will be licensed for the organization you are applying to. This request will need to be in coordination with the Alliance’s institutional chaplain national consultant. It is recommended that our district leadership work in collaboration with Chaplain Phyllis Fitzwater as a resource in this process to assist in discerning the appropriate professional endorsement.

NOTE: A national-level ecclesiastic endorsement is required for clinical chaplain board certification from all recognized institutional chaplain associations.

 

The Alliance has contracted an institutional chaplain national consultant who serves as a resource and assists both applicants and district offices with successful application and ecclesiastical endorsement when required or requested for ministry positions of employment or certification in institutional chaplaincy.

Please contact Chaplain Phyllis Fitzwater with the information below for additional information or to receive this endorsement.

For additional information contact:
Chaplain Phyllis Fitzwater BCC, BCPC, CDVS
Institutional Chaplain National Consultant
407-451-4505
[email protected] | [email protected]