Short courses you can take from anywhere, with a certificate at the end.

Being God's presence in schools, hospitals, prisons, forces and the workplace

Intermediate · 4 hours · Free · Certificate on completion · Taught by M. Chikosi

Enrol for free You will sign in or create a student account first.

This course is for pastors, evangelists, lay leaders and theological students who serve, or hope to serve, as chaplains in schools, colleges, hospitals, prisons, the uniformed forces, funeral homes or the workplace. It also suits congregational ministers who want to understand how ministry works in closed communities and multi-faith settings.

You will explore where the word 'chaplain' comes from, how chaplaincy developed in the Church and in Zimbabwe, and the many roles a chaplain plays: pastor, educator, counsellor, preacher, leader, healer and, above all, a ministering presence. You will then study chaplaincy as a profession in different sectors, learn how to accompany the dying and the bereaved, and reflect on the ethics and self-care that sustain a chaplain's ministry.

What you will learn

Explain the origin of the word 'chaplain' and how chaplaincy differs from pastoring a congregation
Describe the historical and theological roots of chaplaincy, including its development in Zimbabwe
Identify the main functions of a chaplain and the importance of the ministry of presence
Compare chaplaincy in education, uniformed forces, government, hospitals, funeral homes and industry
Apply basic grief theory to ministry with the dying and the bereaved
Minister ethically in closed and multi-faith communities, with attention to confidentiality and self-care

Course outline

Unit 1: Defining Chaplaincy (2)

Defining Chaplaincy 10 min
Unit 1 quiz 10 min

Unit 2: Origins and Development of Chaplaincy (2)

Origins and Development of Chaplaincy 10 min
Unit 2 quiz 10 min

Unit 3: Functions of a Chaplain I: Pastor, Educator and Counsellor (2)

Functions of a Chaplain I: Pastor, Educator and Counsellor 10 min
Unit 3 quiz 10 min

Unit 4: Functions of a Chaplain II: Preacher, Leader, 'Shaman' and the Ministry of Presence (2)

Functions of a Chaplain II: Preacher, Leader, 'Shaman' and the Ministry of Presence 10 min
Unit 4 quiz 10 min

Unit 5: The Development of Chaplaincy Ministry in Zimbabwe (2)

The Development of Chaplaincy Ministry in Zimbabwe 10 min
Unit 5 quiz 10 min

Unit 6: Chaplaincy as a Profession: Educational Institutions (2)

Chaplaincy as a Profession: Educational Institutions 10 min
Unit 6 quiz 10 min

Unit 7: Chaplaincy in the Uniformed Forces and Government Departments (2)

Chaplaincy in the Uniformed Forces and Government Departments 10 min
Unit 7 quiz 10 min

Unit 8: Emergency Services I: Hospital Chaplaincy and Care of the Dying (2)

Emergency Services I: Hospital Chaplaincy and Care of the Dying 10 min
Unit 8 quiz 10 min

Unit 9: Emergency Services II: Funeral Homes, Grief and Bereavement (2)

Emergency Services II: Funeral Homes, Grief and Bereavement 10 min
Unit 9 quiz 10 min

Unit 10: Functional Areas: Industrial and Workplace Chaplaincy (2)

Functional Areas: Industrial and Workplace Chaplaincy 10 min
Unit 10 quiz 10 min

Unit 11: Ministering in Closed Communities: Multi-Faith Settings, Ethics and Self-Care (2)

Ministering in Closed Communities: Multi-Faith Settings, Ethics and Self-Care 10 min
Unit 11 quiz 10 min

Enrol now