Our chaplains serve as ministers in locations where they are
often the only pastoral presence. 
Chaplains are extensions of
the ministry of Christ and the church, touching the lives of people in
correctional institutions, police and fire, healthcare facilities, military installations,
schools and so on.
Few areas of service offer greater challenges
than chaplaincy. Every day these ministers engage in crisis care,
counseling, Bible instruction, preaching and worship, leadership, education,
community outreach, family support and other important duties.
Chaplains outreach consists of trained chaplains from diverse backgrounds who firmly believe in
being part of the Global mission of the church. Chaplains desire to spread
the Gospel and help people get ready for the return of Christ.
The Association of Christian Chaplains, recognizes and
responds to the needs of ministry to people in the unique institutional settings
of hospitals, campuses, prisons and the military. The possibilities
for 
Our Daily Bread, Missions to serve as chaplains are not limited to
these four major groups. In the future, we anticipate that our chaplains
will also minister in business, industry and other work settings. Since
millions of people spend nearly a third of their lives in the work environment,
chaplains in the work place will be an exciting and challenging field to
endeavor in years to come.
The Association of Christian Chaplains also recognizes ministries for service in
volunteer positions in areas such as police, fire, public-safety and
emergency, Civil Air Patrol and others. These men and women are making a
valuable contribution to the well-being of their communities and creating a
positive regard for the church in the minds of the public.
The Association of Christian Chaplains seeks to provide the following:
-
Affiliation and communication through
publications and annual conferences
-
Education through programs and career guidance
-
Professional development
-
Recruitment and screening of qualified persons
for chaplaincy
-
Expansion of opportunities in specialized
ministry settings
-
Consultations with division administration
-
Field support for chaplains at their posts of
duty
-
Advocacy for chaplains and their needs
-
Advancement of the mission
The basic requirements for chaplaincy are the
same, but specifics may vary from one division of the church to
another. General requirements include the following:
-
A personal commitment to Jesus Christ and the
mission of His body
-
Evidence of having received from the Holy
Spirit the spiritual gifts necessary for pastoral care in the chaplaincy
setting chosen.
-
Theological education which usually includes
an appropriate graduate degree in ministry
-
In some areas Pastoral Education
is necessary
-
Pastoral Education compliments the academic education of the
degree and certificate program offered by the Institute
-
A sufficient amount of pastoral experience in
the field to produce a mature sense of pastoral identity and refined
pastoral skills
-
Good and regular standing as a minister of
another denomination or licensed by ODB, recognized by appropriate ministerial
credentials.
Campus Chaplaincy
Chaplains serve on church and public campuses at the secondary,
college and graduate levels. These chaplains seek to inspire youth with the challenge to integrate academic and a commitment to
Jesus Christ and His work.
It has been estimated that 65-75 percent of Christian youth attend secular
colleges and universities. May ODB and Association chaplains minister in
those campuses.
Correctional Chaplaincy
Represents the fastest growing group of professional chaplains.
In prisons and other correctional facilities Chaplains can be found
living the words of Christ "I was in prison, and you came unto me."
These men and women are key members of the correctional care team as they bring
the grace of God to inmates who need Christ and rehabilitation so they can
return to a productive role in society. Chaplains go where most others
cannot, including death row, to do the tasks as a ministers of the Gospel.
Health Care Chaplains
Are the largest group of professional chaplains. They visit patients in a
variety of settings including hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities,
hospices and private homes.
Healthcare chaplains work with patients and their
families and staff in communities. Their challenge is to help people grow
toward health and wholeness, seeking to be a continuation of the healing
ministry of Christ. Chaplains also work with administrators and church
leaders facilitating the mission of the their institutions.
Military Chaplaincy
There are nearly as many Adventists in active duty military service today as
during the draft (and a 
growing number in reserves). A support system of
retreat centers, civilian chaplains and religious literature is available to all
active duty people who serve in the US Military.
For centuries various nations have
recognized the need for spiritual ministry for persons in uniform.
In North America, Chaplains minister in the United States armed
forces, serving both God and country, in the times of war and peace.
Chaplains retain their identity as Our Daily Bread
ministers and make significant contributions to the mission of the the church.
Chaplaincy in this case is care for the Christian and non-Christian military personnel alike.
ODB
seeks to expand this aspect of chaplaincy into other countries as well.
Police,
Fire & Rescue
and Government Chaplaincy
Many
that work to serve the
community such as the
police, fire and rescue
teams and government
employees not only need
ministering to but also
their families need
ministering to as well.
Often the people such as
the police, fire and
rescue teams need a
special type of
ministering as they are
under stress a good deal
of the time and as a
result their families are
also under stress as well.
The chaplains duties are
to serve our public
servants, but also their
families.
