BASIC CHAPLAINCY E-COURSE
LESSION #1
WHAT IS CHAPLAINCY
The concept of chaplancy began during the era of the Kings. A servant was assigned to the King to "carry his cloak" and meet his needs. The servant served the King faithfully and, when needed, always met the King's need. The first concept of "chaplain", a person who faithfully serves the King of Kings and lives to serve the spiritual needs of those who follow the King, becmae a reality. The "chaplain" also seeks to serve others in order to bring them into the Kingdom.
Chaplaincy is a service oriented, needs directed, servant ministry. The chaplain is not in the chaplaincy ministry to serve himself or to meet his needs. He serves those who are in need. He directs his sole attention to those whom he serves and how his ministry will meet their need.
Chaplaincy is a God-ordained, unique, innovative ministry. God ordained the chaplaincy ministry to "go where the church will not go". Many people will never enter the doors of a church because of their lifestyle, a negative experience with the church, their dislike of the organized church, their agnosticism or atheism. As a result, the terms "reverand", "pastor", "minister" scare them to death. Whereas, the term "chaplain" is a non-threatening term and acceptable to many in the secular world. A chaplain can minister in settings the church cannot and reach those the church cannot reach. Chaplaincy is unique. Wherever two or three are gathered, a chaplain can minister. God opens the door for chaplains to serve in unique locations with unique people. Places like race tracts, professional golf tours, police and fire departments, hotels and motels, hospitals, hospice organizations, truck stops, cruise ships, ports of call, funeral homes, banks, supermarkets and many, many more. Chaplaincy is innovative. We have not realized the many ways chaplaincy can be used to reach people. Chaplaincy ministry is only limited by the non-use of our creative minds. The goal of chaplaincy is to reach people with the Gospel. Why not develop and initiate as many ways possible for chaplaincy to reach the goal?
Chaplaincy is person-centered. Chaplaincy ministry involves people who love people. If a chaplain does not love people, the people he serves will sense his feelings and refuse to relate. Chaplains are individuals who respect others and accept them for who they are. Chaplains treat people the same in order to minister to them and reach them for the Kingdom. Compassion flows from the heart of a chaplain to those in need and cautious empathy characterizes his personality. "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself".
Chaplaincy is a needs-directed ministry. People possess many needs - spiritual, emotional, physical and social. As the chaplain develops his skills, he becomes better prepared to meet the needs of those he serves. We believe as Christians that the spiritual need is the most important in a person's life. Therefore, as chaplains our primary objective is to introduce individuals to the Lord and help them to depend on him in time of need. How does a chaplain accomplish his primary objective? By allowing the Lord to live through him and living his life to reflect God's grace and love. When the chaplain lives like Christ, people see the Lord in him and God's presence penetrates the lives of those he serves.
Chaplaincy ministers to those suffering emotionally. 
All of us experience emotional needs - loss of loved ones or friends, anger, guilt, depression, family concerns, financial concerns, acceptance of things we do not understand or cannot resolve, and more. A chaplain ministers to people who are hurting and trying to cope with emotional distress and trauma.
Chaplaincy ministers to individuals with physical and social needs. 
Physical needs include the need for food, clothing, financial assistance, employment, medical and others.
Social needs include a need for someone to care, to listen, to be real, to be non-judgmental, someone to understand, someone with true compassion, who is a real, true friend. The chaplain serves the Lord and meets the need with a compassionate heart.
Chaplaincy ministry builds bridges. Bridge-building builds lasting trust between two people. The chaplain builds bridges between himself and those he serves. The "relationship bridge" connects two people who accept one another for who they are and trust each other. When a chaplain builds a strong bridge between those he serves and himself, they open-up and share their most intimate feelings and thoughts. The chaplain builds bridges between those he serves and God. The "spiritual bridge" connects an individual with God, which produces a spiritual relationship for peace, comfort and strength. The chaplain initiates, but only God builds the spiritual bridge which meets the real needs. The chaplain ministers to help those he serves with building bridges between themselves, their family and fellowman. The "expanded relationship bridge" offers the chaplain the unique opportunity to minister to the extended family of those he serves as well as helping them relate better to others. The chaplain builds bridges; he does not destroy them.
Chaplaincy is an evangelistic ministry. The chaplain practices the "servanthood" approach to evangelism. If the chaplain chooses to use the direct approach, i.e., confronting every person he meets with, "Are you saved?", he will lose his opportunity to minister and witness as a chaplain in a secular environment. The chaplain builds personal relationships, determines needs and ministers to needs, which open the door to an evangelistic witness. Chaplains patiently wait for God to reveal the time for an evangelistc witness. God knows best when a person is ready to receive a witness and be saved.
Chaplaincy is a kingdom focused ministry. The chaplain represents his denomination and maintains strong ties with his denomination. He remains faithful to his denominational beliefs and doctrines. He preaches, teaches and lives what he believes. He ministers to those he serves to show them how to become a part of the Kingdom of God, not to join a particular denomination. He respects the faith of those he serves, seeking to enhance faith, not to destroy it. Respecting the faith of others, even when a chaplain disagrees with another's doctrinal beliefs, will open doors for witness and ministry.
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Lesson #1 has covered the concept of Chaplaincy Ministry. An understanding of "What is Chaplaincy?" helps the chaplain practice the basic fundamentals of chaplaincy for a more effective ministry. Our next lesson focuses on "Who is a Chaplain?" by definition and personal introspection. Continue to "Lesson 1 Review" and complete the review before beginning Lesson#2.
