Chaplaincy

Adventist Chaplaincy Ministry

The purpose of the Adventist chaplaincy ministry and the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church are one: “To announce to the world the eternal gospel.” In this way, restore shattered humanity to its fullness, in its relationship with God.

Christ modeled this ministry of restoration and entrusted the church with its continuity. “Only the method of Christ will be the one that will give success in reaching people. The Savior treated men as one who wanted to do them good: he showed them sympathy, attended to their needs and gained their trust. Then he said to them: ‘Follow me’ (The Ministry of Healing, p.102).

The Adventist Chaplaincy Ministry seeks to establish a global network of Adventist chaplains who responsibly care for the spiritual health of those under their care. Adventist chaplains increase the mission reach of the church, thus validating the authenticity of its pastoral ministry.

The Adventist Chaplaincy Ministry provides guiding lines in order to apply, to the world field, the standards established by the General Conference.

Who is a chaplain? Rivera (2010) contextualizes it like this: “The term chaplain comes from a Latin word Capellanus. It applies to people who exercise the office of ministering and giving spiritual support to those who arise, guiding them in the cultivation of faith in God and a healthy self-esteem so that they can face the crisis situation they are experiencing. The word began to be used with the designation of a clergyman as the monarch’s minister, who was not in charge of the parish but rather paid attention to the spiritual life of the monarch and his court. It was invested with ecclesiastical authority and had a chapel” (p.13).

Paget and McCormack (2006) consider that “chaplaincy ministry develops because people need pastoral care even when they do not belong to a church (or its faith equivalent) and especially when they are going through a crisis… This ministry originally began to address the needs of government employees and their agencies, such as the military and hospitals, today is often an initiative of religious organizations and victims of critical events” (p. 5).

Speaking about school chaplaincy, De la Cruz (2013) considers that the chaplain “seeks to promote a balanced, healthy and harmonious environment, as well as the development and spiritual well-being of the community… in the same way he seeks to promote camaraderie, solidarity and service to the community.” neighbor, also promotes the highest levels of civic morality. The mission is to anticipate and respond with real solutions to the great need for guidance and emotional and spiritual support in times of personal or collective crisis…” (pp. 33-34).