Foundations of Chaplaincy: A Practical Guide

Product Description
An approachable overview of the nature, purpose, and functional roles of chaplaincy
Chaplaincy is unlike any other kind of ministry. It involves working outside a church, without a congregation, usually in a secular organization. It requires ministering to those with starkly different religious convictions, many of whom may never enter a house of worship. It is, as Alan Baker writes, “ministry in motion.” Those who are embarking upon this unique and specialized call deserve equally unique and specialized guidance, and Foundations of Chaplaincy offers exactly that.
Baker surveys the biblical and theological foundations of chaplaincy before enumerating four specific responsibilities and skills that define chaplaincy’s “ministry of presence”: providing, facilitating, caring, and advising. Baker’s thorough guidance on these matters is supplemented in sidebars with practical advice and anecdotes from over thirty chaplains currently serving in a variety of settings and organizations.
Chaplains who serve in healthcare, the military, correctional institutions, police and fire departments, sports teams, college campuses, and corporations have essential roles to play in their respective organizations, but theirs is rarely an easy calling. With Foundations of Chaplaincy as an introduction and an ongoing reference, those called to this important vocation may be assured of having the tools they need to cultivate a strong, mission-driven pastoral identity rooted in their own theological tradition while simultaneously participating in a multi-faith team.
Review
“I have known Alan Baker for decades and can think of no one more qualified to write about the foundations of chaplaincy. This book should be required reading for anyone who is attempting to understand how a positive and powerful ministry can be sustained in an inclusive environment of religious diversity. Alan imparts a wisdom he has forged in the crucible of experience. His wisdom has blessed me during my nearly eighteen years as Chaplain of the United States Senate.”
— Rear Admiral Barry C. Black
62nd Chaplain of the United States Senate
“A clear, lively, and theologically grounded exposition of the distinctive calling of chaplaincy, richly illustrated with stories and biblical resources. The book offers an account of the dimensions of the chaplain’s role as a facilitator or provider of religious services to those of diverse traditions but also a skilled and caring presence for people facing any of the challenges of human life and an adviser to organizational leaders. This is a much-needed resource for a form of ministry of growing importance in our religiously plural world.”
— Sondra Wheeler
Wesley Theological Seminary
“Chaplaincy is one of the most difficult ministries. Alan Baker knows from experience both the difficult challenges and the wonderful opportunities of being a pastor ‘of’ the church while not ‘in’ the church. Thank God he has written this much-needed book on the subject. It is full of wisdom.”
— Richard J. Mouw
Fuller Theological Seminary
“Alan Baker offers an accessible and helpful vision for chaplaincy that prioritizes presence and yet offers helpful insights and tools for navigating and thriving in one’s life as a chaplain. I see this book being widely used as a resource, not least for my seminary students discerning their call to chaplaincy.”
— Chuck DeGroat
Western Theological Seminary
“The calling and role of chaplains has often been relegated by the church to a second-class status. But chaplains serve on the front lines of ministry, bringing a compassionate presence to those confronting pain, anguish, or despair, and suddenly asking their deepest questions about God. Alan Baker is one of the finest chaplains I’ve ever known. As chaplaincy increases even as church attendance decreases, this book will become an indispensable guide. It distills Baker’s rich experience into the most thorough and helpful resource av