Chaplains

The Need for Chaplains

Research indicates that chaplains serve only 5% of those who reside in over 16,000 nursing homes in the United States. It has also been shown that 85% of the care center residents do not have any visitors—not from family, friends, the clergy or members of the Christian church. As a result, the residents are lonely, depressed, without purpose and meaning in life and feel very rejected and forgotten.

Doctors and nurses attend to the physical needs of the residents on a daily basis. However, their spiritual and emotional needs are rarely discussed. This does not represent neglect on the part of health care professionals; they are trained in the administration of physical care. At the same time, it is crucial that we minister to the entire person. This includes the spiritual and emotional needs as well as the physical. Simply stated, we need to send qualified chaplains into the care center who are trained in the administration of spiritual care.

The Crossroads' Chaplain

In order to enroll in our 9 month chaplaincy school, you must have a BA from a recognized Bible College, or a BA from a secular college plus Bible College or seminary.

The chaplain ministers to the spiritual and emotional needs of the care center residents, their families and staff. The chaplain is a full member of the healthcare team and serves the pastoral needs of our communities' care centers.

The chaplain, through professional training and certification, helps residents and families understand more fully life's events as they relate to their spiritual and emotional well-being.

Chaplains are skilled pastoral caregivers, meeting the highest standards within the field of clinical pastoral care.

Crossroads' chaplains must be above reproach in their personal and professional standards of moral and ethical conduct.

Crossroads' chaplains are committed to serve with respect, dignity and sensitivity, all persons that are served.