Chaplain Requirements, Training and Certification
Requirements: The baseline requirements for a WELS Chaplain are a desire or passion for serving others, a solid understanding of Scripture, and skills such as private/public prayer, leading bible studies, conducting services, etc., that will allow an individual to comfortably and effectively serve in public institutions with diverse spiritual faith group populations. There are no course or degree prerequisites; however, prospective chaplains should be pastors and lay workers who are spiritually active in their WELS/ELS churches.
Training: The WELS Chaplain Certificate Program (CCP) was designed and implemented to help and train individuals, WELS pastors, staff ministers, teachers, laypeople, and those in confessional agreement with WELS for service in various forms of chaplain ministry. The program includes accredited courses taught by Martin Luther College. There are four required core courses, and several electives for those who want to specialize in a particular area of chaplaincy. A special foundation course in Christian doctrine, Grounded in Scripture, is required for all lay workers before they may take other courses.
Certification: Upon completion of CCP, a WELS Chaplain receives an initial three-year WELS Chaplain Certificate. Additional ongoing education is required to maintain certification beyond that initial period. This ensures that chaplains maintain currency in their professional education and training. WELS Chaplains may also apply for WELS Eccleastical Endorsement. This is the church’s affirmation that the worker is religiously trained, a member in good standing with his/her denomination, and is performing or will perform a valid ministry in the name of that denomination. Both government and public/private institutions where chaplains serve have several different religious requirements; many require ecclesiastical endorsement as an additional documentation of a chaplain’s validity. This endorsement is also required for membership and a certificate in virtually all professional chaplaincy associations.
Additional Information: For Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and respective answers that offer more complete details about requirements, training, and certification, please see the following Martin Luther College Website: https://mlc-wels.edu/continuing-education/wels-chaplain-certificate-faqs/#toggle-id-7-closed