Certified Elementary School Chaplain Training For Unordained Candidates: Update
The newly updated training programs can accommodate candidates from different backgrounds, including those who do not have experience with ministry or youth groups. Once certified, the NSCA also assists the new chaplains with placement, and they also become part of a support group that will help them build their ministry.
For more information, visit https://nationalschoolchaplainassociation.org/chaplains
With mental health issues affecting up to 70% of school-age children, the need for emotional and spiritual guidance has reached an all-time high. According to studies by professors at California State University, children and teenagers with a strong religious or spiritual foundation are better equipped emotionally and psychologically to overcome bullying, body shaming, and peer pressure. They are also less likely to express their frustration through destructive methods like violence, disrespect toward authority figures, and poor academic performance.
The NSCA encourages more people to consider chaplaincy, especially if they are already seeking a career path involving service and youth leadership. Being a chaplain allows individuals to connect to the youth at a deeper, more spiritual level than other faculty members.
Aside from the personal fulfillment that chaplains get from this vocation, it is also something that they can pursue without sacrificing their college plans. While other training programs require participants to take a gap year, the NSCA’s chaplaincy training program can be completed while the candidate is in college. It can also count as a one-year college credit, depending on the type of training program they will undergo.
The NSCA has three training levels, each with its requirements and benefits.
Level 1 is for ordained ministers who need little training but need assistance with placement or re-certification.
The second level is a 48-hour course recommended for those with experience teaching or working with youth groups. This course is spread out across eight weeks, with six hours per week on average. It is equivalent to one college credit or three CEU credits.
The last level is a one-year course for high school graduates without work experience. The course is equal to one year of college credit, which can be used toward a bachelor’s or associate’s degree.
“Chaplains provide students with the spiritual care they need to overcome tragedies and hardships to fulfill their dreams and destiny. Follow the call to help teachers and students,” a representative said.
More information is available at https://nationalschoolchaplainassociation.org
National School Chaplain Association
PO Box 720746
United States
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