Chaplaincy in Educational Settings

Chaplains have played a significant role for many years in sharing and modelling the Christian faith in places of education in this country. This unit will give you the opportunity to explore the practice and theology of chaplaincy.

We’ll begin by looking at big-picture factors that shape the reality of contemporary chaplaincy in a range of educational settings – the history, philosophy, models, government constraints and different contexts of chaplaincy. Our investigation will lead us to consider the relationships between chaplaincy and other aspects of ministry in educational contexts: counselling, classroom teaching and Christian education, issues facing young people, pastoral care of staff, and the place and role of the church.

We’ll also look at some issues of particular relevance in schools ministry – ministry to children; a Biblical perspective on work, education and rest; the role of extra-curricular engagement; and the relationship between pastoral care and evangelism. And our reflections throughout the course will drive us to wrestle together with the inescapable question of effectiveness – how will you know whether you’ve done a good job as a chaplain?

This unit is for those wanting to be better equipped in their ministry with school-aged children. If you have specific educational chaplaincy ministry in mind, please check with us to ensure this unit will meet your requirements.

Note: To enrol in this unit you are required to hold a current Working with Children Check as well as a current Safe Ministry Training certificate.