About Us

Traveller Chaplaincy Service is a new Spritual Guildence service for members of the Travelling Community

Set up in June 2024 we hope to give members of the Travelling Community a opportunity to talk about anything they want

We are non Judgemental and everything you say is private and Confidential we don’t discuss with anyone

What Is a Chaplain?

The position of chaplain might conjure up familiar tasks for some, but in these latter days, a chaplain’s tasks have expanded to new locations and responsibilities. To find a classic definition of a chaplain, a simple Google search will provide a plethora of descriptions. However, a chaplain serves as a cleric — a neutral religious person who is trained in religious understandings that connect with spiritual and emotional concerns. They are also trained in religious understandings that connect with spiritual concerns, usually blended with a focus on theology, depending, of course, on the type of chaplain work that is done.

What Does a Chaplain Do?

Chaplains in earlier times were known to be spiritual figures, prominently representing general Christian beliefs in more distant settings such as the armed services, or in medical emergency situations where you might see organizations like the Red Cross at work.

Over the years, due to the ever-increasing influx of diverse ethnic populations and the many non-Christian based faiths, the chaplain’s role has broadened to include assistance beyond that which is religious only. Spiritual care is not always seen as having religious connotations. For some time, New Age beliefs have been an influential part of society, and an understanding of those who claim to be more spiritual than religious has resonated with many people. This has come about in part due to cultural relativism and a post-modern world that does not see Christianity as the most influential belief. Thus, in some instances, a more generic type of spiritual help, almost likened to a mental health counselor, has become an important part of a chaplain’s work. Spiritual help might include conversations about life, death, purpose and possibly questions about God, but they also might be void of God entirely, aimed toward receiving emotional support alone. Religious topics may or may not be involved.

Nevertheless, a chaplain must be discerning as to the core needs of an individuals they are speaking with, noticing the unseen cues that a person is not fully disclosing. A chaplain most often is called upon to conduct religious services that align with that chaplain’s training and religious representation. They also provide other ministerial duties such as conducting weddings, funerals and pastoral counseling. Prayer support is also a part of this, but only to the point of a chaplain’s ecclesiastical endorsement. A Christian chaplain would not be required to offer Buddhist prayers, nor would a Muslim cleric be asked to conduct a ritual of Christian baptism.

For example, a chaplain may be called upon to provide support for a group who may have experienced a traumatic loss either stateside or in actual combat, offering debriefing assistance. They may be available as the go-to person, offering an attentive listening ear. The role has expanded to that of helper, emotional support, confidant, counselor, confessor and reliable friend, along with the regular religious duties they are ordained — or licensed — to perform.

Types of Chaplaincies

When one thinks of chaplain ministry, thoughts might immediately move toward an image of someone in the armed service or perhaps someone with a kind disposition and demeanor, such as the chaplain character in the late ’70s and early ’80s sitcom M.A.S.H. There has been a widening view of what a chaplain can do, including non-religious chaplains in professional workplaces, right along with the traditional roles that most are familiar with.

Chaplains can work full-time in a hospice or hospital setting. They can also serve in police departments, nursing homes or fire houses to help both victims, bystanders and the personnel involved with a particularly serious incident. A chaplain must have a solid, mature and trustworthy character, fully capable of serving, with an empathetic foundation, trained to connect and be fully reliable in providing spiritual solace. Integrity, vulnerability and transparency are also vital for someone in this role. People place their deepest trust in a person such as a chaplain to understand their tears, and to listen to their painful secrets and worst fears. A chaplain can bring comfort, aid in achieving peaceful resolutions, bring light into a life filled with despair, and provide encouragement, helping people to continue to look for a glimmer of hope

Chaplain vs. Pastor: What’s the Difference?

What Does a Chaplain Do?

A chaplain is a certified clergy member who provides spiritual care for individuals in a non-religious organization, rather than a church congregation. Chaplains can work in government roles and serve members of the military in different locations. They can serve patients in healthcare or hospice facilities. Working in police departments, fire departments, and prisons is also common for chaplains.

Since chaplains are ordained ministers, they can officiate ceremonies such as weddings and funerals. They can lead baptism services and provide final rites for patients who are passing away. Chaplains can also take on the role of a spiritual leader for individuals who do not belong to a specific religious community.

Rather than preaching messages directed toward one religious group, chaplains lead non-denominational religious services that can benefit individuals from a variety of religious or spiritual backgrounds. Chaplains who hold positions at different institutions can also minister to staff members. For example, chaplains at hospitals can provide spiritual care to nurses, doctors, and administrators, as well as to patients and their families.

What Does a Pastor Do?

The main difference between a chaplain and a pastor is that they serve people in different locations. A pastor is an ordained clergy member who works in one religious organization, such as a church or parish. Pastors serve their congregation consistently by planning and overseeing weekly church services. They typically lead worship services and preach sermons. Providing spiritual guidance for specific communities of believers, according to the beliefs of a certain denomination, is the most important duty of pastors.

Delegating responsibilities to staff members — to ensure the church can effectively function — is another essential aspect of a pastor’s job. Often, pastors hire worship leaders, youth pastors, administrators, and community outreach leaders to perform various tasks within a church. Volunteers can also take on certain roles during weekly services.

Sometimes, pastors can also serve in a chaplain-like role, administering to individuals at a local hospital, prison, or military base. However, rather than being a permanent board-certified chaplain for an organization, pastors usually volunteer a certain amount of their time each week or month.

A pastor can have a different title in different religious settings. For example, many Protestant Christians refer to their religious leaders as pastors, while Catholics refer to theirs as priests. Believers in non-Christian faiths or other religions also have different names for their spiritual leaders.