Hospital Ministry Workshop

Adventist Midwest Health offers a unique opportunity to become part of the volunteer chaplain program under the supervision of the Pastoral Care Department. Workshops are offered for laity and clery bi-annually. There is no charge for the program, however attendance at all workshop sessions is required to be considered for this volunteer position.
   The Hospital Ministry Workshop consists of about 20 hours of training, including volunteer orientations, lectures, verbatims, dramatizations, discussions and shadowing of the staff chaplains.
   The ministry training sessions will be held one weekend, starting on Friday evening and continuing through Saturday. A 10-hour practicum will follow, as scheduled with Pastoral Care.
   A certificate in Hospital Ministry will be presented to those who successfully complete the workshop and practicum requirements. After completion of the practicum, those who wish to minister as a volunteer chaplain will be selected through an interview process.
   A covenant for ministry must be signed which will include a number of obligations:

• A commitment to serve as a volunteer chaplain for at least six months.
• A minimum of four hours ministry per week, preferably two or more days per week.
• Participation in volunteer chaplain continuing education offered by the hospital.
• A willingness to minister to patients in need and the ability to visit the patients assigned by the nursing staff or staff chaplains.
• Respect the right to privacy and maintain confidentiality of information regarding staff, patients, and their friends and family members.
• Avoid involvement with staff, patients and their friends and family members in controversial issues of policies, politics, philosophies and religion.