Last year I introduced you to the Bristol Chaplaincy ministry run by Richard & Lois Evans. With the amazing vision to saturate their city centre and surrounding area with Chaplains who go out of their churches, showing God’s love in the ordinary places.
I love that they are now multiplying this model and have created Pioneering Chaplaincy. An initiative to provide training, mentoring and coaching in Chaplaincy. The next online training course starts on the 28th January.
Richard explains how they got there………..
After launching in 2023, we’ve been shocked by the number of people contacting us asking about Chaplaincy and in particular about what Chaplaincy training is available. How people can find out more and get started in this exciting ministry that has seen a resurgence and new wave of growth and interest in recent years.
Having researched various training routes we couldn’t find any courses that provided a solid introduction and foundation in Chaplaincy, other than some significant year long or degree courses. So in mid 2024 we decided to launch ‘Pioneering Chaplaincy’ to provide training, mentoring and coaching.
The training course, ‘Exploring Chaplaincy’ is aimed at both people who are considering chaplaincy as a ministry and want to know more, or those who are just starting out as new chaplains.
The course covers the basics of chaplaincy, what chaplaincy is, the biblical foundations of chaplaincy, listening skills, an introduction to mental health first aid, building resilience and different chaplaincy models.
Our first cohort was a huge success and we had some fantastic feedback from those attending the course:
“The course is energising, thought-provoking, challenging, practical and fun. I've learnt a lot but more than anything I'm excited to move forward now into a life of chaplaincy.”, Angela (Bristol, UK)
“The Exploring Chaplaincy course gives you an in-depth look at what chaplaincy is, the gift it is to our communities, and looks at the many varied and creative shapes it takes. It is full of how to's that help you to be intentional, to honour story, and to achieve balance to take care of yourself as you live life out a lifestyle of 'with and for' people with Jesus. This course will encourage your heart!”, Raeanne (Phoenix, USA)
The next chaplaincy training course starts on Tuesday 28th January and runs for 7 evenings on zoom.
You can find more information on their website and can book onto the course here - Exploring Chaplaincy Tickets, Tue 28 Jan 2025 at 19:00 | Eventbrite (mention Ian Green for a discount).
Alongside the Exploring Chaplaincy training course we’ve developed a 6 week person-led mentoring programme aimed at the personal development of existing chaplains. We had the pleasure of working with a chaplain in the Isle of wight who is leading a new chaplaincy project. We were able to help bring clarity to her vision, build confidence and give practical advice in networking and building strategic relationships. This mentoring is ongoing and we are looking forward to visiting the project in the early part of 2025.
The 12 month coaching programme is to provide support and work alongside a church or an organisation to help pioneer a new chaplaincy expression from the start. We are passionate about seeing chaplaincy spread into as many places as possible so our coaching programme allows us to actively support the exciting but crucial first year of a new project, with a focus on pioneering, strategic thinking, vision and the creation of the right structures, resources and policies. We are currently in talks with 2 organisations on helping their ideas become a reality in 2025.
It doesn’t stop there, in 2025 our focus is on developing short ‘masterclasses’ in the core competencies of chaplaincy and we are building a library of essential and relevant resources, documents and policies.
We love not only serving Jesus in our own chaplaincy expressions and reaching those who need Jesus in the city of Bristol, but helping and encouraging others to do the same where they live.
If you would like to know more about what we do and how we could partner with you in 2025, please contact us at info@pioneeringchaplaincy.co.uk and we would love to talk to you.
Richard and Lois Evans
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