chaplaincy special interest group

The OneSpirit Chaplaincy Special Interest Group was created to support, empower, and advocate for OneSpirit ministers who feel called to chaplaincy. As chaplains, our ministers bring interfaith perspectives and deep spiritual presence into spaces where people seek comfort, guidance, and meaning.

This group was formed in response to the growing interest among OneSpirit ministers in exploring chaplaincy as a vocation, whether in healthcare, prisons, workplaces, military service, or community-based spiritual care. However, we recognise that pathways into chaplaincy are not always straightforward, and that OneSpirit ministers may face unique challenges when seeking recognition, placements, or professional development.

Our purpose is to explore opportunities, overcome barriers, and create clear pathways for our ministers to engage in chaplaincy work. We do this by:

  • Investigating professional routes into chaplaincy and identifying key requirements.
  • Building relationships with recognised chaplaincy organisations and governing bodies.
  • Assessing training and professional development needs to ensure our ministers are well-equipped for this field.
  • Offering support, networking, and resources to those pursuing chaplaincy roles.

Through this work, we aim to ensure that OneSpirit ministers are seen, valued, and included in the wider landscape of chaplaincy, with opportunities to serve people from all walks of life in a meaningful way.

WHAT IS CHAPLAINCY?

Chaplaincy is a form of spiritual and pastoral care that provides emotional, spiritual, and ethical support to individuals and communities in diverse settings. Chaplains serve people of all faiths and none, offering a compassionate presence, deep listening, and guidance during times of crisis, transition, celebration, and loss.

Chaplains work in a variety of environments, including:

– Hospitals and hospices, supporting patients, families, and healthcare staff through illness, grief, and end-of-life care.

– Prisons, providing emotional and spiritual guidance to those incarcerated, often helping them find hope, healing, and rehabilitation.

– The military, offering moral and spiritual support to service members in high-pressure and challenging environments.

– Workplaces, where chaplains provide pastoral care to employees facing stress, ethical dilemmas, or personal hardships.

– Educational institutions, assisting students and staff with pastoral care, well-being, and ethical discussions.

– Community settings, working in interfaith or secular spaces to foster connection, meaning, and social justice.

At its heart, chaplaincy is about being present for others, offering non-judgemental support, and helping people find strength, peace, and clarity in their lives. Chaplains do not impose religious beliefs but instead create a space where individuals can explore their own sense of meaning, whatever their background or tradition.

OneSpirit ministers, with their interfaith training and deep spiritual grounding, are uniquely positioned to serve as chaplains in today’s diverse world. Our approach honours all faiths, traditions, and spiritual paths, making our ministers well-equipped to support people with a wide range of beliefs and experiences.

OUR FOCUS AREAS

1. Routes into Chaplaincy

Many OneSpirit ministers feel called to chaplaincy but encounter challenges when seeking placements or professional roles. To create clearer pathways, we are exploring ways to support ministers in gaining the necessary experience, recognition, and qualifications.

We are working to:

  • Identify accessible pathways into interfaith chaplaincy across different sectors, including healthcare, prisons, and workplaces.

  • Address key barriers such as official recognition and accountability, ensuring OneSpirit ministers meet professional expectations.

  • Explore entry routes through professional chaplaincy bodies, postgraduate education, and volunteer opportunities that provide hands-on experience.

2. Building Links with Relevant Bodies

Recognition from key chaplaincy organisations is essential for expanding opportunities for OneSpirit ministers. We are working to strengthen relationships with recognised chaplaincy bodies to increase awareness of interfaith ministry and improve professional standing.

We are working to:

  • Investigate how OneSpirit ministers can align with national chaplaincy standards and gain wider institutional recognition.

  • Engage with the UK Board of Healthcare Chaplaincy (UKBHC), which sets professional benchmarks for chaplaincy across the UK.

  • Explore potential partnerships with Interfaith Scotland and the Network for Pastoral, Religious, and Spiritual Care in Health to improve access to chaplaincy roles.

    3. Identifying Training Needs

    Chaplaincy requires a combination of spiritual formation, pastoral care skills, and professional competencies. While OneSpirit’s training provides a strong foundation, we are assessing additional educational needs to support ministers pursuing chaplaincy.

    We are working to:

    • Review how OneSpirit’s curriculum and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) offerings align with professional chaplaincy frameworks.

    • Identify further training opportunities in bereavement support, crisis intervention, safeguarding, and ethical decision-making.

    • Explore postgraduate chaplaincy programmes and bridging courses, ensuring OneSpirit ministers understand their entry requirements and pathways into formal training.

    4. Resources and Support

    Chaplaincy is a deeply rewarding but often complex field, requiring ongoing support, networking, and professional guidance. We are committed to developing resources that help OneSpirit ministers navigate their chaplaincy journey with confidence.

    We are working to:

    • Establish peer support networks where OneSpirit chaplains can share experiences, offer mentorship, and build community.

    • Provide clear guidance on professional registration, including how ROSIM can support credibility and accountability within chaplaincy roles.

    • Develop a comprehensive resource hub with information on qualifications, placements, and professional standards for chaplains.

    “The best part of life is not just surviving, but thriving with passion and compassion and humor and style and generosity and kindness.”

    — Maya Angelou 

    OVERCOMING BARRIERS

    One of the biggest challenges for OneSpirit ministers entering chaplaincy is gaining formal recognition in institutional settings. Many chaplaincy roles — particularly in hospitals, hospices, prisons, and the military — require affiliation with a faith or belief group that meets specific criteria set by governing bodies. While OneSpirit ministers are widely respected for their interfaith training and pastoral care skills, there are still structural barriers that can make securing chaplaincy positions more complex.

    OneSpirit is already legally recognised for conducting weddings in Scotland and has been a stakeholder in consultations on marriage law in England & Wales. However, expanding recognition in the chaplaincy sector is an ongoing process that requires continued engagement with professional bodies and institutions.

    We are actively working towards:

    • Strengthening relationships with chaplaincy governing bodies, ensuring OneSpirit ministers can meet their eligibility requirements.
    • Demonstrating the unique value of interfaith ministry within chaplaincy, highlighting how it fosters inclusivity and provides vital pastoral care to people of all backgrounds.
    • Advocating for greater inclusivity in chaplaincy policies, ensuring that interfaith ministers are recognised as credible and qualified spiritual care providers.

    By addressing these challenges, we aim to broaden opportunities for OneSpirit ministers, allowing them to step into chaplaincy roles with confidence and credibility.

    GET INVOLVED

    If you are a OneSpirit minister exploring chaplaincy or already working in a chaplaincy role, we would love to hear from you! The Chaplaincy Special Interest Group is a collaborative space where ministers can share experiences, navigate challenges, and contribute to expanding chaplaincy opportunities within OneSpirit.

    By joining this group, you can:

    – Connect with fellow ministers who are on the chaplaincy path, exchanging knowledge and support.

    – Help shape the future of interfaith chaplaincy by contributing to discussions on training, recognition, and professional development.

    – Stay informed about developments in the wider chaplaincy sector, including new opportunities, training resources, and policy changes.

    Together, we can create meaningful opportunities for OneSpirit ministers to serve as chaplains in diverse settings and ensure that interfaith spiritual care is recognised as an essential part of chaplaincy.

    CONTACT US

    If you would like to know more about OneSpirit Interfaith Foundation, our community, or the two-year training programme we offer, please contact us or visit our website: 

    For more information about the Chaplaincy Special Interest Group, or to join the conversation, please contact Lavinia, our Community Development Lead.

    Email Lavinia