Dirk van der Vorst

Bruce:

Do you know of the impact these modified requirements have on ordained ministers who work in specialized ministry settings such as Canadian Chaplains?

How sad that the institution that is suppose to train leaders and pastors in "formation for ministry" graduates candidates that have not been mentored in the practice of ministry.  This is why I believe, at minimum, one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) should be required for every Calvin Seminary Graduate.   This experience-based action / reflection model is a place were students are challenged to form their pastoral identity, face their fears, weakness and short-comings and under the supervision of a spiritual director who sets a clear direction to engage their talents, gifts and abilities to work for clear personally -tailored learning goal & outcomes.  In the CPE context one also learns the value of peer groups and mutual accountability & encouragement.  Others can shed light on our blind spots.

I am part of a professional interfaith chaplain peer group and I count it among one of the most valuable supports in ministry.   These are our ground rules:

1. Must be a professional board certified chaplain and have done at minimum 4 units of CPE.
2. None of the members can be working in the same institution or related work environment (all come from different work contexts –no work relationship outside the group
3. When new members are added each member has veto power and can say “no” for any reason, no questions asked or justification needed.   Members are added by 100% yes group vote.
4. What is shared in the room stays in the room.

We meet quarterly, do check in and any member can bring any issue to the group as they please. –we never lack for volunteers.  Currently we have about 8 chaplains/spiritual care providers in our group.

Every pastor should be part of a peer support group.