Associate Chaplain

An Associate Chaplain is a specialized leader, working as a team with the Troop Chaplain to accomplish the Chaplain’s responsibilities. The Chaplain himself has an important portfolio of responsibility regarding youth spiritual development, member care, and the faith focus of the ministry. A portion of the Chaplain’s duties relate to formal instruction, including the teaching (or supervision of the teaching) of the devotional lessons included in troop and patrol time. The Chaplain also mentors youth engaged in the Worthy Life program, or who have accepted the challenge to teach their peers. In addition to these youth-focused activities, the Chaplain works generally to understand the spiritual needs of the families in the troop.

With number of responsibilities, the Chaplain can achieve more through the work of Associate Chaplains in the ministry. A particular Associate Chaplain will generally focus on a smaller portion of these responsibilities. This might be generally duties to a specific age group, or focused duties to all of our membership. We seek men who are servant-minded and passionate to have impact in the spiritual lives of the trailmen and their families.

Qualifications

• Christian man age 21 or older
• Registered Adult (or eligible to be registered)
• Agree to the Shepherd’s Church Doctrinal Statement
• Agree to the Shepherd’s Church Volunteer Covenant and qualified for service

Core Duties

• Under the supervision of the Troop Chaplain, take ownership of an area of Chaplain responsibility, such as a particular age group or a particular ministry focus.
• Assist Trail Guides with the implementation of the Worthy Life program.
• If involved in member care, coordinate with the Chaplain and Membership Chair regarding needs (practical and spiritual) within the troop.

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintain awareness of other ministry opportunities at The Shepherd’s Church.
• Complete Peak 1 and Peak 2 trainings during first year of service.

Timing of Duties

• The Chaplain and Associate Chaplain(s) would coordinate to determine who is needed to support any given function at weekly troop meetings. An Associate Chaplain role is not necessarily a weekly Monday commitment, but participation in some of those meetings is foreseeable.
• Associate Chaplains may be involved in preparation or review of lesson materials outside of meeting times, as well as following up with members and families during the week.
• Associate Chaplains may attend campouts, but do not necessarily have a particular role that would require their attendance at campouts.

Position Attributes