A chaplain is someone who companions others during difficult times. Different than a counselor, therapist, or life coach, professional chaplains attend to a person’s spiritual and existential needs, especially around grief and loss. Chaplains hold space, be-with, and welcome all. Silence, deep listening, and not being afraid allow chaplains to drop their own ego and have good intentions for the well-being of the people they support—free from judgment.
Encountering a safe person in a safe space allows the one companioned to become more comfortable bringing into that space whatever they may need to so that it may be named, acknowledged, and healed. The beautiful thing is that when we feel safe, we can do this for ourselves. The chaplain is neither an expert nor a fixer; the chaplain is present to serve and bear witness to the natural healing abilities already within each person they companion.
Although the word chaplain arose within Christianity nearly 1,000 years ago, chaplains today come from all of the major world religious traditions and now include Humanist Chaplains, Atheist Chaplains, Religious and Spiritual Naturalist Chaplains. (This is What A Chaplain Looks Like.) Professional chaplains do not impose their own beliefs or philosophy on the people they support. Rather, chaplains meet people where they are helping them make sense of things using their own language, beliefs, and stories.
The Spiritual Naturalist Society’s Chaplain is James Jarrett (Bio link here). James has been companioning people during difficult times for over 25 years. If you would like to speak with James, please email SNSChaplains@gmail.com to request a phone appointment.*
*Please Note: Speaking with a chaplain is not a substitute for therapy with a licensed mental health professional. If you or someone you love needs immediate assistance in the US or Canada, please call or text 988. Outside the US and Canada, please visit https://findahelpline.com/ and type in your country to find help now.
For Chaplains
SNS is recognized by the Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc as a spiritual community that endorses chaplains. Endorsement is one part of the credentialing process for professional chaplains and for becoming board certified with BCCI.
SNS endorses chaplains who are members of SNS with the following credentials:
- Masters level education (or equivalent) in philosophy, theology, or a related field.
- A minimum of 4 units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE).
- 2 Letters of Reference (1 by a supervisor or mentor and 1 by a chaplain colleague).
- Approved Application for Endorsement by SNS.
To apply for a letter of endorsement, please email James Jarrett, the Chaplain Supervisor at SNSChaplains@gmail.com with the following:
- Name and contact information.
- Curriculum Vitae or Resume.
- Verification of membership in SNS.
- A description of your sense of your own Spiritual Naturalist identity and orientation after viewing the Spiritual Naturalism 101 Course and reviewing What Is SN?
- Any questions.
The Chaplain Supervisor reviews applications; interviews applicants via phone or video conference; corresponds with follow-up questions; and makes recommendations to the SNS Council regarding endorsement of applicants. Upon approval of an application, the Chaplain Supervisor issues a letter of endorsement to the applicant. If an application is declined, the Chaplain Supervisor explains to the applicant why endorsement is not appropriate.
SNS supports its chaplain endorsees with quarterly Zoom gatherings for continuing education, professional development, relational check-in, and collegial interaction.
Individual SNS chaplain endorsees may contact the Chaplain Supervisor via email at SNSChaplains@gmail.com with questions or needs related to the endorsement process and their work as Spiritual Naturalist Chaplains.