Specialized Pastoral Ministry

Meeting the Needs of Others

Through The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s Specialized Pastoral Ministry programs, more than 580 ordained pastors as well as commissioned men and women receive training to serve as institutional and emergency services chaplains, pastoral counselors and clinical pastoral educators.

These professional church workers offer comprehensive service that includes Word or Word and Sacrament ministry, counseling, compassionate care and contextual education for specialized pastoral ministries.

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• Chaplains work in institutions such as:

  • Hospitals

  • Prisons

  • Hospices

  • Retirement homes

  • Homes for people who are physically and mentally challenged

   

  Chaplains work in Emergency Services Chaplaincy such as:

  • Law enforcement

  • Fire fighting

   

  Chaplains work in Disaster Response

   

  Pastoral counselors work one-on-one or in small groups in:

  • Clinics

  • Private practices

  • Counseling centers

  • Congregations

   

  Specialized Pastoral Ministry programs address human concerns in multiple settings:

  • Self-worth in later years (long-term care facilities)

  • Lifestyle changes (general health care facilities)

  • Values and meaning in life (mental health care centers)

  • Justice, forgiveness and interpreting God's love (correctional institutions

  • Direction for life renewal (pastoral counseling settings)

  • Quality of life at life's end (hospices)

  • Spiritual renewal (substance abuse and counseling centers)

  • Maximum spiritual potential for individuals (people with disabilities)

  • Crisis response (workplace, fire/police headquarters)

  • Disaster trauma services (through congregations or other institutions following an emergency)

   

  Training and equipping ministers to serve in various, specialized settings, clinical educators:

  • Assist students in applying their theology clearly and meaningfully

  • Teach skills which equip ministers to provide counseling and pastoral care to people who are suffering and/or are in crisis

  • Help students become aware of the grace and strength they have by the power and mercy of the Holy Spirit to keep themselves out of God's healing way