What is Community Service Chaplaincy?

1. What is Community Service Chaplaincy? Community Service Chaplaincy (CSC) officially began in 1994 and has continued through the present as The International Association of Community Service Chaplains. Although Chaplains have been doing this ministry for many years, it has become a vital and exciting ministry of community outreach, disaster response, benevolence and Care. The priority of Community Service Chaplaincy is the anticipated response and need for pastoral care, spiritual and emotional assistance, as well as guidance in times of personal or community crisis. The Community Service Chaplain is committed to provide spiritual and emotional guidance, thus giving an atmosphere of peace, trust and confidentiality.

2. What is Community Service Chaplaincy? Community Service Chaplains are trained in the areas of counseling, pastoral care and other ministry related areas, as well as responding to natural and man-made disasters around the world. We are in the service of our churches, communities and the kingdom of God. Community Service Chaplaincy extends around the world into a number of continents and countries including Europe, Canada, USA, South America, South Africa, United Kingdom, Philippine Islands and many other countries. Community Service Chaplaincy is multi cultural and multi lingual, thus reaching into many ethnics and people groups. Presently The International Association of Community Service Chaplains has trained over 10,000 chaplains and have certified more than 6000 world wide.

3. Becoming a Community Service Chaplain Becoming a certified Community Service Chaplain involves participation, and completion of at least one (1) three day intensive chaplaincy course. This course will teach the basics of Community Service Chaplaincy and will give the candidate a basis of community service ministry and outreach. Upon completion of this intensive course, the application for certification can be submitted to the offices of the The International Association of Community Service Chaplains, Inc. A background check will be filed. A monthly online report must be filed with TIACSC. Recertification is done annually and is an easy process. The Chaplain need only complete 10 classroom hours of continuing education and renew there background check in order to maintain certification

4. Frequently Asked Questions Question: Do I have to be a clergy person to become a Community Service Chaplain. Answer : No,. Certification as a Community Service Chaplain is a credential of training and proficiency in a skilled discipline. Question: Is the Chaplaincy Credential the same as a ministers license? Answer: No, the certification credential for Community Service Chaplaincy is NOT an ecclesiastical credential, but rather a professional credential of proficiency in a skilled discipline.

5. Frequently Asked Questions Question: How often do I need to renew my certification? Answer : As of June 1, 2013, renewal is required once a year. Question: Do I need to have a background check if I am a minister? Answer: Yes, while it is annoying to do this every year, the continued legal issues which plague our nation require that we now do annual backgrounds. Question: I took a chaplaincy seminar many years ago, can I apply for certification based on that training? Answer: It actually depends, if the training was within the last three calendar years, YES, otherwise NO.

6. Frequently Asked Questions Question: How much does it cost to take a CSC Seminar? Answer : All seminars, such as Level I, Level II, Level III and Disaster Response (CERT) seminars are $360.00 . Question: Is there a discount if my spouse attends with me? Answer: Yes, a married couple will only pay $490.00 Question: Do I have to pay again if I have previously taken the seminar(s)? Answer: Not normally, but this can depend on how long ago you took the same seminar or which level you took. Please call the office to insure a correct answer to this question.

7. Frequently Asked Questions Question: Can I get academic credit for this course? Answer : Yes, but it will also depend on your present educational level. Question: Will the Community Service Chaplaincy issue CEU’s? Answer: Yes. Question: How long will it take to process my certification? Answer: Normally it takes 3 – 5 weeks for the credential to arrive to you.

8. Chaplaincy Certification Levels and Scope of Advancement and Training

9. Chaplaincy Certification and Levels • After initial certification with the Community Service Chaplaincy, each Chaplain can continue to pursue Levels of chaplaincy which range from CSC Chaplains through CSC Senior Master. These levels of chaplaincy are based on training courses, years in chaplaincy service and the passing of a peer board. Various specialized courses are offered to include, Suicide prevention, Domestic Violence, Disaster Response and others.

10. Chaplaincy Certification and Levels • The International Association of Community Service Chaplains, (TIACSC) is continually striving to achieve the highest levels of professionalism. The Community Service Chaplains section is no less dedicated to providing a professional training cadre and a chaplains corps which will truly have a dynamic impact upon the church and communities which it serves. Following is some vital information which will aid the reader in understanding the requirements, qualifications and advancement levels of Community Service Chaplaincy ministry.

11. The Chaplaincy Credential • NOTE: Certification with the TIACSC is a credential of training and proficiency in a skilled discipline. It is NOT to be understood as an ecclesiastical license from any denomination. Any use of this credential for ecclesiastical purposes must be in compliance with the holder's own denominational provisions and authorities.

12. Certification of Chaplains • Community Service Chaplains stand ready to certify those who have been recommended by the local church and pastor, as Community Service Chaplains providing all required training and assessments have been otherwise met. • Certification by the TIACSC does not constitute official licensing in any Denomination, but rather is a departmental credential for chaplaincy purposes only.

13. Certification of Chaplains • All Chaplains, prior to certification, must complete the proper application, pass a criminal background check and pay all necessary and applicable fees. • Should the State Bishop or local pastor contact The International Association of Community Service Chaplains, regarding a disciplinary problem, moral or otherwise, pertaining to a certified chaplain, said chaplain shall be notified in writing and be placed on a suspended list until the issue is resolved.

14. Certification of Chaplains • Certification is taken very seriously by the TIACSC. It is viewed as a tool for present and future chaplaincy involvement in the church and the community. Certification is therefore a valued commodity which must be sought after, earned and retained through discipline, ethical conduct and respect.

15. Certification of Chaplainscontinued • Certification can only be granted from the TIACSC by Certified and Approved CSC instructors. No certification will be awarded unless the course is completed, the test is passed and the Application for Certification form is endorsed by a local pastor or a representative from the Agency for which you are serving.

16. Levels of Chaplaincy Advancement Following is a brief description of the levels of chaplaincy rank and advancement with the Community Service Chaplains

17. CSC Basic • The following qualifications are required to meet Certification Standards as a Community Service Chaplain: • Have attended and completed one (1) Level I CSC Seminar. • Must be actively involved or seeking involvement in a community service ministry - CSC, Local Church Chaplaincy, etc.

18. CSC Basic - continued • Have completed and passed a criminal background check. • Must work under the supervision of a pastor, agency liaison or designee of such. • Must serve at this level for a minimum of one (1 ) year, prior to promotion to next level, unless recommended otherwise by pastor or agency liaison.

19. CSC Advanced • The following qualifications are required to meet Certification Standards as CSC Advanced Chaplain: • Have attended and completed one (1) Level I and one (1) Level II CSC Seminars within the past three (3) years. • Has written a three (3) page philosophy of Community Service Chaplaincy. • Must be actively involved in a community service ministry - CSC, Local Church Chaplaincy, etc. • Have completed and passed an updated criminal background check

20. CSC Advanced, continued • Must work under the supervision of a pastor, agency liaison or designee of such. • Must meet and pass a Regional Chaplaincy Board. • Must serve at this level for a minimum of one (1) year, prior to promotion to next level, unless recommended by the Regional Coordinator and approved by the Coordinator of Community Service Chaplains and Training.

21. CSC ChaplainMaster Chaplain • The following qualifications are required to meet Certification Standards as CSC Master Chaplain: • Have attend and completed two (2) Level I and two (2) Level II CSC Seminars, or equivalent, within the past three (3) years. • Has selected a specific discipline of Chaplaincy and has written a five (5) page assessment of the selected discipline. • Must meet and pass a Regional Chaplaincy Board.

22. CSC ChaplainMaster Chaplain, Cont’d • Have completed and passed an updated criminal background check. • Must work under the supervision of a Bishop, pastor, agency liaison or designee of such. • Must serve at this level for two (2) years, prior to promotion to next level, unless recommended by the Regional Coordinator and approved by the Coordinator of Community Service Chaplains and Training.

23. CSC Chaplain Senior Master • The following qualifications are required to meet Certification Standards as CSC Senior Master: • Have met all the requirements of Master Community Service Chaplain. • Must have a combined chaplaincy service totaling five (5) years, prior to promotion, unless recommended by the Coordinator of CSC and Training. • Must possess a Technicians level Amateur Radio Operators License. • Must be approved by the Chairman of the board of The International Association of Community Service Chaplains.

24. Processing Time • All Badges, IDs and other outsourced items will be subject to a time requirement. • Pocket and Wallet Badges require 8 – 12 weeks for delivery from the date order is placed for the TIACSC office. • ID Cards will require 3 – 5 weeks time lapse from the day that all fees and application forms are submitted and approved