Point PaperWhat is a chaplain? Traditionally, a chaplain is a religious person in charge of a particular group, usually outside the church. These groups could be: hospital chaplains, military chaplains, prison chaplains or school chaplains. How you define “chaplain” depends on where that chaplain is located. Today, chaplaincy is a specialized ministry carried out by ordinary people, men or women. They are trained to provide care and support – personal, emotional, physical, relational and spiritual. They are there to listen and provide a safe environment for people to share their feelings. They also help people solve life problems and help them in times of crisis and difficulties. Simply put, wherever there is a need for care and support; that’s where the chaplain should be. The purpose of this article is to define what it means to be a chaplain and what being one entails. “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me: he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and liberation to the captives. prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. Isaiah 61:1-2 NRSV. This is the call to all Christians and especially to those ordained or authorized to ministry by the Church. Traditionally, chaplains are considered religious experts, those who know the Bible, are able to perform specific religious functions, are the "help line" for prayer, those who call when faced with ethical problems, a confidential ear in all circumstances. . As religious experts, chaplains are expected to have a more intimate knowledge of the Bible and God's saving plan for humanity, God's love, healing and promises, answers for... ... middle of paper ......hands the expert or consultant. It appears that the future of chaplaincy hangs in the balance. Are chaplains evolving with the times, accepting change and development, working toward professional status, or maintaining the status quo? What, do they remain important to the well-being of the entire community but fail to communicate it and risk extinction or, at best, compassionate tolerance? More than ever, society requires employees to prove their worth through research, auditing and refining practices. Chaplains are part of it! In addition to maintaining their distinctive role as stewards to their faith communities, chaplains must ensure that they clearly express their distinctive role as spiritual caretakers. It involves time, energy and action and taking on multiple roles simultaneously. This implies being ready to evaluate and review practices and above all to change.