🧭 Chaplaincy Parish and Visitation Ministry Plan
🧭 Chaplaincy Parish and Visitation Ministry Plan
PAGE — 🧭 Chaplaincy Parish and Visitation Ministry Plan
Purpose
This worksheet helps a legacy or plateaued church design a practical, accountable, and compassionate Chaplaincy Parish and Visitation Ministry.
A chaplaincy parish is a defined ministry assignment where trained Christian leaders offer prayerful presence, listening, encouragement, Scripture when appropriate, visitation, grief care, crisis-sensitive support, and community presence.
This plan supports Topic 11: Chaplaincy Parish Ministry, Visitation, Grief Care, and Community Presence, which includes chaplaincy parish ministry, visitation, grief care, community presence, and training volunteer or part-time chaplains through CLI.
1. Chaplaincy Parish Vision Statement
Write a one-sentence vision for your chaplaincy parish.
Our Chaplaincy Parish and Visitation Ministry exists to:
Sample Vision Statement
Our Chaplaincy Parish and Visitation Ministry exists to bring the presence, comfort, prayer, and care of Christ to the sick, grieving, lonely, elderly, homebound, disconnected, and hurting people in our church and community.
2. Who Will This Chaplaincy Parish Serve?
Check all that apply.
☐ Homebound church members
☐ Hospitalized members
☐ Nursing home residents
☐ Assisted living residents
☐ Hospice patients
☐ Widows and widowers
☐ Grieving families
☐ Families after funerals
☐ Elderly members
☐ Lonely or isolated people
☐ Disconnected former attenders
☐ People recovering from surgery or illness
☐ First responders
☐ Veterans
☐ Workplace employees
☐ School staff or students where permitted
☐ Community members in crisis
☐ People in recovery
☐ Families facing hardship
☐ Other: ______________________________________
Priority Group
Which group should your church begin serving first?
Why?
3. Define the First Chaplaincy Parish Assignment
Do not begin everywhere at once. Choose one focused starting place.
Our first chaplaincy parish assignment will be:
☐ Homebound member visitation
☐ Nursing home visitation
☐ Hospital visitation
☐ Funeral follow-up and grief care
☐ Elderly care and encouragement
☐ First responder encouragement
☐ Community crisis presence
☐ Workplace encouragement
☐ Senior adult ministry care
☐ Recovery support presence
☐ Other: ______________________________________
Why This First Assignment Matters
What Need Are We Responding To?
4. Ministry Scope Statement
Complete this section clearly.
Our chaplaincy and visitation ministry provides:
Our chaplaincy and visitation ministry does not provide:
Suggested Scope Statement
This ministry provides Christian presence, listening, prayer with permission, Scripture encouragement where appropriate, visitation, grief support, spiritual care, practical encouragement, and referral awareness. It does not provide licensed counseling, medical care, legal advice, financial planning, emergency response, investigation, crisis therapy, or professional clinical treatment.
5. Chaplaincy Ministry Boundaries
Mark each boundary your church will adopt.
☐ Chaplaincy ministers will not diagnose medical or mental health conditions.
☐ Chaplaincy ministers will not provide licensed counseling unless separately qualified and serving in that role.
☐ Chaplaincy ministers will not give legal advice.
☐ Chaplaincy ministers will not give medical advice.
☐ Chaplaincy ministers will not give financial advice.
☐ Chaplaincy ministers will not investigate abuse allegations privately.
☐ Chaplaincy ministers will not promise unlimited confidentiality.
☐ Chaplaincy ministers will not share private stories casually.
☐ Chaplaincy ministers will not pressure prayer, Scripture, or church attendance.
☐ Chaplaincy ministers will not visit in unsafe or inappropriate settings.
☐ Chaplaincy ministers will not handle crisis situations alone.
☐ Chaplaincy ministers will refer when the need goes beyond their role.
☐ Chaplaincy ministers will serve under oversight.
Additional Boundaries Needed
6. Confidentiality Statement
Write the statement your chaplaincy ministers will use when appropriate.
Our confidentiality statement:
Sample Confidentiality Statement
“What you share will be treated with respect and privacy. I will not share it casually. However, confidentiality has limits. If there is danger, abuse, self-harm, harm to others, or a situation where outside help is needed, I may need to involve appropriate support.”
7. Permission Practices
Chaplaincy ministry should honor dignity and consent.
Before Visiting
☐ Ask whether a visit is welcome.
☐ Ask what time works best.
☐ Ask whether the person prefers a short visit.
☐ Ask whether another family member or caregiver should be present.
☐ Respect if the person declines a visit.
During the Visit
☐ Ask before praying.
☐ Ask before reading Scripture.
☐ Ask before physical touch, such as holding a hand or placing a hand on a shoulder.
☐ Ask before sharing any update with church leaders or prayer teams.
☐ Ask about practical needs without pressuring.
Sample Permission Phrases
“Would a short visit be welcome this week?”
“Would it be okay if I prayed with you before I leave?”
“Would a brief Scripture be encouraging right now?”
“Is there anything you would like me to share with the pastor or care team, or would you prefer I keep this private?”
8. Referral Awareness Plan
Chaplaincy ministers should refer when the need goes beyond their role.
Situations Requiring Referral or Immediate Support
Check all your church will name in the chaplaincy policy.
☐ Suicidal thoughts
☐ Threats of harm to others
☐ Abuse or suspected abuse
☐ Domestic violence
☐ Child safety concerns
☐ Vulnerable adult concerns
☐ Medical emergency
☐ Severe depression or anxiety
☐ Trauma symptoms
☐ Serious addiction
☐ Unsafe living conditions
☐ Criminal activity
☐ Legal questions
☐ Financial crisis requiring professional help
☐ Complicated grief
☐ Spiritual abuse or church trauma requiring outside support
☐ Emergency danger
☐ Other: ______________________________________
Local Referral Resources
List trusted local resources.
Pastor / Elder / Ministry Overseer:
Licensed Counselor / Counseling Center:
Medical Provider / Clinic / Hospital:
Hospice Contact:
Funeral Home Contact:
Domestic Violence Resource:
Addiction Recovery Resource:
Emergency / Crisis Contact:
Senior Services / Aging Resource:
Legal Aid / Professional Referral:
Other:
9. Chaplaincy Minister Qualifications
Who should serve in this ministry?
Check desired qualities.
☐ Mature Christian character
☐ Faithful church involvement
☐ Humility
☐ Teachability
☐ Prayerfulness
☐ Emotional steadiness
☐ Good listening skills
☐ Respect for confidentiality
☐ Boundary awareness
☐ Patience with grief and suffering
☐ Comfort with silence
☐ Willingness to refer
☐ Willingness to serve under oversight
☐ Completion of assigned CLI training
☐ Local endorsement or recommendation
☐ Background check if required by church policy
☐ Other: ______________________________________
Potential Chaplaincy Ministers or Visitation Team Members
10. CLI Training Pathway
What training should each chaplaincy or visitation minister complete before serving publicly?
Required CLI Courses or Training Steps
Optional Next Steps
☐ Christian Leaders Alliance chaplaincy pathway
☐ Local church commissioning
☐ Mentor review
☐ Elder/deacon/board review
☐ Soul Center ministry connection
☐ Visitation ministry team appointment
☐ Grief care ministry appointment
☐ Other: ______________________________________
11. Oversight Structure
Chaplaincy and visitation ministry should not operate alone.
Who Will Oversee This Ministry?
☐ Pastor
☐ Elder
☐ Deacon
☐ Church board
☐ Ministry director
☐ Retired minister
☐ Trained mentor
☐ Soul Center leader
☐ Outside ministry advisor
☐ Other: ______________________________________
Name of overseer or oversight team:
Oversight Rhythm
How often will chaplaincy ministers check in?
☐ Weekly
☐ Twice per month
☐ Monthly
☐ Quarterly
☐ After crisis situations
☐ As needed for urgent concerns
☐ Other: ______________________________________
What Will Oversight Review?
☐ General ministry health
☐ Boundary questions
☐ Referral needs
☐ Safety concerns
☐ Training progress
☐ Visitation schedule
☐ Grief follow-up
☐ Confidentiality concerns
☐ Spiritual health of chaplaincy ministers
☐ Ministry fruit and next steps
12. Safe Visitation Practices
Where and how will visitation happen?
Approved Visit Locations
☐ Private home with appropriate safeguards
☐ Hospital
☐ Nursing home
☐ Assisted living facility
☐ Hospice setting
☐ Funeral home
☐ Church office
☐ Public meeting space
☐ Workplace where permitted
☐ Community location where permitted
☐ Phone call
☐ Online video visit
☐ Other: ______________________________________
Visit Guidelines
☐ Visits will be scheduled when possible.
☐ Visits will not be secretive.
☐ Visits will respect facility rules and family wishes.
☐ Visits will be appropriate in length.
☐ Youth or vulnerable adult visits will follow church policy.
☐ Chaplaincy ministers will not create emotional dependency.
☐ Chaplaincy ministers will know when to end, refer, or involve oversight.
☐ Digital communication will be appropriate and accountable.
Standard visit length: ______________________________________
Standard follow-up rhythm: __________________________________
13. Care List and Ministry Tracking
A chaplaincy parish needs a simple care list.
People or Groups Needing Care
| Name / Group | Care Need | Assigned Minister | Follow-Up Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Privacy Reminder
Only include necessary information. Keep records secure. Do not write gossip, speculation, or unnecessary personal details.
14. Grief Care Follow-Up Plan
Funeral care should not end at the funeral.
After a Death or Funeral
☐ Send card or note within one week.
☐ Call or visit within two weeks if welcomed.
☐ Follow up one month later.
☐ Remember birthday or anniversary dates if known.
☐ Offer prayer and Scripture with permission.
☐ Invite to worship, grief group, or community support without pressure.
☐ Refer to grief counseling or professional support when needed.
Grief Follow-Up Calendar
Name of grieving person or family:
Date of loss:
Important dates to remember:
Assigned care person:
Follow-up plan:
15. Sample Visit Pattern
A simple visit may follow this pattern.
Arrival
Greet warmly.
Ask how the person is doing today.
Notice energy level and setting.
Keep the focus on the person being visited.
Listening
“What has this week been like?”
“What has felt heavy?”
“Where have you sensed God’s nearness or absence?”
“What would be helpful today?”
Encouragement
Offer Scripture if fitting.
Share brief encouragement.
Avoid shallow explanations.
Avoid dominating the conversation.
Prayer
Ask permission.
Pray simply and gently.
Include comfort, strength, peace, hope, and God’s presence.
Closing
Ask about practical needs.
Clarify follow-up.
Leave before the visit becomes tiring.
Record only necessary follow-up information.
16. Sample Visitation Questions
Use questions that honor dignity and invite honest sharing.
How are you doing today, really?
What has been the hardest part of this season?
What has helped you get through the day?
What do you miss most?
What would you like prayer for?
Is there a Scripture that has been meaningful to you?
Are there practical needs the church should know about?
Who else is supporting you right now?
Would another visit be welcome?
Is there anything you would prefer we not share publicly?
What would make you feel remembered by the church?
17. Sample Phrases for Grief and Sickness
Helpful Phrases
“I am so sorry.”
“I am here with you.”
“You do not have to rush your grief.”
“Would you like to tell me about them?”
“This sounds very heavy.”
“I do not have easy answers, but I am honored to sit with you.”
“Would prayer be helpful right now?”
“You matter to God, and you matter to this church.”
Phrases to Avoid
“At least they are in a better place.”
“God needed another angel.”
“You should be over this by now.”
“Everything happens for a reason.”
“Just stay busy.”
“If you had more faith, you would not feel this way.”
“I know exactly how you feel.”
“Let me tell you what you need to do.”
18. First 90-Day Launch Plan
Month 1: Clarify and Prepare
☐ Write chaplaincy parish vision statement
☐ Choose first parish assignment
☐ Define ministry scope
☐ Identify oversight
☐ Identify potential chaplaincy ministers
☐ Choose required CLI training
☐ Create confidentiality statement
☐ Create referral list
☐ Review safe visitation practices
Month 2: Train and Pilot
☐ Begin CLI training pathway
☐ Meet with oversight leader or team
☐ Practice visitation conversations
☐ Review grief care scenarios
☐ Review referral scenarios
☐ Select first care list
☐ Prepare permission and confidentiality language
☐ Clarify ministry tracking practices
Month 3: Begin Small and Review
☐ Begin limited visitation ministry
☐ Hold oversight check-in
☐ Review what is working
☐ Review boundary questions
☐ Update referral list
☐ Adjust visit practices
☐ Decide whether to continue, pause, or expand slowly
19. Ministry Review Questions
After 90 days, review the chaplaincy parish.
Did chaplaincy ministers stay within their role?
Were visits welcomed and appropriate?
Were confidentiality practices followed?
Were any referral situations handled wisely?
Did oversight happen consistently?
Did the ministry bring comfort, prayer, Scripture, and presence without pressure?
Were chaplaincy ministers spiritually healthy and supported?
What needs to be improved before expansion?
Should this ministry continue, pause, or expand?
20. Final Chaplaincy Parish Summary
Our Chaplaincy Parish Vision
Our First Ministry Focus
People or Groups We Will Serve First
Our Chaplaincy Ministers
Our Oversight Plan
Our Training Plan
Our Referral Plan
Our Grief Follow-Up Plan
Our 90-Day Next Step
Final Encouragement
A chaplaincy parish can help a small or legacy church become present again.
It may begin with one trained visitor.
One homebound member remembered.
One grieving family followed up.
One nursing home relationship.
One prayer offered with permission.
One lonely person reminded that they still belong.
This ministry does not need to begin large. It needs to begin faithfully.
A revitalized church does not only ask, “Who will come to our service?”
It also asks, “Who is hurting nearby, and who can we train to go with the presence, comfort, and hope of Christ?”