As an ordained minister, I had many options for pursuing a chaplaincy program, and I am deeply grateful that I chose the Chaplaincy Institute. The variety of classes, the interfaith perspective, and the stellar faculty have made my experience, thus far, extraordinary. There is a depth to every class that has managed to capture my interest and expand my skillset and knowledge base. The added bonus is getting to know other students who are on a similar path. We meet every other week with our cohort and there is so much love and support, as well as deep dialogue and sharing. Everyone is authentic, loving, and supportive. Lastly, I want to add that the availability of the staff is phenomenal; everyone from the Dean, my academic advisor, the Community Minister, and the Administrative Specialist all work together to create an atmosphere that is conducive to our learning experience and success.
I am a current student at the Chaplaincy Institute, also interning with hospice as an interfaith chaplain. I have learned deeply about serving with grace and compassion, in a world that needs love and caring. I highly recommend this program to anyone wanting to learn about chaplaincy or interested in interfaith spiritual care. The experience has transformed me and built my confidence through classes in world religions, spiritual care, ministry, and social justice. I have found my community, my calling, my life mission through learning at ChI!
I'm attending the ordination program at the Chaplaincy Institute, and it's incredible. It has been so impactful on me as a person, the way I show up in the world and the way I conduct myself spiritually. I feel a sense of confidence, grounding, and spiritual authority. I highly recommend ChI and wish everyone could attend!
I am a student and community member here. I highly recommend any potential student to learn more and any potential donors to consider giving to an organization bringing such needed hope and peace into our world.
I could never have imagined the depth with which this program has changed my life. I expected to learn - yes, build a community- indeed, transformation at my core - beyond what I could have imagined or hoped. The faculty is top-notch, experienced, and passionately engaged. The coursework is compelling and challenging. I have no doubt I will be fully prepared to offer my gifts to the world once I've completed my work at The Chaplaincy Institute. Look no further.
Previous Stories
I attend this school and have only great things to say about my experience. The teachers are amazing, the curriculum is second to none and each student is treated with care. Leaders are passionate about seeing their students succeed. The administration is open minded and think outside the box to make ChI a successful educational experience for all. ChI is committed to the whole human. They teach value lessons, communication and leadership skills. My experience at ChI has been exceptional.
The interfaith chaplaincy program allowed me an opportunity to eventually act on my passion to offer spiritual care within a long term health care setting. ChI provided me excellent educational classes on world religion practices and theologies, spiritual psychology, spiritual development and growth, and chaplaincy as well as provided me the community that continues to support me in what I consider important social justice and chaplaincy work. I recommend Chi for all those interested in spiritual care.
I attended The Chaplaincy Institute in 2018. It changed my personal and professional life. I found my healing and purpose as I continue my life journey.
The Chaplaincy Institute Interfaith Seminary and Community is an experience of deep Welcome and inclusion of all voices and bodies who seek to be a healing presence of Light and Compassion in the world. The Institute provides competent and challenging opportunities to allow oneself to be formed as a chaplain for service to any wounded layer of Creation, whether that be tending to the hearts of Earth’s creatures, or to its organic systems designed to promote and sustain life. The Institute provides an avenue to personal discovery and healing so that one may find deeper capacities to hold space for others in their time of need. I am forever grateful to The Chaplaincy Institute for its vision and commitment to helping each person discover their voice and empowered place for Justice in all places at all times.
Previous Stories
The Chaplaincy Institute is where my heart found a space to listen and to discover ways to live out the truth of my heart’s calling to serve in justice and healing. There truly is room for everyone- without judgment- only welcome and invitation to be formed as interspiritual healers in a wounded, life-giving world. I give thanks everyday for the teachers, classmates with whom I am in membership- and the ongoing mission of compassionate presence we support in one another.
ChI has changed my life. Through patience and perseverance I have set a course for my spirituality and my life.
The Chaplaincy Institute's programs were life changing for me. So much deep wisdom and integrity. I went there for vocational reasons, and those needs were fully met, but the impact was far greater.
A unique school to support and equip those called to chaplaincy, social justice ministry and spiritual direction/companionship. This school was founded to especially serve those who, like me, fall outside of the acceptable criteria of ministerial candidates of their spiritual tradition. For me it was gender - being a woman in the Roman Catholic tradition.
"ChI" offers a wonderful adaptive curriculum that teaches theological and spiritual literacy, ministerial arts (how to be with people, especially at thresholds) and personal spiritual and psychological healing and development. Great faculty with real world ministerial and social justice experience! The ordaining community offers ongoing support, networking, resources, continuing education and spiritual connection among graduates and faculty.
This interfaith seminary offers valuable courses and elective offerings that further spiritual care in our times.
I’ve been fortunate to experience the Chaplaincy Institute’s true living commitment to integrity, depth, care, creativity, inclusivity, justice, sustainability, service, and a better world.
I attended Chaplaincy Institute in 2016 and was ordained as an interfaith Minister in early 2019. The two plus years of seminary was a life changer for me! I am finally following my soul’s calling. Outstanding professors and classmates coupled with learning about faiths of the world makes this seminary a MUST for all who desire to find a deeper connection with the Divine.
About a year before I retired from a 30 year career in IT, I enrolled at the Chaplaincy Institute. It was much more than just theology classes. I learned about the spiritual needs and hardships that people face and the best way for me to be of service to them. I learned how to be fully present with people on the worst day of their lives, offer compassion and yet remain centered myself. I have transformed from a hi-tech computer hardware geek into one who provides spiritual solace and presence for people of all faith traditions as well as those of none. This is work I can do the rest of my life.
Previous Stories
CHI was the life changing experience I hoped it would be. I showed up with anxieties (personal and professional) and self-doubt. From day one I was affirmed, challenged (in good ways), and supported by staff and peers. Anything I ever found lacking at CHI was "repaid" in heart and mission. For --what I consider--a young school creating a unique program and path, I've been pleased.
I started with ChI at it's beginning and was Ordained as an Interfaith Minister and Chaplain in 2002. Thhis experience allowed me to deeply study and practice my commitment to Judaism (birth religion), Unitarian Universalism (I have been a religious educator with the UU denomination for 60 years) and the study of Buddhism. I am now retired and a Chaplain at my UU Church in Berkeley, CA. Being at ChI allow me to be Ordained in the ministry without having to pick one religious practice and preach in a Protestant church. It has given me a deeply spiritual and praxis life. I encourage anyone who resonates with such experiences to look into the Chaplaincy Institute. Blessings to all. Rev. Frances K. Moulton
Both my education and the spiritual community with The Chaplaincy Institute was excellent, beyond what I expected, especially in the time of Covid and online seminary!
I attended this seminary, deep-diving in multiple world faith traditions and learning how to provide skilled spiritual care to people of all faiths - and to people of no particular faith. I believe strongly in the mission of "ChI" and am grateful that a place like this exists.
The Chaplaincy Institute prepared me well to serve as a hospital chaplain and interfaith spiritual director. ChI affirmed my multi-faith spirituality, encouraged my creative self-expression, and ordained and blessed my work in the world. Their approach to experiential learning grows the whole person, not just the intellect. I'm delighted to see ChI continuing to grow in so many ways, negotiating several tough transitions. It's not an easy time for seminaries. As one of a small number of Interfaith schools, it has an increasingly important role to play in our world in transition.
I received a certificate in Interfaith Spiritual Direction in 2011. I really liked the interfaith nature of this program. It has served me well since I got my certificate.
I gave found ChI to be highly responsive and caring, truly dedicated to their work preparing modern spiritual leaders for the challenging work they face in today’s world.
I always look forward to the continuing education and new programs offered by the Chaplaincy Institute. Grateful for the surprises to be uncovered in working with Chaplains. The Interfaith dimension is a great resource in my work in Hospice settings among people who have a chance to reflect on the meaning in their lives.