The Art of Chaplaincy

"This is the most thorough guide to those 29 competencies I've ever seen. Step by step, it walks the reader through each competency: why it matters, ways to develop it, and examples of demonstrating it. I recommend this for anyone seeking to become a Board Certified Chaplain and anyone who supervises, mentors, or otherwise supports future BCCs."

Joel Nightingale Berning, MDiv, BCC, ACPE, CSCS
Editor, BCCI Competencies Rubric

The Art of Chaplaincy: A Comprehensive Guide to the Professional Standards of Spiritual & Pastoral Care is both a teaching tool and a professional guide. It equips chaplains, students, and educators with the foundational skills and standards essential to providing high-quality spiritual and pastoral care in diverse settings.

Each chapter focuses on one of the 29 professional competencies required for recognition by the major Board Certified Chaplain (BCC) organizations: the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC), Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC), the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC), and ACPE. 

Through real-world examples, concise instruction, and model essays, the book demonstrates what professional excellence looks like in practice — and how to express it with clarity and confidence in writing.

Designed for use in CPE programs, certification mentoring, and self-study, The Art of Chaplaincy bridges the gap between classroom learning and professional application. It helps chaplains translate their experiences into language that reflects clarity, competence, and compassion — the true art of professional chaplaincy.

A Textbook for Certification. A Lifelong Resource.

What's Inside

• One chapter per BCC competency, with model essays showing what proficiency looks like in writing
• Tested and refined in BCC preparation courses at ChaplainDL
• Bridges CPE training and certification — translates clinical experience into the written articulation certification requires
• Practical guidance on assessment, intervention, ethical decision-making, and professional identity
• Pluralistic and inclusive — addresses care across diverse religious, cultural, and spiritual contexts

Who This Book Is For

• Chaplains preparing for board certification
• CPE students and educators
• Hospital, hospice, military, correctional, and disaster chaplains
• Seminary faculty teaching pastoral care
• Spiritual care administrators and program directors

• Week 1 - FREE EBook with Hardcover Purchase  OR 30% Off EBook
• Week 2 - 50% Discount on EBook with Hardcover Purchase OR 20% off EBook
• Special After Week 2 and Until Publication Release - 50% Discount on EBook with Hardcover Purchase OR 10% off EBook

2 Formats:

Hardcover: Price: $95.95

EBook: $75.95 (ebook)

Hardcover ISBN: 979-8-9993880-4-9 Ebook ISBN: 979-8-9993880-3-2