| Pastoral
Training Programs |
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Finding
a Pagan-Friendly
Pastoral Training Program
 Finding
a pastoral training program that accepts Pagans can be difficult
- at the present time, there are very few. Most
of the local programs will be run by a Christian organization
and may not be willing to include Pagan students (even if
the student is willing to deal with a Christian-based program).Other
organizations, like CAPPE
(which is inter-faith), may not offer courses in your
local area, and individual teachers may have some resistance
to including Pagan students.Cherry
Hill does have on-line courses, but
pastoral counseling training is best done 'in person', and
there may be problems setting up a practicum locally.Furthermore,
with all 'professional' training there will be fees, and these
can range from one to several thousand to complete a program
(though single courses are generally in the $200-600 range).
The
Military
Pagan Network offers training for lay leadership,
and becoming or sponsoring a chaplain, for the military..
Some
hospitals and hospice organizations have their own pastoral
lay/volunteer training programs, which are often free.They
are usually not in-depth programs, although the practicum
is very useful experience.Be
aware, however, that they are likely to expect a commitment
to working in their pastoral program for a minimum time-period,
and with people of all faiths (or non-faith, as the case may
be).If
their chaplaincy or pastoral program is considered interfaith,
Pagans have a fair chance of being accepted, although it may
require some negotiation and support from your local Pagan
organization or a group like PPO.If
they aren’t already inter-faith, then you would be pioneering!
Other
organizations – like crisis lines, sexual assault support
centres, etc. – also provide free training and expect a commitment
to work within their services.Although
their training does not focus specifically on spiritual concerns
(as pastoral training does), the basic skills are similar,
and already having experience counseling in such organizations
will certainly make a difference when applying to a pastoral
program.
It
is also important to remember that being Pagan priesthood
(of whatever ‘degree’) does not qualify one for pastoral work.Clergy
of other faith traditions usually have to take formal pastoral
counseling courses before being ordained, and chaplains (whether
ordained or not) do have to take a recognized pastoral training
program – our priesthood don’t.Pagans
can’t insist on having the same status as clergy/chaplains
from the more dominant faith traditions unless they have equal
training and/or experience.
Also,
our communities tend to be very small covens/circles or very
loosely organized larger groups – and therefore, can’t provide
the same degree of accountability that many other faith communities
can.This
is a legitimate concern of institutional organizations, and
most do require a letter of recommendation from a specific
recognized faith organization even to apply for pastoral training
programs.A
Pagan applicant will most often need to negotiate alternative
means of assuring credibility.On
the other hand, many chaplaincies or pastoral programs are
still reluctant to include Pagans – if they are multifaith,
you have a right to participate.If
they are not but institutional, you have a right to insist
that they become multifaith (especially if the institution
is likely to serve Pagan individuals – inmates, patients,
students, etc.) – so don’t give up ‘if at first you don’t
succeed’.
PPO
is willing to offer support to its members who are seriously
interested in pastoral work in applying to training programs
or any issue that arises because of our faith while taking
them - contact
us .
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