Clinical Pastoral Education

When faced with times of illness, crisis and stress, people often draw closer to their spiritual side.  Chaplains provide an important service in a health care environment as they work to support the spiritual needs of patients, family members and care team members alike.  BroMenn is pleased to be able to offer programs that provide individuals in the ministry field the opportunity to improve their ability to assist people with spiritual needs.

BroMenn Regional Medical Center's Chaplaincy program includes Clinical Pastoral Education and a Clinical Pastoral Education Residency. Both programs support BroMenn's commitment to healing the whole person, body and spirit.

Clinical Pastoral Education

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) helps seminarians, ministers and laypersons learn to minister to people in crisis. CPE students develop skill in pastoral care and discover more about their personal identity in the context of faith as expressed in the terms of pastoral care.

CPE is theological and professional education for ministry. Theological students, ordained clergy, members of religious orders and qualified laypersons learn to minister to people in crisis situations. Out of intense involvement with supervisors, other students, people in crisis and other professionals, CPE students are challenged to improve the quality of their pastoral relationships.

Through pastoral practice, written case studies and verbatims, individual supervision, seminar participation and relevant reading, students are encouraged to develop genuine caring pastoral relationships. CPE students serve as chaplains in certain sections of the hospital, share on-call responsibilities and conduct chapel services.

The Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc., (ACPE) is nationally recognized as an accrediting agency in the field of clinical pastoral education by the U.S. Secretary of Education through the U.S. Department of Education. At the ACPE website, you may download an application and view a list of accredited centers and certified supervisors.

BroMenn Regional Medical Center provides two types of programs to earn CPE units. The hospital-based program is designed primarily for seminarians and other qualified students. This full-time, summer program focuses on a wide variety of topics in pastoral care.

The congregation-based program is limited to ministers and staff members in full-time congregational work and is designed to enhance the ministry of pastors in local congregations.

For additional information, contact the Rev. Dr. William R. DeLong at (309) 268-5499, or by e-mail at wdelong@bromenn.org.

Clinical Pastoral Education Residency

BroMenn Regional Medical Center's Clinical Pastoral Education Residency is a community-centered, hospital-based program designed to train pastors for a specialized ministry and to enhance their caregiving skills. Residents will grow as a pastor and as a person, acquiring life-changing, hands-on experience in a clinically supervised setting.

BroMenn's year-long residency program allows students the unique opportunity to specialize in a particular ministry of interest. Residencies are available as a Campus Ministry Chaplain, a Long-Term Care Chaplain and an Acute Care Hospital Chaplain at BroMenn Regional Medical Center. Residents will also have opportunities to work in local congregations as part of their training.

Residents are provided with an $21,000 per year stipend, plus benefits such as medical insurance, vacation days and reduced housing costs. The program begins in September and concludes in August of the following year.

To qualify for a residency, the applicant must have earned a Master of Divinity degree or the equivalent from an accredited Seminary or University. Successful completion of one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education is also required. Selected Candidates will have an on-site interview with the CPE Supervisor and Committee. Up to four applicants will be chosen for residency each year.

For an application, or for additional information, contact the Rev. Dr. William R. DeLong at (309) 268-5499, or by e-mail at wdelong@bromenn.org.

Deadline for applications is May 31 of the year residency is desired.

Supervisory Clinical Pastoral Education

Supervisory Clinical Pastoral Education is designed for qualified persons with demonstrated pastoral, professional and clinical competence. Supervisory CPE Students engage in a three year residency program designed to teach them the art of pastoral supervision through:

• Education in supervisory theories by using conceptual models drawn from theology, behavioral science and education
• Practicing supervision under an ACPE supervisor
• Forming their identity as educators by a focus on integrating theory and practice with their distinct and personal attributes and life history
• Peer group seminars where the emerging supervisor's understanding and practice are tested.

Those interested in Supervisory CPE should contact the Rev. Dr. William R. DeLong at (309) 268-5499.