Spiritual Direction

 Okay so..... I am thinking of changing my major to Spiritual Direction.

Spiritual Direction and Interreligious Chaplaincy have the same class requirements except for 3 classes:

Chaplaincy:

• Preaching and Your Public Voice --- I have ZERO interest in preaching. Zero. 
• Intercultural Approaches to Chaplaincy
• Interreligious Approaches to Chaplaincy
• 2 Semester of CPE

Spiritual Development:

• The Art of Discernment
• Spiritual Direction/Companionship 1
• Spiritual Direction/Companionship 2
• Spiritual Direction Practicum --> Maybe get an intership through sacred well?

At the end of the day.... a chaplain is a pastor, just not at a church. 

https://nacmc.org/2023/12/29/comparativeanalysisontherolesofchaplains/

https://www.b-ing.org/direction/difference.php

• Chaplains are typically sought out in times of crisis, critical incidents, trauma, or when an individual feels that something is not right. The patient does not choose a chaplain; rather, the chaplain is often assigned based on the nature of the situation. In contrast, spiritual directors operate in a realm of personal choice, where clients actively seek their guidance for contemplation, meditation, and self-awareness.
• The role of the director is to provide a safe, caring environment, as well as to truly ‘be’ with and listen to the directee and to help the directee explore and sit with what God/Divine is offering. The focus of spiritual direction is not teaching or problem solving.

I would have to do the chaplaincy program to get ordained through Sacred Well as a clergy person. 

HOWEVER I could take their ordination program at the deacon level and be considered ordained/backed by a denomination... which means I could still be a chaplain as a back up at a hospital or hospice. 

So.... 4 years seminary and then I'd take their year long course for $200 and get ordained as a pagan deacon. 

In either case its the same time, 90% same classes, and boils down to