In distressed scenarios, emergency care services call for reinforcements from citizens offering aid
In the district of Viersen, Germany, a well-established crisis intervention service is making a significant impact, working closely with the district's civil protection. This service, jointly offered by the Protestant and Catholic churches, is seeking committed individuals to train as crisis chaplains.
Andreas Bodenbenner, a Catholic community worker, and Willi Kawaters, the coordinator of ecumenical crisis intervention in Viersen, are at the helm of this initiative. Interested parties can reach out to Andreas Bodenbenner at 02152-8971013, 0172 - 2536872, or via email at [email protected], while Hans-Willi Kawaters can be contacted at 0170 1050960 or by email at [email protected].
The training program, free of charge, spans over three-quarters of a year, totalling approximately 160 hours of instruction. It encompasses theoretical units, practical placements with emergency services and the police, supervision, and further training.
The role of a crisis chaplain may involve responding to situations such as sudden deaths, suicide attempts, severe accidents, relative notifications, and psychological breakdowns. Praying or giving a blessing could form part of the chaplain's role.
To be eligible for the training, applicants should possess inner stability, resilience, empathy, teamwork skills, and a certain spiritual openness. Current membership in a Christian church is a prerequisite.
Prospective chaplains are typically required to have a theological degree and be ordained or certified by a recognized religious organization. Language proficiency in German is essential, and holding a valid residence permit in Germany might be necessary.
Building relationships with local religious communities and intervention services can be beneficial, as well as understanding and respect for different faiths, given the diverse religious backgrounds chaplains often work with. Specific training in crisis management and intervention techniques may also be necessary.
Interested individuals can sign up for an initial conversation in July or August to get to know the coordinators and determine whether the task matches their skills and expectations. The training takes place roughly every two weeks (except during holidays), and is supplemented by several Saturday seminars and two one-day practical placements.
Equipment and funding for the crisis intervention service in Viersen are exemplary, recognizing the work that often goes on behind the scenes but remains unforgettable for those affected. For more information, please contact the coordinators mentioned above.
What about serving as a crisis chaplain, offering help in science-backed health-and-wellness and mental-health therapies-and-treatments through a crisis intervention service in Viersen, Germany? This new endeavor, supported by the district's civil protection and the Protestant and Catholic churches, offers a free three-quarter-year training program, requiring teamwork skills, a spiritual openness, and a theological degree, as well as language proficiency in German.
