Nearly two dozen chaplains representing various aspects of chaplaincy ministry will be on the campus of Columbia International University Sept. 13 for a Consultation on Chaplaincy Education. They will be advising CIU Seminary & School of Missions on how to understand chaplaincy education as the school explores the implications for master's degree chaplaincy programs it might offer in the future.

Among the types of chaplaincy that will be discussed are Military, Institutional and Organizational. Military Chaplaincy includes ministry to the men and women of the army, navy and air force - both active duty and the reserves. Institutional Chaplaincy is an outreach to public safety officers, corrections officers and those involved in healthcare - both the providers and their patients. Organizational Chaplaincy focuses on government workers, the corporate world, those involved in leisure activities, crisis managers and disaster relief workers.

The chairman of the consultation, Dr. William Larkin, a professor in CIU Seminary & School of Missions, says CIU is strategically located for a variety of chaplaincy work.

"The chaplain school for all branches of the U.S. armed forces is now at Fort Jackson in Columbia," Larkin said. "Plus, Columbia has four major hospitals, several penal institutions, and is an educational, cultural and business center. There is much opportunity for corporate and leisure chaplaincy work."

Among those taking part in the consultation are Adrian Despres, a guest chaplain to the University of South Carolina football team, Jim and Susan Hogan of Corporate Chaplains of America and Navy Chaplain Michael Langston, commanding officer of the Navy Chaplaincy School and Center at Fort Jackson.