Tag: chaplain

As someone who serves on the “media ministry” team at my church, I’ve gained firsthand experience in the power of digital evangelism. Our team manages sound, lighting, and visual presentations during services, but more importantly, we broadcast sermons online to reach those unable to attend in person. It was only when I learned about homebound members, nursing home residents, and far-flung congregants tuning in that I truly grasped the importance of this ministry in spreading the Gospel and connecting with people.

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The evolution of church service roles reflects the changing landscape of how faith communities engage with their members and reach new audiences. While vocations to religious life remain vital, today’s Church also needs laypeople with diverse skill sets to minister effectively in our digital age.

There are countless unexpected and creative ways individuals can contribute to their faith communities. Here are some lesser-known vocations and how they’re making a significant impact.

1. Digital evangelists

In our increasingly online world, the Church needs tech-savvy individuals to spread its message. Digital evangelists use social media, podcasting, and video production to reach new audiences. For example, Father Mike Schmitz’s “Bible in a Year” podcast became the #1 podcast in the US on Apple’s platform in 2021, demonstrating the power of digital ministry. Those interested in getting involved in digital evangelization could pitch an article, prayer, or podcast to a religious publication, or start a social media channel with a creative take on sharing the faith. 

2. Environmental stewards

Pope Francis’s encyclical “Laudato Si’” highlighted the importance of caring for our common home. This has led to a rise in faith-based environmental initiatives. Some churches now employ sustainability coordinators to reduce their carbon footprint and educate congregations on eco-friendly practices. Looking for helpful ways to get started? The United Nations and Earthday.org has plenty of resources for faith leaders across denominations to encourage more sustainable practice. 

3. Sacred artists

While religious art has a long history, modern sacred artists are finding new ways to express faith. From contemporary Christian music composers like Lauren Daigle or For King and Country to graphic designers creating faith-inspired merchandise like Not of This World or Elevated Faith, these creatives are making spirituality more accessible to younger generations through music and fashion. They blend contemporary styles with faith-based messages, appealing to a wide audience while maintaining their spiritual focus.

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4. Community garden coordinators

Many churches are transforming unused land into community gardens. These spaces not only provide fresh produce for food banks but also serve as places of communion and education. Garden coordinators organize volunteers, plan harvests, and often integrate spiritual teachings into their work.

5. Trauma-informed chaplains

Specialized roles like trauma-informed care demonstrate how the Church is adapting to address contemporary challenges in serving communities. Trauma-informed chaplains combine theological knowledge with an understanding of psychological trauma, allowing them to provide more effective spiritual care in hospitals, prisons, or disaster relief situations. To pursue this career, one might start by obtaining a master’s degree in divinity or pastoral counseling, then seek additional training in trauma-informed care through organizations like the Trauma-Informed Care Project or the International Association of Trauma Professionals.

6. Faith-based data analysts

These professionals use data analytics to help churches better understand their congregations, measure the impact of outreach programs, and inform strategic decisions. Data experts can help churches gain valuable information about charitable giving, attendance patterns, parish demographics, volunteer engagement, and overall needs of the community. To enter this field, one could begin with a degree in data science, statistics, or a related field, and then seek opportunities to apply these skills within religious organizations. By leveraging these types of analyses, ministries can make more informed decisions, allocate resources more effectively, and ultimately grow their impact in their communities.

7. Interfaith dialogue facilitators

With increasing global interconnectedness, the ability to build bridges between different faiths is crucial. Some individuals dedicate themselves to organizing interfaith events, moderating discussions, and promoting understanding across religious boundaries.

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8. Church archivists and historians

Preserving the rich history of faith communities is vital. Church archivists and historians use modern technology to digitize records, create virtual tours of historic religious sites, and make centuries of wisdom accessible to new generations.

9. Faith-based financial Advisors

Stewardship of resources is an important aspect of many faiths. Some financial advisors specialize in helping individuals and religious organizations align their investments with their values, often focusing on socially responsible investing. Organizations like Compass Catholic teach practical financial discipleship and have programs for parishes and individuals alike. 

10. Sports ministers

Recognizing the power of sports to build community and character, some churches now employ sports ministers. These individuals organize leagues, coach teams, and use athletic activities as a platform for spiritual growth and outreach.

11. Technology accessibility specialists

As churches increasingly rely on technology for services and outreach, ensuring accessibility for all members is crucial. Specialists in this field work to make digital content accessible to those with visual, auditory, or other impairments.

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These unexpected vocations demonstrate that serving the Church is not limited to traditional roles. As society evolves, so do the ways individuals can contribute to their faith communities. Whether through technology, environmental stewardship, or creative arts, there are myriad opportunities for those feeling called to serve.

By embracing these unexpected vocations, the Church demonstrates its ability to evolve and remain relevant in a rapidly changing world. Each of these roles, from digital evangelists to environmental stewards, creates new avenues for outreach and connection. They remind us that serving the Church isn’t confined to traditional roles or spaces, but can happen wherever people’s skills and passions intersect with the needs of their community.

As we move forward, it’s exciting to imagine what new forms of ministry might emerge. The key is to remain open to new possibilities, recognizing that every skill and talent can be a powerful tool for sharing faith and building community. Contact your local parish to see if opportunities like these are available, or if your parish community would be open to starting a new program.

Padre Pio of Pietrelcina is one of the Catholic Church’s best-known saints and stigmatists whose life serves as a true testament to radical love of God and neighbor. While the majority of his time on this earth was characterized by intense illness and suffering, Padre Pio’s example reveals to us how much more God’s grace abounds in the midst of our troubles when we unite our suffering to Christ crucified. The Catholic Church celebrates this beloved Italian saint’s feast day on September 23. 

As is probably the case for many young Catholics of Italian descent, I first encountered Padre Pio in the form of pictures and prayer cards that decorated the home of my grandparents – a tailor and seamstress who emigrated from the Southern Italian region of Puglia. My nonno and nonna often told me stories about this holy man, instilling in me a deep admiration for his devotion to prayer and his profound love for Jesus. Now my favorite saint and intercessor (after the Blessed Virgin Mother, of course), Padre Pio continues to inspire me as a role model in faith and courage as I navigate my own spiritual journey. 

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Born Francesco Forgione to poor Southern Italian farmers on May 25, 1887, Saint Pio’s life of faith had an extraordinary beginning in that he consecrated himself to Jesus at just 5 years old. Young Francesco was gifted with the ability to see and speak to his guardian angel and innocently believed everyone enjoyed the same privilege.

At the age of 10, Francesco informed his parents of his wish to become a Capuchin friar, and five years later, he was accepted into the order’s novitiate, where he would prepare to enter religious life. It was at this point that he took the name Pio in honor of the second-century bishop of Rome, Pope Pius I. After completing his training, he was ordained to the priesthood at 23 years old.

Padre Pio’s special grace as a young priest was clear to all those who encountered him. He was known to spend the majority of his day praying and holding confessions. The friar often entered into silent contemplation of Christ’s Passion during his celebration of the Holy Mass, so it was not uncommon for his Masses to last several hours. News of Padre Pio’s mystifying spirituality quickly spread, drawing pilgrims from around the world to seek his spiritual guidance, confessions, and the powerful experience of his Mass. 

Having endured markedly poor health since the time he was a child, the Capuchin priest understood his suffering as a God-given opportunity for sanctification, offering it to Christ for the conversion of sinners and as expiation for the souls in purgatory. Padre Pio expressed his ever-growing passion for this penitential sacrifice to his spiritual father in a letter, demonstrating his total surrender to the will of God in the words, “It seems to me that Jesus wants this.” 

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Inspired by his example, I strive to emulate the radical love of neighbor that Padre Pio embodied by offering up my own sufferings for the holy souls in purgatory just as he did. In doing so, I have learned to recognize the unique grace spoken about by many Catholic saints that is experienced when one embraces suffering with humility and gratitude. 

At the age of 31, Pio received the stigmata – the real, bleeding wounds of Christ in his hands, feet, side, and shoulder – as he was praying before a crucifix. United to Christ’s Passion, Padre Pio bore these painful wounds for 50 years, and from them emanated the distinct aroma of violets that followed Pio wherever he went. When asked on one occasion if the wounds caused him pain, he smiled and replied, “Do you think the Lord gave them to me for decoration?” The wounds miraculously healed without a trace upon his death.

The extraordinary life of Padre Pio serves as a guiding light to the faithful on how we can deepen our devotion to loving and serving our neighbors. For us laypeople who do not physically bear the wounds of Christ and cannot administer the sacrament of Reconciliation, what we can do is take seriously the need to pray for one another, especially the souls in purgatory who can no longer atone for their past sins. “We must empty purgatory with our prayers,” was one of Saint Pio’s oft-repeated phrases. Like the Capuchin priest, we are called to do all that we can with whatever graces God has given us to work selflessly for the salvation of our brothers and sisters, remembering that each and every soul is infinitely precious to our God. One of my personal favorite prayers for the souls in purgatory can be found here. 

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We can also look to Saint Pio as a shining example of complete and constant trust in the Lord when we find ourselves in challenging times. In fact, this saint’s story attests that it is through our suffering, rather than in spite of it, that we are brought closer to Jesus. As he carried the agonizing wounds of Christ’s Passion for 50 long years, Pio willingly embraced his affliction because he understood that suffering endured out of love for Christ brings sanctification. Like Padre Pio, we too can learn to recognize God in the midst of our hardships and take comfort in knowing that He faithfully sustains us through it all. In his own words, Saint Pio reassures us that “When we suffer, Jesus is closer to us.” I hold these words dear when I encounter difficult moments, confident that we are never abandoned in our suffering, but instead drawn nearer to the Lord who came into this world to suffer for our sake so that we may be redeemed. 

With the same confidence in our Lord as the humble priest from Pietrelcina, let us always be guided by Padre Pio’s simple, yet beautiful profession of faith: “Pray, hope, and don’t worry.”