Short Online Chaplaincy Course
INTRODUCTION TO CONTEMPORARY CHAPLAINCY
A 6-week online introduction to chaplaincy for those who sense a pull to be a Christian presence outside the church. Explore your calling and develop skills to spiritually support others in everyday contexts.
| Dates | Apply By | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Nov - 7 Dec | 26 October 2026 | Apply Now |
As places are limited, we encourage you to apply early to secure your place. Applications will remain open until the cohort is full. If there’s no space on a cohort, you will be offered a future date.
- 100% online, part-time over 6 weeks
- No prior experience or training required
- Explore whether Contemporary Chaplaincy could be right for you
- Grow in confidence supporting others in everyday contexts
- Grounded in a Christian understanding of identity, calling, and care
| Location | Course Length | Day | Time | Cost | Entry Req. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | 6 weeks | Mondays | 12–2pm 7–9pm | £185 | None |
Key Features
Learn practical pastoral skills
Develop core skills such as listening, presence, and relational engagement—essential for supporting others well.
Grounded in the story of God
Explore how the gospel shapes identity, discipleship, and how we come alongside others in their lives.
Study alongside others
Learn within a small online cohort, with space for discussion, reflection, and shared learning each week.
Explore your calling to Contemporary Chaplaincy
Discern whether Contemporary Chaplaincy is the right next step for you, reflecting on your sense of calling, identity, and purpose.
Accessible and flexible
Delivered fully online in weekly sessions, allowing you to take part alongside your existing commitments.
Course Description
Course Overview
This 6-week online course provides an introduction to Contemporary Chaplaincy, helping you explore your calling and develop confidence in being a Christian presence in everyday life.
Course Content
Ideal for anyone who is:
- Wanting to grow in pastoral skills and confidence
- Wanting to help people in everyday life
- Serving in church, or community contexts already
- Thinking about Contemporary Chaplaincy training
Many people feel drawn to support others beyond the walls of the Church, but aren’t always sure how to do it well. You may have encountered need in everyday settings, felt the limits of informal help, or sensed a call to be present in places the Church doesn’t naturally reach. This introductory course is designed to help you start making sense of that.
This course is interactive, reflective, and rooted in real-life application. Over six weeks, you will explore how the gospel shapes identity, calling, and how we come alongside others in their everyday lives.
Through teaching, discussion, and guided reflection, you will begin to develop practical pastoral skills, including listening, presence, and relational engagement. The course also helps you consider your own story, your place within God’s wider story, and how you might invite others into it through everyday interactions.
Each session includes teaching, group discussion, and space for reflection, helping you grow in confidence to be a Christian presence in everyday life.
Assessment
There is no assessment on this course. On completion, you may wish to apply for the Certificate in Contemporary Chaplaincy programme.
Course Modules
Each week explores a new theme, grounding Biblical story in practical Contemporary Chaplaincy principles.
| Timeline | Modules |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | God's Big Story Seeing life through the lens of God’s grand metanarrative |
| Week 2 | The Role of the Church in the Story Understanding our collective calling |
| Week 3 | Discovering Who You Are in the Story Identity, purpose and belonging |
| Week 4 | Inviting Others into the Story of God's Love Sharing faith through relationship |
| Week 5 | Tools and Practical Skills for Contemporary Chaplaincy Presence, listening and storytelling |
| Week 6 | Reflective Practice and Discipleship in Action Living out what you’ve learned |
Session Structure
Each weekly Teams session includes:
- Tutor-led teaching
- Time of devotion and prayer
- Group discussion and shared reflection
- Practical skills and exercises to equip you in your context
- Optional homework and reflective tasks to deepen learning
Course Outcomes
You will gain:
- Confidence to share faith naturally in everyday life
- A deeper understanding of Contemporary Chaplaincy
- Practical tools for reflective, Christ-centred leadership
- Space to explore a future calling in Contemporary Chaplaincy
- Connection with others who share a heart to serve
Location, Fees & Requirements
Location
Online
Course Timing
Mondays for 6 weeks
We have a 12–2pm, or 7–9pm cohort.
Entry Requirements
There are no formal entry qualifications for this programme. Open to all Christians aged 18 or older.
Cost
| Course | Cost |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Contemporary Chaplaincy Includes £35 non-refundable deposit | £185 |
Full payment is required at the time of booking.
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel, we offer the following refunds:
- 4 weeks prior to the start date — Refund of fees paid, excluding deposit
- 0–4 weeks — 50% refund, excluding deposit
- Once course begins — No refund
Further Details
Award
Waverley Abbey Certificate of Participation
Application guidance
You can start your application straight away. During the process, you may be asked to upload a few documents. It can be helpful to have these ready:
- Passport or driving licence
- Passport-style photo
- Name and email of a reference
You can also begin your application and return later with the documents.
If there’s no space on a cohort, you will be offered a future date.
If you have further questions
You have two options:
- Book a 20-min call with our team to explore the next step for you based on your current experience level, capacity, and goals.
- See our Frequently Asked Questions page for some of the most common questions we get about studying at Waverley Abbey College.
Take a First Step into Chaplaincy
If you’re exploring a call to chaplaincy or want to support others more effectively, this course provides a clear and practical place to begin.
Places are limited, so apply early.