Is ChIME "Interfaith" or “Interspiritual”?

Both!

Interfaith is an avenue of seeing and seeking the endless possibilities of Divine expression. Interfaith ministry respects the individuality and integrity of all spiritual paths including "no path" and honors Divine wisdom in all faiths.

Interspiritual study and practice honors each individual’s unique path to the sacred and recognizes the religious, historical, and cultural contexts that provide language and expression. Interfaith and Interspiritual appreciation weave together throughout ChIME’s programs.

ChIME operates independently, providing flexibility to maintain and uphold our own high standards of study and practice. As an independent, non-profit organization, programs and staff are accountable to a board of directors, our students, and the communities we serve.

The Interfaith Ministry program is a two-three year path of study that introduces the world’s faith traditions and skills of spiritual service while opening the door to develop inner knowing. In the Interfaith Ministry program, students do the hard work of personal spiritual development in supportive community as preparation for bringing their full selves to both their lives and their ministry of service. 

The Clinical Pastoral Education program (CPE) is an opportunity for individuals with prior theological training or experience to deepen their skills and capacity to offer spiritual care. During each 10 week unit, ministers, pastors, lay leaders, and others dive deeply into clinical experience with the support and accountability of a cohort and a supervisor who help them derive growth from their experiences.  

Interfaith studies provide opportunities for individuals to deepen their relationships to their own faith by understanding it in the context of other faith expressions. A more meaningful commitment to one’s own spiritual path is a common outcome of Interfaith studies.

Our students come from all faith backgrounds and traditions, including atheism.

The important thing is a curiosity and willingness to learn about and serve people from any spiritual or religious path.

Many ChIME graduates have found their personal and professional lives grow in new directions. Over time, we have observed three distinct paths that emerge for alumni.

Community: Many alumni weaving their ministry into their lives as parents, social workers, teachers, writers, musicians, health professionals, and more.

Entrepreneurial: Other alumni forge their own paths, uniting their ministry with other passions to serve individuals or organizations as “free-range” chaplains, providing ministries of presence, music, creativity, and/or community.

Institutional: Others have pursued paid employment as Chaplains in hospice, assisted living, hospitals, and correctional facilities. Many institutions will require at least one unit of CPE prior to employment. 

In addition to institutional chaplaincies, and entrepreneurial and community ministry, many ChIME graduates create or supplement their incomes by serving as celebrants, teaching, preaching, and offering workshops from writing to singing, drumming to nature exploration— and more.

Regardless of the type of service a student engages in post-graduation, a ChIME education helps the student live into a true listening presence as well as their own pastoral authority – that felt sense of being in the right place at the right time with the right skills, and the wisdom to know when other skills are required.

Additionally, it is not uncommon for some to choose a ChIME education as a pathway for deepening their personal spiritual identity, awareness, practice, and community without service-specific outcomes.

Join us for a workshop or Open House and contact us to schedule a conversation. We look forward to meeting you!