The Presbyterian Association of Specialized Pastoral Ministries welcomes those involved in institutional chaplaincies, pastoral counseling and other specialized ministries. Members represent the PC(USA) at national professional organizations and work to ensure that the church recognizes their ministries.

Join PHEWA and take part in this ministry.

The John Rea Thomas Award, presented by the Presbyterian Association of Specialized Pastoral Ministries (PASPM), is given to persons, organizations, institutions or congregations that have demonstrated excellence in the fields of pastoral care and counseling. [Read more]

Ecclesiastical Endorsement of Ministers Serving in Specialized Pastoral Ministries

• Are you a candidate seeking an “endorsement” for chaplaincy or pastoral counseling that the professional organizations require and don’t know where to go for that?
• Are you a presbytery staff person or do you serve on your presbytery’s COM or CPM and wonder what is expected when you are asked for an “endorsement?”

This information will assist the Committees on Ministry and Preparation in working with persons seeking ecclesiastical endorsement. Ecclesiastical endorsement is an official declaration by the presbytery of membership/care that a person seeking certification as a chaplain or pastoral counselor has the gifts of ministry for this special calling. It is not a statement of competency. Endorsement is the responsibility of the religious body, while certification is the work of the professional organization. The following information is intended as a resource. Additional information is available from the professional organizations or from certified chaplains and pastoral counselors serving in each presbytery.

Download Ecclesiastical Endorsement of Ministers Serving in Specialized Pastoral Ministries.

History of PASPM

This personal account of PASPM was adapted from material found in the PHEWA archives. The original was written by John Rea Thomas in 1990. John was one of the founders of PHEWA. Since 1981, he has served as a part-time Assistant Pastor at Christ Presbyterian Church, Madison, Wis. He continues his chaplaincy activities through the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, the Association of Mental Health Clergy (now Association of Professional Chaplains) and the College of Chaplains. He is the author of A ‘Snap-shot’ History of the ACPE, 1975-2000, A Study in God’s Grace: A Sesquicentennial History of Christ Presbyterian Church, Madison, Wisconsin, and Chaplaincies in Wisconsin Institutions. This account contains names of two persons that PHEWA members hold in the highest regard: John Park Lee and Rodney T. Martin. Awards bearing these names are given to deserving persons at the Biennial Social Justice Conference.

PASPM was formed as the result of a series of joyful — and also frustrating — experiences of Presbyterian clergy serving as non-military chaplains and pastoral counselors. The joys and frustrations of these pastoral ministries to hurting persons occurred not only within the variety of institutions in which we ministered but also in our relationships with our predecessor Presbyterian denominations. [Read more]

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