The Refiner's Fire Chaplain Academy

Additional Levels of Training

A Progressive Pathway for Chaplain Development

Important Program Development Note

Level One: Foundational Chaplain Training is the academy's planned initial offering. The additional levels shown on this page represent the academy's long-term curriculum development plan. These levels will be released as course development is completed. Course titles, content, sequence, requirements, and release plans may be refined as the academy grows.

The Training Pathway

The Refiner's Fire Chaplain Academy is designed as a progressive pathway. Level One provides the foundation. Each additional level will build upon that foundation and help prepare chaplains for more complex situations involving crisis, trauma, addiction, recovery, disaster response, community care, and applied chaplain ministry.

Planned Initial Offering

Level One

Foundational Chaplain Training

The starting point for students entering the academy. This level develops the personal, spiritual, ethical, and practical foundation needed for effective chaplain ministry.

• The Heart of a Chaplain
• The Skill of Presence
• Ethics, Boundaries, and Confidentiality
• Understanding Human Brokenness
• Chaplaincy in the Real World
• Foundational Case Study and Personal Reflection

In Development

Level Two

Crisis Care and Intervention

This level is intended to help chaplains respond more effectively during emotional, spiritual, and situational crises while remaining within the proper role and scope of chaplain care.

• Crisis Ministry Fundamentals
• Psychological and Spiritual First Aid Principles
• The SAFER-R Model
• Suicide Awareness and Appropriate Response
• Crisis Communication and De-escalation Principles
• Referral, Follow-Up, and Continuity of Care

In Development

Level Three

Trauma, Addiction, and Recovery Care

This level is intended to prepare chaplains to serve people affected by trauma, substance use, addiction, recovery, relapse, behavioral health challenges, grief, and other forms of human brokenness.

• Understanding Trauma
• The Refiner's Fire
• Addiction and Recovery Foundations
• The Dragons and Ants Framework
• Recovery Ministry Principles
• Trauma-Informed Chaplain Care
• The Innkeeper: Compassion, Boundaries, and Referral

In Development

Level Four

Community and Disaster Chaplaincy

This level is intended to help chaplains understand their role during disasters, community emergencies, critical incidents, shelter operations, and the early stages of community recovery.

• Disaster Relief: The First 24 to 72 Hours
• Community Crisis and Critical Incident Response
• Spiritual Care in Shelters and Mass Care Settings
• Understanding Response Systems and Chaplain Roles
• Supporting Individuals and Families During Emergencies
• Community Recovery, Resilience, and Long-Term Care

In Development

Level Five

Advanced Chaplain Practicum

This level is intended to bring the academy's prior training together through case review, applied scenarios, guided reflection, supervised ministry experience, and the development of a personal chaplain ministry plan.

• Advanced Case Reviews
• Realistic Ministry Scenarios
• Peer Support and Team Care Principles
• Applied Chaplain Practice
• Personal Resilience and Continuing Development
• Capstone Project
• Personal Chaplain Ministry Plan

Building Chaplains for Real-World Ministry

The academy is being developed one level at a time. The goal is to prepare spiritually grounded, trauma-informed, recovery-aware, and crisis-ready chaplains who can serve effectively in churches, organizations, treatment programs, communities, and disaster response settings.

Preparing Chaplains for Presence, Crisis, and Compassionate Care