NEW BRIDGE COMMUNITY
CHAPLAINCY
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
About NBCC Community Chaplains
"Building Bridges to Christ"
NEW BRIDGE COMMUNITY
CHAPLAINCY

What Is a Community Chaplain?

A NBCC community chaplain is a nonsectarian interdenominational member of the ordained clergy serving
as a Samaritan, counselor and friend to all hurting people in a community.  They are licensed and
specially trained professionals.

Why use a chaplain to help hurting people in the community?

We have found that specially trained chaplains are acceptable to a large segment of the un-churched
population.  The people generally perceive a community chaplain as…“ the chaplain is more like one of us
and comes to me to help.”  

How is a NBCC Chaplain different from other chaplains?  

The NBCC chaplain serves all of the people in the community who have a wide range of needs, beliefs
and challenges without discrimination.  Typical chaplains usually serve a particular agency or organization
with more limited range of needs.

How is a NBCC counseling different from secular counseling agencies?

Most counseling and social agencies refrain from addressing the spiritual component of people’s
problems.  In fact we have secular agencies referring some of their clients to NBCC.  The chaplain goes to
them, works with them, and then follows up with the person being counseled and their families to bring
about holistic long-term healing. NBCC counseling is designed to help people actively apply biblical
principles to their life problems.

What is the difference between the role of a chaplain and a pastor?

In many ways the chaplain tangibly fulfills the role of a Samaritan, friend, teacher, missionary, evangelist,
and counselor all wrapped up in one person focusing on those people who are not actively part of a
church family.  This population represents 75-80 percent of our neighbors.

A chaplain must be able to relate to each individual at their level of understanding and beliefs.  This
requires a lot of out-of-the-box thinking.  A pastor typically deals with a group of like-minded individuals
with similar cultural, belief systems, and language.
A chaplain is accessible 24/7 and will go to where they are as a Samaritan, meeting people from all walks
of life and beliefs, and then helping them out of their "in the ditch" situation. This typically requires
spontaneous application of a wide range of scriptural solutions.  

What is the need in all communities?

We know that out of every five households in our neighborhoods only one regularly attends a church.
Individuals from the other four households generally limit attendance to weddings and funerals. Most of
these individuals are not connected to a life support group.  We have also discovered that one out of five
families that we help are seriously estranged or unconnected from the church.

How does the NBCC program work?

The program is very simple.  Be a true Samaritan to the neighbors in the community.  An amazing 83% of
the people that the chaplain has counseled are applying biblical principles to get their lives back on track.  
51% of the individuals helped and their families have returned to a church of their choice.
The title chaplain is broadly accepted and considered neutral of any particular denomination. Currently,
one fourth of our work is with Native Americans.

What happens after a chaplain helps someone?

After helping individuals through their “in the ditch situation,” and when the individuals make the request, a
community chaplain will connect them to a church of their choice for support, or a small group led by
mentors from NBCC.  THIS FAITHFULLY FULFILLS THE CALL OF MATTHEW 28:18-20.  

Is NBCC duplicating other available social services?  

Only In the rare occasion do our services mirror other organizations. The chaplain can help connect the
dots within an agency, and between agencies to get a person the help they need.  

What is unique about the NBCC program?

First of all we go to the hurting people and don't expect them to come to us.  The objective is to have
hurting individuals use biblical principles to get their lives back on track.  The chaplain is seen as a safe
person to talk to by teenagers and adults.

How efficient is NBCC in stewardship?  

More than $.90 out of every dollar is used directly for ministry.  All support personnel are volunteers. We
plan to establish other chaplaincies in other communities as funding becomes available.

Does NBCC charge for the chaplain’s services?
The Samaritan did not charge neither can NBCC.  We will accept donations from individuals that have
been helped.

How is NBCC funded?

NBCC is funded through the generosity of people like you, churches, businesses, and foundations.  
Current economic conditions are very challenging.  We greatly need and appreciate your tax-deductible
help.

AT NBCC WE PURPOSE TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT!

                              THE RESULTS ARE EXCEPTIONAL!