(Start Here for "What is a Chaplain?")
Over the last several decades it has become more and more common for people to turn to the Internet for information, to connect and interact with communities, and to seek out all manner of goods and services.
Some traditional religious institutions (like temples, mosques, churches and synagogues) have set up websites or accounts on social media where they can communicate with their congregation, and even broadcast or host services or study sessions live. "Televangelism" has existed since the early 20th century, largely beginning in the United States in the 1920's with radio broadcasts, then television toward the 1950's. Ministry via streaming video and podcast hosts began early in internet history, but with the global pandemic of the early 2020's there has been a huge surge in online ministry and community building.
Some communities exist offline, but extend their outreach via online services. Increasingly there are groups who exist and meet exclusively online. As Virtual Reality becomes more popular, commonplace, and affordable, there is no doubt that VR Chapels will become regularly accessible in the near future.
For better or for worse, these online spaces often lack clear, qualified, and perhaps most importantly accountable leadership figures. Even as the internet provides us more opportunities to find connection, wholeness, and healing, it also exposes us to vulnerable and even dangerous situations. This is not dissimilar to the benefits and risks that spiritual havens offer. People often enter temples etc. expecting to be able to let their guards down and expose themselves to spiritually enlightening, healing, or connective experiences, and it is the responsibility of the clergy and laity who work in those spaces to protect people in these vulnerable states.
This is where the work of the Cyber Chaplain comes in.
Cyber Chaplains are (or will be) those people who have similar training, intuition, and practiced skills at helping people navigate their spiritual, religious, or philosophical path in the electronic, internet-centred, or virtual reality spaces. They are familiar with a number of traditional ceremonies, rites, and services, but have the additional ability to translate what were once things performed exclusively in person into the online space.
Right now Cyber Chaplaincy is somewhat in its infancy. Most Cyber Chaplains don't know that that is what they are, or don't call themselves by this term. Nevertheless, they exist.
There are rabbis who have been conducting Parasha on Twitter for years. There are Imams who have hundreds of videos on their YouTube channels. There are Pagan Priests who publish blogs every week for a readership of thousands. There are monasteries who broadcast 24/7 streams of their shrines and daily offices.
However, very few of these people see the internet as the primary or exclusive centre of their service. And there is nothing wrong with that; online pastoral care is not yet (and may never be) able to substitute for in-person care. Nevertheless, it could still be better, and there is an ever increasing demand for spiritual caregivers who specialise in utilising the internet to reach out to people in the most profound ways possible, and who specialise in translating our traditions both ancient and modern into an accessible electronic format.
I envision a future where the concept of Spiritual Care has expanded and taken root in new concepts and philosophies, where Spiritual Care is seen as just as important as other kinds of care, and where the internet is seen as equally valid a place to conduct Spiritual Care as in-person. I also envision a future where Spiritual Caregivers recognise their power and the need to be held accountable for the impact of their work. I envision a future where people with a Spiritual calling can fulfil their vocation without having to find a traditional, physically centred place to be attached to, whose work is seen as important enough - by institutions and individuals who benefit from it - to pay a living wage to perform full time, and who are empowered with the skills and tools to deliver their services effectively.
And I look forward to being part of that world.
Updated by A.B. ~ 2002/10/26