The North Dakota Chaplains Association (NDCA) is composed of chaplains serving in hospitals, nursing homes, prisons and other institutions across the state. Quality pastoral care is an essential part of the service which these institutions provide to their clients. Pastoral Care means caring seriously for each person's spiritual life. This caring relationship promotes healing and wholeness. The NDCA is committed to helping chaplains provide this kind of care. The NDCA was organized in 1978 in order to provide mutual support and advocacy for chaplains in the state. The purposes of the NDCA include: * Promoting personal and professional growth of its members through conferences, exchange of information, and fellowship. * Promoting an understanding of the work of chaplains in the institutions where they serve. * Promoting continued education in the ministry of healing, reconciliation, grief work, etc. * Ensuring the spiritual integrity and personal dignity of all clients regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, creed, physical or mental condition. NDCA members include ordained and lay persons engaged in full or part-time ministry as chaplains in their respective institutions. Retired chaplains may also be members as well as interested parish pastors. The NDCA welcomes persons from all theological perspectives and seeks to build consensus and mutual respect among its members.