Business Models in Spiritual Care

This eBook results from a project supported by Templeton Religion Trust.

Introducing our eBook on business models in spiritual care

by Trace Haythorn and Amy Lawton, Chaplaincy Innovation Lab

This eBook describes, perhaps for the first time, the range of business models used by chaplains and spiritual care professionals today. By business models, we mean the ways that the work is financially supported and sustained. The older and historical models – what we call legacy models – persist, but changes in the American religious landscape have challenged many aspects of religious and spiritual financing. There is no reason to think that spiritual care will be exempt from these changes. If fewer Americans are traditionally religious, for example, will hospitals and universities continue to see the need – and to pay for – access to spiritual care?

This eBook was launched during a webinar in December 2025 discussing the findings of our work. This webinar was free and open to the public, and can be viewed in its entirety here or below.

Click the image above to get the eBook.