Two Chaplain Membership Options to Choose

ORDAINED CHAPLAIN

As an "Ordained Chaplain" you receive legal recognition as Clergy. We offer appropriate endorsement only for Ordained Chaplains (VA, FoB, DoD BCC). Our ordained Chaplains must obtain no less than 25 hours per year of continuing education as approved and made available by Christian Chaplains & Coaching. We expect our Chaplains to be lifelong learners, but Ordination has added requirements. We will coach you in the course choices most appropriate for your ministry. A growing number of CE opportunities are available. See the full list of CE options here.

MEMBER CHAPLAIN

A Chaplain Member is not considered Clergy. The ongoing expectations and requirements are the same as an Ordained Chaplain EXCEPT for the continuing education requirement. We do expect all Chaplains to be lifelong learners. But the Chaplain Member may choose any program, Bible study, book reading, conference, or course work they choose. We are happy to coach you in your learning. But there is no requirement to obtain 25 directed and approved hours from our ministry.

Chaplain Defined

A chaplain is a pastoral and spiritual care provider who serve both in and outside the church. Not all Chaplains are considered clergy. However, all of our Chaplains are expected to serve in ministry with dedication and excellence. A Chaplain may be recognized as ordained clergy and licensed to work outside the church in a secular setting. There are similarities in the work a Chaplain and Pastor does, but Chaplains do not hold an office of authority within the church, as does a Pastor. Chaplains bring the sacred to the secular environment. Chaplains have authority to represent the church for such things as ritual, worship, ordinances, pastoral care, and weddings. Our chaplains are motivated first and foremost by the love of Christ and filled with a desire to serve those outside the church as the hands and feet of Jesus. Because we believe that Jesus is God the Son who came into the world to save sinners from death and permanent separation from God, we make Him the heart of our mission. We are "Ambassadors of Christ" and work to proclaim the love, forgiveness, reconciliation, and changed life that can only come to those who are won by Christ's love which we carry into the world in which we serve. We desire to share that truth with the people to whom we are sent. 

Who Needs Ordination?

Some Chaplains do not need to be Ordained and others do. There are plenty of opportunities to serve as a Lay Member Chaplain without being Ordained. We have several Member Chaplains who are Ordained by another organization or their church, but want to become a Member to represent Christian Chaplains & Coaching as a Chaplain. Such candidates do not need our Ordination. So why would you consider ordination? When would you choose Chaplain Member who is not Ordained?

ORDAINED CHAPLAIN is legally considered Clergy. They can perform weddings and enjoy clergy confidentiality. This is important for any who engage in conversations with people where you might be compelled to testify against them otherwise. Ordination is required for Endorsement to such entities or employment opportunities expected for the Veterans Administration, Department of Defense, Federal Bureau of Prisons. Most Board Certification agencies require Ordination in order to become a Board Certified Chaplain. There are many settings that require endorsement. And the most important consideration for Ordination is to answer, "Am I called?" If this describes you, choose Ordained Chaplain in your application.

MEMBER CHAPLAIN is a Lay Chaplain who works or serves in a setting that does not expect or require legal recognition as Clergy. Many Chaplains serve in disaster response, to first responders, or in workplace settings. Some are all volunteer. Others are paid staff positions. But often, these settings do not expect the Chaplain to be ordained. If this describes you, choose Chaplain Member in your application.

If you are not sure which option to choose, start out with Chaplain Member. We can assist you during the interview process and change your status to "Ordained Chaplain" when you finish the 10 Step Process of discernment. All applicants go through this same process

How We Work

How do we do this? By loving people as they are, accepting them without judgment or condemnation. We do not force our faith upon them. We wait patiently for them to be drawn to Him through their friendship with us. We listen and love, we help and serve. We are interested in their stories and we ask seriously curious questions while listening to understand rather than to respond. We are keepers of "The Sacred Presence" to people who are hurting and in need.  

Chaplain is an Ancient Word

For fifteen hundred years, Chaplaincy has been a distinctly Christian ministry. It comes from the fourth century. An office of "Capelli," the French word for cloak or cape. It is from the legend of the cloak of Pastor Martin of Tours - AKA St. Martin. He was a Roman soldier turned born again Christian and became a famous pastor. The Chaplain is the "Keeper of the Sacred Presence." The Chapel was a place of calming peace where a person could find rest and talk with God. Modern Chaplains are still "Keepers of the Sacred Presence." We must be at peace to bring peace and be calm to bring calm to a hurting world who needs to feel comfortable talking to God. This is why we learn to listen: So that God can do the talking! 

MANY BRANCHES OF CHAPLAIN MINISTRY

Our Logo features the Southern Live Oak Tree. Like the Live Oak, Chaplaincy has deep roots and many branches of opportunity to serve people with the love of Christ. At the core of our ministry, the root that gives us life is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our work is rooted in trusting Him to do what we cannot. Our Chaplains learn to serve together with a community of believers, like a family, on mission for Jesus to a particular people group.

Our Chaplains are dedicated, mature and growing believers who follow the call of God on their lives to reach out to people in need. The many branches of ministry performed by our Chaplains include, for example:

  • Community Chaplaincy
  • Recovery from addictions
  • Jail, prison, and those recently released or on parole
  • Disabled and special needs
  • Troubled teens
  • Sex trafficking victims
  • Hospital
  • Nursing home/assisted living
  • English as a second language
  • PTSD
  • Emergency, crisis, and critical incidents
  • Marriage and family care
  • Military and veterans
  • Police and fire
  • Urban ministry
  • Office and workplace environment
  • Motorcycle ministry
  • Hospice Care
  • Other

Join Us!

Jesus told about the most unlikely of individuals, just a regular Joe like you and me, one who the professionals least expected to do any good. The Samaritan stopped and helped the man. He bandaged his wounds, gave him cool water, carried him to an Inn where he could receive extended care. He even promised to come back and check on his progress and pay any unpaid bills. That, my friends, is a picture of what it looks like to be one of our Chaplains. (Luke 10:25-37) 

Let us show you, empower you, and send you out to do the same. Life on mission with Jesus in community with other believers, share the same sense of missional purpose is wonderful indeed. it will not be easy. But it will be joy filled.

Come with us and learn how to make a friend, be a friend, and draw the friend to Christ!.

Requirements and Expectations


Please be sure to watch the video above. Chaplains provide pastoral services in secular settings but are not Pastors/Elders in the church sense. Requirements for Membership and possible Ordination are described below.

Membership and annual dues must be updated and paid annually to maintain your Ordained status. Ordination is not perpetual. Continued ordination is at the discretion of our Ordaining Council as approved annually by our Board of Directors.  

Chaplains of Christian Chaplains & Coaching

A Biblical, Evangelical, Protestant Christian

Our Chaplains are either Lay Member, or Ordained Clergy, a religious ministry professional. To qualify you must meet each of the following requirements. For vocational endorsement you must meet additional education and credential requirements depending on the position:

  • Must have a minimum of a High School Diploma or GED with reading and comprehension at a twelfth grade or higher, with a deep commitment to continue your learning through continuing education, certifications, and even higher education.
  • Must be a member in good standing of an Evangelical Biblical Protestant Christian Church. Your church must be doctrinally conservative, committed to scripture, and in full agreement with our Statement of Faith.
  • As an Association of Churches. Chaplain Members must belong to a Church that agrees with our Statement of Faith. To become an Ordained Chaplain, your church must agree to a voluntary association with us as your sending church who agrees that we will provide your training, ordination, and endorsement as a Chaplain. This forms a sort of partnership between your church and our ministry.
  • If your church is part of a denomination, the stated beliefs of the denomination must be in agreement with our Statement of Faith. Candidates who are members of a church or denomination that has beliefs contrary to ours should not apply for ordination.
  • Must be recommended by your pastor.
  • Must be recommended by a personal reference who has known you at least 3 years.
  • Must submit to a background check.
  • Must agree completely with our Statement of Faith
  • Must agree with our Vision and Mission statements.
  • Must complete “The Basics of Chaplaincy” and "Christian Counseling for Grief" courses at The Chaplains Academy.
  • Must complete our ten step process which will include an initial interview with a member of our Ordination Council for approval to move forward. After all course work and assignments are completed, you will then have a final ordination interview. There is no guarantee you will be ordained.
  • If approved for Membership, must sign a chaplain agreement and adhere to our Code of Conduct and Ethics.
  • Ordained Chaplains must obtain at least 25 hours of continuing education from courses approved on our website. You must be serious about maintaining church membership, continuous learning, certifications, and ongoing education. We hope you will obtain 100 or more hours per year, with at least 25 coming from our approved sources.
  • Chaplain Members must obtain 25 hours of continuing education from any source they choose. You must be serious about maintaining church membership and be a lifelong learner.
  • Every year you will complete a renewal form to verify your church membership, continuing education, personal information, share your ministry accomplishments, and adherence to Code of Conduct. 

NOTE: If you are one of our Ordained Chaplains and wish to serve as Clergy with Kairos, an additional requirement is to complete the course "Christian Ministry to the Incarcerated." This is a certification course requested by Kairos for our chaplains if they wish to serve as Clergy. 


Cost Breakdown

Initial Fees

Application fee: $135

This is paid when the application is submitted

Discounted course fee: $250 (Required course: "The Basics of Chaplaincy" and "Christian Counseling for Grief")

This is paid after your first interview if approved to proceed

Total: $385 (Transaction fees are added)

If Approved for Membership

Annual Dues: $130

Pro-rated dues first year depending on month ordained

Application for Membership