Chaplain Endorsement
The Church of Christ consists of independent congregations with no central authority to ordain or endorse ministers beyond the local level.
The Armed Forces Chaplain Board recognizes the Church of Christ in Fairfax, Virginia, as the endorsing organization for qualified individuals to serve as military chaplains or lay leaders for congregations in military facilities.
This authority is acknowledged by the Federal Prison System and was established by the Department of Veterans Affairs, which now has its own endorsement process.
The Endorsing Agent provides endorsements for select Federal agencies
This authority is acknowledged by the Federal Prison System and was grandfathered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, which now has its own endorsement process.
Hospital systems, state prison systems, and volunteer chaplain organizations like state police should receive endorsement letters from local congregations.
The Fairfax Church of Christ Endorser Committee acknowledges that the Holy Spirit has reserved to men the role of governance and authority over the assembled congregation.
However, a chaplain is not the same as an elder or preacher in a congregation. We see no obstacle to endorsing women as chaplains within the Federal government and support their service as missionaries in the Department of Defense, Federal Prison System and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The endorsements of Fairfax Church of Christ are based on meeting the educational and experience qualifications of the Federal agency and being supported by personal references from the applicant’s local church.
We strive to make our endorsements consistent with beliefs and practices across a broad mainstream of the Church of Christ, recognizing there are diverse beliefs in a number of areas. Therefore, we rely on the applicant’s local congregation to affirm the person’s good standing in the Church of Christ.
Specific information regarding qualifications and application procedures are contained below.
Please contact the Endorsing Agent, Gary Payne, before proceeding with downloading and using these forms.
Military clarifications regarding your Masters work:
- The Army provided this guidance (October 2019):
- The educational requirement of a post-baccalaureate graduate degree is a single 72 hour program. The graduate level degree cannot be a combination of smaller degrees to total 72 hours, but it must be one single degree requiring at least 72 hours. A full 72 hour graduate program provides the best opportunity for individuals to be professionally and academically developed in the areas of pastoral counseling, social work, religious administration, world religions, theology, ethics and the foundational writings from the applicant’s religious tradition. Example: Two or three MA degrees (one in religion) does not meet the requirement.
- The Navy requires at least 45 graduate hours in residence; the remaining hours can be online.
- These requirements can change, so be sure to check with your military recruiter
- Be a qualified “religious ministry professional” of a faith group.
- Two years full timeProfessional Work Experience (PWE). This is religious leadership and service in a congregation The purpose is to show you can function in the wide variety of ministry settings: preaching, teaching, counseling, conducting weddings and funerals, etc.
- Exceptions:
- The National Guard and Reserve Components do not have a PWE requirement.
- The Veterans Administration does not have a congregational PWE requirement. Instead, they require four units of Clinical Pastoral Education—preferably in a residency program.
- Exceptions:
- Have an ecclesiastical endorsement from a faith group recognized by the DoD Armed Forces Chaplains Board.
For more information regarding qualifications or endorsement procedures, Ministers from the Churches of Christ e-mail us using the “Get Connected” form below.
Chaplaincy Qualifications & Forms
- Be a U.S. citizen, physically qualified, favorable National Agency Check
- Maximum age at time of appointment:
- Army / Navy / Air Force: Prior to 40 years of age (or 42 with at least two years’ prior active service). Reserve or National Guard Components allow you to be a few years older. Age limits are subject to change—check with your recruiter
- Veteran’s Administration: Same as Civil Service
- Bureau of Prisons: Prior to age 36
- OTHER – Research the organization’s requirement
- Coast Guard Auxillary
- Civil Air Patrol
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Department of Homeland Security
- Army / Navy / Air Force: Prior to 40 years of age (or 42 with at least two years’ prior active service). Reserve or National Guard Components allow you to be a few years older. Age limits are subject to change—check with your recruiter
- Baccalaureate Degree of not less than 120 hours.
- Masters of Divinity or a graduate degree in theological studies, which includes at least 72 hours from an accredited institution (80 hours for the Bureau of Prisons)