Chaplain
Endorsement

InFaith is pleased to provide nondenominational ecclesiastical endorsement to U.S. military chaplains.

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army chaplain soluting the American flag

InFaith is pleased to provide nondenominational ecclesiastical endorsement to U.S. military chaplains, military chaplain candidates, and hospital chaplains. The chaplains we endorse enjoy prayer support, opportunities to fellowship with others in ministry through our annual national conference and local area fellowships, and a newsletter written just for chaplains serving under the banner of InFaith.

Thank you for your interest in seeking endorsement through InFaith. 

What's Ecclesiastical Endorsement?

  • InFaith's ecclesiastical endorsement is a professional credential, which affirms to an employer that the applicant will be performing a valid church ministry, has demonstrated evidence of a calling, and has received appropriate training for that ministry.
  • InFaith's ecclesiastical endorsement represents that the applicant is in good standing with the church body. In addition, endorsement creates an agreement of mutual commitment, accountability, and support between the chaplain and our ministry as a non-denominational mission organization.
  • InFaith's ecclesiastical endorsement is not ordination. All applicants will need to be ordained by their churches. In this way, every chaplain will be accountable to his or her sponsoring church, ordaining authority, endorsing agency, and institution of employment.
  • InFaith does not employ chaplains, nor do we assign the people we endorse to chaplaincy positions.

 

army chaplain holding camo hat with cross emblem

Benefits

  • InFaith chaplains receive ecclesiastical endorsement by America’s oldest and largest home mission, an approved ecclesiastical endorsing agent for the United States Department of Defense, Armed Forces Chaplain Board (AFCB).
    • Military Chaplains and Chaplain Candidates: InFaith will provide the necessary Department of Defense Form DD2088.
    • Hospital, Hospice, and VA Chaplains: InFaith will provide the necessary Ecclesiastical Endorsement letter.
    • Civil Air Patrol Chaplains: InFaith will provide the necessary Department of Defense Form DD2088.
    • Auxiliary Chaplain Support (ACS): supplements and supports Auxiliary Chaplains serving with the Coast Guard (CG) InFaith will provide Form 7070 for Ecclesiastical Endorsement.

Additional Benefits

  • InFaith hosts an annual Refresh Conference for its field staff, chaplains, and chaplain candidates and their families.
  • Chaplains and candidates can attend area fellowships hosted by any InFaith field director.
  • InFaith provides prayer support for its chaplains and chaplain candidates.
  • Chaplains and Candidates may email the Home Office hr@infaith.org with any questions and concerns.

Requirements

Basic requirements to be endorsed by InFaith

Active Duty / Reserves / National Guard (see below for Chaplain Candidate, Civil Air Patrol and Auxiliary Support Chaplains requirements)

  • Undergraduate degree of no less than 120 semester hours from an accredited college or university
  • Master of Divinity (M.Div.) or Master of Theology, Religion as a single 72 credit hour degree from an accredited seminary
  • Two years of full-time equivalent ministry leadership experience, following graduate education
  • Ordained/licensed minister
  • Age requirements vary by branch of service and entry program
  • Physical examination as required for commissioned officers (MEPS)
  • U.S. citizenship
  • Ability to obtain a security clearance

Military Chaplain Candidates

Through the Chaplain Candidate Program, you can train to become a chaplain at the same time you are training for the ministry. The training and experience you receive as a chaplain candidate will supplement your ministerial education and training. All chaplain candidates are commissioned officers assigned to the Reserves or Guard in the chaplain branch.

  • Undergraduate degree of no less than 120 semester hours from an accredited college or university. (GPA 3.0 or higher)
  • Matriculated as a full-time seminary student in a single 72 credit hour program; (M. Div., Theology, Religion) online or resident program (please note each military branch requirement for seminary students)
  • Serving in ministry in your local church
  • Will seek ordination after seminary graduation and perform all clergy duties
  • U.S. citizenship
  • Be able to receive a security clearance
  • Pass a physical exam at a Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS).
  • Be between 18-36 years old at time of commissioning.

Hospital / Hospice / VA Chaplaincy - Resident and professional chaplains

  • Undergraduate degree of no less than 120 semester hours from an accredited college or university
  • Master of Divinity (M.Div.) or Master of Theology, Religion as a single 72 credit hour degree from an accredited seminary
  • Ordained minister
  • Should be seeking Board Certification
  • U. S. citizenship
  • Recommend 4 units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)*

*While Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is not a requirement for ecclesiastical endorsement, we strongly encourage chaplaincy candidates pursuing Board Certification to complete four units of CPE from an accredited Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) site.

Civil Air Patrol Chaplain Corps – U.S. Air Force Auxiliary Chaplaincy

You must meet all requirements for Civil Air Patrol senior membership:

  • You must be a fully ordained or qualified clergy/religious professional of your faith group.
  • You must be actively engaged in or retired from a denominationally approved vocation.
  • You must obtain an ecclesiastical endorsement from a faith group listed by the Armed Forces Chaplains Board
  • You must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school.
  • You must possess an accredited post-baccalaureate graduate degree of at least 72 semester hours (108 quarter hours) in the field of theological or related studies.
    • Clergy without an accredited or less than 72 credit hour graduate degree may ask for a waiver provided they have a minimum of 5 years full time pastoral experience or the equivalent. (pending InFaith’s approval)
  • There is no age limit or physical examination required for CAP chaplaincy.
  • U. S. citizenship.

Auxiliary Support Chaplains (Coast Guard)

  1. This is applicable to Auxiliarists, and civilian clergy members who want to serve as Auxiliarists, who pursue designation as, and who are designated as, ACS Chaplains that support Coast Guard RM programs.
  2. Former and retired DoD Chaplains (active and reserve), current DoD Reserve Chaplains who are not otherwise on military orders (e. g. Reserve Chaplains serving in their personal capacities), and chaplains representing federal agencies, are required to enroll in the Coast Guard Auxiliary to participate in this program.
  • You must be a fully ordained or qualified clergy/religious professional of your faith group.
  • You must be actively engaged in or retired from a denominationally approved vocation.
  • You must obtain an ecclesiastical endorsement from a faith group listed by the Armed Forces Chaplains Board.
  • U. S. citizenship
  • You must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school.
  • Possess a post-baccalaureate graduate degree in the field of theological or related studies from a qualifying educational institution.
  • A qualifying graduate degree program must require no fewer than 72 semester hours (108 quarter hours) of graduate-level work. Related studies may include graduate courses in pastoral counseling, social work, religious administration, and similar disciplines when one­ half of the earned graduate credits include such topics Theology, Bible, World Religions, Christian Ministry, Biblical ethics, etc.
    • Waivers may be granted for clergy lacking an accredited graduate degree if they have a minimum of five (5) years full-time, ministry experience. Along with verification of the five (5) years, full-time, ministry experience, applicants requesting a waiver will provide two (2) letters of recommendation from sources who have observed ministerial activities and capabilities of the candidate. These letters are to be professional references.

 

Administrative Fees

U.S. Military Chaplains

  • There is a $750 annual fee for U.S. military chaplains who have received accession into U.S. military chaplaincy, whether full-time, part-time or volunteer (Civil Air Patrol Chaplains and Auxiliary Support Chaplains).
  • Military chaplain candidates and applicants will be required to pay a $100 administrative fee each year until they receive accession to military chaplaincy, at which time the chaplain will begin to pay the $750 annual fee.

Hospital / Hospice / VA Chaplains

  • A hospital/hospice or VA chaplain who has been awarded a part-time, full-time or per-diem chaplain position pays an annual fee of $750.
  • Hospital/hospice or VA residents will be required to pay a $100 administrative fee each year until they receive a chaplaincy position, at which time the chaplain will begin to pay the $750 annual fee.

How To Apply

To get started fill out our Chaplain Initial Questionnaire here: Chaplain Initial Questionnaire 

After the initial screening process and you are invited to apply for chaplain endorsement by InFaith, you will:

  • Submit a $50 non-refundable application fee
  • Complete the application
  • Interview via video call (TEAMS)
  • The application process to become an endorsed chaplain through InFaith takes two months on average

Contact our HR Department at hr@infaith.org for more information.

What Our Chaplains Are Saying

Being affiliated with InFaith has been a significant blessing and source of encouragement to me because I know that I am continually being held up in prayer by a community of brothers and sisters who are committed to supporting God’s work in my ministry. The words of encouragement and willingness to provide points of connection to further beneficial partnerships have been invaluable. I have felt supported and well cared for.

Jeremiah Hinton, InFaith-endorsed Navy chaplain candidate

As a nondenominational chaplain, I looked for several years to find a reputable endorsing agent that was not just a type of ‘rubber stamp’ for me to receive, but instead one where there was true fellowship and support for the ministry that I was engaged in every day at our hospital. Through InFaith, I have found an organization that not only meets the technical requirements for endorsement, but also a group where I could receive the fellowship and support that I needed. I am so very grateful to the Lord for bringing me to InFaith.

Matthew Hoffman, InFaith-endorsed hospital chaplain
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Chaplain Administrative Fees

The Chaplain Administrative Fee supports the endorsement services provided by InFaith, enabling chaplains to serve in hospitals, the military, and with first responders where official endorsement is required. Endorsed chaplains pay $750 annually, while chaplain candidates pay $100 annually.

For those preferring monthly payments:

  • Endorsed chaplains: $62.50 per month
  • Chaplain candidates: $8.33 per month