Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main responsibilities of the military chaplain and what skills are required?
Preaching, teaching and counseling are the chaplain's primary tasks. To read about several examples of how our chaplains serve in these ways, click here to go to our video to see and hear some of them on the job. Click here to request the Chaplain DVD (free to PCA churches).
How many chaplains are there?
The PRJC currently endorses 200 military chaplains and 70 civilian chaplains (a total of 270 chaplains).
Can you help me find a chaplain in my area?
To find a chaplain contact us at chaplainministries@pcanet.org and we will help.
What does it mean to be an endorsed chaplain?
The military and many civilian agencies require that to become a chaplain you must be an ordained member of your denomination and have the endorsement of that denomination. Chaplain Douglas E. Lee, is the PRJC chaplain endorser and liaison between the prospective chaplain's presbytery (and therefore the PRJC) and the organization the chaplain serves.
How do I become an endorsed chaplain?
If you meet all the PRJC requirements for ordination and licensure, go to the Military Chaplain Application online, print it out, complete it and mail it to the address listed at the end of the application. With the application is a sample letter that would have to be completed by your presbytery chaplaincy committee saying they affirm your call to the chaplaincy. Once your application process is complete, our endorser submits an endorsement saying the prospective chaplain is indeed ordained and has the support of the Presbyterian Church in America
What is the Chaplain Candidate program?
All the Services (Army, Navy, Air Force) offer an opportunity to learn about the Chaplaincy while in seminary. A Chaplain Candidate is a part-time Reserve Officer who is enrolled in seminary as a full-time student. During his years in seminary he is provided several opportunities to be trained and also to experience military life. After graduating from seminary, the candidate may apply for active, Reserve or National Guard chaplaincy. The candidate receives pay as a reserve military officer.
How do I know if I should apply as a Chaplain Candidate?
If you do not yet have your Masters of Divinity, you can only apply as a candidate. If this applies to you, contact us at chaplainministries@pcanet.org or call us at 678-386-4541 and we will help you determine your options.
What is the PRJC?
The Presbyterian and Reformed Joint Commission on Chaplains and Military Personnel is the organization that endorses the chaplains of six denominations. Click here or go to "What Is the PRJC" for details. Chaplain Douglas E. Lee is both the MNA Chaplain Ministries Director for the PCA and the Executive Director of the PRJC.
What is the Chaplain Sponsorship program?
Because the majority of our chaplains are in the military, they are most often stationed away from their home church. As Presbyterians, we believe in the Presbyterian form of church government; Teaching Elders (ordained ministers) are not members of a church, but are members of a presbytery. The presbytery is responsible for supporting its pastors through prayer and through maintaining a relationship with their ministries. Since our military chaplains are far away, we have formed the Chaplain Sponsorship Program to aid the home presbytery in keeping in contact with its chaplains.
What is required to be a Chaplain Sponsor?
We ask that you stay in contact with the chaplain and that he sends you a ministry report and his prayer requests each quarter.
How can I become a Chaplain Sponsor?
Just contact us through chaplainministries@pcanet.org and we will assign a chaplain to you. We often assign chaplains to churches or individuals that are near their current duty station to help them get "plugged in" to the local community as well.
What is the Chaplain Guardian Corps (CGC)?
The CGC is made up of all individuals and churches who sponsor our chaplains in prayer. We also ask that you give as you are able to support the ministry. Please click here to sign up for the Chaplain Guardian Corps.
What is the Veterans Guardian Corps (VGC)?
The VGC is made up of veterans who assist in keeping the congregations informed of the joys, challenges and needs of our chaplains and PRJC Chaplain Ministries. Also, VGC members will assist in staying in touch with military personnel from their respective congregations. This ensures that our chaplains are informed of PCA military personnel on their respective installations, enabling our PCA military men and women to be pastored and encouraged in the faith. If you would like to be a part of the VGC, contact us at chaplainministries@pcanet.org. Please click here to sign up for the Veterans Guardian Corps.
Where does my financial gift to PRJC Chaplain Ministries go?
The gift goes to support the PRJC Chaplain Ministries Coordinator and other staff who assist in endorsing the chaplains. This money specifically goes toward the pastoral oversight of the chaplains, endorsement expenses, travel expenses, administrative expenses and specific materials that our chaplains request.
How can I find out more about PRJC Chaplain Ministries?
Go to the link on this site entitled "Request Videos and Printed Material" and request a copy of the PRJC Chaplain Ministries video.
Back to Chaplain Ministries
Chaplain Ministries is supported primarily by designated contributions from PCA individuals and churches. Will you prayerfully consider giving a gift today? To DONATE, please click here.
Remember...
Please do not forget our deployed military personnel, and our chaplains who serve them. This phenomenal video, the work of a patriotic15-year-old girl, reflects the current reality in today's military. It's placement here in no way endorses women in combat.
Are You Called to the Military Chaplaincy?
Michael Milton of Reformed Theological Seminary shares a letter written to a young pastor who is pondering his calling.
