| What
do Episcopal chaplains do in the military? |
---Love
and serve all the people among whom we work in the armed services,
by seeking to create the warmth of faith and community
---Fulfill our ordained roles as pastor, teacher and priest
in as broad and inclusive a manner as possible while remaining
faithful to the Episcopal Church's historical, theological
and liturgical traditions
---Provide Book of Common Prayer based sacramental ministry
for Episcopalians, those in communion with our Church, and
others
--- Cooperate with chaplains and lay leaders of other faith
groups to ensure access and religious accommodation for all
--- Care for all people regardless of religious faith or "non-faith"
posture, providing worship opportunities, pastoral care, counsel,
and referral
| What
are the available chaplaincy programs? |
Chaplain
Candidate Program for seminary students -- Army, Navy, Air
Force
Active Duty programs - Army, Navy, Air Force
Reserve Component programs -- Army, Navy, Air Force
National Guard programs - Army and Air Force
Civil Air Patrol volunteer, non-stipend program
If you are interested in a chaplaincy program, the Bishop
for the Armed Services, Healthcare and Prison Ministries
must endorse you for the program before the Department of
Defense will consider your application.
| Why
do we have Episcopal Church chaplains in the Armed Services?
|
In
the Epistle to the Hebrews (13: 11,13), Christians are encouraged
to go with Jesus "outside the camp," or "outside the gate."
The place of his crucifixion was not a holy place, or even
a place within the holy city of Jerusalem, but outside the
gate in secular territory, actually the city dump. There
is where God is working, not just among religious people
or in more "untainted" religious places.
The "outside the gate" implication is that ministry should
occur wherever people are. Church and ministry must not
only be available in places of safety and security but also
in places of danger and possible death.
Military chaplains are called to serve outside the walls
of civilian congregation ministry in contexts that are less
defined. This is an exciting and challenging ministry with
young men, women and families, who are working in difficult
circumstances, often away from home.
(Paragraphs 1 & 2 above are paraphrased
from a portion of "Military Chaplaincy as Ministry," by
Robert McAfee Brown).
|
What
are the Department of Defense qualification requirements
for prospective chaplains?
|
Military requirements and application procedures for chaplaincy
programs vary depending upon the branch of service. Consult
with a chaplain recruiter for details.
Army: www.usarmychaplain.com
(800) 223-3735 ext. 6-0585
Navy: www.chaplain.navy.mil
(On the search line, type in "Recruiter")
(901) 874-9216
Air Force: www.afhc.au.af.mil
(800) 803-2452
In general, the military's requirements are:
---U.S. citizen · Education - undergraduate degree and M.Div.*
---Ordained priest (Episcopal Church requires 2 years experience
as a priest)*
--- Commissioning must be done by the age of 39 (but this
may vary; check with the Army, Navy, Air Force chaplain
recruiter).
*Except for seminarian Chaplain Candidate
Program
| What
is the Episcopal Church endorsement process? |
1.
Discuss with your bishop the call to become a chaplain and
obtain his/her consent to apply for a chaplain program position.
2. a. Complete an application form for the Office of the
Episcopal Church's Bishop for the Armed Services, Healthcare
and Prison Ministries. b. Contact the military branch chaplain
recruiter to find out the military requirements pertaining
to age limits, physical fitness and the military application
process.
3. Upon receipt of your application form the Bishop for
the Armed Services will seek your Diocesan Bishop's formal
approval and create a file.
4. Upon completion of your file (which includes the standard
Episcopal Church background check), be prepared to meet
with the Bishop for the Armed Services and a selection committee.
For more information, contact
The Rev. Gerald J. Blackburn
Director for Military Ministries Office of the Bishop for
the Armed Services, Healthcare and Prison Ministries
The Episcopal Church Center
815 Second Avenue New York, NY 10017-4594
1-800-334-7626, ext. 6069
gblackburn@episcopalchurch.org
|
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