Video Transcript: Types of Officiating Chaplains

Types of Officiating Chaplains:

[Henry]:
Henry and Tom, back with you. You know, I’ve been reflecting on our last session… and wow, we dove in deep right away. And that’s okay—sometimes the deep end is where the good stuff happens.

But for this session, let’s step back a bit. Let’s talk about the actual roles someone might take on as a chaplain.

Last time, we said that ministry is expanding beyond the pulpit. So briefly, what do we mean by that?

[Tom]:
When most people hear the word “ministry,” they imagine a pastor or priest standing in front of a congregation on Sunday morning. But chaplaincy invites us into something broader.

As chaplains, we impact people in all parts of life—their social life, professional life, family life, and neighborhoods. We get to bring the sacred into every sphere of life: where they work, where they volunteer, where they serve.

In the military, we often talk about force multipliers—people who extend their impact well beyond their own presence. Chaplaincy is like that. You don’t just meet people on Sundays. You meet them anywhere and anytime, which gives us a myriad of opportunities to make a difference.

[Henry]:
Exactly. In this video, we’re going to talk about serving in public places with sacred moments. We’ll explore the diverse ministry settings for chaplains. And honestly, even with everything we’ll cover, this is still just the tip of the iceberg.

Before we dive in, let me say this: Whether you’re a volunteer, part-time, or even feel called to full-time career chaplaincy someday, this class is foundational. It lays the groundwork.

We are entering the age of the volunteer chaplain.

Tom, I’d love for you to share more about the military auxiliary side of chaplaincy. Talk about how unpaid, relational, part-time ministry works. Maybe it’s bi-vocational or includes special assignments like disaster response or civic ministry. Tell us about your experience leading and now volunteering in that space.

[Tom]:
When I served as the Chaplain of the U.S. Coast Guard, I was responsible for about 50 chaplains. Together, we were tasked with covering any place where Coast Guard personnel were present.

But here's the challenge: Coast Guard members are spread across vast regions. For example, when I was stationed in Milwaukee, I covered an area from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to Duluth, Minnesota, and both sides of Lake Michigan. That’s a lot of territory.

If there was a crisis or an invitation to pray at a public event, we often had to say “no”—because we simply couldn’t be everywhere at once.

So we started building a volunteer chaplaincy program. After a few different iterations, about six or seven years ago, we officially launched the Auxiliary Chaplain Support (ACS) program.

And now? I serve as a volunteer chaplain myself!

[Henry]:
That’s so cool—you helped start the program, and now you serve in it!

[Tom]:
Yeah. My kids like to tease me and say, “Didn’t you used to get paid for this?” And I say, “Yep. Now I do it for free.”(laughs)

But here’s why: the need is so great. There are still huge areas in the country without full-time chaplains. But now we have over 100 volunteer chaplains in the ACS program who can step in.

Whether we're visiting someone in the hospital or responding to a local crisis, we can call the nearest ACS chaplain, and they will go.

We even have volunteers who go underway: that is, on board Coast Guard ships, for a couple of weeks at a time. It’s not for everyone, but for those who can do it, it’s an amazing way to serve.

And here's the best part: At least three of our ACS volunteers have been so impacted by their experience that they joined the Navy Chaplain Corps to pursue it as a full-time career.

[Henry]: That’s a powerful example of how volunteer chaplaincy can become a calling that grows into even more.

[Henry]:
In so many ways, I just love doing this class with you, Tom. You’ve lived this in the military. What you helped build in the Coast Guard reflects what we’re doing at Christian Leaders Institute and Christian Leaders Alliance—raising up called leaders, especially volunteer leaders.

This is really the age of the volunteer leader. For the first two or three hundred years of the Church, most Christian leaders were volunteers. And we’re seeing that come back in powerful ways.

[Tom]:
Absolutely. The Auxiliary Chaplain Program was driven by need and opportunity. We realized that in the Coast Guard Auxiliary, there were already many clergy: pastors, chaplains, and ministers, who were willing to use their ministry skills to serve.

So now we have retired people like me, pastors, hospital chaplains, and prison chaplains—people who want to serve when they’re able. Some volunteer while still working in their primary careers, and others increase their time when they retire.

[Henry]:
That’s just one example of a volunteer chaplain opportunity. There are many others, such as through the American Legion, the VFW, and so on.

Let’s take a step back. For people just joining this course, many may not be familiar with all the different types of chaplains. They might only think of hospital chaplains. That’s probably the most common association, right?

[Tom]:
Yes—hospital and hospice chaplaincy is what most people think of first. Many of us have encountered chaplains during times of personal or family illness.

But chaplaincy extends beyond professionals. Many smaller hospitals or hospice organizations depend on volunteer chaplains, especially when budgets don’t allow for paid staff.

Often, a career chaplain oversees and supports a team of volunteers, which is where many people begin their service.

[Henry]:
Your own family is deeply involved in this kind of work.

[Tom]:
That’s right. My son is a hospice chaplain, and my wife has also served as a volunteer hospice chaplain. It really has become a kind of family ministry for us.

[Henry]:
That’s beautiful. And then there’s corrections and jail chaplain ministry.

[Tom]:
Absolutely. I have friends who visit the county jail every week. They lead Bible studies and prayer services and support incarcerated individuals through mentorship and devotionals—all on a volunteer basis.

There are also full-time and part-time prison chaplains, but they often rely heavily on volunteers to help carry out the ministry.

The key is that volunteers often want to know, “What’s expected of me?” They want to learn and prepare so they can serve well.

[Henry]:
We’ve seen this at Christian Leaders Institute, where many students are involved in jail and prison ministry.

And I can tell you: institutions appreciate trained volunteers. Jails want to know that the chaplain or mentor coming in isn’t just someone with good intentions—they want someone trained, someone who knows what they’re doing.

[Tom]:
Exactly. When an institution allows you to minister—whether it’s a hospital, military base, or prison—they’re entrusting you with access to vulnerable people. That comes with responsibility.

They need to be confident that the volunteer is credentialed, trained, and trustworthy. It’s about credibility and safety for everyone involved.

[Henry]:
And of course, in more formal chaplaincy roles—like in the military—you’re even required to have a master’s degree to serve as a full-time career chaplain.

But in other settings, like a motorcycle club, the standards might be different, not better or worse, just different.

At Christian Leaders Institute, our goal is to give students high-quality training that gives them credibility in any setting. We want them to bring the residue of professionalism and spiritual depth, even as volunteers.

[Tom]:
Yes. And as chaplains, we often talk about "what’s in your toolbox."

For example:

• I have training in counseling.

• I have experience offering public prayers.

• I’ve studied hospital visitation.

When I walk into a room, I don’t have to wonder what I’m doing. I have a starting point—a foundation to work from.

[Henry]:
Let’s talk about another chaplaincy type: disaster response and trauma chaplaincy.

[Tom]:
I’m glad you brought that up. I actually did my doctoral work at Fuller Seminary on disaster response ministry because of my real—life experiences in disaster situations.

Disasters—hurricanes, tornadoes, terrorist attacks—shake the foundations of people’s lives. What they thought was stable suddenly isn’t. People are traumatized. They need more than logistics—they need a symbol of the sacred.

In those moments, chaplains come alongside to help people:

• Process what has happened

• Begin to heal

• Reclaim a sense of identity beyond the trauma

I’ve responded to the World Trade Center attack and the tsunami in Indonesia—awful, life-shattering events. But I’ve also seen how powerful it is when someone brings a presence of peace and sacred care into that chaos.

[Henry]:
And that’s what this training is about—this class and future courses too. We’ll be diving deeper into redemption, recovery, and rehabilitation—and how chaplaincy plays a vital role in all three.

[Tom]:
It’s powerful. And it’s needed.

[Henry]:
You know, Tom, especially when I look at some of the key phrases from our outline—“ministry to brokenness,” “healing,” “celebrating redemption”—I’m struck by how powerful chaplaincy really is.

There are people who have gone through incredibly difficult things in their lives. Some are still in the middle of those struggles. And those challenges aren't just physical or emotional—there’s a spiritual dimension to it all.

When we, as chaplains, step into those places with spiritual care—sometimes overtly religious, sometimes gently spiritual—we help people walk the road to redemption. We don’t walk it for them, but we walk with them.

[Tom]:
Exactly. That’s what it’s all about. Whether it's addiction recovery programs, celebrating milestones, family reunions, or simply ministering to brokenness and healing, chaplaincy shows up in the places where people are most vulnerable and open.

[Henry]:
When I reconnected with you last fall after 30 years, it hit me: We need to raise an army of chaplains. And right now, the opportunity is immense.

It’s different than when you and I went to seminary. Back then, the church was embedded in American culture. It was everywhere, and even more so for the World War II generation. But now…

It feels like we’re entering the Age of the Chaplain.

[Tom]:
Absolutely. Fewer and fewer people are going to church weekly to receive spiritual care, but they still need that care, so we go to them.

[Henry]:
Exactly. It’s like a return to the original idea of the parish. The chaplain is a sojourner—we go where people are, bringing the sacred into their world. It’s not about institutional church structures—it’s about being the body of Christ, present in people’s lives.

[Tom]:
And that’s important. We’re not trying to "churchify" every organization. We're not turning civic groups into congregations. But we are bringing the presence of Christ into places where it’s needed—respectfully and appropriately. That’s where training becomes so essential.

[Henry]:
Right. Because we never want people to think, “The only reason you’re showing me care is to get me into your church.” That’s not what chaplaincy is. Yes, we’re planting seeds—but the motive is genuine care, not recruitment.

[Tom]:
That’s it. You’re ministering in the moment. And, sometimes, that moment is in a workplace.

[Henry]:
Yeah—workplace and business chaplaincy has grown over the past few decades.

[Tom]:
Here’s the reality: The whole company functions better when employees have better relationships at home and work. Some businesses may have financial motives for introducing chaplaincy, but the outcome benefits everyone.

So many workplaces now have full-time, part-time, or volunteer chaplains who are there to:

• Listen

• Support during crises

• Share a cup of coffee

• Encourage personal and relational health

When employees are supported, workplaces become healthier. And when workplaces are healthier, businesses do better, not just spiritually, but practically too.

[Henry]:
We’ve seen that firsthand. Through our ordination program at Christian Leaders Institute, we grant clergy credentials to those who complete our training-based program.

The chaplains—many of them volunteers—listen, encourage, and help navigate conflicts. This has made a real difference in his company's life.

[Tom]:
That’s fantastic. Another chaplaincy setting is civic, school, and community ministry.

[Henry]:
Right—like starting public meetings with prayer.

[Tom]:
Exactly. I’ve been invited to speak at civic events like Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and the Fourth of July—events that aren’t religious services but benefit from a spiritual presence.

As a chaplain, offering a short prayer or reflection at those events reminds people that there’s something beyond ourselves. There’s a moral and spiritual horizon.

You’re not turning the event into a church service. You’re helping the community reflect on who they are, how they treat each other, and what kind of place they want to be.

[Henry]:
That leads us into a Ministry Sciences insight:

🔍 "Calling is contextual and personal."

Some people might feel called to a specific organization or setting—a hospital, a prison, a school, a civic group. That’s the personal side of the calling.

But calling also needs to be contextualized. So, Tom, for those unfamiliar with that idea, what does it mean to say that calling is contextual?

[Tom]:
Good question. A contextual calling means understanding where your ministry fits—and how to shape it appropriately.

For example:

• If you’re serving in a school, your approach will differ from that in a hospital.

• If you’re ministering in a disaster zone, you bring different tools than you would in a jail.

• If you’re in a corporate setting, your language and posture may need to adapt to fit that environment.

Being contextual doesn’t mean compromising truth. It means being wise and spiritually sensitive. It’s asking, “What does this setting require from me to best serve people and represent Christ?”

[Henry]:
Yes. That’s where our training really shines. We help you build a toolbox for various contexts so that no matter where you serve, you’re ready.

Not with a one-size-fits-all ministry, but with the ability to adapt, serve with grace, and carry the presence of God wherever you're sent.

[Tom]:
One of the most important things to understand about chaplaincy is that one size does not fit all. When you're called to be a chaplain, you're rarely just a generic chaplain. Your calling is often contextual and specific.

Let me give an example. Suppose you're in a small town with a volunteer fire department. Maybe something traumatic has happened, like it often does in the fire service, and there's a need for spiritual and emotional support.

You might feel called to serve that fire department. That’s not just chaplaincy in general—that’s chaplaincy within a specific community of first responders, who face unique, repeated trauma.

When we face a tragedy, most of us have the space to process and recover. Firefighters, on the other hand, might go from one traumatic call to another without time to breathe. So, your chaplaincy in that context has to reflect those needs.

[Henry]:
That’s powerful. I love that many of your Coast Guard Auxiliary Chaplaincy volunteer chaplains were former military personnel. They already understood the culture and the needs, right?

[Tom]:
Exactly. If you're serving in the VFW or the American Legion, and you're a veteran, you bring that personal connection. You know what those communities need, because you’ve lived that life.

This is what we mean by contextual calling:

• Where am I serving?

• What experiences, gifts, and skills do I bring to that space?

That’s how the calling becomes personal.

[Henry]:
We’ve talked before—if someone’s very introverted, they might not want to be a chaplain for 4,000 people. But they could be the perfect chaplain for a small-town police department or a senior center, where deep one-on-one relationships are built over time.

[Tom]:
Yes. The key is to match your personal temperament, talents, and desires with a setting that needs chaplaincy. And when you find that fit, it becomes what we call a grace-filled opportunity.

💭 Closing Reflection: Where Are You Already Serving?

[Henry]:
Let’s end with a question for you: Where are you already serving?

Chances are, if you're volunteering somewhere right now, it's because you care deeply about that place or those people. That may be God's way of saying,
"Let’s take this further. Let’s add a new layer of service. Let’s deepen your role."

[Tom]:
And here’s something else to consider: Has anyone ever asked you to speak or pray in public?

That means something. It means someone else sees something in you—a grace, a presence, a voice that could bless the community.

Sure, I might want to speak somewhere because I think I’m a good speaker. But it means far more when someone else says,
"Tom, would you say a prayer at this high school event?"
Or,
"We’d like you to speak at our Memorial Day service."

That kind of recognition often reveals a calling you didn’t even see in yourself.

[Henry]:
I hope that as you go through this course, you’re starting to get this sense:
Yes, we really can raise up an army of chaplains—volunteer, part-time, and even career.

Some of your Auxiliary Chaplains, Tom, have now gone on to become career military chaplains. That’s amazing.

[Tom]:
Yes! And it all starts with a seed of discernment.

• You take one step.

• Then another.

• You follow the nudges of God.

Before you know it, you look back over the years, and like us, you say:

"Lord, be glorified."

Because we both know—it certainly wasn’t all us.

[Henry]:
Amen to that. So until next time, we invite you to:

🙏 Start Praying and Discerning

• What is God doing in your life?

• What’s your next step on this journey?

You never know where it might lead.