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, go to About Chaplain Ministries; to see and hear some of them on the job link to Request Chaplain DVD (free to PCA churches).

How many chaplains are there?
The PCA currently endorses nearly 100 military chaplains as well as 40 civilian chaplains in hospitals, prisons and other agencies.

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 (Col.) David Peterson, USA Retired, is the PCA's chaplain endorser and liaison between the prospective chaplain's presbytery (and therefore the PCA) and the organization the chaplain serves.

How do I become an endorsed chaplain?
If you meet all the PCA requirements for ordination and licensure, go to the Endorsed 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?
A Chaplain Candidate is a part-time Reserve Officer who is enrolled in a seminary. 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 PCA chaplains. The PRJC also endorses OPC, RPCNA, KAPC and KPCA chaplains. Chaplain (Col.) David Peterson, USA Retired, is both the endorser 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 MNA 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 MNA Chaplain Ministries go?
The gift goes to support the MNA 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 MNA Chaplain Ministries?
Go to the link on this site entitled "Request Videos and Printed Material" and request a copy of the MNA 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.

Deployed Chaplain Invites You to Share in His Ministry

PCA Chaplain Bruce Sidebotham is deployed in Iraq, and he wants you to share in his ministry to our soldiers there. Click here to learn about his website, where you can listen to his sermons and find out how to pray for him and his ministry.

Chaplain Stanley J. Beach Student Leadership Award Established