Veterans Affairs: Becoming A Military
Chaplain Candidate
There are several steps necessary
to become a military chaplain candidate. It is good to start, since
there can be a considerable amount of paperwork and requirements
involved.
Three paths to become a Chaplain
in the U.S. Military:
There are three paths that must be simultaneously navigated to
become a Chaplain in the U.S. military. Each path requires
separate coordination, paperwork, and relationships with key personnel.
This document strives to outline the process and provide contact
information. AGTS
warmly embraces Chaplain Candidates from other denominations. The
process will be similar for our brothers and sisters in other denominations;
denominational specific contact information can be easily substituted
throughout this document
-
Education: The military
requires at least 72 credit hours that result in a masters
degree from an accredited institution. God has established
and proven AGTS on the highest level of any accredited institution,
equivalent to Harvard or Yale.
Master of Divinity – The Master of Divinity
(MDIV) degree is 90 credit hours, and it may be reduced up
to 15 hours based upon the student’s academic background.
Check with the registrar’s office to see if you qualify
for any transfer credits. Transfer credit has even been
awarded for military courses, such as an officer basic course.
72 Credit Hour Track – Different denominations
have different requirements for Chaplaincy. The military
requires at least 72 credit hours from an accredited theological
institution that results in a master’s degree. The
AG Chaplaincy Department highly recommends an MDIV or an MDIV
equivalency. Website: http://chaplaincy.ag.org/
- Ministry Credentials: In order to become
an AG Chaplain Candidate, applicants must have at least initiated
the ministerial credentialing process with an AG District Council.
To become an AG Chaplain, applicants must be an AG ordained minister.
For the AG, ordination takes at least two years from becoming
a licensed minister. Information on the requirements can
be found at the AG Headquarters Website: http://www.ag.org/top/.
District Councils Issue Credentials–AG ministerial
credentials are issued by the different District Councils. The
requirements may vary from district to district. Contact the
District Council office in your area for credentialing information.
You can find AG
District Council contact information under the AG Church
Directory at the AG Headquarters Website: http://www.ag.org/top/ .
Southern Missouri District Council
of the Assemblies of God, Inc .–Some Chaplain
Candidates, who do not already have a relationship with
another district, have developed a relationship with the
S. MO District. If you desire to initiate your credentialing
process with the S. MO District, you can contact them at
(417) 881-1316 or Southern Missouri District Council of
the Assemblies of God, Inc., 528 West Battlefield Road,
Springfield, MO 65807-4100.
-
Chaplain Candidacy: While attending AGTS, students
are given the opportunity to become a Chaplain Candidate.
Assemblies
of God Head Quarters Ecclesiastical Approval – Ecclesiastical
approval may be given to candidates in a graduate school of
theology or seminary who apply during their first two years
of full-time enrollment and who qualify for
chaplain seminarian programs.
To Become an AG Chaplain Candidate - Applicants
can contact Barbara Jaffe via phone: (417)
862-2781, extension 3281 or bjaffe@ag.org or
address: The
General Council of the Assemblies of God U.S. Missions, Chaplaincy
Ministries, Attention: Barbara Jaffe, 1445 N. Boonville
Avenue, Springfield, Missouri 65802-1894. The
applicant must have ministry credentials or be in the process
of gaining ministry credentials with the AG and be working
toward ordination. You may check the FAQ at http://chaplaincy.ag.org for
the most current information.
Chaplain Recruiter – To learn about the requirements
to become officially commissioned as a military officer contact
a Chaplain Recruiter:
Ecclesiastical Endorsement – To become
an AG Chaplain, ecclesiastical endorsement must be granted by
the Commission on Chaplains. They interview applicants
who are ordained and meet all the requirements. To be
endorsed by the AG for active duty, applicants are expected to
have at least two years of pastoral experience. Upon completion
of the educational requirements, ordination,
and commissioning as an officer in your branch
of service, an application for ecclesiastical endorsement from
the Military/Veterans Affairs Chaplaincy Ministries Department
must be completed. This process can again be accomplished
through Barbara Jaffe: (417) 862-2781, extension 3281. You
may also refer to the Chaplain Application Forms at
http://chaplaincy.ag.org.
We, at AGTS, sincerely join you in praying and believing God
for His guidance and direction in following His calling to become
a military Chaplain. If there is any way I may be of further
assistance, please feel free to contact me at (417) 268-1041
or varep@agts.edu .
In His Service,
Gary Mundt
Veterans Advisor
Updated:
Wednesday, December 7, 2005 10:18 AM
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