“So You Want to Be a Chaplain?”
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the secular institutions that employ them and the ecclesiastical bodies that endorse them. Clergy operate primarily from a place of worship, whereas chaplains minister primarily in the marketplace.1 Chaplains should be accessible, engaged, trustworthy, humble, and relational. They should be compassionate, confidential, curious, creative, and credible. They should be listeners, counselors, and collaborators. They serve as advisors, honest brokers, leaders, confidants, and friends. Chaplains are hopeful and optimistic. They walk with those who often work in challenging and dangerous environments. They seek their welfare and care about their morale and outlook. Chaplains see the blind spots of leadership and advocate for those with muted voices. Chaplains go where others cannot readily go because of training constraints, safety concerns, or institutional restrictions. Chaplains deliver free exercise of religion to those whose jobs take them far away from their usual places of worship. Chaplains meet others where they are and prioritize others’ beliefs before their own. They minister to those who believe in a God different from their own or have no theistic belief. Chaplains express genuine care for the souls of all individuals within their purview, regardless of how different they may look, act, think, or believe. They work in a secular environment, remain true to their theological convictions in a pluralistic environment, and deal with the tension of competing demands and ideologies. Depending upon the type of chaplaincy, chaplains care and advocate for both the individual and the institution. Respect and dignity are central to chaplain ministry. Chaplain Steven Schaick puts it succinctly. The price of admission into the USAF Chaplain Corps is to believe that every man and woman is precious, that every human has with him or her the very likeness of our Creator. And if that truth does not emulate from your soul, then I ask you to consider another profession.2 Naomi K. Paget and Janet R. McCormack, The Work of the Chaplain, 1st ed. (Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press, 2006), iv. 2 Chaplain Major General Steven Schaick, 19th Chief of Chaplains, Department of the US Air Force, made this observation the center point of his 2020 training video for USAF Chaplain Corps personnel. 1
