Become a Chaplain

Called to Serve Beyond the Church Walls

Chaplains bring the presence, hope, and compassion of Christ to people in places where traditional church ministry may not always reach. They serve members of the military, veterans, patients, families, first responders, inmates, employees, students, and communities during some of life’s most challenging moments.

The Pentecostal Church of God Chaplains Commission helps prepare, endorse, and support qualified ministers who believe God is calling them into chaplaincy.

Whether you are beginning your education, exploring a new ministry direction, or preparing to apply for a professional chaplain position, we would be honored to help you understand the path ahead.

What Is Chaplaincy?

Chaplaincy is ministry performed within an institution, organization, or specialized community outside the traditional local-church setting.

Chaplains provide spiritual care to people from many different backgrounds while faithfully representing their own denomination and beliefs. Depending on the setting, a chaplain may:

  • Offer prayer and spiritual encouragement
  • Provide pastoral counseling and crisis care
  • Conduct worship services, weddings, funerals, and memorials
  • Support individuals and families during illness, grief, deployment, trauma, or transition
  • Advise organizational leaders concerning religious, moral, ethical, and spiritual matters
  • Protect the religious rights of those they serve
  • Connect individuals with clergy or faith resources appropriate to their religious tradition
  • Provide a compassionate and trusted ministry presence

Chaplains serve without surrendering their Pentecostal identity. They remain faithful representatives of Jesus Christ and the Pentecostal Church of God while treating every person with dignity, compassion, and respect.

What Is Ecclesiastical Endorsement?

Ecclesiastical endorsement is the official confirmation that a minister is spiritually, professionally, and denominationally qualified to represent the Pentecostal Church of God as a chaplain.

An endorsement communicates that the Chaplains Commission:

  • Recognizes the minister’s calling to chaplaincy
  • Confirms the minister is properly credentialed and in good standing
  • Has reviewed the minister’s education, experience, character, and qualifications
  • Approves the minister to represent the PCG in a particular chaplaincy setting
  • Accepts responsibility for ongoing ecclesiastical oversight
  • Expects the chaplain to remain accountable to PCG doctrine, policies, training, reporting, and credential requirements

Ecclesiastical endorsement is not the same as ordination, a ministerial credential, professional certification, or employment. It is an additional denominational authorization required by many military, federal, healthcare, correctional, and institutional employers.

Receiving an endorsement does not guarantee employment or appointment. The organization or government agency makes the final hiring, commissioning, or accession decision.

Does the PCG Endorse My Field?

The Pentecostal Church of God may provide ecclesiastical endorsement for qualified ministers serving in a variety of professional and specialized settings.

These may include:

Military Chaplaincy

Chaplains serving with the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, and their Reserve or National Guard components. Navy chaplains may also serve members of the Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine.

Department of Veterans Affairs

Chaplains providing spiritual and pastoral care to veterans and their families within VA healthcare facilities and programs.

Healthcare and Hospice

Chaplains serving patients, residents, families, and healthcare personnel in hospitals, nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, hospice programs, and other healthcare settings.

Corrections

Chaplains serving in federal, state, county, or local correctional institutions, detention centers, and related programs.

Law Enforcement, Fire, and Emergency Services

Chaplains supporting police officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, dispatchers, agency employees, and their families.

Community and Specialized Chaplaincy

Qualified chaplains may also serve in settings such as schools, workplaces, disaster-response organizations, civic agencies, transportation ministries, sports organizations, and other specialized institutions.

Endorsement requirements are not identical for every field. Some institutions require a graduate theological degree, Clinical Pastoral Education, professional certification, prior pastoral experience, age qualifications, physical standards, or specific credential levels.

Before beginning an application, contact the Chaplains Commission so we can review your intended field and help you understand its requirements.

Must I Hold PCG Credentials?

Yes. To receive and maintain ecclesiastical endorsement through the Pentecostal Church of God, an applicant must ordinarily hold the appropriate level of PCG ministerial credentials and remain in good standing with the denomination.

Applicants should demonstrate:

  • Agreement with PCG doctrine and ministerial standards
  • Active involvement in a local PCG church and district
  • A consistent record of ministry service
  • Faithful financial support according to PCG requirements
  • Cooperation with denominational leadership
  • Personal, spiritual, marital, financial, and professional integrity
  • Completion of all credential and endorsement requirements

Individuals who are not currently credentialed with the PCG may contact us to discuss the credentialing process. Seminary students and ministers transferring from another denomination should begin this conversation as early as possible.

A ministerial credential authorizes ministry within the denomination. Ecclesiastical endorsement provides additional approval to represent the denomination within a particular chaplaincy setting. Some applicants may need to advance to a higher credential level before becoming eligible for endorsement.

What Education Do I Need?

Educational requirements depend on the chaplaincy field and the standards established by the employing institution.

Military and Federal Chaplaincy

Military and many federal chaplain positions generally require substantial graduate-level theological education from a properly recognized institution. Applicants should speak with the Chaplains Commission before selecting or changing a degree program.

The Commission can help prospective applicants consider:

  • The type of graduate degree required
  • Required theological credit hours
  • School recognition or accreditation
  • Residency and distance-learning limitations
  • Chaplain-candidate opportunities
  • Denominational course requirements
  • Whether additional education may be needed

Healthcare and Professional Chaplaincy

Many hospitals, Veterans Affairs facilities, hospice programs, and professional chaplaincy organizations may require:

  • A bachelor’s degree
  • A graduate theological degree
  • One or more units of Clinical Pastoral Education
  • Board certification or progress toward certification
  • Documented pastoral-care experience

Community and Specialized Chaplaincy

Requirements vary considerably. Some organizations require graduate education and professional certification, while others emphasize ministerial credentials, specialized training, experience, background checks, and approval from the organization being served.

Because institutional requirements can change, applicants should not assume that a particular degree or training program will meet every standard. Contact the Chaplains Commission before making major educational decisions.

What Ministry Experience Is Required?

Chaplains are expected to enter institutional ministry with demonstrated pastoral maturity and practical ministry experience.

The amount and type of required experience depend on the chaplaincy field. Applicants may need to document experience in areas such as:

  • Preaching and teaching
  • Pastoral counseling
  • Hospital and nursing-home visitation
  • Crisis ministry
  • Weddings, funerals, and memorial services
  • Local-church leadership
  • Discipleship and spiritual formation
  • Ministry to people from different backgrounds
  • Conflict resolution
  • Volunteer or community service
  • Administrative responsibility
  • Confidential pastoral care

Military, federal, and professional healthcare organizations may establish specific minimum experience requirements. Experience gained after completing certain educational or credential milestones may be treated differently by an employing agency.

The Commission reviews more than the number of years served. We also consider the applicant’s spiritual maturity, character, emotional health, ministry effectiveness, ability to work under authority, and readiness to serve in a pluralistic environment.

What Is the Difference Between Candidacy and Endorsement?

Chaplain Candidacy

Candidacy is a period of preparation and development for someone who believes God may be calling them into chaplaincy but has not yet completed all requirements for full endorsement.

A candidate may still be:

  • Completing a bachelor’s or graduate degree
  • Working toward the required PCG credential level
  • Gaining pastoral experience
  • Participating in a military chaplain-candidate program
  • Completing Clinical Pastoral Education
  • Receiving mentoring from an experienced chaplain
  • Exploring which field of chaplaincy best fits their calling

Candidacy provides an opportunity to prepare intentionally while remaining connected to the Chaplains Commission.

Candidate status does not automatically provide authorization to serve in a position requiring full ecclesiastical endorsement.

Ecclesiastical Endorsement

Full endorsement is granted after an applicant has completed the applicable denominational, educational, ministerial, personal, and institutional requirements.

An endorsed chaplain is officially authorized to represent the Pentecostal Church of God within the approved chaplaincy setting.

Endorsement must be maintained. Chaplains are expected to remain properly credentialed, accountable, professionally qualified, and actively connected with the Chaplains Commission. Attending Annual Mandatory Endorser Training is also required.

What Are the Application Steps?

The exact process may vary according to the applicant and the intended area of service. A typical pathway includes the following steps:

Step 1: Contact the Chaplains Commission

Tell us about your calling, current credentials, education, ministry experience, and desired chaplaincy field.

Beginning with a conversation can prevent unnecessary delays, expenses, or enrollment in a program that does not meet the requirements of your intended field.

Step 2: Complete an Initial Eligibility Review

The Commission will review your current status and help identify any remaining requirements related to:

  • PCG credentials
  • Education
  • Pastoral experience
  • Clinical or specialized training
  • Denominational standing
  • Institutional qualifications

Step 3: Develop a Preparation Plan

Applicants who are not yet eligible for endorsement may be guided into a period of candidacy, education, ministry development, credential advancement, Clinical Pastoral Education, or mentoring.

Step 4: Submit the Required Application Materials

Depending on the field, the application packet may include:

  • Ministerial Credentials application if you are not a member of the Pentecostal Church of God (PCG), Ecclesiastical Endorsement Application if you are currently a credentialed minister within the PCG.
  • Personal testimony and statement of calling
  • Ministerial-credential information
  • Résumé or ministry history
  • 2×2 color photo (passport style/ facing front with solid background)
  • Academic transcripts
  • References and pastoral recommendations
  • Background-check authorization
  • Marriage and family information, when applicable
  • Copies of identification or agency documents
  • Completion of Questionnaire
  • Application Fee

Step 5: Complete the Review and Interview Process

The Commission and appropriate PCG leaders will review the completed packet. Qualified applicants may be invited to participate in a formal interview.

The interview may address:

  • Conversion and calling
  • Pentecostal doctrine
  • Ministerial identity
  • Chaplaincy philosophy
  • Personal and family readiness
  • Professional boundaries
  • Confidentiality
  • Ethical decision-making
  • Ministry in a pluralistic environment
  • Institutional expectations
  • Accountability to the PCG

Step 6: Receive a Decision

Following the review and interview, the applicant may be:

  • Approved for endorsement
  • Approved with additional requirements
  • Continued as a candidate
  • Asked to provide additional information
  • Encouraged to complete further preparation before reconsideration

Step 7: Submit the Endorsement to the Appropriate Agency

Once approved, the Endorser’s office will prepare or complete the appropriate ecclesiastical-endorsement documentation for the applicable institution or agency.

Step 8: Maintain Your Endorsement

Endorsed chaplains must continue meeting PCG and institutional requirements. These may include:

  • Maintaining active PCG credentials
  • Remaining in good denominational standing
  • Faithful tithing and financial accountability
  • Completing required reports
  • Participating in mandatory training
  • Maintaining contact with the Commission
  • Reporting changes in assignment, address, rank, employer, or status
  • Completing credential renewals and continuing education
  • Following PCG doctrine, ethics, and policies

Who Should I Contact?

Questions concerning chaplain candidacy, eligibility, applications, and ecclesiastical endorsement should be directed to the Pentecostal Church of God Chaplains Commission.

Bishop David Reynolds – Director and Ecclesiastical Endorser
CH. Dale Lessner – Associate Endorser

Email: chaplains@pcg
Phone: (240) 818-7240

What Should I Do First?

Your first step is not to complete every form or enroll immediately in another educational program.

Your first step is to contact the Chaplains Commission.

Tell us where you are in your ministry journey and where you believe God may be leading you. We will help you understand the requirements, identify your next steps, and develop an appropriate pathway toward candidacy or endorsement.

You do not need to have everything completed before beginning the conversation. It is often best to contact us while you are still considering your education, credentials, or area of chaplaincy.

Begin the Conversation Today

If God is calling you to serve beyond the walls of the local church, we would be honored to walk with you as you pray, prepare, and pursue that calling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does endorsement guarantee that I will receive a chaplain position?

No. Ecclesiastical endorsement confirms that you are approved to represent the PCG. The military service, government agency, hospital, employer, or other institution makes the final employment or appointment decision.

Can I apply before completing my education?

You may contact the Commission and begin an eligibility review before completing your education. Depending on your field, you may be recognized as a prospective chaplain or candidate while completing the necessary requirements.

Can the Commission recommend a seminary?

The Commission can help you evaluate whether a proposed degree and institution appear to meet the requirements of your intended chaplaincy field. Applicants should seek guidance before enrolling.

Do I need Clinical Pastoral Education?

Clinical Pastoral Education is commonly required or strongly preferred in healthcare, VA, hospice, and certain professional chaplaincy settings. The number of required units varies by organization and position.

Can I be endorsed while credentialed with another denomination?

Applicants seeking PCG endorsement must ordinarily become properly credentialed and remain in good standing with the Pentecostal Church of God.

Is endorsement permanent?

No. Ecclesiastical endorsement depends upon continued denominational and professional good standing. It may be reviewed, suspended, or withdrawn if requirements are no longer met.

What happens when I change assignments or employers?

Endorsed chaplains should promptly notify the Chaplains Commission of changes involving assignment, employer, branch of service, component, rank, address, telephone number, email address, or professional status.

Is annual training required?

Endorsed chaplains are expected to participate in training and accountability requirements established by the Chaplains Commission. Certain training events may be mandatory for the maintenance of ecclesiastical endorsement.

I am unsure which kind of chaplaincy is right for me. Can someone help?

Yes. Contact the Commission and tell us about your calling, education, ministry experience, interests, and current circumstances. We can help you explore possible pathways and determine what preparation may be needed.