About

Since its founding in 1944, NAE Chaplaincy has operated in two arenas — first, by providing direct endorsement of and support for chaplains, and second, by bringing together different denominational chaplaincy ministries to form the Evangelical Chaplains Commission, the largest representative body of chaplains in the U.S. Armed Forces and Veterans Administration. The Evangelical Chaplains Commission provides support and endorsement for evangelicals to minister as chaplains in the military and in civilian capacities. The Commission also connects and convenes the chaplain ministries of evangelical denominations, making it the largest representative body of chaplains in the U.S. Armed Forces and Veterans Administration.

NAE Chaplaincy provides ongoing support of its chaplains and their families through training conferences, visitation and regular correspondence. We share information that impacts chaplain ministry and also provide assistance to churches that partner with individual chaplains through prayer and friendship.

The Evangelical Board of Certified Chaplains (EBCC) operates as a third division of NAE Chaplaincy, alongside chaplain endorsement and the Evangelical Chaplains Commission. Some chaplaincy roles like military service only require endorsement (i.e., official validation from a religious body that the chaplain is committed to their faith and has met the educational qualifications to serve as a chaplain). However, institutional chaplaincy, such as in health care settings, requires that chaplains be board certified in addition to their endorsement. This certification is governed by professional agencies that determine clinical standards for institutional chaplaincy. These agencies provide leverage for the chaplain to negotiate various issues that may arise with his/her employer. The agencies are also expected to advocate on behalf of the chaplain when necessary.