Ecclesiastical Endorsement Applicant

Military: Air Force, Army and Navy

The Evangelical Church Alliance, a recognized endorser of military chaplains by the United States Department of Defense, provides ministerial credentials and support to chaplains in their role of ministry to military personnel and their families. Those desiring to serve as a Military Chaplain must receive an Ecclesiastical Endorsement from a recognized denomination or religious organization, certifying that the candidate is not only in good standing with the ordaining body, but is a person highly qualified to serve as a chaplain:

Requirements for ECA Military Chaplain are listed below along with Educational and Pastoral Work Experience.

• Be a Member of the ECA.
• Be a U.S. Citizen
  • Army - At this time, Lawful Permanent Residents (I-551 Green Card Holders) can be processed for appointment as US Army Chaplains and Chaplain Candidates.  Additionally, all Chaplain Army Reserve Lawful Permanent Resident applicants (I-551 Green Card Holders) only require a completed initial background investigation, fingerprints, and submission of an accepted JPAS (open T3 investigation) status to pass security.  These security requirements are the same as the requirements for applicants who are U.S. citizens.
• Meet the age requirements set forth by each branch of service (see Recruiter for more information)
• Currently, the Navy has opened the educational requirements to allow those with larger percentages of online education in the seminary/equivalent degree to be evaluated for service as chaplains.  Applicants will be evaluated on their suitability for service in the Navy without prejudice against online degrees. 

Education 

• An undergraduate degree in any field and a minimum 72 credit-hour graduate degree from an accredited seminary recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/)
• Educational requirements for Navy applicants.
• Program Authorization 110 as of May 2015
• Educational requirements for Army as of October 2018. The educational requirement of a post-baccalaureate graduate degree is a single 72-hour program.  The graduate level degree cannot be a combination of smaller degrees to total 72 hours, but it must be one single degree requiring at least 72 hours.  A full 72-hour graduate program provides the best opportunity for individuals to be professionally and academically developed in the areas of pastoral counseling, social work, religious administration, world religion, theology, ethics and the foundational writings from the applicant's religious tradition.
• Currently, the Navy has opened the educational requirements to allow those with larger percentages of online education in the seminary/equivalent degree to be evaluated for service as chaplains.  Applicants will be evaluated on their suitability for service in the Navy without prejudice against online degrees. 

Pastoral Work Experience

• Cumulative minimum of 4,160 hours (2 years) for licensure
• Cumulative minimum of 8,320 hours (4 years) for ordination

Additional qualifications for military chaplaincy may be received from the branch of service in which an applicant is interested. A chaplain recruiter will serve as a valuable asset to assist you with your questions as to the military requirements. Also, the ECA is an affiliate member of the National Association of Evangelicals Commission on Chaplains.

Upon acceptance into the ECA as an Ordained Minister, the ECA Military Chaplain Commission office will process the appropriate Ecclesiastical Endorsement Form.

The ECA carefully processes applicants to determine their character, calling, qualifications and abilities to serve in the military as a chaplain. Upon a successful review of an applicant’s completed file, his or her status will be upgraded to candidate, and an oral examination will be scheduled at one of our conferences/gatherings held across the United States.  Providing the examination is met with a positive approval, the candidate will be ordained in a service already scheduled for the following day.

Chaplain Candidates

The Evangelical Church Alliance is authorized by the Department of Defense to provide ecclesiastical endorsements for qualified persons who are preparing for Military Chaplaincy by attending seminary and desiring to participate in the Chaplain Candidate Program.  To obtain a CCP endorsement, follow "Step 2: Application Process" further below.  Should you have any questions, contact our Military Chaplain Commission Chairman, Dr. Elmon Krupnik, by e-mail ([email protected]) or phone (815) 937-0720 ext 119. 

Requirements for ECA Chaplain Candidates are listed below along with Educational requirements and or opportunities:

• Be a U.S. Citizen.
  • Army - At this time, Lawful Permanent Residents (I-551 Green Card Holders) can be processed for appointment as US Army Chaplains and Chaplain Candidates.  Additionally, all Chaplain Army Reserve Lawful Permanent Resident applicants (I-551 Green Card Holders) only require a completed initial background investigation, fingerprints, and submission of an accepted JPAS (open T3 investigation) status to pass security.  These security requirements are the same as the requirements for applicants who are U.S. citizens.
• Meet the age requirement set for by each branch of service (see Recruiter for more information)
• An undergraduate degree in any field.
• Accepted into a minimum 72 credit-hour graduate degree from an accredited seminary recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/)
• Currently, the Navy has opened the educational requirements to allow those with larger percentages of online education in the seminary/equivalent degree to be evaluated for service as chaplains.  Applicants will be evaluated on their suitability for service in the Navy without prejudice against online degrees. 
• Evangelical Seminary: Note also that Evangelical Seminary, with which the ECA has no direct or formal affiliation, provides through its Four Chaplains Scholarship Program, a tuition-free Masters of Divinity degree to military chaplain candidates.  To apply for a scholarship or to learn more about the associated program, click here.

If you are applying to the Chaplain Candidate Program (CCP) and approved by the ECA, we will submit a DD Form 2088 to the corresponding Chief of Chaplains office.  An approved ECA chaplain candidates are responsible to do the following:

• Inform the ECA within 45 days of postal and/or e-mail address changes.  Failure to do so will result in removal from the ECA CCP.  
• Update the ECA as to their progress in the CCP by submitting an Annual (ECA) Military CCP Report
• Pay to the ECA an annual $50 (ECA) CCP fee

(Note:  Failure to submit the immediately above-mentioned report and/or dues will result in the removal of the ECA CCP endorsement.  In addition, this process does not guarantee membership with the ECA.)

Upon completion of your education, you will need to update the ECA with the following documents in order to proceed with your goal of membership with the ECA: all documents below may be mailed or email to [email protected].

• Updated transcript sent directly to the attention of Connie Bochmann at the ECA headquarters. (if the school provides transcripts electronically, have them sent to [email protected].
• Business professional quality or military photo (see step 2 of the application process for more information.)
• Updated resume
• Update ecclesiastical endorsement application
• Past and Current years CCP Annual Report
• Update Statement of Doctrine

Note: You will not become a member of the ECA until licensed or ordained.  Even so, chaplain candidates are welcome, but not expected, to attend ECA conferences or gatherings.  

The ECA carefully processes applicants for membership to determine their character, calling, qualifications and abilities to serve in the military as a chaplain. Upon a successful review of an applicant’s completed file, his or her status will be upgraded to candidate, and an oral examination will be scheduled at one of our conferences/gatherings held across the United States.  Upon passing the examination, the candidate will be licensed or ordained in a service already scheduled for the following day.

Department of Veterans Affairs

The Evangelical Church Alliance, a recognized endorser of military chaplains by the United States Department of Defense, provides ministerial credentials and support to chaplains in their role of ministry to military personnel and their families. Those desiring to serve as a chaplain for the Veterans Administration must receive an Ecclesiastical Endorsement from a recognized denomination or religious organization, certifying that the candidate is not only in good standing with the ordaining body, but is a person highly qualified to serve as a chaplain:

Requirements for ECA VA Chaplains are listed below.

1. Have an undergraduate degree of 120 semester hours from an accredited institution of higher learning accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the Department of Education.
2. Have a M.Div. degree (normally 72 semester hours) or its equivalent educational qualifications in a degree-granting program from an educational institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.
3. Be accepted into Membership with the ECA.

The ECA carefully processes applicants to determine their character, calling, qualifications and abilities to serve in the VA as a chaplain. Upon a successful review of an applicant’s completed file, his or her status will be upgraded to candidate, and an oral examination will be scheduled at one of our conferences/gatherings held across the United States.  Providing the examination is met with a positive approval, the candidate will be ordained in a service already scheduled for the following day.

Federal Bureau of Prisons

The Evangelical Church Alliance, a recognized endorser of military chaplains by the United States Department of Defense, provides ministerial credentials and support to chaplains in their role of ministry to military personnel and their families. Those desiring to serve as a chaplain for Federal Bureau of Prisons must receive an Ecclesiastical Endorsement from a recognized denomination or religious organization, certifying that the candidate is not only in good standing with the ordaining body, but is a person highly qualified to serve as a chaplain:

Requirements for ECA BOP Chaplains are listed below.

1. Have an undergraduate degree of 120 semester hours from an accredited institution of higher learning accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the Department of Education.
2. Have a M.Div. degree (normally 72 semester hours) or its equivalent educational qualifications in a degree granting program from an educational institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.
3. Be accepted into Membership with the ECA.

The ECA carefully processes applicants to determine their character, calling, qualifications and abilities to serve in the BOP as a chaplain. Upon a successful review of an applicant’s completed file, his or her status will be upgraded to candidate, and an oral examination will be scheduled at one of our conferences/gatherings held across the United States.  Providing the examination is met with a positive approval, the candidate will be ordained in a service already scheduled for the following day.

Civil Air Patrol

The Evangelical Church Alliance, a recognized endorser of military chaplains by the United States Department of Defense, provides ministerial credentials and support to chaplains in their role of ministry to military personnel and their families. Those desiring to serve as a chaplain for Civil Air Patrol must receive an Ecclesiastical Endorsement from a recognized denomination or religious organization, certifying that the candidate is not only in good standing with the ordaining body, but is a person highly qualified to serve as a chaplain:

Requirements for ECA CAP Chaplains are listed below.

1. Have an undergraduate degree of 120 semester hours from an accredited institution of higher learning accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the Department of Education.
2. Have a M.Div. degree (normally 72 semester hours) or its equivalent educational qualifications in a degree granting program from an educational institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.
3. Be accepted into Membership with the ECA.

The ECA carefully processes applicants to determine their character, calling, qualifications and abilities to serve in the CAP as a chaplain. Upon a successful review of an applicant’s completed file, his or her status will be upgraded to candidate, and an oral examination will be scheduled at one of our conferences/gatherings held across the United States.  Providing the examination is met with a positive approval, the candidate will be ordained in a service already scheduled for the following day.

Step 2: Application Process

• When filling out the applications and sending out the reference form, make sure everything reflects that you want to be ordained.
• Complete two online applications listed below:
• Application for individual membership which requires the submission of the $100.00 non-refundable (US funds) application fee.
• Application for ecclesiastical endorsement which requires the following fees:
   
  • Application for Ecclesiastical Endorsement Fee $25.00 (non-refundable)
• • Ecclesiastical Endorsement Fee $100.00

Note: All applicants filling out the Ecclesiastical Endorsement Application to be a Military Chaplain or in the Military Chaplain Candidate Program must have a Recruiter when filling out the form.

*All Support documents listed below with an asterisk (*) must be attached to the Application for Individual Membership. Documents can be attached at the end of the application unless otherwise noted. Make sure your full name is on all documents.

• *Business Professional Quality, Colored Photo - When an applicant’s file is being reviewed for consideration as a chaplain, the first thing that often catches the Review Board Committee's eye is the applicant’s photograph.  We recommend you provide a professional, quality photo. If you are currently serving in the military, provide a photo in uniform.
• *Testimony of Conversion* An explanation of how you received Christ as your Lord and Savior, (separate page, no less than 250 words and not to exceed one page in length)
• *Details of your ministry calling* An explanation of how you felt called to ministry, (separate page, no less than 250 words and not to exceed one page in length)
• *Resume of Ministry career, training and activities, and Biblical education.  This document must include tenure, responsibilities, supervisors and names of churches and organizations.  We are looking to assess two years of cumulative ministry experience (4,160 hours) for licensure, and four years of cumulative ministry experience (8,320 hours) required for ordination. (A sample resume is available from the link at the bottom of this page.)
• *Statement of Doctrine* (Please limit your statement to two pages.)  This statement should include your position on the following areas:  The Trinity, salvation, baptism and the inspiration and inerrancy of the Word of God. (A warning regarding plagiarism and a link for a sample of a  Statement of Doctrine are available at the bottom of this page.)
• Official Educational Transcripts: The application process requires your Official Educational Transcripts for all Education (except for High School). This will include College, University, Bible College, and Seminary you have attended.  (These must be sent to us directly from the institution.) Sealed student transcripts will not be accepted.  (Note: If the school provides transcripts electronically, have them sent to [email protected]. Otherwise, have them mailed to Attn: Connie Bochmann-PO Box 9-Bradley IL 60915.)
• Copy of Ordination Certificate (If you have been previously ordained)
• Copy of Licensure Certificate (If you have been previously licensed)
• 4 References: Two ministerial and two personal, all references can be ministerial, however, only two can be personal.  For more information regarding references and who qualifies to be a reference see the apply today page and click on the plus sign for Reference Forms.  Applicants are required to send the following link to your references Reference form for Applicants applying for Ordination.
• Provide additional information as determined by the ECA staff (For example, ECA staff may request information on a prior divorce.)

Note: Certificates, Certificate of Naturalization and Green Card (if applicable) may be sent by email to [email protected].

An application for membership will not be considered for approval until all of the above support documents have been received and approved by The Standard and Credentials Committee.

The ECA carefully processes applicants to determine their character, calling, qualifications and abilities to serve in the Military, BOP, VA and CAP as a chaplain.

Step 3: Oral Examination

• Once your application has been approved by the Standards and Credentials Committee and the Military Chaplain Commission, you will receive a personal email inviting you for an oral examination at one of our scheduled events held across the United States. 
• Following your response, you will be e-mailed information explaining details of your oral examination and the ordination/licensure service. 
• Candidate Membership Dues in the amount of $325, as well as any conference fees will be owed prior to the oral examination.
• Transportation and lodging are the responsibility of the candidate.  We will provide a recommended hotel that includes a negotiated ECA rate.
• Providing the examination is met with a positive approval, the candidate will be ordained/licensed in a service already scheduled for the following day.

Note: Chaplain Candidates are not required to attend Gatherings/Conference until they have completed seminary and met the final requirements for membership.

Step 4: Ecclesiastically Endorsed Member

The following is required upon becoming an ecclesiastical endorsed member of the ECA:

• Submission of the Military (accessioned), VA, Civil Air Patrol, and Federal Bureau of Prisons Chaplain Ministerial Report
• Payment of  $325.00 Annual Membership Dues               
• Payment of  $125.00 Active duty (For those serving on Active Duty)            

Failure to complete the above information will ultimately result in a withdrawal of endorsement and removal from the ECA membership.

Ecclesiastically Endorsed Chaplain Candidate

The following is required upon becoming an ecclesiastical endorsed chaplain candidate of the ECA.

• Submission of the Chaplain Candidate Annual Report

• Those enrolling in the Chaplain Candidate Program are required to pay an annual fee of $50.

Failure to complete the above information will ultimately result in a withdrawal of endorsement from the Chaplain Candidate Program.