New Applicants
Chaplain Candidate Program
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 the instructions on our "Apply Today" page, which will include completing the "Application for Membership". You will also need to complete an "Application for Ecclesiastical Endorsement" according to the instructions. A link to both applications is provided 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.
Requirments for ECA Chaplain Candidates are listed below along with other requirements and or opportunities.
- Must be a US Citizen.
- Meet the age requirement set forth by each branch of service. (see Recruiter for more information.)
- New educational requirements for Navy CCP candidates:
- Program Authorization 219 (CCPO) as of May 2015
- 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.
Military Chaplain Endorsement
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 in the following 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:
- Armed Forces
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Federal Bureau of Prisons
- Civil Air Patrol
Requirements for ECA Military Chaplains are listed below along with Educational and Pastoral Work Experience.
- Be a U.S. Citizen.
- You must first become a member of the Evangelical Church Alliance in order to receive an endorsement.
- Meet the age requirements set forth by each branch of service. (see Recruiter for more information.)
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/)
- New educational requirements for Navy candidates:
- Program Authorization 110 as of May 2015
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.
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. Providing the results of the examination are positive, the candidate will participate in an ordination/licensure service at the scheduled conference/gathering and be received into membership.
Fees
- Individual Membership Application $100.00 (non-refundable)
- Ecclesiastical Endorsement Application $25.00 (non-refundable)
- Ecclesiastical Endorsement Fee $100.00
- First Year Annual Membership Dues $325.00 (payable prior to oral examination)
Upon acceptance into the ECA as an Ordained Minister, the Military Chaplain Commission will process the appropriate Ecclesiastical Endorsement.
Those desiring Ecclesiastical Endorsement by the ECA must complete the following two applications:
New Applicants
Application for Ecclesiastical Endorsement
Application for Individual Membership
All ECA applicants must possess a written and spoken proficiency in the English language in order to interact with headquarters and the greater ECA membership. This would apply to handle items such as, but not limited to, the application for membership, e-mails, the ordination or licensure oral examination, phone calls, the annual ministerial reports (if membership is granted) and general correspondence among members.
The ECA Membership Application must be accompanied by a $100.00 non-refundable application fee, along with the other required support documents. Instructions for completing the Application for Individual Membership is found on the Apply Today Page.
The Ecclesiastical Endorsement Application must be submitted with a $25.00 non-refundable application fee and a $100 endorsement fee.
Interested candidates may receive additional information by contacting the ECA Military Chaplain Commission at (815) 937-0720 or e-mail [email protected].
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 Gatherings/Conferences held across the United States and in Canada.
- Following your response, you will be e-mailed information explaining the 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.
Ecclesiastically Endorsed Member
The following is required upon becoming an ecclesiastically 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 ecclesiastically endorsed chaplain candidate of the ECA.
- Submission of the Chaplain Candidate Annual Report
- Chaplain Candidates do not pay dues at this time.
Failure to complete the above information will ultimately result in a withdrawal of endorsement from the Chaplain Candidate Program.
Current Members
