Chaplaincy Training Institute

The History of Chaplains in America

On July 29, 1775, the Continental Congress established the military chaplaincy. Chaplains were paid $20 per month, and provided “forage for one horse.” Gen George Washington issued this order at Valley Forge on May 2, 1778: “The Commander-in-Chief directs that divine services be performed every Sunday at eleven o’clock in each bridge which has chaplains…While we are duly performing the duty of good soldiers, we are not to be inattentive to the highest duties of religion.” Worship for soldiers was voluntary and chaplains of all faiths cooperated with each other, being sympathetic to the beliefs of others. (American Christian Heritage)  http://acheritagegroup.org/blog

Law Enforcement Chaplains serve in local, county, state and federal agencies and provide a variety of important services within the law enforcement community. They should not be confused with Prison Chaplains, whose primary ministry is to those who are incarcerated either awaiting trial or after conviction. The role of the Law Enforcement Chaplain deals primarily with Law Enforcement personnel and agencies.

Law enforcement officers are faced with having to make split second decisions which at times cause a tremendous amount of anxiety, frustration and criticism for doing their jobs. Many times this will create problems for the officers and their families as well as often being reflected in their job performance and, or, their on the job attitudes towards both others officers and the public that they serve. 

The chaplain responds to these unique needs and challenges with spiritual guidance, reassuring and trustworthy presence, resources and counseling services. Also, Law Enforcement chaplains are often involved as resource providers in assisting with hostage negotiations, death notifications in the community, public relations and other needs that the law enforcement agency might have.

Law Enforcement Chaplains regularly visit the department for personal contact with law enforcement personnel and staff. They build trusting relationships and establish credibility. Riding with the officers on their shifts is vital to a successful ministry.
Chaplains also provide guidance and confidential counseling for personal, family, and job-related problems to both sworn and civilian personnel, their families and others. They refer those in need of professional help to qualified counselors. Chaplains assist families of officers/staff personnel/victims in times of serious injury, illness or death. They respond immediately to emergency situations involving departmental personnel and victims. Chaplains maintain an updated list of spiritual and social service providers, to whom they refer departmental personnel, victims, and their families.

Often the Law Enforcement chaplain is the only minister with whom law enforcement can relate. Occasionally, the chaplain is asked to conduct, or participate in, weddings and funerals by the officers or their families. The chaplain responds to the need as an opportunity for ministry and witness. 

Chaplains participate in basic law enforcement training. They sometimes become training resource leaders themselves in their areas of expertise, particularly in the cultural and practical aspects of differing faith and ethnic communities within their agency's particular jurisdiction. Law enforcement officers often need someone whom they feel that they can trust to assist them with death notifications, suicide attempts, emotionally upset people who have been traumatized, and a myriad of other problems and challenges. They also need someone to care for their families and themselves during times of trauma or distress.

This important aspect incorporates areas of spiritual, moral and emotional development for the incarcerated.

Achievement in these areas will help to insure the future success of offender as a pro- ductive member of the community at large. The Chaplain must integrate these tools for change into the programs inaugurated. He will provide comprehensive services to all inmates in the various facilities assigned to him within its parameters of security.

In the capacity of pastor the Chaplain will provide and often conduct Chapel Worship services for the inmates. Depending on the number of Chaplains at a facility this will mean providing services for all faiths.

The Chaplain is also responsible to provide religious Instruction, for the inmates. This may be done through regular Bible Studies, or doctrinal classes. This is sometimes accomplished through organized discipleship groups among the inmates themselves.

The role of pastor often is extended to families of inmates and prison staff. This may involve counseling, and instruction in moral and spiritual development that will establish an environment for rebuilding the family upon release of the prisoner.

There will be time when the Chaplain is called on to contact friends or relatives. These incidents may involve hardship cases, illness, legal and financial needs, or the death of an inmate.

Counseling Prisoners will take on many facets. It is therefore important that the prison chaplain have an understanding of the inmates, themselves as well as their felt needs.

1. Attending Court hearings and trials
2. Conferring and consulting with prison officials
3. Assisting prisoners find jobs, housing, and community support upon release


The Chaplain may be asked to provide these same services to, prison staff, public officials, and others within the community. He may be asked to work with the local church to provide ministry support through prayer, volunteers and finances.

The Chaplain often becomes a Public Relations Representative to the community in behalf of the prison to Coordinate Volunteer Services.

The religious volunteer becomes an extension of the chaplain in ministering to the needs of the inmate. This mission, like that of the church includes regeneration, spiritual healing and development. Volunteers need to be integrated into the total objective of religious programming of the institution and not just a patchwork of superimposed programs to fill program needs or slots and keep inmates occupied. Training phases are usually sequential and required. Avoid conflicts with training phases and training objectives, scheduled. Recognize the philosophy of the chaplain training staff.

In order to be more effective in ministering to the prison community we should expand our understanding of the correctional process.

Richard R. Blake, Christian Education Consultant, Training Director Prison Ministry

Military chaplain’s provides spiritual and pastoral support for service personnel, including the conduct of religious services at sea or in the field.  English military-oriented chaplains, for instance, were priests on board proto-naval vessels during the eighth century A D.  Land based chaplains appeared during the reign of. First World War Chaplains are nominated in different ways in different countries. A military chaplain can be an army-trained soldier with additional theological training or a priest nominated to the army by religious authorities.