All chaplains are pastors, though not all pastors are called to be chaplains. Just as medical doctors require graduate school and licensing before they can practice medicine, pastors require professional training and credentialing. To become a specialist in any medical field requires advanced professional training, residency and certification. To become a chaplain, pastors must have advanced training, pastoral experience verified by current credentials and ecclesiastical endorsement.
CHAPLIANCIES REQUIRING ENDORSEMENT
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is committed to endorsing only qualified clergy in chaplaincy ministries. Ecclesiastical endorsement is granted only to individuals who qualify for appropriate ministerial credentials, and who have applied to serve or are serving as chaplains in one of the following chaplaincies:
- Campus – Adventist and public colleges and universities – For endorsement information, click here.
- Community – Law enforcement agencies, disaster response, fire departments, government legislatures, Search and Rescue – For endorsement information, click here.
- Corrections – Federal, state, and local prisons – For endorsement information, click here.
- Health Care – Hospital, hospice, assisted living and nursing homes, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) – For endorsement information, click here.
- Military (Active Duty and Reserve Components)—Bermuda Regiment, Canadian Forces, U.S. Armed Forces, U.S. Coast Guard, Civil Air Patrol (CAP), any state militia – For endorsement information, click here.
- Work place institutions or organizations—Airports, businesses, cruise lines, industrial, and sports organizations, etc. – For endorsement information, click here.