GUIDELINES for the Commission on Chaplains

Transcription

1 GUIDELINES for the Commission on Chaplains ARMY AIR FORCE CIVIL AIR PATROL NAVY MARINE CORPS COAST GUARD V.A. HOSPITALS AND SERVICE CENTERS PRISON POLICE DEPT SHERIFF D EPT FIRE DEPT CIVILIAN HOSPITALS NURSING HOMES

2 I PURPOSE AND DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION 1. To serve as a liaison between the Board of Directors (BD) and: Chiefs of Chaplains of the military services Director of Chaplain Service, Veterans Administration State and Federal Correctional Institutions City and county law enforcement Civilian hospitals Other institutions that are users and potential users of Bible Churches Chaplaincy (BCC) chaplains. 2. To promote, as means are available, the use of our endorsed chaplains in these institutions. 3. To keep member churches and the BD informed concerning these Chaplaincy ministries and to encourage prayer support for our chaplains. 4. To recruit for these areas of missionary ministry and to represent our constituency in the Chaplaincy to which the Lord has called them. 5. To provide ecclesiastical endorsement for those applicants who meet the requirements described herein and those of the ministry they seek. 6. To offer counsel and advice to chaplains holding endorsement for these ministries. 7. To meet at the Annual Convention and at other times, when needed and possible for the purpose of: Interviewing applicants Receiving the Director of Chaplaincy report Reviewing Commission policies Recommending improvements to procedures Preparing suggested revisions of policy for the BD. II COMPOSITION OF THE COMMISSION 1. The Commission is composed of two sub-commissions, a Military Commission and an Institutional Commission. Members of the Commission are appointed each year by the BD at the Annual Convention. 2. The EC shall designate the Director of Chaplaincy, who directs the affairs of the Commission on Chaplains and chairs the meetings of the Institutional Commission and Military Commission. III DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DIRECTOR OF CHAPLAINCY 1. Preside at the meetings of the Military and Institutional Commissions on Chaplains 2. Administer the affairs of the Commission with the help of the other members, within these guidelines 3. Process all applications for endorsement 4. Provide an ecclesiastical endorsement for applicants upon successful completion of the application process and interview, with the approval of the members of the Commission involved in the interview

3 a. Institutional Applicant Interviews: Factors Affecting Interviews: Time and distance are significant factors in interviewing applicants for these ministries. Often a Chaplaincy position is open for only a brief window of time and interviews must take place soon after the application is made to avoid losing the ministry opportunity. Often applicants will be at great distances from Commission members making travel for in-person interviews prohibitively expensive. Thus, interviews of Institutional applicants differ from the military interview process. Interview procedure: The Director shall, together with not less than one other Commission member, interview each applicant in person or by telephone in order to process applications in a timely and thorough manner. This ensures maximum opportunity for the applicant to obtain the position they are seeking. b. Military Applicant Interviews: In-person interviews by the Commission (or designated representatives by the Director) will be held with applicants for active duty, the Reserve or National Guard and their wives. 5. Keep accurate files and records of all chaplains holding BCC endorsement 6. Maintain contact with each endorsed chaplain by letter, telephone. and personal visits 7. Prepare a report for bi-annual EC meetings and an annual report for the constituency, which will be presented at the Annual Convention. 8. Provide information on developments in the Chaplaincy minis- tries when requested. 9. Represent the Commission on Chaplains at meetings and professional gatherings relevant to Chaplaincy ministries. the endorsed chaplains. and the general interest of the membership IV REQUIREMENTS FOR ECCLESIASTICAL ENDORSEMENT The applicant... must be a member of IFCA International. (see Women s Ministry chaplain requirements p. 6)...shall submit to the Commission A completed application form References as requested A copy of their ordination certificate A photo of them self or if married, a photo of the couple. Documentation indicating they have met the requirements of the chaplain ministry for which they seek endorsement....shall have two years of practical ministry experience or its equivalent, such as preaching, youth work, evangelism, teaching, missions, etc. This requirement is waived for military chaplain candidate applicants who are still in training and require only a letter of approval for training, rather than official endorsement....shall provide references that give evidence of: An attitude of Servanthood The ability to minister cooperatively without compromise within an organization they cannot control.

4 ...shall demonstrate by ministry experience and attitude their fitness to minister to the type of people within the institution for which they seek endorsement....must be ordained and free from (or seeking freedom from) any denominational ties. Request by a chaplain for withdrawal of ecclesiastical endorsement will be considered on a case by case basis. Withdrawal of endorsement for cause may be based on......failure to comply with any of the above requirements....failure to meet the requirements for membership in IFCA International....demonstrated incompatibility of their gifts or behavior with their ministry....unacceptable attitudes toward his ministry.... failure to report to the Director of Chaplaincy within 48 hours any legal action being taken in relation to them, thus limiting support and/or appropriate action regarding their situation. In case of withdrawal of endorsement for cause, the same procedures shall be followed as are provided for discipline in the IFCA International Constitution [Article XIII, Section 2 "Dismissal"]. Endorsement of Women The Commission on Chaplains may endorse women for Chaplaincy ministry to women, children and youth that does not require their ordination. Applicants must be members of an IFCA International church and have written recommendation and approval from their church's spiritual leadership (board and pastor) for such ministry. The applicant must complete an application form that clearly identifies her Biblical understanding to be in harmony with IFCA International. V THE ENDORSED CHAPLAIN MAY EXPECT FROM IFCA INTERNATIONAL AND THE COMMISSION......official approval and endorsement as long as they meet the requirements of the institution they serve and as long as their life and ministry are in keeping with the standards of IFCA International....updates on trends within the field of their ministry....supportive sharing of counsel and guidance by members of the Commission and other endorsed chaplains....prayer support of the constituent membership of IFCA International and of its local church congregations....official representation with their Chief of Chaplains (where applicable).

5 VI IFCA INTERNATIONAL AND THE COMMISSION EXPECT THE ENDORSED CHAPLAIN TO......renew their membership in IFCA International annually. Failure to do so leaves no alternative but withdrawal of endorsement. Women s ministry chaplains will reaffirm their commitment to the IFCA International doctrinal position on their annual report....inform the Director of Chaplaincy of any change of duty, job title, promotion, or additional training completed....inform the Director of Chaplaincy immediately of any change of address or phone number....inform the Director of Chaplaincy immediately regarding any problems that will affect the quality or effectiveness of their ministry; thus providing the Director and Commission maximum opportunity to be of assistance....make an annual report of ministry to the Director....share information about their ministry to members of the Commission or the home office....support IFCA International by attending a local member church or a church pastored by a member, where such is available, and whenever their Chaplaincy duties allow....contribute to the Chaplains' Fund on a regular basis to help meet expenses of the Commission which provides the opportunity for their Chaplaincy ministry. Required Chaplaincy Ministry Support (tax deductible) for those chaplains who are salaried is: Military Active duty: $50 per month ($600 yr) Reserve/National Guard: $10 per month ($120 yr) Institutional Prison, VA Hospital, Hospital 1% of annual salary per year paid monthly or annually....participate in Regional activities and the annual Convention when their duties permit. Failure to demonstrate interest in IFCA International activities is cause for the Commission to review their endorsement. VII EXCEPTIONS Exceptions to these guidelines may be made on a case by case basis when they are deemed to accomplish their spirit and purpose. The approval of the Director of Chaplaincy, the recommendation of members of the appropriate Commission on Chaplains, and the approval of the Executive Director is required for such exceptions.

6 IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THESE GUIDELINES PLEASE CONTACT: CH (LTC) Robert J. Meyer, USA (Ret.) Director of Chaplaincy Timber Ridge Road Nevada, IA Voice: Chaplaincy Connections: Revised and approved Les Lofquist, Executive Director, July 2006