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Frequently Asked Questions FAQ These “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) are divided into two categories. First, the questions we are frequently asked by those who are investigating chaplaincy as a possible area of ministry, as well as chaplains who are new to Guardian Chaplains. Second, is the more ‘general’ questions we are often asked about the role of a chaplain and expectations. When you click on any of the below questions, a short answer will pop up. With some of these answers, you will also find a link to More Details in case you’d like a more comprehensive answer. The below questions are listed in frequency order, with the questions we are asked most often, listed first. Other Questions? Please use the “Contact Us” page to reach out to us if you are thinking about becoming a chaplain and your question was not answered here. If you feel that God wants you to be a chaplain, so that you can minister to those who serve on the frontlines of our society, we want to help you fulfill that mission. Please let us know how we can help. Q: Can chaplains ordained through Guardian Chaplains officiate at marriages and other community rites such as funerals, memorials, baptisms, child dedications, or celebration services, etc.? A: Yes. However, a few States in the U.S. and elsewhere require a minister to register their credentials or jump through other hoops, so check local requirements before proceeding. Q: How is Guardian Chaplains different from other chaplaincy training programs? A: Since our goal is to recruit, train, and ordain the chaplains who are in short supply today, which will be desperately needed in the days ahead, Guardian Chaplains was created to provide a low-cost, user-friendly, fast-track online method to meet these needs. More Details To accomplish this, we established an advisory council of experienced chaplains and top scholars who come from the various fields of expertise needed for comprehensive training. When possible, we use existing training materials gleaned from the best-of-the-best instructors to keep our education highly relevant and representative of ‘best practices’ in each specialty field. Guardian Chaplains is registered with the U.S. government as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit education, ordination, and accreditation agency. This makes it possible for us to move forward aggressively with few impediments because we do it all. Here at Guardian Chaplains, we are results-oriented. We have instituted an online education mechanism that recognizes past experiences and encourages ongoing, continuing education. Our concept is to give chaplains the training they need to get started, followed by the resources they need for ongoing personal and spiritual growth, as well as professional development and specialty training and certification. Similar to a college’s self-designed major, we offer different tracks of education, and we offer our chaplains their choice of obtaining chaplaincy ordination, certification, and/or licensing as a Christian chaplain. We also offer training and credentials for those who want to become ‘guardian chaplains.’ To learn more about the difference between these two categories of chaplaincy, visit this website's “Getting Started” page and the “About Us” pages. Another uniqueness of Guardian Chaplains is that next year, we plan to launch an online community for our chaplains. It will offer Q&A iron-sharpens-iron relationship forums, mentoring/mentee opportunities, and an environment to brainstorm solutions to the real-world problems faced by chaplains. Q: Do years of service in a church, church leadership, or past experience count toward ordination? A: Yes. In some cases, no further education is required, but it is still recommended. We also have a provision for issuing temporary credentials to meet a pressing need. Most often, past experience fits into our education track that acknowledges Bible knowledge and church experience, only requiring additional training in the specific category of chaplaincy where you intend to serve (police, fire, emergency services, etc.). Q: What is the theology or denominational viewpoint of Guardian Chaplains? A: Our approach is nondenominational, with a high view of Scripture as the Word of God. This is further explained by our Statement of Faith, the content of our Chaplain’s Pledge, and other information available in this website's “About Us” section. More Detail Here at Guardian Chaplains, we acknowledge and understand that as Christian chaplains, and as Christians generally, we must be serious about studying the Bible and diligent in the pursuit of our own personal, spiritual growth. This is part of self-care. However, while important, that is a different yet important topic. In answer to this question about theology and denominational viewpoints, which aligns closely with a similar question also answered here in our FAQ section, with the role of a Christian chaplain we urge caution. As Christians grow, we sometimes become dogmatic about our theological viewpoints or prideful in having knowledge. While we acknowledge the importance of having Bible knowledge, and while we are quick to add that we value ‘iron-sharpens-iron’ conversations, for Christian chaplains, there is a higher road. We are not ambivalent about the answer to this question, nor are we trying to avoid answering it. Rather, there is a specific, intentional reason why we don’t endorse or teach any denominational viewpoint. All of us here at Guardian Chaplains have our own viewpoints, and by intentional design, these span the breadth of mainstream Christianity. However, with our training and public stance, we are careful only to endorse historical, traditional Christianity. This approach is explained in our Statement of Faith. More to the point here is that this is the approach we advocate for Christian chaplains. If you are interested in the specifics of our organization’s Statement of Faith, we encourage you to read this website's ‘About Us’ pages. Importantly, beyond our nondenominational stance and our commitment to traditional Christian beliefs, our view is this: For “on duty” chaplains, conversations on denominational differences, theology, or the fine points of eschatology generally, hinder the chaplain’s mission. While these conversations may be engaging and meaningful in a different setting, a Chaplain who succumbs to this temptation while on duty has stepped away from their role and duty as a chaplain. Prospective chaplains must understand the unique role of a chaplain before they enter into training and before they seek ordination or certification. Furthermore, unnecessary in-depth conversations between chaplains often serve to create divisions or “camps” within the chaplaincy corps. This is counterproductive. As chaplains, rather than getting wrapped up in winning an argument, we must “win” at Christian unity. We need to work together, so that together, we can serve our community as the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. Christ-centered unity and mutual support are essential to make a chaplaincy program effective. However, if an issue of apostasy surfaces in a team of chaplains, this does need to be addressed. As soon as this is observed, the situation should be immediately handled by either the leader of the chaplaincy program or the chaplaincy corps meeting together to discuss the issue with the offender. In all cases, it should be handled in a private setting. If public admonishment or censure is necessary to maintain the integrity of the chaplaincy program, that can be accomplished in a timely fashion, but at a later time. With this caveat, when a chaplain argues a point of theology and thereby departs from keeping the main thing, the main thing (essential Christian Truths), they have abandoned the primary duty and role of a Christian chaplain. At this point, even a truth-filled conversation becomes a distraction or, worse, counterproductive. The chaplain’s mission and primary responsibility is to serve their specific community according to their Mission or job description. The primary focus of a chaplain is outward; community service. Whereas the primary focus of most church pastors, elders, deacons, and church leaders is inward; equipping their congregation or fellow Christians. Even when a church has a high view of outward service, the church itself (and its pastor and leaders), focus on expository preaching or teaching on biblical topics, discipleship, fellowship, worship, and equipping church members for service. Christian chaplains serve a different audience. Furthermore, they do not make these distinctions when it comes to who they serve. They serve everyone. Conversely, a “chaplain” who has accepted an ‘official’ service role, expects that it will come with assigned duties, expectations, and accountability to either their sponsoring government agency, NGO, or nonprofit organization. Therefore, prospective chaplains must understand these expectations before they even apply for a chaplaincy position. Furthermore, in the day-to-day routine of a chaplain, they should not be distracted by deep theological instruction, even among their constituents. Theological teaching is important, but this is the role of a pastor or Bible study leader, not an on-duty Christian chaplain. Even when a conversation is fruitful, it may nevertheless sidetrack the chaplain from seeking-out those who need them. While we heartily endorse and seek to facilitate a deep-dive into Scripture, and while we encourage learning and the development of theological viewpoints rooted in sound Bible doctrine, we urge our chaplains to reserve these weighty conversations for times when they are off-duty. For the chaplain, this historic Christian motto is always relevant… “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity (kindness].” While we unwaveringly contend for the Faith, a Christian chaplain is not argumentative or strident and should not push his/her own agenda. Rather, we must be known for our love of every human being; for being the hands and feet of Jesus. With this, we must exude peace, godly joy, forbearance, kindness, thoughtfulness, goodness, and self-control. In summary, we must exude the winsome Spirit of Jesus Christ. Q: Is being a chaplain a paid job or a volunteer position? A: It can be either, but most often, these are unpaid volunteer positions. Q: What is the difference between the role of a ‘secular’ chaplain and a ‘Christian’ chaplain? A: Importantly, a Christian chaplain has the capacity to serve as both a generic or secular chaplain, as well as a Christian chaplain. While there is a lot of overlap between a secular and Christian chaplain, the reverse is not true. A Christian chaplain has (or should have) additional tools in his/her toolbox. The Christian chaplain can respond to the deeper questions of life; questions and issues outside the purview of a non-religious, secular chaplain. Questions such as, “If God is loving, if He cares about us, why does He allow pain and suffering?” There are four legs to the stool of healthy living: a) physical health, b) mental health, c) relational health, and d) spiritual health. While a secular chaplain may be able to address the first three legs of healthy living, a four-legged stool provides more balance, durability, and a firm foundation when all four legs become a unified support system. More Detail Importantly, a trained Christian chaplain has the benefit of a belief structure that is built on the time-tested Truths contained in the Holy Bible. This volume, sometimes referred to as containing the Old and New Testaments, incorporates 66 Books that were penned by 40+ authors over the span of several thousand years, yet it contains a unified, consistent message. This Book, the Christian’s Holy Bible, underpins the approach and methods of a Christian chaplain. While we readily acknowledge that a secular chaplain may be extremely competent, highly trained, possess many years of experience, and be a valuable resource to those they serve, they nevertheless can’t deliver the essential balance brought about by addressing, in unison, all four legs of the stool needed to support healthy living. (1. Physical health, 2. Mental health, 3. Relational health, and 4. Spiritual health.) If any leg of the stool is missing, the result is a less stable, less reliable platform for living life. Still, secular and Christian chaplains can work together closely, utilizing each other’s strengths to offset their areas of weakness. By working together, they can be a powerful team. Still, the identity of the Christian chaplain must be maintained and set apart, to avoid confusion among those they serve. Since many people assume all chaplains are also pastors or religious counselors, this clarification is essential but should be presented graciously. While a Christian chaplain can step into the role of a secular chaplain, the opposite is not true. A Christian chaplain is unique. They have the capacity to serve more broadly and, in our experience, more meaningfully than their secular counterpart. Those who qualify to be Guardian Chaplains have yet another level of training. For more on this topic, visit our “Getting Started” page. This explanation of tiers of service (secular chaplain, Christian chaplain, and Guardian Chaplain) should not be understood as a disparaging statement. It is simply a qualifier and explanation. Just as we recognize that a medical professional may be either a nurse, a physician, or have a specialty role, we respect each and acknowledge their value. Beyond these distinctions, a secular and Christian chaplain’s job description may vary greatly according to the needs of their sponsoring agency and their specific assignment. Notwithstanding, the baseline of any Christian chaplain’s work is this: The role of the Christian chaplain is not that of a church pastor, priest, evangelist, apologist, in-house theologian, professional counselor, psychologist, or career counselor. It is totally different from all of these roles but contains a bit of each. A Christian chaplain must be equipped with a smattering of skills drawn from various and diverse disciplines. This versatility is like a handyman who arrives to help but may eventually need to provide a referral to a specialist. Q: Is a chaplain a religious person? A: The answer to this question depends on your definition of the word “religious.” Chaplains are often thought of as “religious counselors,” but this is not an accurate description, at least not in our modern Western world. The uninformed public tends to regard a chaplain as a spiritual resource, but this may not be the orientation of a chaplain, especially in a secular environment. Chaplains who serve in a government or secular organization may not have any religious or spiritual underpinnings. However, Christian chaplains do have a faith-based orientation that is sometimes thought of as ‘religious,’ but most of the services they perform are not of a religious or spiritual nature. Rather, a Christian chaplain is whole-person oriented. This is what makes a Christian chaplain distinctively different. Many nonreligious groups have chaplains, such as motorcycle clubs, so individuals who are far from looking pious, can be chaplains. However, even hardcore people who are chaplains need to have good morals and act as representatives of Jesus Christ. By definition, a Guardian Chaplain should be equipped to help with all sorts of situations, ranging from marital problems to talking down a suicidal person, from providing counsel for dealing with a person’s problems at work to questions on the meaning of life, from delivering death notifications to helping a community cope after a tragedy. The role of both a Christian chaplain and a Guardian Chaplain is broad and includes all facets of living a healthy, robust, meaningful life. More Detail Regrettably, some think a “Christian chaplain” is simply a person who prays at official gatherings or officiates at weddings, funerals, baptisms, etc. While the title of ‘Christian chaplain’ often includes being “ordained” and, therefore, the opportunity to serve in these capacities, these officiant responsibilities are infrequent for most Christian chaplains. While we accept that some people take a quick and easy online shortcut to become ordained, in our view, this common practice should come with a different title. We accept that these individuals often follow this path simply because they want to officiate at a religious ceremony. We are okay with this; it’s a reality of our modern world. However, these people are not qualified to serve as Christian chaplains in any broader role. This fact becomes immediately obvious as soon as you review the different roles of a chaplain and the training we offer – most of which is for provided without cost to the chaplain. Here at Guardian Chaplains, we do make ordination and certification easier and faster. Yet, our process strives for excellence and endeavors to be comprehensive, promotes ongoing education, and builds on past experience. Our education program was structured to keep chaplains engaged in ongoing learning opportunities. And, similar to a college’s design-your-own major, we make it possible for a chaplain to tailor their education to match the needs in their arena of intended service. We don’t circumvent essential education, but we do remove the fluff. At its core, our program is one of continuing education. Along with our required education modules, we promote and facilitate lifelong learning and link this to mentoring, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training. Our goal is to facilitate and speed the placement of chaplains, help them grow professionally, constantly expand their expertise, and continuously expand the practical skillsets relevant to a chaplain's work. Our objective is to get chaplains operational as quickly as possible, so they can begin to serve as soon as possible. We aren’t here to crank out ordained chaplains; we are working to rapidly equip serious Christians to serve those who desperately need a chaplain. A secular chaplain typically regards this spiritual perception as a varnish that must be overcome, while others may acknowledge it but embrace it without any depth. Even military chaplains who wear the lapel pin or patch of a Christian cross may be secular in their beliefs about God and the Bible. Even chaplains who express a belief in Jesus Christ may be thoroughly secular in their approach to their job. Still, a chaplain who self-identifies as a “Christian chaplain” should be distinctly different. While a Christian chaplain must believe in the Bible as the Word of God, and in Jesus as God/man who was killed and rose from the grave, a Christian chaplain is not necessarily a religious person. Their orientation may be forgiveness and reconciliation with our Creator rather than adhering to religious trappings. Regrettably, this same lack of clarity is often true for a Jewish chaplain, as well, who may even be an atheist. Conversely, a Muslim chaplain, as well as those who represent another religion, such as a Buddhist chaplain, usually have a religious orientation toward their work that reflects their religious beliefs. These tend to want to serve their own religious group rather than the broad outlook of both secular and Christian chaplains. Officially, the term ‘secular chaplain’ indicates a chaplaincy role devoid of spiritual underpinnings. This term is sometimes used for recruitment or in a job description, but it may not represent the orientation of an individual chaplain in that role. Most Christian chaplains, along with many non-religious “secular” people, regard forced secularization of the chaplaincy role as an affront to Constitutionally protected religious freedom. Oftentimes, this is not perceived as simply an infringement on the individual Rights of a chaplain, but on the Constitutionally protected freedom of the people a chaplain serves. On the everyday practical side of this issue, when a chaplain is requested by a member of their sponsoring agency or organization, whether it be for personal counsel for an employee or to help a member of the general public, it is usually to provide assistance in a situation that is not overtly “religious” or “spiritual.” Rather, it is to help someone who is struggling with a tragedy, trauma, depression, or some aspect of living life that most people do not perceive as something of a religious nature. With this day-to-day role, a chaplain routinely provides personal support as well as practical assistance. These needs are diverse. It might be to offer emotional support after the death of a loved one, to deliver a death notification, to help a person who has experienced psychological trauma, to support the victim of a violent crime, or it might be to support someone who is suffering from physical or emotional abuse, betrayal, relationship problems, depression or despair, addiction, stress, fear, anger, loneliness, loss, unmet needs, or deep disappointment. The role of a chaplain is diverse and multifaceted. With this in mind, the person requesting a chaplain may not be looking for spiritual counsel but rather assistance beyond their ability or capacity to give. These are the arenas where chaplains often operate. A unique aspect of the role of chaplains is that when they are on duty, they are ready and prepared to offer immediate assistance. If allowed by their sponsoring agency, a chaplain is proactive and shows up where they might be needed, even before they have been requested. Along with this, a Christian chaplain is sometimes sought out by someone who is struggling with the big questions of life. This might include wrestling with topics such as their own moral failure, the meaning of life, the existence of evil (or confronting evil), the reason we exist, living with purpose and without regrets, and other topics that secular counselors often evade. A trained Christian chaplain has the orientation to dive deeper into questions such as these and help individuals find solutions to other problems that need more than a temporary, emotional Band-Aid. In addition, the training offered to ‘Guardian Chaplains’ is designed to provide a greater capacity to minister to a community during or after a disaster or major incident. Whether it be a natural disaster, a mass shooting, or an act of terrorism, a chaplain needs to be equipped to help the community as well as individuals. In these situations, all three categories, secular chaplains, Christian chaplains, and Guardian Chaplains, are encouraged to work together and draft into service other professionals, so that each individual can embrace the role best suited to their training and experience. Chaplains must keep the main thing, the main thing. The role of a chaplain is unique. A chaplain should be constantly oriented to the needs of individuals, the needs of the sponsoring agency, and the needs of the community. Keeping the main thing, the main thing, is not easy. For example, if an individual engages a chaplain with a cavernous theological question, the chaplain should not necessarily avoid that conversation but first dig deeper. Often, an individual will approach a chaplain with a question they think the chaplain wants to hear, when, in reality, the conversation they are seeking is awkward for them. Or, their question is designed to help them avoid talking about what is going on in their life, or in the life of the organization or community. If a theological question is a legitimate inquiry, these ‘religious’ conversations are often best facilitated over a cup of coffee during the chaplain’s off-duty hours. While deep or theological conversations may be enjoyable to both the chaplain and their charge, these can easily become a distraction to the chaplain. Even a “good” activity, such as a theological conversation, can sidetrack a chaplain from the “best,” which is to seek out those with pressing needs. These “best” conversations may surface through friendly conversations with individuals the chaplain meets, or they may be casually sought as a result of a “tip” from a peer or supervisor. A chaplain does not “push” conversations. A chaplain who is discerning is available for conversation when those they serve are ready to talk. Importantly, a chaplain should invest their time in people who need them. This assistance may to be to serve as a sounding board for them to work their way through ideas or a problem; it may be sage advice, being a safe place to vent anger or emotions, or simply walking through life together as a trustworthy, supportive friend or confidant. A chaplain is an encourager who helps those they serve let down their guard so they can be themselves; a friend with whom they can enjoy safe, meaningful conversations, a peer they can trust to be understanding and accepting, who is dependable and worthy of their trust. In this sense, a chaplain is a pastor, but their pastoral role is primarily one of listening, asking questions that stimulate self-discovery, a ‘pastor’ with whom they can have legally protected conversations. Legally, conversations with a chaplain are regarded as having the same protections as talking with a church pastor, psychologist, or medical doctor. Similarly, what the chaplain hears that is of a confidential nature should be forever kept private. The role of an on-duty chaplain is that of a pastor who is not a preacher but is pastoral. A chaplain is a very different role from that of a church pastor. A chaplain is also not a teacher or supervisor unless specifically assigned these secondary roles. Rather, a chaplain is a trusted friend who understands, supports, and prays for individuals and their agency or organization. He/she is someone with whom people can open up and talk freely, knowing they will receive responses that are reasoned, wise, and nonjudgmental. A chaplain is someone they can trust, and with whom they can enjoy total confidentiality, who will help them, or get them the help they need. For more on this topic, visit our “About Us” website page and read our Statement of Faith, our chaplain’s pledge, Code of Ethics, and related information on the role of a chaplain. Q: In some schools, there is an option for a student to create a self-designed major or field of study. Does Guardian Chaplains offer something similar? A: Yes, but unless the ordination and chaplaincy is something unusual, this isn’t usually worth the effort. We already offer several education tracks. However, if you think your situation might fit into this special category, please use the “Contact Us” page to send us a message. Q: Does the ordination provided by Guardian Chaplains equip me to pastor a church? A: Our ordination is specifically designed to help those who want to serve warriors who are our guardians in emergency services, but the credentials we provide are ministry credentials. Therefore, they can also be used by a church pastor, home-church pastor, Bible study leader, and in other ministry roles. It is up to the individual ministry if they will accept our credentials of ‘ordained chaplain.’ Regardless, at Guardian Chaplains, the training we advocate and the ordination and credentials we provide may be used to pastor any congregation, especially those that are oriented toward community service. Q: Do Guardian Chaplain credentials provide access to jails, prisons, or secure government facilities? A: Yes and no. This depends on the circumstance and the institution. However, if you use our credentials as a ruse to gain access to a secure facility for a purpose other than legitimate ministry, they will be revoked. Q: Is the education and training you advocate, Bible-based? A: Yes, absolutely. However, we do tap into secular resources for specialty training, such as techniques of de-escalation, suicide prevention, and other topics not comprehensively addressed in the Bible. Yet, these are filtered to make sure their approach is compatible with the teaching found in the Bible. Perhaps this will help: Our program is based on traditional Christianity, not woke theology. Q: Is Guardian Chaplains an accredited school? A: Yes. We are a faith-based organization sponsored by Guardian Ministries (GM), which is registered in the State of Texas and with the United States federal government as a 501(c)(3) religious and education organization. We are closely aligned yet separate from GM; they stipulate our conditions for ordination, and they provide our umbrella as a nonprofit charitable organization. Q: Do you accept tax-deductible donations, similar to a church or other 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations? A: Yes, but we do not ‘push’ or actively solicit donations. We do not send solicitation letters to our students or chaplains. That explained, we do welcome and greatly appreciate donations. Donations can be sent by mail to the address listed on our “Contact Us” page, or made online through our “Store” page. For our day-to-day operations, we rely on the modest fees we charge for services and the sale of books and products purchased from our online store. And, we rely heavily on the work donated by our volunteers. Still, we do sometimes run short, so donations of any size are put to good use. Periodically, we also seek grants to fund equipment, projects, etc. Q: Are you interested in hearing my recommendations or comments on books, training materials, schools, or suggestions for improving Guardian Chaplains? A: Yes, this is a community and we value your input. You are our eyes and ears. We appreciate your suggestions. Please use the “Contact Us” page to communicate with us. If you are one of our chaplains or volunteers, please reach out to your contact person. Q: Do you have age restrictions for enrolling or becoming a chaplain? A: Yes, we require candidates requesting ordination to be at least 18 years of age, but younger people can engage in our education program if they are recommended by an organization that is recruiting them for service. Guardian Chaplains must be at least 21 years of age. We do not have an upper age limit. Worth noting is that retired people often make great volunteer chaplains. Many of our chaplains have retired from their careers but haven’t retired from wanting to serve God and make their lives count. Further, those who are mature in their Faith, who have retired from the profession in which they now want to serve, often make the best chaplains. For example, a retired police officer is often extremely effective as a police chaplain (if they keep their mouth shut and remember that they are a chaplain and not a supervisor or a training officer.) Q: Do Guardian Chaplains, or chaplains in general, have requirements for physical fitness, health, or specific physical or education requirements? A: No. We do not have mobility or education requirements, but physical limitations will often reduce your service opportunities. And, if your preferred area of service (law enforcement, fire/rescue, etc.) has stringent physical fitness requirements, your ability to ‘connect’ with those you want to serve will be hampered if you are perceived to be out of sync with their world. Physical abilities, health, education, and experience are valuable assets, but we do not have specific requirements for participation in our education program. More Details Don’t let a perception of inadequacy stop you; just know that you may need to develop a strategy to overcome obstacles. We all have obstacles to being effective in ministry. If you are called to this ministry, consider this: Faithfulness, perseverance, and commitment often win over natural abilities and formal education. Every new chaplain, and every time a chaplain enters a new area of service, they will face obstacles to overcome. These can often be diminished through tenacity, regularly showing up, being a good listener and not a big talker, and demonstrating that you can be trusted to keep confidential information, confidential. Believing that everyone can find an avenue to serve as a chaplain, we do not limit participation, nor do we deny ordination based on physical abilities or education. Q: Does Guardian Chaplains offer its services to those who don’t speak English? A: At this point, our program best serves English speakers, but we look forward to expanding into other languages as we are able. For now, we will endeavor to help those who are not native English speakers but can read and write in English. Q: Do you accept students who have a criminal history? A: We do not perform a criminal history check on prospective students, but we do a comprehensive background and criminal history check on those who apply for ordination or chaplaincy certification. Candidates who fail to submit to our background and criminal history check, and who fail to sign our Statement of Faith and Chaplain’s Pledge are denied ordination, licensing, or any form of certification. Those who have a criminal history must disclose that in the chaplain-ordination application process. If they do not, they are subject to rejection. However, we do believe in redemption, so those with a criminal history will not be automatically rejected. Instead, the approval process is more extensive, and we will require statements of support from your pastor, church elders, or others who are willing to endorse you as a chaplain. However, those with a criminal history are not accepted for ordination as a police (LEO) chaplain, fire department or EMS chaplain, prison chaplain, or school chaplain. Q: Are applicants for ordination required to sign a Statement of Christian Faith? A: Yes. As our Statement of Faith explains, our programs are Bible-based and distinctly Christian. Nevertheless, regardless of religious orientation or beliefs, we do accept anyone into our education programs to receive training. With this, all participants must understand and respect our Bible-based Christian orientation and refrain from any disruptive conduct. This is not a forum for debate or anti-Bible or anti-Christian protest. However, we will not ordain or otherwise certify anyone who refuses to endorse our Statement of Faith and our Chaplain’s Pledge, which includes a statement of Christian beliefs and commitment to a high standard of moral conduct. More Details Those who fail to respect our Bible-based orientation and anyone who fails to practice civility will be removed from our program. If Guardian Chaplains has already ordained them, their credentials will be revoked. Chaplains must always be civil, be respectful of others, and conduct themselves according to the moral standards specified by the Holy Bible. Breaches are investigated and handled individually by a committee that exists for this purpose. Those who apply for ordination through Guardian Chaplains must affirm our Statement of Faith, which represents the historic, time-tested beliefs of the Christian Church. Anyone is welcome to join us for study, but everyone will not be ordained as a chaplain. Our ordination requirements do not require our applicants to be perfect. Still, they are Bible-based, and ordination is only available to those who strive to live pure, obedient lives according to Scripture, as articulated in our Statement of Faith and related materials that can be found in the “About Us” section of this website. Q: What is the code of conduct and responsibilities of a Guardian Chaplain? A: The answer to this question requires more detail than we can provide in a brief explanation. To better understand the responsibilities of a chaplain, read our Statement of Faith, Chaplain’s Pledge, and other details explained in the “About Us” pages of this website. Q: Does receiving ordination or certification as a Guardian Chaplain guarantee me a position where I can serve? Can I get paid as a chaplain? A: Most police, fire, EMS, and other organizations where chaplains serve, have a specific number of chaplaincy positions. If you are an outstanding candidate, you may be able to get an organization or agency to expand their program. However, our credentials do not guarantee that you will automatically be added to any chaplaincy team. In most First Responder agencies, chaplains serve as volunteers without any compensation. While many do supply uniforms and essential equipment, most do not even reimburse the chaplain for expenses. For this reason, it is not unusual for a local church or group of churches, to dedicate a little support to the chaplaincy effort. Those who are looking for a paid chaplaincy position should consider the healthcare industry. Hospitals, senior care facilities, hospice care, and veteran’s affairs frequently employ and pay chaplains a modest wage. However, we do not provide training for these types of chaplaincy ministries. This is not because we don’t think they are important, it’s because these ministries are radically different from our areas of emphasis. Q: What does the application process look like when seeking a volunteer chaplain position? A: Almost all organizations require the completion of an application form. Your certificate indicating chaplaincy training and ordination is often a requirement even to start the process. Still, it does not assure your acceptance into a program. Some agencies require background checks or even background investigations, and others don’t. Every organization has a different process. Each agency typically has its own qualifications and job requirements, rules, and standard operating procedures. Even agencies in the same community are often very different from each other. Please don’t complain to one agency about anything that is done, or not done, by a different agency. Chaplains are servants, not whiners. Q: Is chaplaincy a full-time or part-time role? A: Most chaplaincy positions are unpaid, part-time jobs. Many of these only require a few hours of work each month, while others expect a greater time commitment. Conversely, most full-time chaplaincy roles come with a modest salary, but other full-time slots are unpaid volunteer positions. Q: Once ordained as a chaplain, how do I get involved in this work? A: Expect every agency and organization to have a different process. The first step is to see if the agency you want to serve, has an opening. If they do, only then it’s worth undertaking their application process. However, it is not unusual for an agency to create a new volunteer chaplain position if they think you are a strong candidate, but this rarely happens except through a face-to-face visit with the person who is in charge of the program. As you proceed, you may discover that the organization does not even have a formal chaplaincy program, or they depend on a local pastor who may be called upon when help is needed. Still, this does not automatically stop you from getting involved. They may have other opportunities for service, or they may be willing to start a chaplaincy program if someone (like you) is willing to put it together. In situations such as this, Guardian Chaplains will periodically provide counsel and a start-up manual to help a motivated chaplain who has been ordained or licensed as a Guardian Chaplain. Q: How do I decide where I should serve? A: This starts with prayer and reflection on your abilities, personality, and past experience. Where can you serve and make a difference? What assignment is the best fit for you? Unfortunately, this question can’t be answered analytically; God may have a different plan. Still, this is the place to begin. A good place to start is to talk with other chaplains in the organization. Or, ministers you know who are acquainted with the organization. If you have recently moved into the area, try to meet employees who might know about their chaplaincy program. Q: What is the organization expecting from a chaplain? A: As you contemplate where you will serve as a chaplain, first learn what the organization expects. What is the monthly or weekly time commitment? Do they expect 24-hr on-call availability? Are your shift assignments assigned or at your discretion? And, what will your on-duty time typically look like? What are the other, extra assignments that you might be called upon to fulfill? (Public prayers at meetings and events, marriages or funerals, special events, etc.) Before you apply, clarify the responsibilities of the position to make sure they mesh with your expectations. Next, learn from the director of the program what the organization wants from its chaplains. How long has the chaplaincy program been operating, and why did it get started? Are they expecting their chaplains to primarily serve their employees' needs, or is the chaplain's work to be outward-focused toward the community? Q: Do you have an official stance on chaplains engaging in evangelism or proselytizing? A: Proselytizing must be avoided. In most chaplaincy roles, it is specifically prohibited. But that does not mean that a chaplain is prohibited from Faith-oriented conversations. What must be grasped is that a chaplain is there to meet the needs of others upon their request; not to advance the chaplain’s personal agenda of evangelism. More Details A chaplain who is serving in a government or First Responder environment is generally strictly prohibited from proselytizing. We agree with that prohibition. However, this prohibition does not mean that a chaplain cannot share his/her personal experiences, nor that they must be silent about their Christian beliefs. What it does mean is that the role of a chaplain cannot be used as a ruse for an evangelism campaign. While the role of a chaplain may often include conversations on spiritual topics, a chaplain must always be careful to not force his/her own agenda on the person being served. The role of a chaplain, generally, and of a Guardian Chaplain specifically, is to thoughtfully, meet the needs of the person being served. When invited, this can include spiritual counseling and personal faith conversations. However, if the individual does not walk through a door you open, that offers them access to a Faith-oriented conversation, that conversation should not be forced. Absent them walking through a door or them initiating a spiritual conversation, the role of a chaplain is first to be a caring friend who asks questions that comfortably lead to a deeper relationship, to deliver help when requested, or to provide the path and introductions to facilitate them getting the help they request. A chaplain is a friend and confidential confidant who cares and helps, as requested. A chaplain develops relationships over time, and with this, cultivates opportunities to engage in deeper, meaningful conversations. And also, to be called up by anyone, to help strangers during their time of need, such as after or during a traumatic event. What is expected of a chaplain is to open doors for the person being served, but let the individual being served, decide which doors to walk through. “Tact” and “service” are operative words for a chaplain. Christian chaplains and Guardian Chaplains are to serve others as the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. While a chaplain may engage in evangelism when “off duty,” aggressive or in-your-face apologetics cannot be done under the banner of a chaplaincy role. If a chaplain is operating in an official capacity as a representative of an organization, then that entity has authority over the conduct of that chaplain. If you don’t like the “rules,” then either obey them anyway, work to change them, or resign. Respect the organization you represent; don’t ignore their rules. When the organization the chaplain represents grants access, this ‘official’ role comes with responsibilities, conduct and behavior expectations, and decorum that aligns with the organization being served. Even when off duty, if a chaplain is recognized as a chaplain, they are expected to represent their organization and their chaplaincy role as per the organization’s expectations. Just as a pastor is always a pastor, a chaplain is always a chaplain and not a free agent. Q: What if the agency I’m interested in doesn’t have an opening, or doesn’t even have a chaplaincy program? A: If you repeatedly encounter roadblocks, don’t get discouraged. Just move on in search of a different opportunity. Or, you can offer to start a chaplaincy program. Example: If your passion is to help police officers (or those serving in any “guardian” role), but if your local police and sheriff’s departments are a dead-end, consider other options. Investigate opportunities with organizations that have a similar mission. Law enforcement might include your local Veteran’s Affairs Police, School Police, Tribal Police, Fish & Game Wardens, or Transit Authority Police. Or, consider a related service. This might be your local fire department or EMS organization. This path might eventually lead you back to chaplaincy in a law enforcement agency, or God may redirect your passion to your new category of chaplaincy service. If God has called you to the chaplaincy, if you are persistent and creative, He will provide you with an avenue of service. Whether it is in uniform or out of uniform, whether it be a formal or informal chaplaincy role, God will provide you with a way to serve that community of guardians. Organizations that don’t have a chaplaincy program often don’t understand what it is and isn’t, and the benefits to the organization and the broader community. Or, they may be misinformed and think that a chaplaincy program would violate the separation of church and state. Or, more likely, they have never had someone offer to champion implementation and do the hard work of getting it started. Either way, new programs need to be created. Chaplaincy is an area of rapidly growing need, so local pastors may help with advice or connections even if they are not inclined to become chaplains themselves. With this, it is important to understand that just because an individual has graduated from seminary or has even been a church pastor for many years, this does not automatically qualify them to serve as a chaplain. While in some situations, these credentials may ‘check a necessary box’ on an application form, the role of most chaplaincy positions is very different from that of a typical pastor. If any of this represents your situation, we encourage you to pray about these tasks before you even make your first contact. And, continue to pray about it as you progress down these roads. Q: What are the Ethical Standards you require to obtain and maintain the ordination, certification, or license you issue? A: Our standards of ethics are straightforward: to have a loyal personal relationship with Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord, and to live according to biblical precepts as revealed in the Holy Bible. Our standards of conduct are summed up by Colossians 2:6-8, but if you need further explanation, please read our Statement of Faith and Chaplain’s Pledge and the other materials found on this website's “About Us” page.

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Certification Overview Our approach is to let our chaplains choose what education path is important to them and relevant to the field of service they have chosen. Importantly, this decision does not lock a chaplain into a narrow arena of service. It simply lets us deliver educational content that is time-efficient and task-relevant. Also, we are constantly adding to our “free” online library of optional materials to help our chaplains dig deeper into specific topics. This includes additional training videos, audio lectures, PDF documents, and books to help broaden the scope of a chaplain’s education. This online library is available free of charge, to any of our chaplains who are current with their credentials. We are intentionally nondenominational in our approach and education. However, our resources may reflect a faith tradition when nondenominational materials are not available. Click Here when you are ready to register. Getting Started Regardless of professional background, everyone starts at “Level-1: Basic Christian Chaplain.” This first step not only provides an overview of chaplaincy skills but also information on how to operate within our online education environment. Before you move forward, please read our Chaplain’s Statement of Faith and Pledge , as it contains information on Christian beliefs and our expectations. For those who are only seeking certification as an “Ordained Chaplain,” this first-class level will typically satisfy agency requirements. But hopefully, you will want more. Ours is a self-paced education program. As such, you can take up to one year to complete any training level or specialty certification. Once issued, maintaining your chaplaincy credentials requires the completion of at least one continuing education class every two years. The content of our Level-1 curriculum is adapted to align with your prior experience. If you have been a full-time professional for at least seven years in one of our “Professional Ratings” categories (see below chart), the completion time for Level-1 is approximately 15 hours. If you don’t have this experience, this first level will entail 25-30 hours of online education. Click Here for a chart that illustrates how our curriculum is designed to maintain interest as it flows from topic to topic and between different presenters. Subsequent levels and courses each involve 15-30 hours of training. The duration of these other courses is determined by the topic, not prior education or experience. "Ranks" & Certification Levels We offer four levels with six optional professional ratings. The four levels are sequential steps, but progressing through these levels is not required to attain a professional rating. Nor is it a prerequisite for any of our 18 specialty certifications. All of these can be accessed after completion of our “Level-1: Basic Christian Chaplain” course. For example, upon successful completion of Level-1 you have four options. You can stop your training and receive basic ordination credentials. Or, you can become ordained and then continue with your training, progressing to Level-2. (This is the first “Guardian Chaplain” credential.) Or, from any level, you can pursue a professional certification (blue box in the chart), such as the credential to be a Police Chaplain or a Fire Department Chaplain. Lastly, any of these can be followed by an optional specialty certification (green box). Once Level-1 plus one specialty certification is completed, a chaplain is automatically moved to the next rank (Level-2 “Guardian Chaplain”) and authorized to obtain those unique credentials. (Level-1 is basic ordination as a “Christian Chaplain,” whereas “Guardian Chaplain” is an advanced credential.) Click Here if you’re ready to get started. Levels-1, -2, -3, and -4 are similar to military ranks. The completion of the last level, Level-4, equates to the military rank of Captain, whereas professional ratings are areas of role-specific competency (police, fire, etc.), similar to a soldier’s Military Occupational Specialty. ‘Specialty Certifications’ are topic-specific. These are encouraged as chaplains need to continuously expand their knowledge as they need wide-ranging ministry expertise.

Click here for an overview of our certification process

100% How much of my donation directly supports the cause? 100% Guardian Chaplains serve the guardians in our society who are exposed to long-term, repetitive trauma or abuse. This includes law enforcement officers (LEOs), firefighters, rescue and disaster workers, EMS, combat military, and veterans of all of these services who have been exposed to protracted repetitive trauma. We are a faith-based organization founded as Guardian Ministry, which is registered in the State of Texas, and with the United States federal government as a 501(c)(3) religious organization. We are closely aligned yet separate from our charter missions however Guardian Ministry stipulates the conditions for operation, and they provide an umbrella as a nonprofit charitable organization. EVERY PURCHASE GOES TO DIRECTLY SUPPORT THE NON-PROFIT MISSION The Chaplain's Cup coffee was established to support the nonprofit efforts of the Guardian Chaplains and Guardian Ministry mission . At Chaplain's Cup, we're passionate about providing exceptional coffee to support those who serve our communities with unwavering dedication through the Guardian Ministry . We're especially proud to support chaplains in LEO, Fire, and EMS service, who provide invaluable spiritual support to first responders facing the challenges of their demanding professions. With every purchase, you'll not only enjoy our expertly roasted coffee, but you'll also be making a difference in the lives of these dedicated chaplains. The proceeds from each sale goes directly to chaplaincy programs that provide essential training, resources, and support to these vital members of our community. So, whether you're a first responder yourself, or you simply want to support those who do, we invite you to experience the taste of Guardian's Grind coffee. With every sip, you'll know you're fueling more than just your body; you're fueling the mission of chaplains who are always there to provide a listening ear and a helping hand.

About Guardian Chaplains On this page, you will find our Mission Statement, Statement of Faith, Ethical Standards, and how our chaplains are distinctive. Mission Statement We recruit, train, ordain, commission, and facilitate the service of Christian chaplains who serve law enforcement, firefighters, EMS, combat veterans, and other frontline warriors. Guardian Chaplains offer emotional, spiritual, and physical support during challenging times and circumstances. As guardians to society’s guardians, we serve selflessly as the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. Click Here for the Personal Mission Statement and Pledge signed by each Guardian Chaplain. Click Here for information on our Advisory Council and our founders. Statement of Christian Faith Our history-based Statement of Faith conveys that traditional, historic Christianity is the foundation for our work. While we adhere to Christian beliefs that have stood the test of time, we do not promote a specific Christian faith tradition. We affirm the historic tenets of the Apostles' Creed (341-650 AD) and the Nicene Creed (late 6th Century) . These creeds are our Statement of Faith. Guardian Chaplains come from a diverse collection of Christian denominations and dissimilar worship styles, yet we agree on the importance of having rock-solid Bible-based beliefs and high ethical standards. We believe that Truth is not subject to the whims of society. Importantly, our historic creed-based Statement of Christian Faith is not a burden from the past. It is our anchor. This acknowledged, we do not blindly adhere to tradition, rather, we regard these historic Creeds as representing core Christian beliefs. They are a legacy to help us remain centered, so we can tackle modern challenges. Today, these Creeds remind us of the lifeblood Jesus provides to clarify what is true and relevant. As we walk through life with Jesus Christ, and live out our Faith and believing-loyalty to Him and the teachings of the Holy Bible, we are empowered. This foundation equips us to cultivate healthy relationships, communities, and problem-solving strategies. This Bible-oriented approach is useful on many levels. It helps us define service; establish respectful, appropriate, and supportive relationships and boundaries; promotes fair-mindedness and justice; ensures a healthy attitude toward agency operating principles and procedures; and, it measures ethical conduct. Notwithstanding, we cannot expect the Bible to clarify every aspect of our work. Still, it does provide the always-relevant biblical principle of sound scholarship that unifies research with observation and practical experience. Ethical Standards of Conduct and Operation Holy Bible, Colossians 2:6-8 “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” As Guardian Chaplains, we all sign a pledge . In it, we commit to replacing our personal biases and worldviews with the orientation of our Creator, as illustrated in the Holy Bible. This is where we learn core truth, virtue, purpose, leadership, and how to serve selflessly. As Christian chaplains, we make all external contexts subservient to our Creator and His Word, the Holy Bible. To help advance our Mission, Guardian Chaplains is more than a resource for training and certification. It is also a community that provides accountability, and it facilitates supportive relationships between Guardian Chaplains. The Difference Between Guardian Chaplains and Other Chaplains Guardian Chaplains are at the pinnacle of the chaplaincy world. First, each of our chaplains has committed to follow Jesus Christ as Lord of their life and to serve others in a manner that is consistent with beliefs and principles that align with Bible-based, historic Christianity. In addition, Guardian Chaplains are committed to lifelong learning and the highest professional standards. While Guardian Chaplains are not required to provide all of the following services, after appropriate training and certification, they are accredited to provide: Seven Levels of Service. First, Guardian Chaplains are committed to serving the guardians in our society who are exposed to long-term, repetitive trauma or abuse. This includes law enforcement officers (LEOs), firefighters, rescue and disaster workers, EMS, combat military, and veterans of all of these services who have been exposed to protracted repetitive trauma. Second, Guardian Chaplains serve any individual who has experienced serious psychological trauma whether it be sudden or protracted. This ranges from ministering to those involved in a serious traffic accident to delivering death notifications, as well as to recently rescued survivors of human trafficking or survivors of sexual assault and crimes of violence. Third, Guardian Chaplains also provide less critical services to guardians, such as sage counsel, interventions, and advice with personal and agency relationships. And also, initial counseling or assessment and referrals, as well as counsel to help a guardian’s spouse or family member. Fourth, Guardian Chaplains serve their sponsoring agency by sponsoring in-house but arms-length programs such as suicide prevention and peer-to-peer support. In addition, Guardian Chaplains are often utilized by agency leadership for independent, personal counsel. Fifth, Guardian Chaplains serve the community at large, particularly during periods of social unrest or when it has been impacted by a traumatic event such as a mass shooting, natural or manmade disaster, terrorist attack, or warfare. They also serve as peace-makers, to help bring calm to volatile situations, or during periods of social unrest. And, they are available to step into the gap, to provide one-on-one intervention with suicidal individuals or during hostage situations while awaiting the arrival of a specialist. Sixth, Guardian Chaplains endeavor to build unity within their agency and community. And, if requested, they are available to their agency and community leaders for prayer, as mentors, or to provide spiritual counsel. Seventh, Guardian Chaplains may be called upon to pray at meetings and public gatherings. They are also available to officiate or serve in ceremonial roles for guardians, such as officiating at their weddings, funerals, baptisms, etc. Guardian Chaplains are Distinctly Christian and Trained to be Frontline Chaplains “What is Truth?” This is the statement made famous by the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, after the sham trial of Jesus. But for Guardian Chaplains, this is not just a rhetorical question. For us, it is the central question and the foundation for equipping effective, modern-era chaplains. While “Fact Check” is an important concept, it is often misused by those who are attempting to impose their biased viewpoint. But for us, this is a process to help us identify the truth; reliable facts on which we can build our understanding and actions. Today, though this term is often misused, the term fact check still represents a necessary process. Though often obscured, truth is essential for informed living. For a Guardian Chaplain, fact-checking (truth) is additionally vital as it is essential for devising helpful action plans, methods, and service techniques. Consequently, we include the development of discernment; ‘critical thinking skills’, and ‘logic’ in our curriculum. Why is this central to our mission? It’s because a chaplain must be able to personally discern “truth” if their actions are to be helpful rather than ineffective, or even damaging. As such, improving the ability to be discerning is a baseline skill in our chaplaincy education. Guardian Chaplains are called upon to pilot people through times of emotional chaos, as well as to help those who are confused, depressed, frustrated or struggling in their circumstances. It is our duty to help guide these individuals to a productive response. Consequently, every chaplain needs a firm grasp on what is true, how to find truth, and what works; discernment. Since viewpoints may be honestly believed, but still false, the ability to discern the truth in a situation is foundational to fruitful outcome-oriented action. With this in mind, a Christian chaplain’s service to others starts with a believing loyalty to our Creator and His Word, the Holy Bible. This orientation helps the chaplain understand humanity and how to discern truth. As we strive to help our fellow humans, the next step is to understand the truth of the current circumstance. This is followed by an understanding of the truths needed to help a chaplain respond appropriately. We refer to these as our ‘best practices,’ the tools that equip and direct a course of action that is likely to be productive. This is why we emphasize the issue of truth in everything we advocate. For many people today, their response to a situation is often reactionary or emotional. The truth-seeking process is not their social norm, so the role of a Christian chaplain becomes pivotal. For the Christian Chaplain, truth is also reflected in the Bible’s injunctions ‘to seek wisdom’ and ‘to use discernment.’ Therefore, Christian chaplains seek divine wisdom to navigate their way to a successful outcome. This is why these topics are included in our education program. Here at Guardian Chaplains, we apply these same techniques to identify the training curriculum we recommend. The Christian chaplain’s attitude reflects humility, service and honor. Chaplains must be ready to serve when needed. Most chaplaincy positions expect a chaplain to be on-call, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. But even when not required, this must be the orientation of a Christian chaplain. Chaplaincy is not simply a job or a volunteer role. It is a calling. The Christian chaplain’s orientation is that the Bible is true, consistent, and relevant. Unfortunately, for many, what the Bible actually teaches is glossed over by personal agendas, traditions, and preconceived ideas that obscure Truth. Therefore, honest, practical study of the Scriptures is foundational for Christian chaplains. Without it, we are ill-equipped. Guardian Chaplains are often called upon to help those who are at crossroads where life meets death, as well as to support those who experience unbearable trauma, confusion, or disabling disappointment. With these traumas in mind, our chaplains must have a healthy relationship with their Creator and a knowledge of Scripture that is linked to practical living. These tools are essential for ministry success. The word ‘orthodoxy’ is rarely used today, yet it is a bedrock principle for preparing Christian chaplains for service. With it, we are able to fact-check answers to questions that have been asked for millennia. Here at Guardian Chaplains, while we don’t dwell on these foundational issues, we do consider them to be the starting point for evaluating everything. We believe in the Holy Bible as literally the Word of God. And, that it provides solutions that are vital to life; answers to life that have withstood the rigors of the test of time. As Christian chaplains, the Bible is the compass we use to navigate through the circumstances of life. Strengthened by God and His Word, the Holy Bible, we can help others emerge victorious from the valleys and precipices of life. This, too, has been time-tested. Thankfully, our Creator gave us the Holy Bible to answer life’s essential questions. He didn’t abandon us to speculation or the limitations of science. Nonetheless, chaplains need both scriptural and secular knowledge, coupled with divine discernment and God’s wisdom, to be ready for both the routine and the extreme. Oriented to Teamwork. Committed to Service. As a professional association, Guardian Chaplains operates as a band of brothers (and sisters). We work together to recruit new chaplains and facilitate the development of chaplaincy programs within agencies and organizations. We identify educational resources and advocate for continuous professional development. Relationally, we are an online community of peers. Here at Guardian Chaplains, we recognize that we need God’s help and empowerment. And, we also need a team of experienced experts who are dedicated to sound scholarship and the support of our Mission. The core of our team is our Advisory Council, which is designed to have 21 members who are seasoned professionals and academics from fields related to chaplaincy. The bulwark for this Council is our cadre of Senior Chaplains. Together, they constantly seek out and evaluate new educational resources to improve our chaplaincy training. This structure ensures that our education program is Bible-based, robust, solution-oriented, and intensely practical. ‘Best practices’ for our Christian chaplains are based on the Bible and biblical Truth, but they are also built on solid contemporary research coupled with practical experience. Therefore, here at Guardian Chaplains, our team is on a continuous quest to find new methods and innovative approaches to chaplaincy. With this process in mind, the educational content recommended by Guardian Chaplains constantly changes. This is because we are continuing to grow in our knowledge, and as we learn from each other's experiences. To remain cutting-edge in the training we advocate, we pledge to continually review and hone our educational content. Since our first days of searching for sound educational content, we have followed the same process. First, we prayerfully search for both Christian and secular materials produced by credible people, and at the same time, we seek out and evaluate secular research. Second, we consider different approaches and viewpoints and identify the most noteworthy solutions. Then, we overlay these with the real-world life experiences of our team members, and evaluate results to make sure our education is relevant in our changing world. As a final check before we add any educational content to any of our programs, we stand back and filter it yet again through the sieve of biblical truth . Today, this continues to be the process we use to identify the training resources we advocate. So, while our educational content does change, our process remains the same. Guardian Chaplains unite to affirm our Statement of Faith, our Ethical Standards, and our chaplain’s Personal Statement of Faith and Pledge because we are a community of highly committed Christian men and women who want to make a difference in this world. We are an association of Christian chaplains dedicated to helping those who protect others. We are on this mission together. Click Here to learn more about the distinctly ‘Christian’ orientation of Guardian Chaplains Guardian Chaplains: Prepared and Ready to Serve, and Selfless in Service. Are you interested in getting involved? Click Here if you want to join us or to learn more. ^ Hyperlink to 02 “Getting Started” Page Click Here to support our mission financially, or by volunteering to help with recruitment, chaplaincy education, or to help develop a new chaplaincy program in your agency. ^ Hyperlink to 04 donate/volunteer page * NOTE: Those who identify as a Guardian Chaplain™ must be either ordained, certified, accredited, or licensed by Guardian Chaplains, Inc. (GuardianChaplains.org). The terms Guardian Chaplain and Guardian Chaplains are registered trademarks. Guardian Chaplains™ is a registered nonprofit 501(c)(3) education organization that has legal standing to commission, ordain, certify, license, and provide accrediting to individual chaplains and chaplaincy groups for local, national, and international service.

What is the purpose of Guardian Chaplains? Guardian Chaplains is an educational community that recruits, trains, and ordains/licenses new chaplains in support of our first responders. We also provide continuing education for chaplains to expand their skills and earn specialty certifications. Finally, Guardian Chaplains offers an online professional community for its members. Our Difference Guardian Chaplains offers cutting-edge online educational tools that are either low-cost or free. Our training is quick to obtain and geared toward specific needs and areas of service. Our educational model also promotes and encourages lifelong learning. Guardian Chaplains is supported by a backbone of experienced volunteers, including seasoned chaplains, counselors and therapists, psychologists, seminary professors, scholars, education specialists, and tech experts. This diverse team allows us to deliver high-quality and time-efficient online training at an affordable price. A team of 30 seasoned professionals serves as our Advisory Council. This team helps identify best-practice educational resources and filters our educational content to ensure it adheres to time-tested biblical principles, reflects sound modern scholarship, and aligns with real-world experience. As a result, our training is trustworthy and practical. Who We Train Guardian Chaplains provides education to men and women who are called to serve as chaplains in any frontline or ‘street’ ministry, or in active support of first responders and disaster relief teams. Our primary focus is to equip chaplains to serve in emergency services, supporting individuals and the work done by society’s guardians: law enforcement, firefighters, EMS, rescue and disaster relief workers, and combat veterans. Role of a Guardian Chaplain Guardian Chaplains offer emotional, spiritual, and physical support and interventions during challenging times and circumstances. As guardians to society’s guardians, our chaplains are committed to serving selflessly in this era when this type of personal and community support is desperately needed. Guardian Chaplains is fulfilling its mission to equip those willing to be the ‘hands and feet of Jesus’ during these rapidly changing and volatile times. With your help, we will reach our goal of training 35,000 chaplains within the next five years. Are you interested in joining our team? As we launch this new year, we are expanding our Advisory Council and curriculum resources. If you hold a DD, PhD, or have advanced training in a field related to our ministry, or are a chaplain with many years of field experience, or you have curriculum recommendations, we invite you to contact us .

Advisory Council and Founders Guardian Chaplains is a nonprofit organization staffed by volunteers. It is also aided by input and help from those we serve. Please message us on the “Contact Us” page if you have suggestions or a resource to recommend. Advisory Council Our Advisory Council is central to Guardian Chaplains' operations. This group helps with resource selection, evaluation, and educational content approval, as well as brainstorming on topics ranging from website design to the selection of content providers and the consolidation of curriculum resources. Our chaplains also help with these tasks. Everyone has a voice. As to structure, we designed our Advisory Council to have 21 official members. Of these, 2/3 must hold a graduate degree in a chaplaincy-related field. In addition, at least half of our Council members must have chaplaincy-related experience. Also, by design, our Council members come from diverse professional backgrounds to represent our specialty certification areas, as well as the various Christian faith traditions we endeavor to serve. Our council members serve for a two-year term but can be reappointed by consensus. We welcome nominations for new Council members. Advisory Team Guardian Chaplains will only grow and be effective if we have the benefit of the wise counsel and efforts of our team of chaplains and other volunteers who contribute their diverse skills and abilities to advance our mission. In addition to their volunteer assignments, our volunteer team, which consists of chaplains and non-chaplains, is also tapped to help us with program tasks such as needs assessment or finding and developing education resources. We welcome new volunteers who have experience in chaplaincy, emergency services, education, research, or technology. Email: Info@GuardianChaplains.org

Our Founders Our Founding The concept of Guardian Chaplains germinated independently but became a reality when two friends had breakfast together. During the conversation that morning, they discovered they both had a similar passion for ministering to our guardians in the emergency services community. Todd Yates, while serving as a volunteer firefighter, observed that the personal needs of First Responders were largely unmet, so he was determined to do something about it. In 2020, he formed a 501(c)(3) nonprofit but had yet to implement an operational program. Similarly, while serving as a volunteer police chaplain, SIG Swanstrom had become frustrated when several of his fellow retired police officer friends who were mature Christians, were prevented from becoming police chaplains because they lacked ordination. So, SIG had been exploring other ordination mechanisms. At that God-ordained breakfast, the two decided to work together to solve these problems. However, since both had full-time jobs, it was evident that implementation would require the help of many volunteers, a concept that has become the organization's backbone. As others were consulted and recruited to help, the vision of Guardian Chaplains expanded to serve all community guardians. Today, while Todd Yates, SIG Swanstrom, and Jim Stegman represent the official Board of Directors, it is the Advisory Council and Senior Chaplain volunteers who are tapped to help guide the development of the Guardian Chaplains organization. Todd Yates, PhD, DD President, Guardian Ministry As the Chief Technology Officer of a multimillion-dollar education company that serves universities and schools, Todd has unusual experience and understanding of online education. As the co-founder of Guardian Chaplains, he applies this professional experience to his volunteer role as the chief architect of our online presence and the delivery of educational content. Todd is uniquely suited for this role in yet other ways, as well. One of his three PhD degrees is in Religious Studies, so as a Bible-knowledge-equipped Christian, he helps screen our education content to make sure it is sound from a biblical perspective. And, he is further enriched by his past experience on the law enforcement side of the U.S. Coast Guard, in addition to his decade of service as a volunteer firefighter and EMT. As a result, Todd understands the need for Christian chaplains who are equipped to serve in all the various professions represented in the emergency services field. SIG SWANSTROM, BA/BS in Criminology Provost & Senior Chaplain In addition to being the author of the book series “Prepared, Ready to Roll,” SIG has extensive personal experience in disaster and emergency services. For example, he was first on the scene at a crash of a commercial airliner in a densely populated area, and as a police officer in the Los Angeles area, he confronted street violence, was a SWAT Team operator, and was a detective assigned crimes-of-violence cases. During those years as a police officer, SIG’s partner was murdered by a drug cartel assassin. After retiring from law enforcement, SIG moved to Guatemala to support the people during that nation’s bloody civil war. Later, he moved to Texas where, until recently, he served as a volunteer firefighter. Currently, he is serving as a police and fire chaplain. SIG’s belief is that in the future, the most significant opportunities to serve others will be afforded to those who are trained as Christian chaplains. During all these years and experiences, SIG never had the benefit of a chaplain to help him as he helped others. SIG and co-founder, Todd Yates, started Guardian Chaplains to change that. James Stegman, DMin, MDiv, Ret. Chap. Senior Board Member Chaplain Stegman has the heart of a pastor. He graduated from Western Evangelical Seminary in Portland, Oregon, where he earned his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees. But for the past 41 years, Jim has been the senior pastor at four churches. During most of these years, Jim also served as a volunteer police and fire chaplain in the communities where he lived. To help his fellow chaplains and their agencies, he wrote a police chaplaincy manual which was later officially adopted by the State of Washington. This manual was subsequently published and distributed by the State of Washington to all law enforcement agencies in that State. Jim is also the founder of the nonprofit association for chaplains who serve Washington’s law enforcement agencies. Having now retired from his official pastoral roles, Jim is expanding his ministerial reach by helping grow Guardian Chaplains. Email: Info@GuardianChaplains.org