Does the US Army recognize ordained ministers who aren't in "mainline" denominations?
To be a chaplain in the US Army you have to become "ordained" If I am ordained through an Independant Charismatic Church will this count? or must it be through a Major Mainstream denomination such as Methodist, Baptist, Assemblies of God etc?
In my current situation, I have a BA in Christian Ministries/Missions and a MA from Regent University in Practical Theology, its just my church is independant charismatic and not mainline, is this a problem??
2007-09-01 13:26:06 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
my denomination is independant, (or non-denominational) charismatic. Will the Army accept this or does it have to be mainline, i.e. methodist, baptist, AG, etc? I do have a BA in ministry and my MA in pracitcal theology from accredited universities. Thanks for the help!
2007-09-01 14:32:40 · update #1
im sure they do, but youd have to look at the regs. if there are soldiers to follow the religion, the army will provide chaplains for it. but to become a chaplain youve go a lot more work to do besides be ordained, youve go to get through the training and have a degree also (to be commisioned, since chaplains are officers). but it looks like youve already nailed that, if i were you id take it to a recruiter (or two since they will likely tell you anything to get you to sign)
2007-09-01 13:35:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you can be able to get commissioned as an Officer in the Chaplain Corps, you do not have to subscribe to the three major religious groups recognized by the military (Christian, Jewish and Muslim), but I think you could find a slot in a "Non-Denominational" group.
Considering that soldiers have religious beliefs outside of the mainstream (including Wiccan if you can believe that), I am sure that there's a place for you in the military.
2007-09-02 00:19:14 · answer #2 · answered by tercelclub 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I ma not sure, but you would need to be prepared to serve members of all faiths while serving and be able to do so in a way that respects those beliefs. Also, I am not sure if you would be able to conduct services in the style you have to date. The best place to get these answers is from a recruiter, so if you are intent on serving speak with them. Finally, there are many military members that serve in postions other than chaplin services and preach independently...so that may be another option.
2007-09-01 21:20:23 · answer #3 · answered by Annie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your denomination must approve you becoming a Chaplain. and then the Army has to have a need for said denomination.
2007-09-01 21:20:26 · answer #4 · answered by Mrsjvb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I feel compelled to tell you that the last thing I would want to be in the service is a chaplain. The next to the last thing I would ever want to be is a minister.
2007-09-01 20:55:32 · answer #5 · answered by Polyhistor 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You're going to have to run that by the Chaplin Corps to determine if they recognize your sect. Your degrees seem to be up to snuff for the military's purposes...
2007-09-01 21:36:48 · answer #6 · answered by oscarsix5 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should see a recruiter, you are asking alot of questions about Chaplains, they can give you better answers than these people.
2007-09-01 20:41:01 · answer #7 · answered by falconefever2001 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋