Federal Chaplains

Bureau for Federal Chaplaincy

ELCA ChaplaincyThe Bureau for Federal Chaplaincy Ministries finds its origin in the ELCA Constitution, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions, where the responsibilities of the presiding bishop are listed. It reads:ELCA Chaplaincy

15.11.B03. Responsibility for Federal Chaplaincy Ministries
To assist in the fulfillment of constitutional provision 13.21.j., the presiding bishop shall have a staff member appointed by the presiding bishop who shall be an assistant to the presiding bishop of this church to carry out duties related to the chaplaincies of this church in the U.S. armed forces, the Veterans Affairs Administration, and other federal agencies and institutions. The assistant to the presiding bishop for federal chaplaincies shall:

  • Supervise the operation of the Bureau for Federal Chaplaincy
    Ministries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America;
  • Fulfill the requirements for endorsement of candidates for services in federal chaplaincies; and
  • Seek periodically the advice and counsel of the inter-Lutheran committee for federal chaplaincies whose members of this church shall be appointed by the presiding bishop.