Chaplains & Chaplaincy Ministry
Participants in the ELCA’s Federal Chaplaincy Ministries serve as federal chaplains or chaplain candidates for the U.S. military, Veterans Affairs hospitals and federal correctional institutions, meeting many of the same responsibilities as any other ELCA pastor.
Chaplains preach the gospel, lead worship, administer the sacraments, perform weddings, provide counsel, bury the dead and teach. They do this while immersed in the world of military members, patients, families and staff at Veterans Affairs medical centers, and with the staff and inmates of federal prisons.
Chaplains’ work includes serving growing numbers of young adults in the military; people in federal prisons who are hungry for understanding, healing, family connections and reconciliation; and military members in medical centers who are dealing with trauma, injury and illness.
Ministering Where It is Needed
Compassion, discernment and resilience
Recruit/support/coordinate/educate
A first step to help returning veterans
Exploring Federal Chaplaincy
Email the Rev. Christopher Otten, assistant to the presiding bishop and director of federal chaplaincies Michael Sonnenberg, administrative assistant using one of our Quick Links.
Call 202-626-3846.
Send mail to:
ELCA Bureau for Federal Chaplaincy Ministries
10 G Street NE, Suite 490
Washington, DC 20002
Chaplains in the U.S. Justice Department serve in federal correctional institutions around the country.
Accepted or enrolled seminary students are encouraged to consider the military chaplain candidate program.
Chaplains in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs serve in medical centers for veterans around the country.
Candidate applications, forms and other information for those considering federal chaplaincy.
