“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.”
(1 Corinthians 12:4-6)
A Chaplain: Defined
Most people in the pews know their pastor, small group leader, and maybe even one or two missionaries.
But often, one group of ministers quietly serving on the frontlines is overlooked: Chaplains.
Chaplains are men and women called by God to carry the hope of Christ into places where the local church cannot always go. Whether in hospitals, prisons, schools, workplaces, the military, or disaster zones, chaplains bring God’s presence to people in their moments of greatest need.
Chaplains Extend the Churches Reach
Pastors shepherd their congregations and chaplains minister in spaces that may never see the inside of a church sanctuary. They sit at hospital bedsides, counsel military families, and comfort first responders after tragedy. In those moments, chaplains don’t represent themselves alone, they represent Christ and, by extension, the wider body of believers.
Not Competitors but Partners
Some wonder if chaplains compete with pastors. In reality, their ministries complement each other. The pastor equips and disciples a congregation; the chaplain carries that equipping into specialized settings. Together, they form a powerful partnership—one nurturing the church inside its walls, the other extending its presence outside them.
A Call to Action
Take time this month to learn who the chaplains are in your community or denomination. Invite them to share their stories. Pray for them regularly. Encourage them as they serve.
By knowing and supporting chaplains, churches strengthen their connection to the wider mission of God. Chaplains aren’t “out there” doing ministry alone they are an extension of your church’s presence in the world.
Sources
- Local Denominational Leader, Interviewed by Author July 23, 2025 Port Orange, Florida.
- Local Pastor One, Interviewed by Author, July 26, 2025, New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
- Local Chaplain One, Interviewed by Author, July 22, 2025, Daytona Beach, Florida.
