The Presbyterian and Reformed Commission on Chaplains (PRCC), like most Endorsers, provide clear guidance on how their Chaplains must serve in accordance with their doctrinal beliefs. This guidance not only directs our Chaplains in how they can conduct their ministry, but it protects them as well from being forced to do things that conflict with the doctrinal position of their religious organization. This protection is the law of the land and is clearly stated as policy by the Army, Navy and Air Force, and must be reinforced by senior Chaplains in supervisory roles.

The Presbyterian and Reformed Commission on Chaplains and Military Personnel (PRCC), representing seven Reformed denominations, with the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) being the largest, have almost two hundred “endorsed” military chaplains serving God around the world. Can these Reformed Chaplains still serve God and Country faithfully considering America’s new moral order? Absolutely! Currently Chaplains remain protected by the National Defense Authorization Act which ensures freedom of conscience.

The three Chief’s of Chaplains, from the Army, Navy (serving the Navy, the Marine Corp and the Coast Guard) and Air Force have recently put out guidance reaffirming this protection, and reminding Chaplains they must abide by the doctrinal beliefs of their Endorser.  Every military Chaplain, and many civilian Chaplains, must have an Endorsement from their religious organization. An Endorsement is an affirmation from a “recognized” ecclesiastical group that a person is a legitimate clergyman from that group.

The Presbyterian and Reformed Commission on Chaplains (PRCC), like most Endorsers, provide clear guidance on how their Chaplains must serve in accordance with their doctrinal beliefs. This guidance not only directs our Chaplains in how they can conduct their ministry, but it protects them as well from being forced to do things that conflict with the doctrinal position of their religious organization. This protection is the law of the land and is clearly stated as policy by the Army, Navy and Air Force, and must be reinforced by senior Chaplains in supervisory roles.

Chaplains also know that beyond being directed to minister in accordance with the requirements of their Endorser they cannot violate these requirements and expect to maintain their Endorsement. If an Endorser revokes an Endorsement the military will not allow this individual to continue serving as a Chaplain.

Can the Department of Defense rewrite this policy and remove this protection for our Chaplains, and should I say, in turn, the protection of the religious rights of all who serve in the United States military? The answer is no, not without the Title 10 law being rewritten by Congress.

Considering the protection of Chaplains serving in accordance with their religious beliefs, how has the constitutionality of Chaplains been upheld in the “pluralistic” environment of the military? The genius of our system is that Title 10 U.S Code authorizes Chaplains to provide for and protect the free exercise of religious rights for all military personnel, regardless of their religious or non-religious affiliation.  This does NOT mean that Chaplains are required to be all things to all people. For example, a Reformed Chaplain is not required, or even allowed, to celebrate Mass for Roman Catholic personnel. Chaplains rather “perform” direct religious support according to the tenants of their faith tradition, “the dictates of their conscience” and their Endorser. But, another key word besides “perform” is the word “provide.” To “provide” means to coordinate with another Chaplain or qualified clergy to perform religious support as needed. All branches of the military use these or similar words to outline how all Chaplains can care for all military personnel without violating the tenants of their faith.

The headline issues today for Chaplains are centered on same-sex marriage and the removal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” open homosexuality in the military. So how can so many Chaplains, including PRCC Chaplains, see homosexuality as a sin and yet still provide for the free exercise of religion for all personnel? In order to address these issues, the foundation is laid in the earlier paragraphs. How does “perform and provide” apply to these significant changes to ministry in the current military environment?

First of all, because of “perform and provide,” Chaplains have never been forced to marry any man and woman who requested the services of a Chaplain if he or she couldn’t “perform” the ceremony because they deemed the marriage inappropriate for any reason.  The Chaplain who refused to marry the couple would then “provide” for this couple; that is assist the couple with finding a Chaplain or clergyman who would be willing to perform the ceremony, if they still insisted on getting married. Today it will be the same situation with same-sex marriages. It is true that most of our current Chaplains in the military will not be willing to perform these weddings due to their own religious beliefs and that of their Endorser, but there are willing military Chaplains, and clergymen in every state where these marriages are legal to perform, to carry out this function.

No openly homosexual service member should be able to accuse the Chaplaincy of not serving their needs, just as no Roman Catholic service member, who desires to celebrate the Mass, should be able to accuse the Chaplaincy of not serving their needs simply because the only Chaplain present in his area of operation is a Reformed Chaplain. All Chaplains, regardless of faith group, will do what they can to assist this service member with his religious needs; within the constraints of sometimes operating in an extreme mission environment.

What about homosexual couples coming to a Reformed Chaplain for counseling? The Chaplain will offer the love of Christ in communicating to this couple his Biblical perspective and ask if they still desire for him to provide counseling knowing that his position will not allow him to condone their lifestyle. His main desire will be for them to understand the Gospel even if they choose to move in another direction for counseling. If they desire to go to another counselor, the Chaplain will then “provide.”

There is no question that the “new moral order” in our country is presenting new challenges not only to our Chaplains but to all followers of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Is every situation our Chaplains face today as simple as presented in this article, regrettably not, but the principles are in place to continue to support religious liberty in the military?  Our Chaplains are considering today how things are going to change in the coming years that may prevent them from presenting a biblically based ministry in the future. Every interested and concerned Christian should be encouraged to pray regularly for our Chaplains and all our fellow believers in the military as we feel the effects of the chilling winds blowing throughout our nation. (The Guardian from the PRCC is a great tool for praying each day for a Chaplain)

Our Chaplains are both challenged and encouraged by the words of our Lord to his disciples in Matthew 10:16, “Behold I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”

Chaplain (Colonel) Mack Griffith, USAR, Retired, is a minister in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and is Associate Director of the Presbyterian and Reformed Commission on Chaplains and Military Personnel (PRCC).