Chaplain Formation

Become a Chaplain

The pathway to ordination, commissioning, credentialing, and ecclesiastical endorsement with Kevin Pike Ministries.

A Trusted Pathway of Formation

Kevin Pike Ministries establishes standards and processes for the ordination, commissioning, credentialing, and ecclesiastical endorsement of chaplains who serve Military personnel, Veterans, Law Enforcement officers, First Responders, and their families.

Chaplain formation is a sacred trust. It is a deliberate journey of theological education, clinical and pastoral training, ethical accountability, and spiritual maturity — preparing men and women to stand in the hard places with those who protect and serve.

No person has an automatic right to ordination, commissioning, endorsement, or ministry assignment. Such determinations are religious and fiduciary decisions entrusted to the Ministry's duly authorized ecclesiastical bodies, exercised consistently with our Christian faith and charitable purposes.

The Pathway

Becoming a Chaplain

1

Discernment & Calling

The journey begins with prayerful discernment. A candidate senses a calling to chaplaincy and enters an initial conversation with Kevin Pike Ministries to explore that calling in community.

2

Formation & Training

Candidates engage chaplain formation — theological education, pastoral and clinical training, crisis chaplaincy, and peer support leadership — under training, supervision, and quality assurance.

3

Application & Credentialing

Applicants satisfy theological, educational, ethical, professional, clinical, experiential, background, and ecclesiastical standards through interview, references, and documented review.

4

Commissioning & Ordination

Those who meet the Ministry's standards may be commissioned or ordained by its ecclesiastical authority, set apart for service consistent with our Statement of Christian Faith.

5

Ecclesiastical Endorsement

Commissioned chaplains may receive ecclesiastical endorsement to serve in institutional settings — military, veterans, law enforcement, healthcare, and community — under institutional agreements and host rules.

6

Good Standing & Accountability

Chaplains maintain good standing through ongoing supervision, continuing formation, ethical conduct, and fair procedures for review, discipline, restoration, and appeal.

What We Require

Standards of Readiness

Applicants may be required to satisfy the following standards established by Kevin Pike Ministries.

Theological

Agreement with our Statement of Christian Faith and doctrinal standards.

Educational

Appropriate formal education and ministry preparation.

Ethical

A pattern of Christian integrity, truthfulness, and compassion.

Professional

Competent, accountable ministry within appropriate scope of practice.

Clinical

Pastoral and clinical formation suited to chaplaincy service.

Experiential

Demonstrated ministry or service experience among our target populations.

Background

A clean background check and pastoral references.

Ecclesiastical

Affirmation of the Ministry's endorsing standards and Christian identity.

Our Way of Life

Commitments & Conduct

Core Commitments

  • Christ-centered service: demonstrating the love, truth, grace, and compassion of Jesus Christ.
  • Service before self: honoring those who serve with humility and respect.
  • Chaplain confidentiality: protecting privileged communications to the fullest extent permitted by law.
  • Pluralistic care with Christian integrity: serving without coercion while remaining faithful to our identity.
  • Professional excellence: pursuing education, accountability, and ethical conduct.
  • Stewardship: managing every gift, relationship, and resource responsibly and transparently.

Code of Ethics

  • Christian integrity, truthfulness, and compassion in all relationships.
  • Respect for human dignity and pluralistic service without religious coercion.
  • Maintaining professional boundaries and pastoral confidentiality.
  • Financial honesty, anti-fraud stewardship, and responsible communications.
  • Prohibiting harassment, abuse, and exploitation in every form.
  • A duty to report and cooperate, with fair discipline and restoration.

Begin the Conversation

If you feel called to serve those who serve others, reach out to our team. We will walk alongside you through discernment and application. Inquiring begins a conversation — not a guarantee of commissioning or endorsement.

Request Chaplain Application