Qualifications and Process for Approval and Endorsement

The requirements set out in this document represent the ideal qualifications and processes for Ecclesiastical Approval and Endorsements. The Official Endorser may choose to waive specific provisions, should she/he believe that the applicant has sufficient background, experience, education, and/or training that the spirit of the requirements or a specific requirement has been met. This waiver shall be granted by the Official Endorser in her/his sole discretion.

Candidates for Ecclesiastical Approval as Chaplain Candidates must:

  1. Be a full-time graduate student at an Association of Theological School (ATS) accredited institution
  2. Be an Aspirant for ministerial fellowship with the UUA
  3. Be sponsored by a UU congregation
  4. Meet age and physical requirements of the Armed Forces, Active, Reserve, and/or National Guard, relative to place of service
  5. Receive favorable criminal background check (costs of which to be paid for
    by the applicant)
  6. Have the ability to serve in situations where rank and line of authority are valued
  7. Understand the nature of military chaplaincy and have the ability to faithfully
    represent Unitarian Universalism in the carrying out of their responsibilities, as well as willingness to provide ministry to non-Unitarian Universalist personnel

Candidates for Ecclesiastical Endorsement as an Active-Duty Chaplain must:

  1. Be a minister in good standing and in fellowship with the UUA
  2. Either be in final fellowship or if in preliminary fellowship have two years of pastoral experience demonstrating effective and excellent ministry.
  3. Be ordained by a UU congregation, or, if transfer member, be ordained by
    another religious tradition
  4. Meet age and physical requirements of the Armed Forces
  5. Receive favorable criminal background check (costs of which to be paid for
    by the applicant)
  6. Have the ability to serve in situations where rank and line of authority are valued
  7. Understand the nature of military chaplaincy and have ability to faithfully
    represent Unitarian Universalism in the carrying out of their responsibilities, as well as ability and willingness to provide ministry to non-Unitarian Universalist personnel

Candidates for Ecclesiastical Endorsement as National Guard and/or Reserve Chaplains must:

  1. Be a minister in good standing and in fellowship with the UUA
  2. Either be in final fellowship, or if in preliminary fellowship have one/two year (depending on branch requirements) of pastoral experience demonstrating effective and excellent ministry;
  3. Be ordained by a UU congregation, or, if transfer member, be ordained by
    another religious tradition
  4. Meet age and physical requirements of the National Guard or applicable
    Reserve
  5. Receive favorable criminal background check (costs of which to be paid for
    by the applicant)
  6. Have the ability to serve in situations where rank and line of authority are value
  7. Understand the nature of multi-faith chaplaincy and have the ability to faithfully
    represent Unitarian Universalism in the carrying out of their responsibilities, as well as ability and willingness to provide ministry to non-Unitarian Universalist personnel

Candidates for Ecclesiastical Endorsement as Veteran’s Affairs Chaplains must:

  1. Be a minister in good standing and in fellowship with the UUA
  2. Be ordained by a UU congregation, or, if transfer member, be ordained by another religious tradition
  3. Have a minimum of 4 units of CPE
  4. Be willing to serve in a pluralist environment

Candidates for Ecclesiastical Endorsement as Civil Air Patrol must:

  1. Be a minister in good standing and in fellowship with the UUA
  2. Be ordained by a UU congregation, or, if transfer member, be ordained by another religious tradition
  3. Receive favorable criminal background check (costs of which to be paid for
    by the applicant)
  4. Have the ability to serve in situations where rank and line of authority are valued
  5. Understand the nature of military chaplaincy and have ability to faithfully
    represent Unitarian Universalism in the carrying out of their responsibilities, as well as ability and willingness to provide ministry to non-Unitarian Universalist personnel