Chaplaincy is a "frontline" ministry that is vital to the extension of the local church. Chaplains reach the lost among the thousands of men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces, correctional facilities, healthcare settings, public safety, disaster relief sites and corporate environments. SBC Chaplains care for the broken, offer hope to the hopeless, and advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ in hard to reach places. The qualifications expected of a Southern Baptist applying for endorsement as a chaplain or counselor are established by the using agency and the Chaplains Commission, SBC. These qualification requirements vary according to the type of chaplaincy or counseling ministry involved but all are expected to meet a high level of ministerial competence. A basic qualification from the Chaplains Commission, SBC, is that an applicant is a Southern Baptist who is a member in good standing with an SBC church. Additional qualification requirements may involve certain age limits, educational background, ministry experience, physical condition, financial and credit history, citizenship eligibility for a security clearance, certification by certain national organizations, and other qualifications specific to the Using Agency or Chaplains Commission, SBC. If you are interested in pursuing next steps as an SBC endorsed chaplain from your church, explore the possibilities at Send me. For more information about SBC Chaplaincy, visit www.namb.net/chaplaincy.