Endorsement is a professional credential that affirms to an employer or agency for which one volunteers or is employed (police department, hospice, prison system, etc.)  that a chaplain or pastoral counselor has met the basic requirements of the denomination to provide ministry in a specialized setting, and that the individual is a member in good standing of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Endorsement creates a covenant of mutual commitment, accountability, and support between the chaplain or counselor and the denomination. It states a level of denominational connection and a standard of excellence to the using agency. Within the SBC, the Chaplains Commission grants endorsement.

The Chaplains Commission offers six types of endorsement in 72 different chaplaincy areas for full-time, part-time and volunteer chaplains.  The Arkansas Baptist State Convention does not endorse chaplains and refers all endorsement to the North American Mission Board chaplaincy office, which works directly with the Chaplains Commission.

Step 1 - Read NAMB's Endorsement Page

Step 2 - Call or email the NAMB Chaplaincy Evangelism Team and express that your employer or agency is requesting a denominational endorsement for you. After determining that you qualify for endorsement, they will walk you through the process and send you to an unpublished online application form.   

Call 770-410-6367 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Step 3 - Once approved by the Chaplains Commission, the NAMB Chaplaincy office will forward the official endorsement to your employer/agency and send you a copy.