Where do Federal Chaplains work, and what do they do?
ELCA chaplains can be found in Federal Prisons, Veterans Administration hospitals, and the Armed Services (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard). The ELCA has many chaplains who have been called by the ELCA Church Council to serve in Federal institutions. You can also find ELCA chaplains serving in state prisons and local hospitals, but these chaplains are called by their own synods church council rather than the Church Council of the ELCA. Federal Chaplains have all of the same responsibilities of any other ELCA pastor: to preach the gospel, lead worship, administer the sacraments, perform weddings, counsel, teach, and bury the dead. Most ELCA Federal Chaplains lead a worship service every Sunday of the year. In addition, Federal Chaplains advise government leaders (wardens, military commanders, doctors and nurses) on how to uphold the spiritual life of prisoners, patients, staff members, and military personnel.
