What Is a Chaplain, and Why It Matters Today
When people hear the word chaplain, many immediately think of military service. While military chaplaincy is one of the most visible forms, chaplaincy as a whole is far broader and deeply rooted in meeting people where they live and work.
In a recent conversation, Dr. David Croteau, Dean of Columbia Biblical Seminary & School of Counseling at Columbia International University (CIU), sat down with Dr. Michael Langston, Professor of Practical Theology and Director of CIU’s Chaplaincy Program, to unpack what chaplaincy truly is and why it plays a vital role in today’s world.
“Pastors and ministers typically serve people who come to them,” Langston explained. “A chaplain goes to the workplace, where people spend 30 to 40 percent of their lives and builds relationships there. In many ways, chaplains are pastors in the workplace.”
Chaplaincy Beyond the Church Walls
Chaplaincy extends ministry far beyond the local church setting. According to Langston, the field includes 10 major functional areas of chaplaincy, with nearly 160 sub-specializations. These areas include healthcare, corporate, correctional, educational, first responder and military chaplaincy. Each placing trained ministers directly into environments where spiritual care is needed most.
Chaplaincy is inherently relational. Chaplains walk alongside individuals through crisis, stress, ethical challenges, grief and questions of meaning. When spiritual conversations arise, chaplains are equipped to speak truth, hope and wisdom into complex real-world situations.
What Does a Military Chaplain Do?
Military chaplains serve the spiritual and emotional needs of service members and their families across the globe. CIU-trained chaplains minister in every branch of the U.S. military, including the Army, Navy and Air Force. Navy chaplains also provide care for the Marine Corps and Coast Guard.
“These chaplains are assigned to real units — infantry battalions, aircraft squadrons, ships,” Langston said. “They serve wherever those units are stationed.”
A military chaplain may find themselves leading worship in Germany, pastoring a chapel in Japan, or providing spiritual support on a ship at sea. Their ministry is both global and deeply personal, offering care in moments of deployment, transition, trauma and celebration.
How Are Military Chaplains Trained?
Becoming a military chaplain requires rigorous preparation spiritually, academically and practically. According to Langston, the foundation begins with theological education.
Prospective military chaplains must complete a Master of Divinity degree, typically a minimum of 72 credit hours, followed by alignment with a denominational endorsing body. After ordination, candidates are required to gain at least two years of ministry experience before becoming eligible for active-duty service.
This pathway ensures that military chaplains are not only theologically grounded, but also seasoned leaders capable of serving in high-pressure, diverse and often emotionally intense environments.
Why Study Chaplaincy at CIU?
CIU’s Master of Arts in Chaplaincy and Master of Divinity in Chaplaincy are designed to prepare students for exactly this kind of calling. With faculty who have real-world chaplaincy experience and a curriculum that integrates theology, pastoral care, ethics and leadership, CIU equips students to minister effectively in complex settings.
Under the leadership of Dr. Langston, CIU’s chaplaincy programs emphasize both academic excellence and practical formation preparing graduates to serve with compassion, resilience and spiritual depth.
A Calling That Goes Where People Are
Chaplaincy is not a secondary ministry or a backup calling; it is frontline spiritual leadership. Whether serving on a military base overseas, supporting first responders, or caring for individuals in moments of crisis, chaplains bring the presence of Christ into places where hope is desperately needed.
For those discerning a calling to serve beyond the church walls, CIU’s chaplaincy programs offer a pathway to meaningful, impactful ministry one that reaches people exactly where life happens.
Explore the Master of Divinity in Chaplaincy
Prepare for ministry in military, healthcare and institutional settings with CIU’s Master of Divinity in Chaplaincy. This accredited program provides the theological depth and practical formation required for chaplaincy endorsement and service. Learn more >>
Dr. Michael W. Langston is Professor of Practical Theology and Director of the Chaplaincy Program at Columbia International University. A retired U.S. Navy Chaplain with 36 years of service, he has held senior leadership roles across the globe and brings extensive experience in military, healthcare, law enforcement and disaster relief chaplaincy. Since joining CIU in 2011, Dr. Langston has been instrumental in developing and leading the university’s chaplaincy programs, equipping students for faithful ministry in complex settings.
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