Supporting Military Chaplains in the United Church of Christ – August 2025 Featured COMma Article

Supporting Military Chaplains in the United Church of Christ

The United Church of Christ endorses 50-60 military chaplains.  They serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marines, the Civil Air Patrol and the Coast Guard.  Additionally, the UCC endorses 20-25 Veteran Health Care chaplains for our VA Health System. These ministries are Specialized Ministerial settings and they are critical ministries for the military members who they serve. 

There are times our United Church of Christ chaplains feel isolated. Our active duty chaplains are often on 24/7 and always ready to step in and work with Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Guardians, Coasties and Airmen at any time, day or night. Our National Guard and Reserve chaplains, while serving in addition to a civilian ministerial setting, are also on call for their service members and may be called away to work with a troop, or Commander, to intervene in a family or personal matter. This can include family emergencies, funerals, weddings and other rites and sacraments of the church. Our National Guard and Reserve chaplains, at the disposal of the Commander, are instrumental in preparing a unit, and family members, for deployment which can mean separation from 30 days to 365 days.   

Our VA chaplains have the responsibility to reach out, in a difficult and challenging hospital setting, to offer counsel and comfort to our veterans. These men and women have given so much in defense of their country and carry with them the physical and emotional wounds of war: past and current. Our chaplains may be confronted with the challenges of a physical injury, Post Traumatic Stress and/or Moral Injury, never knowing what they will encounter as they approach the bedside of a hospitalized veteran. 

It is my hope that, in the months to come, we may be able and more intentional about reaching out to these UCC clergy in these specialized settings. With the current administration, additional stressors have been placed on their jobs and the performance of their duties. Our chaplains in these settings take pride in the fact that they represent the United Church of Christ including our commitments to inclusivity and welcome to all. However, this more progressive theology within the military can create additional stress for them. 

Our military and VA chaplains represent us, the United Church of Christ, and take ministry into places we will never think of, or have the opportunity, to go. They proudly wear the uniform of their service and step in to do a highly charged and very real ministry. And their feelings of isolation are not imagined. 

Therefore, I would ask that our Committees on Ministry search out those UCC clergy (in your Associations or Conferences) who are serving in these settings and make a concerted effort to touch base and contact them, ask how they are doing and offer prayers for their strength, resolve and success. As the Ecclesiastical Endorser for the UCC, if I can assist, please let me know. While I am very protective of their personal information, I can reach out to them, let them know your concern and even put them in contact with you and your COM so that a line of communication and support can be established. 

The Reverend Stephen Boyd is the Ecclesiastical Endorser for the United Church of Christ. Rev. Boyd served thirty-two years with the Army in the National Guard, Reserves and on Active duty. In 2005 he left his congregation and family to serve 17 months in the Middle East. And from 2008-2011 took a position at the Army Chief of Chaplains Office, in the Pentagon, for three years working with seminarians considering Army chaplaincy. He has been the Endorser since August 2011.