LAST UPDATE:
May 16, 2010

The National Conference on Ministry
to the Armed Forces (NCMAF)
Endorsers' Covenant

Having accepted God's call to minister to chaplains and their families who serve in the Armed Forces of our country, I covenant to serve God and these people with God's help.   In affirmation of this commitment, I will abide by the Code of Ethics for Endorsers of the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces and will faithfully support its purposes and ideals.   As further affirmation of my commitment, I covenant with my colleagues in ministry that we will hold one another accountable for all actions set forth in our Code of Ethics for Endorsers.

I will hold in trust the traditions and practices of my religious body.

I will show personal love for God in my life and ministry as I strive together with my colleagues to preserve the dignity, maintain the discipline, uphold the ethical standards and promote the integrity of the profession to which we have been called.

I will adhere to whatever requirements are provided by the Department of Defense through the Armed Forces Chaplains Board for endorsing organizations.

I will respect, participate with and work collegially with other endorsers in the same ways expected of the chaplains I endorse.

If a chaplain I endorse desires to change endorsement to another NCMAF member endorsing body, or if a chaplain endorsed by another endorsing body seeks endorsement by my faith group, I will follow NCMAF and Service branch policies regarding change of endorsement.

I will not initiate or encourage any chaplain to change endorsement to my faith group.

I will support my endorsed chaplains with communication, guidance and prayer. When possible, I will make pastoral visits to chaplains I endorse and their family members at their duty locations.

During endorser visits to my chaplains, I will seek to provide care and ministry to other chaplains as requested by the chaplain.

I will respect the beliefs and traditions of my colleagues to include persons of religious traditions different than my own.

If and when I have an issue of misunderstanding or conflict with a colleague endorser, military chaplain or military official, I will seek to resolve any differences directly with that endorser, chaplain or official. If that approach is unsuccessful, I will seek resolution through the NCMAF Executive Director or the lowest level possible before elevating the said issue to a higher and/or legal venue.

I will honor the confidences of my colleague endorsers as well as those chaplains I endorse and will at all times perform my duties with the highest ethical standards.

I will support all of my endorser colleagues in ministry by building constructive relationships through all of my associations with the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces.

I will adhere to all of NCMAF approved policies and guidelines.

I will defend my colleagues against unfair discrimination on the basis of gender, race, religion or national origin.

Recognizing the special power inherent in my pastoral/endorser office, I will not abuse that power to violate the personhood of any human being, religiously, emotionally, or sexually. I will use my pastoral/endorser office only for the good of those with whom I minister and relate to in my role as endorser.