Misconception #1: A department must have “ecumenical” chaplains. Anything else will be “proselytizing.”

Answer: So-called “Christian” Chaplains working under a well-meaning but misguided policy of ecumenicism are most often prohibited from sharing the life-changing, applicable Truths of God’s Word for fear of being accused of “proselytizing.”

It is inaccurate to label Biblical Chaplaincy as “proselytizing” because simply sharing these truths is not an attempt to convert anyone to a different religion or denomination (which is the definition of “proselytizing”). The Biblical Chaplain who has the courage to take a clear stand on the Truth of God’s Word is what clearly highlights the difference between Biblical Chaplaincy and ecumenicism. In most cases, the ecumenicist refuses to take much of any stand on the Truth of God’s Word, thereby reducing to “warm fuzzy emotionalism” what they have to offer a hurting officer.

When hurting officers are given the Biblical Truth they need, they often respond well to it. This frustrates the ecumenicist and leads to the labeling of the Biblical Chaplain as a “proselytizer.”

When the freedom to share applicable Biblical Truths from God’s Word is taken off the table through a misguided, politically-correct policy of ecumenicism, what’s left is of very little benefit to the hurting officer in the long run and may actually contribute to the nationwide statistics of divorce, addictive behavior, and suicide within law enforcement across our nation. Such an ecumenical policy is akin to prohibiting firemen to use their hoses to extinguish a fire for fear of getting someone wet!

Misconception #2: It is common for officers to believe that a justified use of deadly force is “killing,” in violation of the Ten Commandments, and will thus send them to hell.

Answer: That is not what the Bible teaches! This absolutely wrong “counseling” has actually been given to officers who have sought encouragement, counsel, and healing following incidents involving the use of deadly force, undoubtedly contributing to the epidemic statistics of suicide and addictive behavior within law enforcement in America. (See “On Authority”)

The Biblical Chaplain will encourage officers with what God’s Word actually has to say about law enforcement’s source of authority and the taking of a human life in the line of duty. And in a clean shoot, it’s good news for the officer!

Misconception #3: It is common for officers to believe that Chaplains are wimpy soft-on-crime peacenik “do-gooders” without a clue about what cops have to deal with, and whose only useful function is in delivering death notifications to the public.

Answer: Perhaps some past encounters with a generic “police chaplain” have left this unfortunate impression. However, properly trained Biblical Chaplains actively support and encourage Law Enforcement, and they are keenly aware of what law enforcement deals with on a daily basis, both professionally and personally. Biblical Chaplains can have a tremendously positive impact upon those who choose to take advantage of his services. (See “Biblical Chaplain’s Duties”)

Biblical Chaplains are there to minister to the officer’s personal and spiritual needs before meeting those needs of the public. (See our Training Program and what our Graduates have said!)

Misconception #4: It is common for officers to believe that the Chaplain is there to judge them for everything they do.

Answer: Biblical Chaplains are there to reflect Christ’s love and forgiveness; not to judge the minister of God’s ordained institution of justice.

(See “On Forgiveness: What it Is and Isn’t“)

Misconception #5: It is common for law enforcement Administrators to think that a Biblical Chaplain within their department won’t really be of any use to their agency.

Answer: Biblical Chaplains know that their presence and availability to officers will often actually help reduce the epidemic statistics within law enforcement. Supervisors and administrators should not take a “psychological” approach to what are most often are spiritual issues.

Many a disintegrating, burned-out officer may have been spared had there been a Biblical Chaplain for him to confide in.

Misconception #6: It is common for law enforcement Administrators to believe that having a Biblical Chaplain available for their officers will be viewed as forcing religion down their officers’ throats in violation of the “separation of church and state.”

Answer: Biblical Chaplains serve only those officers who request their services. He is a resource, not a requirement, so there is no conflict. Further, it is our standing challenge to everyone to personally read the Constitution of the United States of America and the other Founding Documents for themselves. We challenge you to find even the faintest concept of a so-called “Separation of Church and State” that prohibits the free exercise of the Christian faith in the public setting in any of the Founding Documents, including the constitutions of each of the fifty states.

(See article: On Separation of Church and State for more details).