The New York State Council of Churches certifies and supports chaplains in state institutions including the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, Office of Children and Family Services, and Office of Mental Health. We sponsor an annual conference for chaplains and provide other continuing education opportunities. We do not run a training program, we verify credentials of ordained clergy to be chaplains within NYS institutions: Department of Correctional Services, Office of Mental Health, Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, and Office of Children and Family Services.
Are you ordained clergy? Have you ever considered using your gifts of ministry to bring the message of God’s love to people in these New York State agencies? Chaplaincy ministry provides an opportunity to bring hope to those cut off from family, community, church and the opportunities of daily life.
New York State Agencies needing chaplains include:
Department of Correctional Services
Office of Children and Family Services
Office of Mental Health
Office for People with Developmental Disabilities
Mission:
The NYSCOC recognizes there are a multitude of paths to qualify for certification. We recognize the personal need and constitutional right of all persons within state institutions to effective spiritual ministry. Guided by our sense of unity in the Body of Christ, the NYSCOC, cooperating with and on behalf of Protestant and Orthodox communions within NYS we affirm the following:
1. An individual’s relationship to God is vital in the healingand rehabilitative process.
2. The Chaplain’s primary functionis to provide spiritual ministry,assist in spiritual formation,and provide programs and worship services that assist and support redemptiveand rehabilitative behavior.
3. Chaplains are to be knowledgeable of NYS institutions and their primary mission, be trained to performspecialized pastoral functions within them, be competent to serve as a valuedmember of a professional team, and be prepared to advocate on behalf of residents, patients,and staff.
4. Chaplains must be skilledin drawing from their own faith traditions while respecting and workingwith other clergy from other faiths.
5. Chaplains must be willing toserve and assist all people regardless of their faith, race, nationality, orsexual orientation. Chaplains unableto work within this highly pluralistic work environments exposethemselves and the chaplaincy to legal risk for discriminatorypractices. Chaplains need to be prepared to minister to the needs individualsvehemently opposed to their beliefs.
Criteria for Certification: Candidates for certification must meet criteria in the following areas to be interviewed by the Certification Committee.
Ordination
Ecclesiastical Endorsement
Formal Education
Pastoral Experience
Equivalent, Alternative Chaplaincy Certification Criteria
Professional Competency
After certification candidates are encouraged to join the New York State Association of Protestant Chaplains and attend the annual conference.
The New York State Council of Churches has agreed to assist the State in its efforts to offer professionally competent chaplaincy service by verifying credentials of clergy as appropriate for the State to employ as Protestant and Orthodox Chaplains. Once you are certified, the agency or agencies you chose will interview you. If they approve your employment, they will determine placement. Applicants willing to move or travel will have first priority in hiring.
The process begins with contacting Rev. Jim Ketcham, Chaplaincy Certification Coordinator, then completing an application for certification and meeting the required criteria with evidence of education, ordination, denominational endorsement, special training such as Clinical Pastoral Education, and experience in pastoral ministry. If the chaplaincy certification committee approves you, your name will be sent to the state agency, which is the hiring body, and they will interview as positions become available.
The documents linked below provide much more information including criteria requirements and steps to follow in the certification process. There is a non-refundable fee of $100 to apply.
Chaplaincy Certification Applicant Letter
Chaplaincy Certification Criteria for Protestant and Orthodox Clergy (revised May 2026)
Rev. Charles Smith, Chair, Chaplaincy Commission
Rev. Dr. Charles B. Grimm, Chair, Certification Committee
All New York State certified Protestant Chaplains are required to become members of the New York State Association of Protestant Chaplains. The Association is open to all chaplains serving in any capacity, not just state agencies, and membership fees are based on employment. There is an annual education conference for all chaplains usually held in the second week of October.
Rev. Dr. Cris Mogenson, President
Rev. Murray Mayfield, Vice President
Rev. Michael Ojewale, Secretary
Rev. Candace Dale, At-Large
Rev. Dr. Gideon Jebamani, At-Large
Rev. Sylvia Patterson, At-Large
Rev. Dr. Frank Souffrant, At-Large
2026 Chaplains Conference - Spirituality: Discernment, Direction, Discipline, and Devotion
October 6-8, 2026 | Holiday Inn and Suites, 400 7th N St, Liverpool, NY
Watch videos from the conference on our YouTube Channel.
