KCMF Chaplaincy Program

KCMF CHAPLAIN MINISTRY PURPOSE AND GOALS

The Kernersville Christian Minister’s Fellowship (KCMF) Chaplaincy Program is designed to provide training and vetting of clergy living in Kernersville and the surrounding community who are willing to serve in a chaplain role among local first responders and law enforcement.

The KCMF Chaplaincy Program exists to create a partnership with orthodox Christian denominations and clergy of the Kernersville community to respond with and assist police and first responders in providing pastoral care to the citizens of the Kernersville community. This is accomplished through promotion, certified training, consultation, and encouragement.

The KCMF Chaplaincy program is comprised of trained, faith-based leaders who serve to provide emotional, social, or spiritual support of our officers while they perform their law enforcement duties. The role of the Chaplain is to be the ‘balancer.’ KCMF Chaplains provide support for Police Officers, their families and community members in their times of need. Chaplains are there to offer assistance, advice, comfort, and counseling to those who desire such support.

The KCMF Chaplaincy Program recognizes the need for wise, compassionate, and loving care for those who are experiencing crisis and serving those in crisis. Thus the KMCF Chaplaincy Program, seeks to be available to law enforcement and first responders as they or those they are serving have need. The KCMF Chaplaincy Program understands that various situations require wisdom in the level of care, desire for that care, and suitability of certain types of care in the circumstances in which it may be called upon to serve.

KCMF Chaplains are available 24-hours-a-day to:

In order to assist officers and members of the community as well, our KCMF Chaplains also:

• participate in ride-alongs with officers as required or requested,
• visits stations on a regular basis in an effort to better acquaint themselves with the officers andtheir demanding roles, and
• strive to strike a balance between serving the needs of police officers and first responders in theirpersonal and professional lives and serving the Kernersville community at large.

HOW TO SERVE WITH THE KMCF CHAPLAINCY PROGRAM

KMCF Chaplaincy Program receives applications year round. All applications received will be reviewed and approved or denied on a case by case basis at the discretion of the KCMF.

Eligibility. Applicants for the KCMF Chaplaincy Program must submit a KMCF Chaplaincy Application, be endorsed by their denomination or affiliation, complete required training, sign the KMCF Chaplaincy Code of Conduct, and participate in ongoing training and education as necessary. Chaplaincy eligibility continues for one year after which a chaplain’s eligibility must be renewed. Service among first responders and/or law enforcement must be approved by the head office of each/any organization among which the KCMF chaplain ministers.

Certification Disclaimer. Please note that any “certification” which KCMF provides only means that KCMF has record of: an individual’s up-to-date KCMF chaplaincy training; a recent approved background check; a recent endorsement from the minister’s overseeing denomination, association, or church official; and a signed copy of Chaplain’s Code of Conduct on file.\

Endorsement. Ordained clergy, licensed ministers, or religious leaders who are associated with a church, Christian group, or other religious order can be approved for CHAPLAIN STATUS by providing three of the four following elements of proof verifying your status to the KCMF. These documents include:

• Written documentation of ordination
• Written documentation of holding a church ministry staff position
• Written documentation of a ministry license
• Written documentation of representing a church/religious order
• Letter of endorsement by overseeing denomination, association, or church official.

Important information. Applications will not be accepted if: the applicant has more than one felony conviction in the last seven years; the applicant has more than two misdemeanor convictions in the last two years; the applicant has been or is currently a member of any organization or group that could be considered a threat against the safety and security of the operations of the KCMF.

Training. Training for the KCMF Chaplaincy Program is offered annually or as needed. Please speak with KCMF about the next opportunity.

Law Enforcement Rules and Requirements. The KCMF Chaplaincy Program, in so far as it is involved with town officials or opportunities, will abide with their required standards and policies.

KCMF Chaplains Code of Conduct. The KCMF value the contributions of area clergy to the Kernersville community. Religious Affiliates must abide by the policies and procedures of KCMF Chaplaincy Program. In addition, KCMF Chaplains who are registered with the KCMF agree to the following Code of Conduct:

• Communicate regularly with the KCMF, including participation in regularly scheduled group meetings and those called as needed.
• Keep confidential conversations, interactions, and identities. KCMF may be present when privileged or private information is shared. Please Note: this confidentiality does not include criminal behavior. Criminal behavior is to be reported to law enforcement immediately.
• Accurately identify one’s self, at all times while acting as a chaplain of KCMF representing her/his religious/spiritual organization or sending agency.
• Refrain from recruitment (e.g. solicitation) or any uninvited or prohibited activity.
• Immediately report in writing to the KCMF any change in status with her or hissending/sponsoring agency or religious institution. Immediately report in writing any complaint of unethical conduct in a civil, criminal, ecclesiastical, employment or another professional organization’s forum.
• Uphold the standards of biblical Christian character as well as the ecumenical commitments of KCMF respect the personal life choices and dignity of others.

To apply to serve as a Chaplain with KCMF, please download, fill out, and return the application provided in the link below. Please mail your application to KCMF Chaplain Application, Post Box 1226, Kernersville, NC 27285, or you may deliver it to the administrator at KCMF’s second Thursday, monthly lunchtime meeting.