Church Order Article 23-c states that ministry associates “may serve as chaplains in institutional settings in the community.” Synod 2003 discussed this use of the office of ministry associate and gave its endorsement of the concept. Note the statement added to the Church Order Supplement, Article 23-c: The mandate, characteristics, and guiding principles that define chaplains ordained as ministers of the Word are applicable to chaplains ordained under Article 23.” For more information and reflection on this issue, look at the appropriate report in the Acts of Synod 2003.
