Resources

Trish is available to present chaplaincy seminars for local churches, government agencies, law enforcement, business, and community organizations. Connect with Trish to see how she can help you establish a chaplaincy presence in your community or organization. Trish has been a licensed Chaplain through the International Fellowship of Chaplains (IFOC) since 2016 and received training and certification through the International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC) in 2017. She received her certification in Biblical Counseling from Southwestern Theological Seminary in 2018 to expand her counseling and chaplaincy skills in the hopes to better serve law enforcement agencies and individuals in crisis. She recently graduated with her Master’s degree in chaplaincy from Liberty University and is continuing towards her doctorate in Pastoral Counseling and Christian Ministry Leadership. Trish is an author and speaker who helps people understand the important role of chaplaincy and how chaplains can bridge the gap between the sacred and secular to impact communities.

Connect with me by email at:  trish@chaplainresource.org

The Lemon Test

Chaplaincy is protected under the Lemon vs. Kurtzman ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States of America. It is considered a necessary function of government to care for the holistic mind, body, and spirit of its citizenry. Chaplaincy is not a function that forms religion; therefore, it is protected under this law. The Lemon test was formulated by Chief Justice Warren Burger. The court in Lemon v. Kurtzman ruled three requirements for government concerning religion, they are:

1. The government’s action must have a secular legislative purpose. (Such as a Chaplain providing crisis response or humanitarian aid for mind, body, and spirit during times of crisis.)

2. The government’s action must not have the primary effect of either advancing or inhibiting religion. (Such as a Chaplain providing aid to people of all faith backgrounds and refusing to solicit members for a specific religion or faith organization.)

3. The government’s action must not result in an “excessive government entanglement” with religion. (Such as a Chaplain providing temporary crisis response services to people in need of humanitarian aid for mind, body, and spirit outside the confines of a church or faith organization.)

Did you know that there were full time paid Chaplains appointed to the very first Continental Congress in 1737? Chaplains have faithfully served the federal government, all branches of the military, and both houses of congress for over 280 years.