A Chaplain's Responsibilities

Among the responsibilities of a Troop Chaplain, are the following, listed in the BSA training documents.

• Provide a spiritual element for campouts and troop meetings
• Provide spiritual counseling when needed or requested
• Provide opportunities for all boys to grow in their relationship with God and their fellow Scouts
• Encourage Scouts to participate in the religious emblems program of their respective faith
• Be familiar with the chaplain aide section of this manual
• Work with the troop chaplain aide to plan and conduct an annual Scout-oriented religious observance, preferably during Scout Week in February 

The first point, about providing a spiritual element at campouts and troop meetings does not mean that the Chaplain needs to be present at all times. Remember, the BSA is a youth led organization. The Chaplain may lead a prayer sometimes, but one of their biggest roles is working with one or more boys from the troop to prepare them to run a scout's own service. They may have the formal title and position of Chaplain's Aide, but that is not neccesary.

Encouraging all boys in the troop is something that the chaplain can do, and should also be done by other troop leaders. These religious emblems are something done in the scout's own home church, but they should be recognized by and encouraged by troop leaders, and the chartering organization.

What makes a good Chaplain

If a Scout troop is chartered by a religious organization, the head of that organization, or someone he recommends will become the chaplain. In a case where the troop has no religious affiliation, a local member of the clergy can be approached to perform this role.

Note, that most Pastors, Rabbis, etc. are very busy, with a number of demands on their schedule. While the BSA documents assume they will have plenty of time for this role, that's not always going to be the case. In many cases, there will be one or more older people in the congregation with the spiritual background who may be able to fill this role, with the Pastor's endorsement.

Because most troops have multiple faiths represented, this can be far trickier than picking out someone to work with a youth organization that is wholly made up of church members.

This person must be able to work with boys from various faith backgrounds, and encourage each boy to grow in their religious faith... even if the chaplain himself follows a different one.

The chaplain would certainly be able to invite families to join the church at weekly worship service, but should not proselytize, or push his faith upon families or youth within the unit.  This person should be accessible to the youth and their families, sensitive to their needs and be willing to help them.