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How a Christian chaplain should function in a multi-faith, pluralistic facility

February 23, 2026

 

Chaplains are called to minister to people in a multiplicity of circumstances, to people of varying faith traditions, and with different expectations.

In addition, many institutions are governed by legislation requiring a varied approach to spiritual care with an emphasis on the acceptance of diverse faith views, with no faith view being correct over other views.

This presents the Christian chaplain with both opportunities and significant challenges. Greatest amongst the challenges is for the Bible-believing chaplain to ascertain how best to minister to people of other faiths, as well as in the process, establishing limits or guardrails to protect his or her own Christian orthodoxy.

 

A significant trend in the chaplaincy realm, which is being driven by strong pressures for accommodation and individual rights, is to ensure that chaplain work supports a Universalist view of faith. This is often accompanied with a requirement to proclaim an unnamed god which is often simply be referred to as a “higher power”. It is postulated that this approach will ensure a comfort level for everyone, including the institution, thus not offending anyone.

For the Christian chaplain this runs counter to the basics of the Christian faith which adheres to and joyfully declares the Trinitarian view of

God of the Bible with the principles of God’s Word, as expressed in Scripture. For the Christian the Bible is the inerrant and the only dependable source of Truth.

Under the label of diversity, things can go further than this. Similar to the universalist acceptance of all faith views, diversity is an accommodation of social and moral precepts that increasingly society stresses, whereby there are no absolutes, and moral behavior is based not on Scripture or creeds (even of non-Christian writings) but on the freedom of the individual to choose what is right for them or what their own conscience informs them.

 So how does the Christian chaplain function in such an environment? And will the sponsoring institution ultimately allow the Christian chaplain to function within their Biblical boundaries, while still providing meaningful ministry to diverse faiths, or people with little or no faith at all?

To wrestle with this theologically, we need to ask ourselves if it is it possible for the Bible to provide the direction needed for a Christian chaplain to function effectively in such an environment with the prospect of a vibrant compassionate ministry. The answer is an unequivocal affirmation that the Bible provides guidance.

 

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR

It should be self-evident that the Christian chaplain loves people. Jesus laid down this principle as a non-negotiable fundamental truth: “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it; love your neighbour as yourself [Matt. 22:37-38]”. These two verses inform the orientation of the Christian chaplain to the love of neighbour. In principle, there are no distinctions, no pre-conceived conditions, nor exclusions. This is not just a New Testament rule – it is fully evident in Leviticus 19:18- “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”

 

It must be seen, however, that such compassion towards one’s neighbor is subservient to a higher imperative and that is to love the LORD your God with your entire being. This means not only dedication and commitment to the LORD, but it assumes an unbending commitment to the will of God and the precepts of the Bible. Love of neighbor must always be seen through the lens of God’s will to live out the Christian life as stated in the Bible. This means that while we love our neighbor, we do not necessarily agree with what they do or what god they worship. While we love our neighbor we cannot and must not sway from the tenets of our Christian faith which is based on the redemptive life and purposes of Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation [Jn. 14:16].

 

THINK ON THESE THINGS

The Christian chaplain will operate in all kinds of situations that will demand discernment and limits. Not all faiths are the same. It is a miscalculation to assume that we all worship “the same god”. There is “one LORD, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ has apportioned it” [Eph. 4:6-7]. For the Christian chaplain this is Jehovah, the “I Am” of the Bible ultimately manifested in Christ. There is none other. Throughout the Bible it is abundantly clear that God exists as One and three persons - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. For the Christian chaplain God is Trinitarian. Of course, this does not give license for the Christian chaplain to denigrate those who are not of the same belief. Indeed, the chaplain is called to exercise sound judgement and fairness, but to nevertheless be prepared to stand firm on biblical faith: “have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart and a humble mind. Honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” [1 Pet. 3:8,15]. The Christian chaplain cannot criticize another faith until such time as he is asked to express joy in his Christian beliefs. Be patient for the opportunity. However, the Christian chaplain must not equate all faiths as being the same – they are not.

 

The Christian chaplain has a template for ministering: “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things [Phil. 4:8].” The Christian chaplain does not agree on all things, especially things contrary to the foundations of the Christian faith. The chaplain will always test his or her conduct and decision-making against the litmus test of the warrant of Scripture and the redemptive life of Jesus.

HOLD FAST

The Christian chaplain tests everything, quietly and reverently but with purpose. “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies but test everything: hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil” [1 Thess. 5:19-20]. The world will always be contradictory and illusory. The Christian chaplain needs to be wise and discerning. Other faiths can be faiths of wisdom, but not the wisdom of a Redemptive Savior who is Jesus. If what we are being asked to do does not meet the biblical test, we need to stand firm.

SHOWING FORTH LIGHT

In spite of pluralism, confusion and even worldly dissonance, the Christian chaplain can be a source of light to a hurting world, regardless of faith tradition. This is a basic human need. “Therefore do not become partners with them: for at one time you were in darkness, but now you are light in the LORD. Walk as children of light and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord” [Eph. 5:7-10].

As chaplains, we shed light not to condemn people but to illuminate. But we must be willing to challenge that which is contrary to the Christian faith gently and graciously.

 

LIVE AS EXAMPLES

Christian chaplains in pluralistic settings cannot be everything to all people, nor should we try to be.

But we do need to walk the walk and talk the talk. “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at one forgets what he was like” [Jas. 1:22-24].

Living as an example does not mean embracing everything that others believe nor melding everything into one amorphous melting pot of faith. Not everything goes! The Christian chaplain lives by example.

APPLICATION

The Christian chaplain functioning in a pluralistic environment will be asked to conform to a universal view that all faiths are the same. This must be carefully resisted.

However, I believe that the Christian chaplain can rightfully function in a pluralistic environment, be impactful, and be helpful to people of all faiths, while at the same time maintaining ironclad commitment to what the Bible teaches:

  • In all situations respect the people of other faiths, but do not accommodate ideation that “we all worship the same god.” There is one true redemptive Savior, who is Jesus Christ.
  • Be supportive of efforts to impart spiritual care on the basis that this is the compassionate thing to do.
  • Gently know your limits of what you teach, support, and say.
  • Know when to refer out to other faiths and spiritual supports in the community that can provide the support that you cannot or are unwilling to provide – do this with grace and discernment.
  • Know the biblical principles of the Christian faith and be able to gently defend them with appropriate verses or concepts from the Bible, while giving glory to Jesus Christ for His redemptive plan.
  • Your role is not to be the spokesperson for pluralistic views, other moral views, or emerging societal trends. Where asked to proclaim the Gospel.
  • Be prayerful in all that you do, asking God to grant you discernment and grace.
  • If challenges abound and are not reconcilable, be prepared to depart the post, standing firm in Christian belief.

 

Rev. Michael F. Dell BSc MSc BRE MTS

Pastor and Chaplain

www.footpathleadership.com

Pastor Mike has been a Chaplain for 8 years

in a major retirement and long-term facility.