North American Division

Welcome to ACM

Mission

As the ecclesiastical endorsing body within the North American Division of the Seventh Day Adventist church, we support ministers in the chaplaincy field to excel in personal and professional growth as they bring hope and wholeness to the communities we serve.

Vision

Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries serves North America and the world, collaborating with local Unions and Conferences, through ecclesiastical endorsement, professional training, and advocacy, to build strong bonds with our chaplains, bringing the spirit of Jesus Christ wherever we serve.

Who are we?

Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries (ACM) is the ecclesiastical endorsing body of the North American Division (NAD) of Seventh-day Adventist Church, responsible for granting endorsement, providing moral and spiritual support, and professional development to Seventh-day Adventist Chaplains within the North American Division. This department was established in 2017 after having been a part of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries within the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist since 1985. However, the Adventist Church’s rich tradition in chaplaincy started at Battle Creek College in 1875, soon reaching other pivotal institutions like the Battle Creek Sanitarium. 

What is Chaplaincy Ministry?

Chaplaincy is an avenue of ministry that melds challenges with exciting opportunities. Serving outside conventional church boundaries, chaplains work in multifaceted settings, offering pastoral, spiritual, and moral support to diverse groups—from patients and students to service members and elected members of Congress. 

What is Ecclesiastical Endorsement?

An Ecclesiastical endorsement from a denomination or religious organization affirms the chaplain can represent they faith group in a specialized setting (beyond the local congregation)ministering in a pluralistic setting. The NAD ACM endorsement process primarily involves completing an application , providing references, transcripts, participating in an interview, signing an endorsement covenant, and submitting an essay regarding their call to chaplaincy ministry. The applicant’s name is then reviewed and voted upon by the NAD ACM Committee.