The Chaplaincy Committee brought the following questions to FCS’s annual meeting in 2025 for prayerful consideration. Friends have minuted the following responses to the questions raised:
Is it in right order for FCS to record Scout/Guide chaplains? Traditionally, recorded ministry began at the Monthly Meeting/Church with subsequent approval by the Quarterly and Yearly Meeting. Is there a distinction between general Friends chaplaincy/recorded ministry and chaplaincy in a Scouting/Guiding context?
Friends believe that there is an important distinction between recorded ministry (and general Friends chaplaincy), and Scout/Guide chaplaincy. Scout/Guide chaplaincy is a highly specialised type of youth chaplaincy, which requires knowledge of Scouting/Guiding for which no other body of Friends would or could take responsibility.
FCS is, therefore, the appropriate body to record Scout/Guide chaplains.
Ad hoc religious/interfaith activities by a Friend at a Scouting/Guiding even, such as a Scouts’ Own/Guides’ Own, do not require recorded chaplaincy.
If it is in right order for FCS to approve Scout/Guide Chaplains, does the chaplaincy need to be approved by the Monthly/Quarterly/Yearly Meeting? If approval is not required, does FCS have an obligation to inform the chaplain’s Monthly/Quarterly/Yearly Meeting?
Given the highly specialised nature of FCS chaplaincy, approval by a Monthly Meeting/Church is not required but notification, where appropriate, should be provided to such Monthly Meeting/Church.
Assuming that it is in right order for FCS to record Scout/Guide chaplains, what would be the appropriate qualifications for appointment of a Friend as a Scout/Guide chaplain?
Is membership in a recognised WOSM/WAGGS national organisation required?
A prospective Scout/Guide chaplain much be registered with their applicable WOSM/WAGGS national organisation and have completed all requisite training required arising from such registration.
What about Scout/Guide leadership training (e.g. Woodbadge)?
A prospective Scout/Guide chaplain would be expected to have deep experience with the Scouting/Guiding movement and hold advanced training with their applicable WOSM/WAGGS national organisation, which may, where available and appropriate, include Woodbadge training.
Scouting America members must complete appropriate additional training for the applicable registered role they hold. Where another WOSM/WAGGS national organisation requires specific role training, the prospective Scout/Guide chaplain must have completed such role training.
Scouting America members must complete the Scouting America chaplaincy training course before applying to become a recorded Scout/Guide chaplain.
FCS will prepare a modified version of the Scouting America chaplaincy training course, suitable for Quaker Scouters/Guiders anywhere else in the world and such applicants still carefully review and faithfully consider such materials before applying.
FCS recorded Scout/Guide chaplains will not provide counselling, pastoral care, or other similar services unless such chaplain has taken additional specific training provided by a recognised chaplaincy training programme or by an applicable Quaker organisation such as Earlham School of Religion or Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre.
Is membership in good standing with a Monthly Meeting/Church required or is attender status sufficient?
A Scout/Guide Chaplain must be a member or attender of a Monthly Meeting with long-standing active participation therein.
What would be the appropriate training post-appointment?
Scout/Guide Chaplains are expected to participate in continuing education in Scouting chaplaincy and/or Quaker chaplaincy or theology when such opportunities arise.
Do FCS chaplains, once recorded, have the authority to hold Meetings for Worship without the approval of or notice to local Monthly Meetings/Churches?
FCS Chaplains do not require approval from FCS to hold Meetings for Worship, interfaith services, or a Scouts’ Own/Guides’ Own at Scouting events.
FCS will issue a minute recording the chaplaincy to the person so appointed and such minute may record any temporal or geographic limitations to such appointment as it may determine.