Even before tragedy strikes, chaplains have a unique opportunity to intervene.
It's what the military calls "Left of Bang." What is that exactly? When a crisis erupts it’s called a “bang.” To act left of bang simply means stepping in early, placing yourself in front of the bang, and that is exactly what school chaplains are trained to do.
Other organizational groups and first responders such as police, fire, and even school counselors are reactionary and wait until that crisis happens. Pursuing preventative measures is where these chaplains come in.
Social media signs that might have alerted authorities to trouble were missed in the recent Minneapolis school shooting.
When I talked to Rocky Malloy, the founder and CEO of the National School Chaplains Association (NSCA), this is what he had to say.
"School chaplains are clergy trained to work in secular environments. They provide confidential emotional, moral, and spiritual support for students, teachers, and families. Unlike counselors bound to academics or administrators focused on discipline, chaplains earn trust through presence and compassion. They are often the first to recognize warning signs and the ones best positioned to intervene before problems escalate."
He goes on to say, "The results are striking: schools with chaplains report fewer incidents of violence, dramatic reductions in bullying and substance abuse, and -- in schools where chaplains have served for two or more years -- no suicides. Just as important, chaplains encourage positive development. They mentor students in character and resilience, support teachers under stress, and strengthen the bridge between parents and schools. Parents gain peace of mind knowing someone is advocating for their child’s best spiritual and social interest."
Some dramatic statistics experienced in Schools with chaplains serving include:
• Up to 80% reduction in teen pregnancies
• 37% increase in graduation rates
• Dramatic drops in school violence and domestic violence
• Zero student suicides reported in schools with chaplains present for two or more years
These outcomes are not theories --they’re documented by the National School Chaplain Association over the last three decades. NSCA chaplains serve over 36,000 schools in 23 countries. In today’s strained mental health landscape, chaplains offer a safe space for students and staff alike. In a time when many schools are overwhelmed by rising levels of anxiety, depression, and behavioral crises, these outcomes cannot be ignored. They suggest that chaplains are not simply a luxury add-on to the education system, but a proven solution to some of its most pressing challenges.
Every single state in the USA has the opportunity to deploy chaplains in their schools, and right now four states have taken that extra step to codify their existence in the law books with 29 others actively filing legislation. Those four states are Texas, Florida, Louisiana and, more recently, Missouri.
Some of you may be thinking, what is the constitutionality of all this? We have chaplains in the military, isn't that part of our government? How about the chaplains in police, fire, prisons, and other governmental organizations including hospitals?
In fact, chaplains have been challenged time and again and U.S. courts at various levels have made it clear: chaplains do not violate the so-called “separation of church and state" and they don’t proselytize when they serve in secular institutions. Instead, they play a constitutionally sound role by providing voluntary, confidential care that respects the diverse backgrounds of those they serve.
Key court chaplaincy cases
1. Marsh v. Chambers, 463 U.S. Supreme Court (1983) –upheld state-employed legislative chaplains
2. Katcoff v. Marsh, 755 F.2d 223 (2d Cir. 1985) – upheld the U.S. military chaplaincy
3. Theriault v. Silber, 547 F.2d 1279 (5th Cir. 1977) – upheld prison chaplains
4. Carter v. Broadlawns Medical Center, 857 F.2d 448 (8th Cir. 1988) – upheld hospital chaplains
If chaplains can reduce violence, prevent suicides, improve graduation rates, and offer students a trusted mentor, then why wouldn’t we act? At a time when communities are searching for answers to school shootings and other crises, chaplains present a time-tested and court-approved solution.
Our children deserve every safeguard we can offer, and chaplains may be one of the most powerful yet underutilized resources available. Isn't it time that we give the children in our schools and the men and women who will be training them up for our future an opportunity for a safer educational experience?
Could school chaplains actually be part of the solution to the rising frequency of school shootings? After reviewing all the benefits that chaplains have historically provided, it sure seems to me that there are so many benefits of having chaplains in schools that I don't see much of a downside.
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