About My Ministry

My name is Joe Seifert. I am a husband of 19 years and father to 4 school aged children. I am an ordained pastor for the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. For the first 7 years of my pastoral ministry I served 2 congregations; 1 in Iowa and 1 in Kansas. Currently I am fulfilling God's calling to serve as an active duty Navy Chaplain.

Often people will ask me why I decided to become a navy chaplain. To be honest, it was never really on my radar until one summer's pastors conference. My church body's Ministry to the Armed Forces had an opportunity to address the pastors there and I was very moved by his presentation. He shared that it was a very exciting ministry opportunity. He emphasized the great need for caring and capable chaplains. And what struck me the most was his very bold and passionate statement, "The only thing I regret about serving as a chaplain...is not being able to do it again!" That night I called my wife to discuss if God may be leading us down this path. After many prayers, considerations, and long talks, we accepted this calling and so here we are today!

A little about my personal life: I was born and raised in Minnesota. I was baptized, confirmed, and raised in the Lutheran church. I attribute much of my Biblical knowledge and faith foundation to my Lutheran School teachers, professors, and pastors. I enjoy playing sports, board games, video games, yard games, and spending time with my family.

I love God and I look forward to any and every opportunity to share the message of salvation in Jesus!

Follow My Chaplain Journey

What is a Navy Chaplain?

A Navy chaplain is a commissioned officer who represents a particular faith tradition--in Navy terminology, your RO (Religious Organization). E.g. I am a Lieutenant that represents the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

The chaplain's primary function is to provide religious ministry to sailors according to the manner and form of his/her RO. In other words, I continue to serve as a called and ordained pastor to the personnel of my unit, enabling them to exercise their 1st amendment right of the freedom to practice their religion. This chaplain role becomes especially important during exercises and deployments when churches/ministers may not be available to the servicemen and women.

It is important to note, that I too have this freedom of practicing my faith. A common misconception is that chaplains must compromise their own faith tradition in order to minister to people of varying faiths. This simply is not true. I am not required to do anything that goes against my conscience or faith. So how are all provided for then? The chaplain corps abides by 4 very helpful "core capabilities," provide, facilitate, care, and advise.

Provide: As stated above, the primary function of a chaplain is provide religious ministry according to the manner and form of his/her RO.

Facilitate: If a sailor requests religious ministry that does not concur with my faith/conscience, then it is my responsibility to seek to connect that individual with another chaplain, local minister, lay leader, or other resources, in order to support the practice of his/her faith.

Care: Regardless of religion, race, or creed I care for ALL sailors. I encourage them, connect them to helpful resources, and most of all I listen. Chaplains help counsel sailors and according to Navy instruction, are to do so with 100% confidentiality.

Advise: Chaplains have the unique role of advising the command. A chaplain should have direct access to the commanding officer in order to advise on issues of religion, morality/ethics, and morale.

Follow the link for more information:
Navy Chaplains

What is an RP?

An RP is an enlisted rate in the Navy. RP stands for religious program specialist. Ideally, every chaplain will have an RP assigned to him/her.

As part of the RMT (Religious Ministry Team) the RP supports the chaplain in providing religious ministry. The RP may or may not share the same faith tradition of the chaplain. Although the RP must help assist the chaplain in carrying out his/her provision of religious ministry, the RP is not obligated to practice the same faith.

An RP is also carries out a critical role as an armed body guard, since the chaplain is a non-combatant and may not carry a weapon.

What I Believe as an LCMS Lutheran

The roots of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod trace back to 1847, when Saxon and other German immigrants established a new church body in America, seeking the freedom to practice and follow confessional Lutheranism.

The LCMS believes...

GOD

The Bible reveals God as trinitarian, three Persons, yet 1 God. The church confesses the ecumenical creeds (Apostles', Nicene, & Athanasian) as a true exposition of Scripture. In the creeds we confess God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit, three Persons, yet 1 God.

JESUS

Jesus is 100% true God and 100% true man. He is the 2nd Person of the Holy Trinity. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and suffered and died on a cross in order to bring salvation to the world. Salvation from sin, death, and the devil can be found in Jesus alone.

BIBLE

The Bible is in the inerrant, inspired Word of God. It is God's revelation to his people in order to know Jesus through faith.

GRACE

God's salvation is an undeserved gift. Man is born inherently sinful and therefore cannot find God, please God, nor earn his own righteousness. Faith, forgiveness, and eternal life are all free gifts that God bestows on us.

CHURCH

The church is the people of God. God continues to work in His church. He calls pastors to serve His people through Word (preaching/teaching) and sacrament (baptism/communion/confession & absolution). God calls His people to gather together for worship, to live out their vocations in life faithfully, and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus to the world.

I could list many other doctrines/teachings of the LCMS. For more information please follow the link below:

Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS)

About My Ministry

Follow My Chaplain Journey

What is a Navy Chaplain?

What is an RP?

What I Believe as an LCMS Lutheran

Subscribe to My Newsletter/Blog