JAFC - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy™ (JAFC)?

The JAFC is the legally recognized endorsing authority for classical Anglicans in North America. It serves as the canonical home for all clergy and commissioned lay chaplains whose primary ministry is chaplaincy. Additionally, the JAFC provides licensure and endorsement for Anglican clergy and lay chaplains who are bi-ministerial (those whose primary ministry is in a local parish) and who remain resident within another Anglican diocese. Further, the JAFC also serves as an advocate to protect the religious rights of all chaplains, not just our Anglican Chaplains^TM.

Who is Bishop Derek Jones?

Bishop Derek Jones serves as the Bishop of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy, founding Bishop of the JAFC, and the official endorser for Anglican Chaplains^™. He was consecrated to the episcopacy in 2007 and was subsequently received as a Bishop in the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and the ACNA College of Bishops. He was elected to serve as Chair of the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces (NCMAF), the national organization of federal chaplaincy endorsers, and remains Chair Emeritus for life. He currently serves as Executive Director of the Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty. Read more about Bishop Jones.

Did the ACNA create the JAFC?

No, the JAFC began as a deanery and then evolved into a diocese (2012) of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA), which was part of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).. The Chaplaincy Diocese remained part of the Church of Nigeria, although affiliated with the ACNA, until it was formally transferred in 2023. It was registered as an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation in the state of Alabama in 2013 and adopted the name "Special Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy" in anticipation of an eventual integration into the ACNA.

Why is the JAFC not simply an ACNA diocese from the start?

The JAFC pre-existed the creation of ACNA, with CANA a founding member organization of the ACNA. The Chaplaincy diocese applied for diocesan membership with the ACNA but was refused due to disagreements among some influential ACNA bishops (former TEC bishops) who wanted to structure chaplaincy ministry using the same model as The Episcopal Church. Bishop Jones and the CANA Chaplaincy diocese disagreed with this model because they believed it was fundamentally flawed and failed to provide the necessary structure and support that chaplains (especially military chaplains) need to be successful. That model also did not provide clear and consistent leadership coverage for chaplains.

It was agreed that the CANA Chaplaincy diocese would be received as a Jurisdiction of the ACNA instead, which addressed these concerns by allowing for a structure similar to a diocese but with additional flexibility to accommodate the unique demands of chaplaincy ministry. However, even this arrangement did not fully satisfy all ACNA bishops, so last-minute changes were made to ACNA Canon 11 without the approval of Bishop Jones or the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (the transferring archbishop). This resulted in a prolonged struggle between the JAFC, ACNA, and Church of Nigeria that lasted more than ten years and has kept the JAFC as an affiliate partner Jurisdiction while fulfilling the canonical endorsement requirements for the ACNA.

What is the problem with ACNA Title 11?

Efforts to correct Canon 11 have been ongoing for more than ten years but remain unresolved. The current Canon 11 does not accurately reflect the established structure and operations of the JAFC, making it incompatible with our ministry model. It presents federal regulatory challenges by allowing both the JAFC and REC to serve as representative endorsing bodies for the ACNA, which violates federal regulations. The canon does not recognize the JAFC as a full-status member of the province, effectively relegating our chaplains to second-class status within the ACNA. Finally, it fails to reflect the agreements made between the JAFC and ACNA primates.

What is chaplain endorsement?

To endorse a chaplain is to certify that they have been properly discerned and vetted for the ministry to which they are applying for endorsement. It affirms that they have been adequately trained, formed, and prepared for their calling. To endorse a chaplain is to commit to providing the necessary structure and ongoing support to enable successful ministry in their respective vocational setting. Since chaplain ministry often involves serving people at their most vulnerable moments and during times of acute trauma, anxiety, and danger, endorsement carries sacred responsibility.

Is the JAFC's ministry and impact limited to endorsing chaplains?

Although endorsed chaplain ministry is the primary focus of the JAFC, our ministry efforts extend far beyond vocational chaplaincy. The JAFC has been responsible for planting dozens of parishes and chapel communities, most of which have been transferred to local ACNA dioceses. Twenty-five parishes remain with the JAFC, with several church plants currently in development.

Furthermore, the work of the JAFC has had far-reaching global impact, including:

• Supporting relief efforts in Ukraine

• Garnering congressional support to address the persecution of 150,000 Armenian Christians in Azerbaijan

• Working with the U.S. State Department to save the lives of an Anglican priest and his family facing execution in Iran

• Collaborating with the U.S. State Department to help resolve the multiyear conflict between Egypt and the Province of Alexandria

Additionally, Bishop Jones has authored eight amicus briefs for federal and Supreme Court cases, with two more currently pending. He was instrumental in drafting legislation protecting members of the armed forces from COVID vaccine mandates. The work of the JAFC far exceeds the individual vocational work of its chaplains.

Why did the JAFC Executive Committee decide to disaffiliate from the ACNA?

The JAFC Executive Committee determined that ACNA Archbishop Steven Wood was abusing his authority as Archbishop when he orchestrated a targeted attack against Bishop Jones. Under advisement from the JAFC Chancellor, who determined that the Archbishop was not following the canonical process outlined in Title IV of the ACNA's canons, the Executive Committee directed that Bishop Jones and the JAFC staff and chaplains should not cooperate with what was deemed an unlawful investigation. In response, the Archbishop inhibited Bishop Jones, further escalating the conflict and confirming the Chancellor's and Executive Committee's assessment that the Archbishop's intentions were unjust and his actions unlawful. Trust in the Archbishop was lost, and continued affiliation with the ACNA became untenable.

Why was Bishop Jones targeted by ACNA Archbishop Steven Wood?

In the past year, leaders within the ACNA, including Bishop Jones, have been critical of errors, missteps, and mismanagement within the Archbishop's office. Additionally, since Archbishop Wood failed to fulfill promises made to the bishops of the JAFC to correct ACNA Canon 11, which would have allowed the JAFC to move from affiliate status to full canonical integration, the JAFC was withholding direct financial support, opting instead to provide in-kind donations of services to support the province.

Why did Bishop Jones not simply submit to the Archbishop's demand for an investigation?

Initially, Bishop Jones was willing to allow the investigation the Archbishop desired, believing he had nothing to hide and that the vague allegations could easily be explained. However, after the Chancellor and Executive Committee of the JAFC reviewed the Archbishop's request, it was determined that the request was unlawful and intentionally violated the ACNA's canons. The fact that the Archbishop's demand for an investigation (through Admonition) was not canonically permitted has been confirmed by the ACNA's own Chancellor and Archbishop Emeritus Duncan (video evidence available). Bishop Jones, the staff, and chaplains of the JAFC were directed by the Chancellor not to participate in an unlawful investigation that directly violates the ACNA's own Title IV requirements.

Is Bishop Jones not required by oath to submit to the Archbishop?

No bishop is required to submit to unlawful or non-canonical demands of an Archbishop. Furthermore, since the JAFC is an affiliated ministry and not fully within the structure of the ACNA, the Archbishop's authority to inhibit Bishop Jones for not submitting to an unlawful and non-canonical investigation is not recognized.

Does the Archbishop have unlimited authority in ACNA Church matters?

No, the authority of the Archbishop of the ACNA is limited by the canons of the ACNA. He does not have the legal or moral authority to claim authority or act outside what the canons permit.

What will happen to Anglican chaplains' endorsements?

The endorsements of Anglican chaplains are secure. The JAFC is a separate corporation from the ACNA with its own governing board, and Bishop Jones is the legally recognized endorser for the JAFC. Bishop Jones is committed to maintaining the endorsement and support of ALL JAFC chaplains.

Will the JAFC remain in the Anglican Communion?

Bishop Jones and the JAFC are currently in discussions with several provinces in the global Anglican Communion to provide a continued connection between the JAFC and the Communion.