If you landed here
This is for the chaplain still figuring out what the role actually looks like.
For the veteran who needs a reminder of why he's there.
For anyone in and around the fire service who's ever stood in a moment where nobody knew what to say or do — and felt the weight of that.
This manual started as notes. It became something worth carrying.
Now Available
Presence. Trust. The Long Game.
Four sections. Practical. Direct. Built to be carried, not shelved. Identity. Parish. Presence. The long game. Everything a chaplain needs to stay grounded, stay effective, and stay in the field.
The Story Behind the Manual
In 1991, at a summer church camp, Caleb felt the call of ministry for the first time. He didn't know what to do with it — and if he's honest, he wasn't sure he wanted it.
A year later, some buddies talked him into joining the local volunteer fire department. Thirty-five years later, he's still there.
On June 23, 1996, he lost two of his closest friends — Monty and Lee — in a line of duty accident responding to a false alarm. Nobody in the department knew what to do. There was no one there in a position of presence. No spiritual leadership. . Not because anyone failed — the role simply didn't exist yet.
That absence stayed with him.
As the years passed — as he became a father, stayed connected to the fire service, and eventually became a commissioner — he realized the call from 1991 had a place. It was right there in the firehouse.
He completed his chaplain certification in 2026. The Chaplain Field Manual is the notes he took along the way.
A Note From a Fellow Chaplain
"The Chaplain Field Manual is the most practical information concerning the ministry of chaplaincy that I have read in some time. The content is helpful and relevant for everyone from beginners to seasoned chaplains and could easily be used to lead a one day seminar on chaplaincy. I plan to keep this manual close at hand."
Gary Rogers
25-Year Fire Service Chaplain
Verified Purchase · Amazon
"Written by a Chaplain for those thinking about chaplaincy or as a restarter for seasoned chaplains. This book is very small in size but huge in insight. The message is clear — this is a calling. You either hear it or you don't."
Paul Zimmer · Verified Buyer
"Great book. Something that we all can relate to and use as Chaplains and First Responders. I recommend not only each Chaplain order one but also First Responders."
Chaplain Jason Dean McAbee · South Spartanburg Fire District
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New resources, future books, and occasional words for the chaplain in the field. No noise. No pitch. Just what's worth your time.
Common Questions
What is The Chaplain Field Manual?
A small, practical go-to reference for fire service and embedded chaplains — not an extensive training manual. Four sections: identity, parish, presence, and sustainability. Built to be carried in your pocket and referenced in the field, not studied once and shelved. Available in paperback only.
Who is Chaplain Caleb Nelson?
Caleb Nelson is a fire service chaplain, commissioner, and author based in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. He has been in and around the fire service since 1992 and completed his chaplain certification in 2026.
What is embedded chaplaincy?
Embedded chaplaincy is presence-based ministry that happens where people already are — firehouses, workplaces, neighborhoods — before a crisis ever occurs. It's built on showing up consistently until you're trusted, not waiting to be called.
Is the book only available in paperback?
Yes. On purpose. It's meant to be held in your hand — a reminder that our hands are part of our presence.
Is this book only for fire service chaplains?
The principles apply anywhere people carry weight quietly — first responders, workplace chaplains, community ministry. The manual is written from a Christian perspective and from the firehouse out. If you serve people from a faith foundation, this is for you.
How do I become a fire chaplain?
Caleb completed his certification through Christian Leaders Alliance. Most departments also have their own endorsement process. The manual covers the mindset and presence side — the certification gets you in the door.