. The chaplain can determine where efforts
need to be concentrated in order to enhance
layperson participation in the Command Religious
Program (CRP).
. Charts and graphs based on attendance
data can show at a glance the amount of progress
being made within the CRP; problems can be pin-
pointed, and successes noted.
. The leading RP is responsible for pro-
curing and compiling statistical data for all
services conducted.
. At shore installations, if present spaces are
inadequate to house CRP activities, and a
construction request is to be submitted through
the chain of command, weekly statistics would be
necessary to establish credibility for the request,
. Statistics can help to justify an increased
CRP budget. For example, if the CRP ashore has
,000 allocated to sponsor the first annual
Vacation Church School at the installation chapel,
and on the second day uses up the entire alloca-
tion issued because of unexpected participation,
this statistical data would indicate the need for
an increased allocation of funds.
APPOINTMENT AND DESIGNATION
OF LAY READERS
The Command Religious Program is designed
for the spiritual benefit and morale building of
all command personnel as well as their
dependents. The voluntary contribution of the
time and talent of laypersons will help make the
CRP a success.
Article 5810150 of the Naval Military Person-
nel Manual delineates the responsibility of the
commanding officer to make provisions for
religious services for assigned personnel. Some
commands at sea will not have a chaplain
assigned. On ships or in deployed squadrons
where a chaplain is assigned, he or she will be
endorsed by only one of the many faith groups
represented by command personnel. For example,
a certain command may have 1,800 members.
Both a Roman Catholic and a Protestant chaplain
may be assigned. However, there may be Jewish
personnel, Latter-Day Saints, or members of
other religious groups who have no chaplain of
their particular faith to minister to them.
In such cases, the commanding officer may
designate an officer or enlisted person, who
volunteers for the position, to represent a
particular religious body as a lay reader, and in
the absence of a chaplain, to conduct worship
services as appropriate. This designation should
be in writing from the commanding officer to the
volunteer. The letter of designation should be
made a part of the member’s service record.
OPNAVINST 1730.1A indicates that the dura-
tion of the designation of a lay reader is to be only
for the period of time the chaplain is not available,
such as a 2-month deployment of the chaplain on
a destroyer.
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