APPOINTMENT AND DESIGNATION OF LAY READERS

. 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 $4,000 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. 3-32