The House chaplain matters

There’s no shortage of positions to fill when a new administration kicks off, but there’s one opening on Capitol Hill that I'm watching closely. Last month, Punchbowl News reported that Speaker Mike Johnson might replace the current House chaplain, Margaret Grun Kibben. Unlike past chaplains, Kibben wasn’t formally elected as an officer in the 119th Congress but instead is serving as acting chaplain. The Constitution under Article I, Section 2, states the House shall choose “their Speaker and other Officers.” Since 1789, the role of House chaplain has been a central part of that tradition, tasked with opening legislative sessions in prayer, supporting members’ spiritual needs, and organizing guest chaplains. 

Now, with Speaker Johnson—a Southern Baptist and outspoken conservative—at the helm, there’s a real opportunity to appoint a chaplain who reflects the values of many Americans and members of Congress.

One name circulating to replace Ms. Kibben per Religious News Service is Becky Tirabassi, an author and motivational speaker who also serves as a “co-pastor” alongside her husband at a non-denominational church in Newport Beach, Calif. A look at their church’s website shows their values and beliefs on women in ministry align with liberal and mainline denominations.

If the House chooses Tirabassi, she would be the first non-denominational chaplain to serve as House chaplain. The rise of the “nones” has been documented extensively by research over the last decade, but the rise of the “nons” in Congress is something new altogether. Over the last decade, more and more members of Congress identify as “Protestant,” “Christian,” or “Evangelical Protestant.” In 2015, only 58 Members gave non-specific answers about their religious affiliation. A decade later, with institutional trust at historic lows, it’s not surprising that the largest group of Protestant members of Congress is now essentially unaffiliated Protestant (101 members).

Pew Research, which bases its data on CQ Roll Call, has tracked this trend for decades, but broad categories like “Baptist” or “Presbyterian” fail to capture the theological divides (and declines) within mainline Protestant churches and traditional evangelical denominations. Is it any wonder, then, that Speaker Johnson recently put the current House chaplain, Margaret Kibben, on notice? On Jan. 6, she joined a group of Democrats to offer a prayer invoking God to address “enemies within.” Moments like these highlight how the chaplaincy, while spiritual at its core, can influence the tone and focus of our national conversation. As a PCUSA pastor, Kibben represents a liberal denomination that has lost over 30% of its members in the last decade. The PCUSA’s decline mirrors a broader trend in mainline denominations that have struggled to maintain relevance and theological clarity.

Let’s not forget the stakes here. The House chaplain isn’t just a ceremonial role. It’s a position of moral influence and spiritual guidance, offering counsel to lawmakers navigating some of the nation’s toughest decisions. A strong evangelical pastor with extensive expertise in counseling and discipleship would resonate with the theological convictions of many members while grounding the chaplaincy in a Biblical framework that promotes moral clarity.

Speaker Johnson now has the chance to ensure this critical role is filled by someone who can inspire, challenge, and serve Congress while holding fast to the principles that guide so many Americans. This decision goes beyond partisanship—it’s about setting a moral compass for one of the most influential institutions in the world. Appointing an evangelical chaplain would underscore the importance of religious liberty, a cornerstone of American democracy.

At a time when many increasingly question the role of faith in the public square, selecting a chaplain who unapologetically represents a Biblical worldview would reaffirm the foundational principle that faith has a vital place in the nation’s civic life. This decision would send a clear message: Belief in God is not only permissible but essential for guiding moral governance.