Chaplaincy - The New Frontline Mission
Skychaplain Mon, 02/03/2015 - 12:07
Christian Ministers sometimes ask themselves how relevant, how connected, their ministry (and that of their church) is. At least I did, as a church-based minister - and still feel this question is important, as the world changes fast and the Church seeks to catch up, and maintain a missional and evangelistic edge.
Recently, I attended the Southern Counties Baptist Association’s annual Ministers’ Conference especially because Chaplaincy as the New Front Line Mission was a central topic. We were addressed by the recently-retired previous Chaplain-General of the British Army, The Revd Jonathan Woodhouse, a Baptist Minister.
He maintained that there were four important marks of Chaplaincy:
Missional Leadership - Chaplains are, by nature of the work, leaders. They may well work without a team or very much support
In the public square - amongst people where they are, perhaps hence the amazing level of demand for new Chaplaincies to be developed
Fluid Boundaries - no limits to its coverage, a ministry to all in the given situation or institution
Sustaining Ministry - an encouraging, supporting presence, seeking to understand the person's (or the institution's) issues or challenges
These were the four areas considered during the day. They spoke strongly to me both through Jonathan’s presentation and through the frequent discussion between us - about twelve Baptist Chaplains serving within the south central region.
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How is all this worked out?
As some will know, I was the ecumenical Senior Chaplain at London Luton Airport from 1995-2013, leading a Team of Volunteer Chaplains. This was a busy full-time ministry to 8,000 staff and, by the time I retired, nearly 10 million passengers per annum. It involved visiting workplaces through the Airport site - airline HQs, airline engineering hangars, the Airport Fire Station, the Air Traffic Control Tower, and many other workplaces. The ministry was to understand the industry, supporting, encouraging, and offering pastoral care wherever and whenever needed. Anything and everything was involved, day after day. And I saw it as the work of God’s Kingdom - an extension of the ministry of the Lord’s Church. It was incredibly fulfilling, and tiring!
What now?
As a retired Minister, I’m fortunate (and feel called by God) to be able to continue in part-time Chaplaincy ministry. I see that as part of the outworking of being a member at Christ Church. I serve three Chaplaincies as a volunteer from Basingstoke. Let me list these:
* Chaplain to Chichester/Goodwood Aerodrome (a brand new Chaplaincy)
* Co-Chaplain (with a lay Anglican colleague) at Southampton Airport
* Chaplain with Basingstoke Town Chaplaincy, serving the Stagecoach South Bus Engineering Depot. (This, too, is a new Chaplaincy within our Town Chaplaincy network.)
It is a great privilege to be able to stand with people where they work or travel (the two scenarios I have known). To be alongside them in that part of life where they spend a large amount of their time and where they need to see Christianity in action, through what the Chaplain is (not so much what he or she does). Chaplains are there to be, to “loiter with intent” as it is often expressed. To “embrace the context” as Jonathan Woodhouse puts it.
I believe that increasingly the Christian Church will need to look beyond itself for its work of mission, that is of connecting with the world and bringing to it all the hope, peace, and joy of Jesus Christ. There is much that can be done from, within, and through the Church’s buildings. Yet we do not see people flocking to its worship, teaching, and inner life. The Church needs to be out on the front line - serving, ministering, witnessing, sharing the good news.
Chaplaincy is just one front line aspect of mission - but a very powerful one and, currently, a very popular one in commerce, industry, and the institutions of life - Health, Education, Sport, Prisons, Police, Courts and many more. Jesus went to where people were in His ministry, seeking them out. So must we.
Please pray for all Chaplains - in every context where Chaplaincy happens. And please pray for our Basingstoke Town Chaplains, covering many workplaces in the town centre. Visit: www.basingstoketownchaplaincy.org.uk
And please pray for my own work and mission. Thanks!
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