Chaplaincy

C4 BLOG

BORED INTO TRANSCENDENCE...ipriest

...individual thoughts on mission,
ministry
& chaplaincy

University Chaplaincy
 As with any ministry, and indeed as with any profession, Chaplaincy in Higher Education comes with its joys and its challenges. The greatest joy is in serving God, where we feel called and by serving the University in a way that glorifies God.

As a full time University Chaplain then, working in one of the largest Cathedral group Universities, I would like to take this opportunity to shed some light on what it means for me to be a Chaplain.

 Note I say what it means for me to be a chaplain, for as you might expect no two university chaplaincies are exactly the same, in the same way no two university campuses are exactly the same.  The ministry of the Dean of Chapel, Jeremy Law, is remarkably distinct from my ministry and my ministry is remarkably distinct from that of my colleague Sally Womersley.
Read more...

ip

University Chaplaincy... a fresh expression of church?

In the current climate of renewed interest in what church might look like if we went back to basics, Chaplains  find themselves at risk of being swept a side by fresh expressions and pioneer ministers as people strive to be completely vulnerable in their ministry by sitting outside the traditional confines of church structures and parish life and engaging holistically with those outside the church in the work place, in the night clubs on the housing estates.
Read more...

ip

A Deacon & a Priest

It is worth remembering that whilst not all Deacons are Priests all Priests are Deacons and in this age where mission and outreach is once more at the forefront of what it means to be Christian are calling to serve God both at the heart of our community and on the fringes of the church has a renewed importance. (Not that it actually went anywhere - it is just now with fresh expressions and pioneer ministers are attention has been drawn back in this specific direction.)

As a University Chaplain paid by the Institution and responsible for just that, 'the Church's mission and outreach', it is an interesting, and at times precarious, position to be in.  The question of “Whom do I  serve” and “How do I serve them” is part of  the University's Internal Audit (Question 5 'What measurable outcomes do you employ to assess your departments efficiency and productivity?'), the Church's yearly review and most importantly my Christian discipleship.

So what does it mean for me to serve? ...  Read more...