Category: Chaplaincy

My favourite subject at school?

November 7, 2024

What was your favorite subject in school?

This is an interesting one as I have been to school twice. The first time for my education and the second time as a School Chaplain.

First time around my favourite subject was sport. I was good at Maths, but sport was always my favourite. I loved to run, play footy, cricket and always be moving. Especially in primary school before I got Rheumatoid Arthritis.

On my second go around as a School Chaplain it was sport again. I found sport was a great way to connect with the kids in an informal environment. It did not matter if it was footy, basketball, volleyball, or indoor hockey.

I can remember I did sport all day one time. I just followed the new PE teacher around on her first day and I joined in with every sport she set up for the kids. I went home exhausted, but it was a great fun day.

So my favourite subject at school was sport. As a kid and a grown up too!

Listening at work

July 22, 2024

What do you listen to while you work?

What do I listen to at work? Being a School Chaplain I listen to people. Listening is a big part of my job. Listening, asking questions and encouraging.

I must add though, being a Chaplain I am always conscious of listening to the Holy Spirit as I work. Most days I am prompted to go to a particular classroom or part of the school. Quite often there is someone there who needs encouraging or a listening ear.

So what do I listen to while I work? People and the Holy Spirit.

Prayer walk photos

July 1, 2024

Here are some photos of my relaxing prayer walk today. It is the first day of two weeks school holidays, so I used it chill out and pray.

Whenever I go up our “rock” I often find myself reflecting about Moses going up the mountain to be with God. Or Jesus having alone time with His Father.

As today is a nice cool sunny day it was especially nice. I feel really refreshed by it 😀

Hardest thing about being a Chaplain

June 21, 2024

I got asked what the hardest thing about being a school Chaplain is today. It was a genuine question from someone. My answer surprised them.

As a school Chaplain working in a government school, my role is to provide pastoral care to the students, staff and parents. But as it is a government school I cannot talk about my faith.

In this context I cannot speak about God, I cannot share the Bible or offer to pray for people. When I worked as a Pastor this was my go to. I would listen to people, pray and offer encouragement from the Bible.

For me this is so hard and at times very frustrating. When you sit across from someone and see their pain, you just want to pray and offer hope in God. But I cannot do that in my role.

Some days I daydream about what it would be like to work in a Christian or Catholic school and be able to use all the things available to me. To pray or share a passage from the Bible would be amazing.

So the hardest thing about being a school Chaplain in the public system is not being able to be to use my faith in my work. I can be a Christian presence in my school, but I cannot pray or quote the Bible.

My passions?

June 12, 2024

What are you passionate about?

This is an easy one to answer. The things I am passionate about are always not far from the surface and easy to see. I have many passions, but one stands above it all.

My faith in Jesus is my number one passion. Since I came to Jesus in July of 1989, my life has never been the same. He changed everything for the better. My heart is to walk with Him all the days of my life.

Walking closely with the Lord drives everything else I do in my life. He is the reason I get up early to pray and read my Bible. He is why I want to be the best husband and father I can be. He is why I am a Chaplain. He is why I have my PASSION websites to reach out with His love.

If it was not for Jesus I do not know where I would be. Jesus has given my life meaning, purpose, strength, hope and a future. He loved me and died on the cross for me. My response is to give my life back to Him each day and to take up my cross as it says in Matthew 16:24.

What am I passionate about? Jesus!