Category: Chaplaincy

Important things to carry

August 12, 2023

What is the most important thing to carry with you all the time?

Today’s WordPress question is an easy one for me to answer. It is my faith and hope in Jesus. It is something I carry always.

My faith in Jesus is with me at home, out in the community and in my work as a Chaplain. It is with me in the good times and the bad.

To me this is the most important part of my life. It is my foundation that all things flow from. I could not imagine my life without it.

What is the most important thing I carry all the time? My faith and hope in Jesus!

Kings Park prayer

July 16, 2023

I had to go down to Perth this week to do some training for my role as Chaplain. As it was a few days training they booked me in to a hotel near Kings Park.

The great thing about it is that I worked opposite Kings Park for 11 years and every lunch time I would go on a prayer walk. It became a real place of spending time with God for me.

Last week I managed to do three prayer walks after my days of training. It was so nice to connect with God in a place where I have met with Him so many times in the past. It was really refreshing.

The picture above was taken at the top end of the park, it is the place where you over look the city and the river that runs through it. It is a great place to sit and just chill out for me.

How about you? Have you got a special spot where you can go and spend time with God? A place where you can go and relax with Him? Kings Park is definitely a special place for me.

Favourite thing about myself

June 21, 2023

What’s your favorite thing about yourself?

Today’s WordPress question is an interesting one. The favourite thing about yourself.

To be honest this is not something I usually think about. But if I am pressed I would have to say my discipline in exercise.

I have trained six days a week for all of my adult life. That is is 38 years and counting. I started a gym program when I turned 18 and have stuck to it ever since.

My base program has revolves around three days of full body weights in my gym. The other three days are riding an exercise bike or going for a ride.

On top of this I play all types of sport with the kids at schools where I am Chaplain and on my days off I might go for a walk up our rock that overlooks our town.

Last Sunday I finished a 42 day fitness challenge for my work where we recorded all of our exercises. I did 4000 minutes in the 42 days. That is a bit over 95 minutes a day.

So what do I like most about myself. I would have to say my discipline in exercise.

Decisions that have helped me

April 21, 2023

Describe a decision you made in the past that helped you learn or grow.

Probably the biggest thing that helped me grow in my faith was to attend Bible college.

I first went to Perth Bible College in 1994. I learned a lot and grew in my faith. Then in 2008 I took a year off work to focus on a one year course at Tabor Adelaide. This was done online.

At Tabor I a number of really helpful units including:

  • Introduction to the New Testament
  • Introduction to the Old Testament
  • Introduction to Theology
  • Pastoral Care
  • Christian Leadership
  • Creative Living (understanding who we are in Christ)
  • Public Speaking and Preaching
  • Pastoral Ethics
  • The Ministry of the Holy Spirit
  • Introduction to Biblical Interpretation

Looking back to those studies it gave me a good foundation of who I was in Christ, an overview of the Bible, how to preach and communicate God’s Word, and how to care for others as a Minister.

I have gone on and done more studies to have more tools in my ministry toolbox, but those units gave me most of what I needed to do the things I have done including Pastor, Elder, Chaplain and Lay Preacher.

If you are interested you can find the websites below.

Perth Bible College – www.pbc.wa.edu.au

Tabor Adelaide – https://tabor.edu.au

Best compliment?

March 26, 2023

What was the best compliment you’ve received?

For me the compliments I remember and the ones that come when I am feeling a bit flat or low in spirit. They seem to make it through and touch my heart.

A few weeks ago someone I know well and have worked with said this to me, “You have a real gift of pastoral care. Wherever I go to work where you have been, the people rave about your care and compassion”.

The person did not realise at the time, but I needed that compliment more than they knew. It was more than I knew too! When I got home I shed a few tears of thankfulness and appreciation that my work was making a difference.

As someone who has worked as a Pastor, Companion Carer and now a Chaplain, we do what we do in response to the call and gifting God has given us. But sometimes, we need encouragement from the people around us too. It builds us up and encourages us to keep serving.

So, on that day, at that time. Hearing someone say those words really touched my heart. It lifted my spirits and encouraged me to keep pressing on in my service to God by loving and serving others.