Why do we have a Club Chaplain?

There appears to be some ignorance on the role of chaplains in society in general and here too so, being a member of the clergy, I hope I can assist. 

Firstly, it is far from the case that all chaplains are female. I've no idea where the poster who suggested that get there information from but I have spent many hours with chaplains in many walks of life: hospital chaplains, school chaplains, prison chaplains, football chaplains and railway chaplains. The vast majority of these are men.

Now on to the role of the chaplains themselves and these will vary from industry to industry and also from whom they get their employment from in terms of their job descriptions. What I can tell you is that no one knows when they will need a chaplain. They are available to be a visible presence in all sorts of circumstances aling with day to day work which is often just encouraging people and offering to pray with those who might be feeling rubbish about anything. It's incredible the amount of people who say yes to the offer of a prayer. As examples a hospital chaplian will spend much time with a family and patient who has a serious illness. A railway chaplain will spend much time with the family of a driver who has had the trauma of running someone over - or with someone considering suicide and hanging off a bridge which would cause major disruption. A school chaplain works with the staff and pupils to help create a sound and positive environment to work in where troubles can be shared and worked through. 

Most chaplaincy work that I know of does not involve bible bashing or whatever some may call it but is a genuine service offered by people of faith to help care and pastor for people in need in a complexity of situations. 

In all cases that I have alluded to (before we even start on armed forces chaplaincies - but I've had no experience of those) the chaplaincy service is highly valued by the company and industry in which they work. Most of their work is unseen but is missed when it doesn't happen.

I too would be very interested in hearing what the CC say about their chaplain and their role - and you never know, I might even be interest in the post if it becomes vancant!!!

We had an occupational nurse at my Company. Did many things that a chaplain might do but with the added advantage that she could do inoculations for overseas business trips. I don't believe the Club need either position.

There appears to be some ignorance on the role of chaplains in society in general and here too so, being a member of the clergy, I hope I can assist. 

Firstly, it is far from the case that all chaplains are female. I've no idea where the poster who suggested that get there information from but I have spent many hours with chaplains in many walks of life: hospital chaplains, school chaplains, prison chaplains, football chaplains and railway chaplains. The vast majority of these are men.

Now on to the role of the chaplains themselves and these will vary from industry to industry and also from whom they get their employment from in terms of their job descriptions. What I can tell you is that no one knows when they will need a chaplain. They are available to be a visible presence in all sorts of circumstances aling with day to day work which is often just encouraging people and offering to pray with those who might be feeling rubbish about anything. It's incredible the amount of people who say yes to the offer of a prayer. As examples a hospital chaplian will spend much time with a family and patient who has a serious illness. A railway chaplain will spend much time with the family of a driver who has had the trauma of running someone over - or with someone considering suicide and hanging off a bridge which would cause major disruption. A school chaplain works with the staff and pupils to help create a sound and positive environment to work in where troubles can be shared and worked through. 

Most chaplaincy work that I know of does not involve bible bashing or whatever some may call it but is a genuine service offered by people of faith to help care and pastor for people in need in a complexity of situations. 

In all cases that I have alluded to (before we even start on armed forces chaplaincies - but I've had no experience of those) the chaplaincy service is highly valued by the company and industry in which they work. Most of their work is unseen but is missed when it doesn't happen.

 

I too would be very interested in hearing what the CC say about their chaplain and their role - and you never know, I might even be interest in the post if it becomes vancant!!!

Thank you for correcting our 'ignorance', Tadhatter.

I'm sure most of us have a pretty good idea what a chaplain does but how on earth can the role you describe fit into CC? There is a strong element of realism in Husky's post above. Perhaps CC will enlighten us, perhaps not. 

Thanks Tadhatter for confirming my understanding of a chaplain but I'm still unconvinced that it's an essential role in an organisation that sells insurance and pitches. 

I don't think it's going to be like the legal helpline is it?  It's not even listed as something the Club can provide. 

Yeah, sorry, the word "ignorance" probably wasn't the best word to use. 

And I wasn't necessarily arguing the case for or against the CC having a chaplain, just explaining the role in the different contexts that I've experiences and, like many on here, would be keen to hear the thinking behind such a position. 

If the chaplain offers these services,  where's his/her phone number on the site for the members that may require their services, or is the chaplain just available for judging cakes as in the TV programme.

Just need to know her role in the CC.

It's unbelievably stereotypical to suggest chaplains (and vicar's wives for that matter) spend their time judging cakes and arranging flowers.

 Apparently she was judging the cakes / handicrafts at the start of the BBC 2 prog the other night. See  C of E web site here.

Tadhatter...I think this is the lady in question, no-one was suggesting this was stereotypical and I hope the cakes were good.

It's unbelievably stereotypical to suggest chaplains (and vicar's wives for that matter) spend their time judging cakes and arranging flowers.

But true on this occasion, TH, as Brue has explained. I guess there's little else for her to do within CC.

Mind you, some of the Club hierarchy might need to seek solace at present.

Maybe said Chaplain could put in an appearance on here, give us the answers. Put some meat on the bones