“Chaplains are … the church that has left the building … We can all be involved in chaplaincy.”

(Martyn Atkins - General Secretary - Methodist Church in Britain)

Chaplaincy and the Methodist Church

The Methodist Church has a long history of chaplaincy work going back to the time of the Wesleys and you will find Methodist Chaplains in some quite surprising places. Chaplaincy schemes may be supported and run by the local Church, the Circuit, the District or the Connexion, but there is always some sense in which the chaplain is "sent" by the Church. Chaplains always work with the support of the Church - they are never alone.

What kind of people are chaplains?

There are many different kinds of Methodist chaplains. Most are generous hearted Lay Volunteers - ordained ministers working full time as chaplains are very much in the minority.

A Chaplain…

• offers Ministry beyond the walls - to where people are

• is an invited guest and not the host

• is vulnerable - not powerful

• is commissioned by the Church and accredited by the host

• is an intentional presence - rather than gathering

• is an authentic expression of Christian Mission - sharing in what God is doing in the world

In Partnership

Wherever it is possible, we offer this ministry with partners. So, with the Birmingham District of the Methodist Church in Britain being so wide it dovetails with several diocesan and ecumenical areas and we are in good relations with four local Chaplaincy bodies:

• Faith at Work in Worcestershire

• ‘Workcare’ Coventry & Warwickshire

• CIGB Churches in Industry in Group Birmingham

• Chaplaincy & Mission Associations (national)

< Back to Chaplaincy Homepage

Chaplains are lay and ordained people who are appointed by the Church to work in all kinds of places outside the normal life of the congregation. There are chaplains in hospitals and hospices, workplaces, prisons, the armed forces, shopping centres, rural areas, colleges, universities and schools, bus companies, waterways - even casinos - to name but a few. In all these places chaplains try to show God's love through offering care and support, and by representing Christian values and beliefs.

Chaplains share the great privilege of discovering what God is doing out there – already - beyond the Church. In our diverse society chaplaincy has to show the greatest sensitivity and respect. Christian chaplains now often work in ecumenical teams or alongside colleagues from other faiths and often with people expressing no or lapsed faith perspectives.

“For many years the Birmingham District has been involved in the ministry of Chaplaincy. But as I travel around the District people often ask ‘…what is Chaplaincy?’ Or they say, very happily: ‘I didn’t know we did that!’ Well the good news is, ‘we do!’

(Rev David Butterworth,
Birmingham District’s Mission in the Economy Officer)

The Birmingham District is keen to support Chaplaincy, identify where Chaplaincy is already taking place and also where it could take place. Please let us know. Call David on 0121 767 2911 or click the button below to email.