East Coast Chaplains

Over the weekend of 14 to 16 June, a new iteration of chaplaincy training took place at Gisborne Corps. The weekend of local training was the first of its kind and attracted 15 prospective chaplains.

‘It was great to be with participants in their own backyard and unique context. Being able to embrace them in their own space really added something special to the training,’ explains territorial secretary for Chaplaincy Services, Captain Shaun Baker.

Previously chaplaincy training has taken place annually over four days at Booth College of Mission (BCM). However, following the pandemic and a backlog of courses, BCM could only accommodate the training bi-annually. Initially the chaplaincy team was concerned about this, but soon realised that this could be an advantage and the innovative idea to explore running training in local communities on the alternate year was born.

God’s hand became evident on this plan when Captain Jenny Ratana-Koia explained that she had up to 10 people who were interested in training, however, the cost of sending this number of trainees to BCM was prohibitive. Bringing a small group of leaders to the East Coast made better financial sense, and so it was agreed that the trainers would come to the trainees. The group were to be billeted among corps folk, with Jenny reported as saying, ‘If you bring them, we can house and feed them!’

Shaun put together a team of three members of the training committee, Major Bronwyn Aldersley (ASARS), Envoy Andrew McKerrow (Racetrack Support Chaplain) and Sharyn Olds (Court Chaplain). Joining the team were Envoy Anihera Carroll (BCM pou arahi, Māori cultural advisor), Trish Hendry (external, grief and loss expert), and Major Malcom Herring (Woodville Corps) who assisted Shaun with some aspects of the teaching.

While Shaun facilitated the course, and Anihera shared about Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi), panels made up of experienced chaplains were a meaty part of the training.

‘We take a particular topic and have the chaplains share from their personal ministry experience,’ explains Shaun. ‘For example, one of the topics was to share about a critical incident you’ve had as a chaplain—what happened, what you did, what the results of that were, what could have worked better and what worked well. People then asked questions. It’s a format that works well because it brings the theory and practice together.’

Shaun adds that it was a special weekend, with the team of chaplains thoroughly enjoying the manaakitanga (hospitality) they received.

‘It was such a positive time,’ says Shaun. ‘We just immersed ourselves in the local scene and were so blessed. We arrived Thursday and did training all day Friday and Saturday, before joining the men’s breakfast on Sunday morning having purposefully booked our flights for the afternoon so we could worship with the Gisborne people. It was a great four days on the East Coast!’

Salvation Army chaplaincy training has three phases, beginning with online learning before any in-person training, with homework modules to follow. For those interested in exploring chaplaincy, speak to your corps officer or centre leader or contact chaplaincy.services@salvationarmy.org.nz for more information.