A Handbook of Chaplaincy Studies

‘This volume brings a wealth of valuable insights. I wholeheartedly commend it to anyone who works as a chaplain or who is seeking to better understand the role.’

Mark Burleigh, President, College of Healthcare Chaplains, UK

‘Gathers together high level theological understanding with deeply reflective pastoral experience and so offers the reader a fresh and nourishing account of both the fundamentals and particularities of chaplaincy. Especially welcome is the inclusion of detailed and intelligently reflective case studies. At a time when so many mainstream churches are being drained of energy by issues of maintenance and keeping up numbers, these essays provide all interested in the church’s life a vision of other ways of being church: ways of mission and embeddedness and care. The great insight, beyond the essential accounts the work gives to those involved directly in chaplaincy, is that it is precisely in these ’secular’ and ’marginal’ places that today’s church can rediscover itself. A must read for those involved in practical theology and pastoral ministry.’

Clare Watkins, University of Roehampton, UK

‘A feast for those who are interested in chaplaincy - contributors bring their unique approaches to a range of areas on the subject. This book provides description and interpretation of current practices of chaplaincy and highlights the challenges facing the area. It makes a valuable contribution to the expanding literature on chaplaincy.’

Ataullah Siddiqui, Markfield Institute of Higher Education, UK

‘Chaplaincy is uniquely positioned to serve the ever-present spiritual needs of a society that is increasingly unfamiliar with formal religion. This handbook is therefore timely, revealing the cutting-edge value of a ministry that adjusts to people in the real world, reminding both individuals of their God-given value and institutions of the need to exercise power with humanity. Through its close examination of chaplaincy in a range of settings, not fudging the tensions of being inclusive yet challenging, pastoral yet prophetic, this book promotes a model of ministry that has considerable relevance and impact.’

Jonathan Chaffey, Chaplain-in-Chief, Royal Air Force

‘Essential reading for those in this form of ministry or interested in it.’

Church of England Newspaper

‘…this book represents an incredibly valuable contribution to chaplaincy studies. It should provide a starting-point for anyone interested in exploring the field academically and help to distil for chaplains some of the issues facing their profession.’

Ben Ryan, Theos Think Tank London, Modern Believing Vol 57:3, July 2016

‘It is a rare book that can both stimulate a person intellectually and on occasion move a reader to tears in offering astonishing honesty and privileged insight, but here is an example of such a rare book… I found myself asking whether this collection engages me in fresh debate, refreshes and confirms my commitment to chaplaincy, and challenges me to develop further my role and the possibilities of chaplaincy within the context in which I work. The answer is an unqualified ‘yes’.’

Kate Pearson, Chaplaincy, University of Warwick, UK, Journal of Contemporary Religion, 31:3, August 2016

‘…this book not only provides insights and challenges to an ever widening range of chaplaincies, but contributes to the current debate about the place of religion, faith, and spirituality in our culture.’

The Rt Revd Stephen Venner, former Bishop of Dover and Bishop to HM Forces, in Church Times