Sharing Stories

What do you think is the most important part of your role as a BB chaplain?

Prayerful and relational support of the captain and leadership team of the BB, along with getting to know the boys.

How do you get involved with your BB company? (i.e. do you lead Bible class, pray with leaders etc)

Supportive and prayerful chats with the captain, visiting BB nights as available, help with Bible Class, preparation for enrolments and display/parents’ nights.

What has been the highlight of your involvement with Boys’ Brigade?

It might seem simple, but a very recent highlight for me, having just moved church, was: we showed the Easter in Three Words graffiti artist video at our parents’ evening, and then that Sunday in the children’s address during the morning service, one of the younger energetic boys voluntarily told the speaker about seeing the painting of Jesus death and resurrection – he had taken it in well!!

If you met a new chaplain, what advice would you give them?

This is relational – get to know the leaders, boys, and their families.

What do you think is the most important part of your role as a BB chaplain?

There are lots of important aspects to the chaplain’s role, but two that stand out to me are being available to leaders and boys and setting a Christian example.

What do you think is the most important part of your role as a BB chaplain?

I’m there at some stage on most parade nights and help out in various ways, especially with epilogues/devotions.

What has been the highlight of your involvement with Boys’ Brigade?

I’ve been involved with BB in various ways for most of my life, so it’s very hard to pick a single highlight. Seeing boys enjoy what the company offers and move towards a true Christian manliness is wonderful!

What is the hardest question you’ve been asked by a member of your BB company?

I couldn’t honestly say what the hardest question I’ve ever been asked is, but I know what my favourite question I’ve ever been asked is: ‘what is the best thing about being a Christian?’ It struck me that there are all sorts of good answers to that question. The best answer is Jesus himself, and all the other good answers flow from him!

If you met a new chaplain, what advice would you give them?

I’d encourage any chaplain to be proactive. People who are BB chaplains usually carry all sorts of other responsibilities too, and it can be a challenge to balance them all, but the more proactive we can be as chaplains the better!

What do you think is the most important part of your role as a BB chaplain?

Probably encouragement. I try as best I can to get alongside our captain in particular to offer support and encouragement where possible. I’m available as necessary to discuss and pray through any difficulties that might arise.

What has been the highlight of your involvement with Boys’ Brigade?

Locally it has been seeing boys come into the company without Christ and watching those boys become Christians and grow into leadership roles both in BB and in our church life.

What is the hardest question you’ve been asked by a member of your BB company?

I can’t really think of anything that I’ve been asked by any of the boys. We’ve had to work through some difficult scenarios with parents, families etc.

If you met a new chaplain, what advice would you give them?

I’d encourage them to be hands-on in their support for and encouragement of their captains and companies. I’d encourage them that while there are certain key, non-negotiable components that make BB, BB, there is also a flexibility that allows each local church to make BB work for them. I’d remind them that there is a distinctiveness about BB that is respected even in a day when many people are disconnected from church, which can provide a key opportunity for outreach to the local community.

What do you think is the most important part of your role as a BB chaplain?

The most important part of my role is getting to know the boys and sharing the Gospel with them.

How do you get involved with your BB company? (i.e. do you lead Bible class, pray with leaders etc)

I teach Bible Class in both Company and Junior Sections and keep in close contact with the leaders.

What has been the highlight of your involvement with Boys’ Brigade?

The highlight is seeing how most of the boys grow up and mature into young men by the time they leave the company and knowing BB has been an influence for God and for good in their lives.

What is the hardest question you’ve been asked by a member of your BB company?

The hardest theological question was – who made God? The hardest practical question was – why can’t I play football? – from a disabled lad

If you met a new chaplain, what advice would you give them?

Get involved with your company, and make time to build relationships with the boys and the Officers.