It’s a powerful motivator. Affirmation and encouragement Chaplain Peter Friend does this well in the Middle East. He is an example of the Archippus Factor. What is the Archippus Factor? Michael Bird coined the phrase in his commentary on Paul’s letter to Colossians and Philemon in the Bible. Michael was drawing together his scholarly work, seeking to draw lessons for us, today in 2010. I owe some of my thinking to his comments. If you scan through most of the posts on this web page, you will gain the impression that ministry can be an adventure. Military chaplains find themselves doing interesting things, in interesting [...]

From Philip Freier – Archbishop of Melbourne and RAAF Special Reservist Chaplain: The brand of aggressive atheism promoted by such high-profile authors as Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens should not be ignored by Christians. It is likely to be on display at a global atheist convention in Melbourne 12-14 March for which Richard Dawkins is a keynote speaker.I therefore commend the following articles to people seeking an intelligent and rational defence of Christian belief. Each article offered here reflects on a different aspect of belief in God. Dorothy Lee presents key arguments for Rowan Williams’ commentary on the Creeds, Tokens of Trust; Alister McGrath responds to [...]

Alone in the Desert With God – by Archdeacon Eric Burton I got some fairly weird looks when I recently told my parish that just like John the Baptist we need to go into the desert. I guess folk did not like the idea of uncomfortable nights on rocky outcrops with not a supermarket in sight and in any case the only grocery item was honey and even that was not packaged. John the Baptist is called the ‘one crying out in the wilderness’ and more than one commentator suggests that John got his strength of character and ability to be so [...]

By Archdeacon Kevin Russell                       [See also: Annual Slap a Year 7 Day for a more up to date blog] My teenage daughter told me about an event at her High School. She told me that the whole school was called to an assembly because of Facebook. Someone tried to create a “Slap a Year 7 Day.” The story develops. The teaching staff discover “Slap a Year 7 Day” because another teenage student damages his wrist while attempting to slap a year 7 student on the designated day. (or so the story goes) The story says something about friendships, doesn’t it? Facebook and other [...]

By Mark Elkington As the name suggests, Alpha is only a beginning. At RAAF Glenbrook we ran the Alpha course in 2008 and 2009. Alpha replaced the Thursday lunchtime chapel meeting (click here to read about that experience), and after the course finished most people continued coming to chapel for Bible study, discussion, prayer and other activities. Two of us who have been Christians for a long time decided to invite others to a more in-depth Bible study on Tuesdays over lunch. For about a year now numbers at this group have been between three and five. Initially we looked at various [...]

By Chaplain Andrew Grills In the dark days of 1941 the great American General, George C. Marshall, had this to say: “Today war…is not a succession of mere episodes in a day or a week. It is a long drawn out and intricately planned business and the longer it continues the heavier are the demands on the character of [those] engaged in it. With each succeeding month, with each succeeding year, it makes heavier and more terrible demands on the mental and spiritual capacities and powers of [those] engaged in it.” There can be no question he is right. The demands [...]

By Archdeacon Kevin Russell A little while ago, I wrote about an incident that happened at my daughter’s High School. Slap a year 7 day which was quickly put to rest by the teaching staff. I used this incident, organised on a social networking site to ask the question what constitutes “friendship”. I am quite taken by the underlying theology of Philippians, with the idea that you and me are to develop the mindset of Jesus. However, Paul never uses the term for “friendship” or “friend”. He uses the concept for “fellowship”, “partnership”, and “sharing”. Hence we have a really practical and [...]

By Bishop Len Eacott, AM. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” So states the Gospel of John Chapter 14, verses 1 to 3. This passage is read at many many Christian funerals to offer comfort and hope to those who grieve; to remind those who know and believe in the redeeming love and sacrifice of Jesus that he is with them in their grief as they [...]

We shouldn’t underestimate the need to share the opportunity for mission to the Defence Forces in our Theological Colleges. In July I was invited to participate in Moore Theological College’s Mission Awareness Week. So, alongside our brothers and sisters from mission organisations including CMS, Wycliffe Bible Translators, Interserve, SIM and the like, I prepared to cast the vision for mission, and in our context, chaplaincy in the ADF.   It was an amazing time as I was interviewed at College Chapel about the need for Christ to be proclaimed in and to our men and women of the Australian Defence Force. Jesus’ [...]

Chaplain Peter Friend’s post on his role in the Middle East is an illustration to me of the Archippus Factor. What is the Archippus Factor? Michael Bird coined the phrase in his commentary on Paul’s letter to Colossians and Philemon in the Bible. Michael was drawing together his scholarly work, seeking to draw lessons for us, today in 2010. I owe some of my thinking to his comments. If you scan through most of the posts on this web page, you will gain the impression that ministry can be an adventure. Military chaplains find themselves doing interesting things, in interesting environments, [...]

Compared to Australia, Amercia is a deeply religious nation. Yet, the general public is deeply ignorant about religion. So says the New York Times. I am sure that the average Australain could do better. So, why not spend 15 minutes on the Basic Religious Knowlege Quiz? I took the online quiz and discovered that I scored better than 99% of the American public.  Two of the questions were US specific, about US Supreme court rulings. I took an educated guess. Yes, I am a Christian specialist, but I think the average Australian can do the quiz quite easily. Take the Quiz! [...]

Thankfully, Australia has not needed to repatriate any soldiers from Afghanistan for a number of weeks now (at the time of writing). However, this year we have had many personnel killed in action; it has been a sombre reminder to Australia of the ongoing costs of this war. Our involvement has cost people their lives. They say that death and taxes are the two certainties of life. Recently a number of people known to me have been diagnosed with cancer. It has been a sombre reminder to me of our mortality. The Cancer Council Website tells me that 50% of [...]

It was 3 am. I sat in the sandbagged bunker guarding the entrance to the 400 year old Portuguese fort in Balibo, East Timor. Behind me nearly 100 Australian soldiers were sleeping peacefully. I was dressed in full camouflage battle dress, Kevlar flack jacket, and helmet. I rested the minimi machine gun in the crook of my shoulder and peered sleepily out through my night vision goggles at the Timorese village below. Suddenly I sat bolt upright and elbowed the soldier next to me. There was movement. A man was running fast towards the entrance to the fort. In his [...]

Watching the news reports on Remembrance Day made me reflect on the significant role of Chaplaincy Ministry to the families of those who are killed in action. Occasions like Remembrance Day honour Australian Defence Force personnel who have died in action; they help the rest of us to express our gratitude and place their death in a wider context, in terms of their contribution to the life of the nation, through their death. In all this, there is a real danger of losing sight of personal dimension, if we only honour them merely as military ‘heroes”. They were sons, husbands, partners [...]

I have just finished my Middle East deployment after six months. When I arrived in May 10, Nov 10 seemed a long way off but now it is here. I have moved out of my permanent room and into the Transit accommodation. I am finishing up my work here and cleaning my gear in preparation for the plane trip home. I can’t wait and am looking forward to being with my wife and adult sons and daughter again. It has caused me to think about the transient nature of life. Here in the Middle East I have met some marvellous [...]

The US debate on “Don’t ask, don’t tell” on homosexuals in the military has all but over shadowed the ongoing debate about public prayer in Jesus’ Name, for the military chaplains, at least. It was very clever of the people who were sick of the public prayers debate to introduce the gay debate! Public prayer issue concerns military chaplains in Australia too, but in a very different context from the US one. We have none of that aggressive religious freedom debate. We do not have militants striving for freedom from religion, nor do we have the opposing forces that seek to imposereligion in the name [...]

As I said in a previous post, in the wedding service the couple are not asked: “Do you love her/him? And they do not respond with: “I do.” In the wedding service, the minister asks the each partner: “Will you love?” and each partner responds, “I will”. Further, in their vows, the couples take each other “for better, for worse…….in sickness and in health.” Couples start their relationships with a great deal of positive intent to make a life together. Relationships need to be strong and resilient. But, the pressures of life can buffet the relationship and in some cases, cause the [...]

Thinking about the two most common Bible Readings used in weddings. John 3 – the Wedding in Cana and 1 Corthinthains 13 – the love chapter.

As the busyness of the year begins to take its toll and there is a sense of tiredness and a growing expectation of a time for celebration, rest and family reunion during the Christmas – New Year period, I am reminded of those in the Defence Force who will not have an opportunity for rest and peace. Images of family members separated as a result of deployments and even those travelling to new destinations on posting come to mind. I can clearly recall Christmas Day 1999 in Dili East Timor and my chats that day with the somewhat “melancholy” souls ever [...]

Then Jesus stood up again and said to her, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”  “No Lord” she said.  And Jesus said “Neither do I.  Go and sin no more“ John 8:10-11 I was shocked to see on the 27thJanuary 2011 there was a story in the SBS News of a man and a woman living in a village controlled by the Taliban in Afghanistan who were accused of committing adultery.  Both of them were stoned to death publicly, brutally and in a heartless manner.  This was filmed and displayed for the world to see, it was interesting that [...]

Nearly a year ago, I wrote about Slap a Year 7 Day. As a parent I naively thought that this was a one of event at one High School. How wrong was I? My post at this site Slap a Year 7 Day has started to receive all of a sudden, a larger number of hits. I mentioned this to my daughter who tells me that Slap a Year 7 Day is an annual event, and that it is on Facebook as an event. So I decided to Google Slap a Year 7 Day and see what would happen. My post [...]

I live in the Blue Mountains – just outside of Sydney NSW. TheBlue Mountains are world heritage and it is easy to see why. There are some spectacular land forms – some well known like the Three Sisters at Katoomba, and some less known to the tourists, like the Grand Canyon near Blackheath. Mountains, like the ocean, can give you a sense of God’s presence, and a sense of peace. But they can also give you a sense of spirituality that is not necessarily Christian. And I find this a very pleasant environment, especially when I feel stressed having dealt with a particularly [...]

Find out about ministry opportunities as an Anglican Defence Force Chaplain.

  What is the extent of your political engagement? What is your level of concern regarding public policies? Until recently, my political engagement consisted of occasionally signing online petition and of a flurry of research and thought just prior to an election. In the past 18 months my interest and concern in public policy has grown considerably. A natural result of this has been more consistent and continual ‘research’ into public policy (by reading various opinion pieces, for example). But it has also led to serious thinking and reading and discussion about what I should believe regarding such policies. What [...]

ANZAC day is increasingly staking a claim to replace Easter as the major religious holiday in 21st Century Australia. In 2012 there are sixteen days between ANZAC Day and Easter Day. In 2011 ANZAC Day and the Easter Monday public holiday conincided. For the first time since 1859 (and for the last time until 2038) Easter Monday fell on April 25th – the ANZAC Day public holoiday. For almost 2000 years the Easter ‘Holy Days’ have been the central religious event in the calendares of the western world, but the occassional clashes are timely for they signal a deeper reality. ANZAC Day is increasingly [...]

Military personnel are trained to intelligently prepare the physical battle space and these skills and techniques can be applied to the spiritual battlefield: ‘Being Battlesmart is utilising the training that we have undertaken in the profession of arms and God’s word to assist us in the spiritual battles we are involved in on a daily basis.’  When I was a student at the US Army War College, the acronym VUCA was used to describe the characteristics of the physical battlespace. I think it provides a useful framework to conduct an Intelligence Preparation of the Battlespace (IPB) activity for today’s purposes. Volatility: the [...]

Tim Booker is a chaplain with the Australian Defence Force, where he has seen the best and worst that the human spirit has to offer. Tim spoke to Leigh Hatcher on Open House. While at college, Tim decided he would become an Anglican minister. His first experience with the defence force came when he joined the Army Reserve as a younger man, but he never considered becoming an army chaplain until a few soldiers from the Holsworthy army barracks “nagged” him to do it… The now veteran army chaplain says that the young people who serve our country never really [...]

These are words of encouragement found in the Bible to young Timothy. Timothy was a young, rather timid and often sick person. Yet Paul had great confidence in him and gave him the important task of looking after a new church. Defence chaplains place great importance in living under the same conditions as the people they serve. So, arguably, Defence Chaplains are more robust in physical fitness than Timothy was. But we do share with Timothy the same pastoral responsibility as that given to Timothy. You can expect of your chaplains to: Provide pastoral care to sailors, soldiers and airmen [...]

The natural sequence of Easter is, “it’s Friday but Sunday’s coming!” But this year, we approach a longer Easter weekend which includes the melancholy passion of Jesus’ crucifixion on Good Friday, followed by a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Day.   And then Monday is ANZAC Day on which we revert to the sad recollection of the sacrifice of hundreds of thousands of Australians in war. All of this celebration and commemoration is sure to bring mixed or confused emotions. History tells us that life was ever like this! We only have to recall our own recent history to be reminded of this stark [...]

My peace I give unto you.  G.A. Studdert Kennedy (1883-1929) Blessed are the eyes that see       The things that you have seen,                                                                                                                                                           Blessed are the feet that walk       The ways where you have been.   Blessed are the eyes that see       The agony of God, Blessed are the feet that tread       The paths His feet have trod.   Blessed are the souls that solve       The paradox of Pain, And find the path that, piercing it,       Leads through to peace again.   Having recently returned from what can only be described as a pilgrimage to the beautiful and rich agricultural fields of [...]

How does faith guide you? How influential is faith in your life? In the military there are many examples of exercising faith – faith in the system, faith in the government of the day, and faith in command and control. All of these examples are innate, not at the forefront of everybody’s mind, but held thoughtfully nevertheless. (We can all think of examples where we have all been let down, but as a general rule, the example holds.) Christians understand Faith as ‘the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen’ (Hebrews 11:1). So you would think [...]

As a commander of special forces and now as Managing Director of the Australian Christian Lobby I have some appreciation as do many Christians of what it is like to “fight behind enemy lines” in the physical and spiritual battles we face. I have outlined some of the principles of the conventional battlefield that can apply equally to the spiritual battlefield. Think and plan strategically: It is essential that we do everything with a strategic goal in mind. Battles are assessed within a strategic intent and vision, and only undertaken if they contribute to this. We should approach our work [...]

Being Christian is not just a matter of believing the right things about Jesus – but having a relationship with Jesus that shapes all aspects of our lives. One of thos life areas that should be shaped by our relationship with Jesus is the workplace.

Navy Chaplain Col Acton reflects on the Spiritual Life. Col tackles the relationship between us a God from the standpoint of Matthew 11:28-30 where Jesus invites ‘all who are weary and carrying heavy burdens’ to come to him and promises ‘rest for our souls’.

Navy Chaplain Col Acton writes about the value of having a Spiritual Director to help us see God’s presence in our lives.

Bishop Len’s 2011 Christmas message remind us that it’s Simply Jesus – we celebrate the Jesus who is the light of the world, and as a result his light can shine in us. We too can be lights shining in darkness.

This year (2012) New Years Day falls on a Sunday – and it’s the first Sunday after Christmas. Many Churches are either celebrating Epiphany or the Naming and Circumcision of Jesus . However, for many more people – well they will be just getting home from there New Year’s Eve celebrations. In the hype that often surrounds New Year’s Eve is the promise of a fresh start and a determination to make something of the year ahead. New Year’s resolutions are common. Yet many resolutions never see the light of day. To make a resolution is an act of determination. [...]

Australia Day is Australia’s national holiday! Australia Day also marks, for many Australians, the last day of the Summer Holiday season and the start of the working year. Australia Day is a day for partying and for celebration. As the name suggests, Australia Day is about our national identity.  A Brief History & Australia Day Today Australia Day, 26 January, is the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet of 11 convict ships from Great Britain, and the raising of the Union Jack at Sydney Cove by its commander Captain Arthur Phillip, in 1788 (you can read a comprehensive history [...]

The deeds of the First Chaplain to the Sydney Settlement and the First Fleet embody not just Australian Values, but Eternal Values. On 3rd February 1788, the Chaplain to the Sydney Settlement, the Rev’d Richard Johnson preached on Psalm 116:12-13 “What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me? I will lift up the cup of Salvation and call on the name of the Lord.” This was the first Church service on Australian soil. Even though these are positive and optimistic words, it appears that Richard Johnson found his role difficult to fulfil. His final work, the“address to [...]

Not too long ago we were celebrating and enjoying the Christmas and New Year’s festivities with our loved ones and we did our best to communicate either by emails, cards or by telephone with those who are far away from us. Some of us did take a break in order to renew our personal energy. We have returned to work to deliver better leadership, to better understand our relationship with one another and appreciate our continuous support to our diverse communities within the Australian Defence Force that we are called to serve. While we went through Christmas and the New [...]

O 3 February 2012, a Change of Command Ceremony took place at RAAF Glenbrook – and the Chaplain had the priviledge of praying for the outgoing and the in-coming Air Commander Australia. The prayer took the form of a blessing. This article explains the bible background to this act.

Recently, Anglican Defence Force Chaplains prioitised their mission goals for chaplaincy in the Australian Defence Force.

Taking Care is the theme of a series of Bible Talks by Dr Peter Adam. The talks were originally delivered to Anglican Military Chaplains at their annual retreat towards the end of 2011. These talks are refreshing and uplifting for any one in Christian ministry, both clergy and active lay people. Dr Peter Adam was, before his recent retirement, Principal of Ridley Theological College, Melbourne. For much of his ministry, Dr Peter Adam was Vicar of St. Jude’s Carlton, in Melbourne. You can click on the talks below to listen, or rip them from oursite to transfer to an ipod or mp3 player [...]

“If anyone has truly had their faith pounded in the fiery crucible of conflict, it is Canon Andrew White.  His leadership of the Christian community in Baghdad is quite remarkable.  For many, his experiences would have produced anger and bitterness, but for him and his congregation their reaction is the opposite.” I’ve just finished reading a book by Andrew White who until recently was the Anglican Vicar in Baghdad.   The title of his book is Faith Under Fire which, except for the title, has no link with the Australian Defence Force Faith Under Fire course.  Yet the book is a superb [...]

What is the role of chaplains in the armed forces—and how do soldiers, sailors and airmen maintain, develop or even lose their faith in combat? That’s the title of a new project produced by the Australian Defence Force, called Faith Under Fire, based on the Life of Jesus series made by the Centre for Public Christianity in Sydney. To discuss Faith Under Fire, and the broader ethical issues of war and combat, The ABC Religion & Ethics Report brought together the producer, Major David Doust, who has served just over 20 years in the Australian army; the Rt. Rev. Len Eacott, [...]

Each year, commemorative services are held on the Gallipoli peninsular,Turkeyand across Australia and New Zealandto mark Anzac Day. The Dawn service in Anzac Cove attracts over 7,000 people, with slightly less at the Australian Service at Lone Pine. Members of Australia’s Federation Guard provide the Catafalque and Flag Parties at the Dawn and Lone Pine services, while an Australian Military band provides the music accompaniment. There is also an all night reflective program at Anzac Cove leading up to the Dawn Service.  A military Chaplain provides prayers, readings and the final benediction at both ANZAC Cove and Lone Pine. Anzac Day is [...]