Methodist Chaplain announced as next Chaplain General for the British Army
17 November 2021
It’s been announced that the Reverend Michael D Parker will be taking over as Chaplain General of the British Army in 2022.
Mike Parker was born in Cornwall and initially trained as an electrical engineer for the Ministry of Defence. He read Theology at the University of Birmingham and trained for Methodist ministry at Queen’s College (now The Queen's Foundation). He worked in the Colchester Circuit for four years and was commissioned into the Royal Army Chaplains’ Department in 2000.
Operational service has taken him to Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan and he has, since September 2020, been the Deputy Chaplain General for the army.
He will take up his new post as the 26th Chaplain General of her Majesty’s Land Forces in May 2022.
Speaking after the announcement, Padre Parker said: “It is the greatest of honours to have been selected as the next Chaplain General for Her Majesty’s Land Forces. Methodism has a long and treasured history of providing soldiers and chaplains in service of their country, that they do so explicitly as people of faith continues to make the organisation a better place to be.
Since the Methodist Church first stationed me to serve alongside the military community I have had the privilege of offering pastoral care, spiritual support and moral guidance, around the globe in good times and bad. I have witnessed the joy of new found faith and the renewal brought by Methodist brothers and sisters from distant shores. Throughout, the words of Charles Wesley have been a constant – Jesus, confirm my heart’s desire to work, and speak, and think for thee; still let me guard the holy fire, and still stir up thy gift in me”
The Secretary of the Conference, the Revd Dr Jonathan Hustler said: “ I am delighted that the Revd Michael Parker has been appointed as the next Chaplain General to the British Army. He is a dedicated well-respected chaplain and his ministry is a great blessing to those who serve and work with the army. The announcement is a sign of the high regard in which he is held and an important reminder of the great work that is done by Methodist Chaplains in the armed forces. He and his colleagues will be in prayers of the Methodist people at this continued time of challenge and change.”
Padre Parker holds a BA in theology, an MTh in chaplaincy studies and an MA in defence studies. In his spare time, he enjoys distance running, cycling, music and watching Wales beat England at rugby.
Update 3 December 2021: It’s now been announced that Methodist Minister, the Revd David Barrett will take over as the Deputy Chaplain General in the Royal Army Chaplains’ Department. It will mean that for the first time, Methodist Ministers will occupy the two most senior chaplaincy positions in the British Army. Read more here.