For over 160 years, the people of God called Methodists have supported the spiritual and pastoral needs of members of the Armed Forces and their dependants. For over 100 years this has also involved a commitment to send Methodist ministers who are commissioned as Chaplains to live and work alongside service personnel at home and abroad, in times of peace and conflict.
Forces Chaplains serve in the Royal Navy, British Army and the Royal Air Force in military communities on land, on ships and on submarines. Our Chaplains offer ministry in a range of contexts. They offer spiritual and pastoral support to new recruits and to personnel around the United Kingdom and overseas.
Life and ministry as an Armed Forces Chaplain is varied and challenging; it involves using and developing ministerial skills as pastor, worship leader and educator alongside offering moral guidance as a military professional. The experiences and opportunities are both demanding and rewarding.
This short video gives an insight into Methodist chaplaincy to the Armed Forces from the Chaplains' perspective:
The Methodist Forces Board has also produced a booklet offering insight into the lives and work of our Chaplains, which can be viewed here.
The link here takes you to further information for those exploring a call to this form of Chaplaincy.
These videos give Chaplains' perspectives on ministry in the Armed Forces: