Chaplaincy Roadshow 2026
The Free Church Group partnered with the Chaplaincy's Road Show Tour, and we invited the organisers to give us a report.
Over a coffee, Warren Evans (CEO of Sports Chaplaincy UK) and I imagined how we could showcase Chaplaincy Ministry to the local church. We approached around 20 organisations, who quickly bought into the idea. The Roadshow aimed to inform, inspire and encourage greater involvement, and empower pastors and church members to capture a renewed vision for chaplaincy.
A further motivation to organise the Roadshows was the frequent requests we receive from Prisons. Hospitals, the military, and so on, are requesting more Chaplains. For me, it is somewhat strange and counterintuitive that Chaplaincy still holds currency in the UK. Why would a Premier League FC appoint a chaplain? A further indicator is the expansion of Colleges and Universities offering Chaplain-Training. Chaplaincy is in its ascendancy. How long will this door stay open?
Chaplaincy is increasingly recognised as a vital, post-secular ministry in the UK, shifting from a niche, institutional role (hospitals, military, prisons) to a public-facing, "incarnational" ministry in workplaces, shopping centres, leisure and sports venues. It is considered crucial because it meets people where they are—outside traditional church walls—offering spiritual care in an era characterised by both rapid secularisation and a persistent search for meaning. As traditional church attendance declines, chaplaincy serves as a "bridging" ministry, bringing a spiritual presence into communities. It operates as "the church without walls," where 95% of the people encountered do not regularly attend church.
Here are some results;
200+ people attended the three roadshows
The buzz and energy in the room were amazing
Partner organisations were very positive, and new contacts were made!
The national advertising alone underscored chaplaincy to the Church
London and Birmingham have requested follow-up events!
Cardiff and Newcastle have asked for a Roadshow
When we showcase stories of encounter and community engagement, people are impacted and want to get involved
We saw the power of partnership as different agencies and churches stood together
I lead my denomination’s Chaplaincy Dept; along with many networks and streams, we are convinced that Chaplaincy offers amazing opportunities to share Christ’s Love with those with little or no meaningful connection to a Christian community.
A Very Modern Ministry: Chaplaincy in the UK – Ben Ryan (2015)
At a time when UK society seems increasingly dominated by secular habits and assumptions, and when religious attendance and affiliation seem to be in decline, there are more and more stories of chaplaincy spreading into new settings. No longer – if indeed it was ever the case – are chaplains limited to Anglican clergy in a few institutional settings. Today chaplains are everywhere.
Chaplaincy ministry has its roots in ancient history. Religious men and women often accompanied armies into battle as priests. Chaplains provided encouragement and compassionate care to people who were constantly in crisis. Chaplains sailed with Sir Francis Drake in the sixteenth century and fought with Washington during the Revolutionary War. They have prayed through human suffering, have been encouraged in despair, and have walked alongside humanity at every stage.
Today, chaplains are found in many (perhaps every) settings—healthcare, policing, business, industry, universities, and sport; in fact, placement is limited only by the lack of imagination.
The word chaplain originates in fourth-century France. A traditional story relates the compassion of St. Martin of Tours. One cold and wet night, he was so moved by compassion for a beggar that he shared his cloak. Upon his death, his cape (capella in Latin) was preserved as a holy relic and kept in a shrine that came to be known as chapele, from which the English word chapel is derived. The guardian of the chapel became known as the chaplain.
The phrase “an open door – an effectual open door” is taken from 1 Cor 16:9. The Apostle Paul is ministering in Ephesus. He says that in the face of all the challenges and opposition, there is an incredible ‘Open Door’ of effective mission that has opened to him. The metaphor is clear despite the hardships God has opened doors for effective engagement with society. We are convinced that chaplaincy is God’s gift, God’s open door to the UK Church.
As with any promotional event, we look to the cumulative effect, and pray that in local settings, as pastors and chaplains tell their story at national, regional and local events and as chaplaincy is affirmed, we will see increasing numbers of pastors and church partners called into this vital ministry.
Like the ministry of Jesus, chaplaincy is about being present in specific, sometimes messy sectors of society to provide support. We call this incarnational presence. In summary, chaplaincy in the UK acts as a proactive, adaptable ministry that bridges the gap between faith and society, offering vital human connection to people and communities wherever they are.
We love and honour the pastors and the local church, most of us recognise the pull to ‘inhouse’ ministry, that is we end up giving our best hours and resources to our church-community. Conversely, chaplaincy intentionally focuses 95% of our time and effort outside the local church. Someone said, “Get out on the limb, that’s where the fruit is”.
Does your church community have an active involvement in chaplaincy ministry? We can help you get started.
For Information contact: -
Nigel Tween. Nigel.Tween@outlook.com Director: Elim Chaplaincy Association.
Warren Evans. warren.evans@sportschaplaincy.org.uk CEO: Sports Chaplaincy UK
