‘I can’t remember any negative interactions’ a chaplain explains his role

Mark Layson

Mark Layson has been a chaplain for ten years. The Other Cheek asked him what he had learned in a decade.

After ten years, what have you discovered about being a chaplain that you did not expect?

I did not expect the genuine acceptance of this ministry in a secular government organisation.  In ten years, I find it hard to recall any really negative interactions with paramedics. The paramedics I serve are genuinely thankful for the support that chaplains give either at the scene of a traumatic event, or when they are stuck at a hospital for hours. Being able to there when it really counts is an enormous relationship builder.

Does being a chaplain require a different sort of person from being a pastor?

The skills for pastoral ministry are many, and I don’t think chaplaincy requires a skillset outside of the range of skills for church-based ministry, but it does require a unique mix of skills. And the skill set is slightly different for each kind of chaplaincy. While there are many underlying principles that are the same, aged care chaplaincy is different from school chaplaincy, which is different from hospital chaplaincy, which is different from military chaplaincy, which is different from first responder (police, fire, ambulance) chaplaincy.

Speaking from a first responder perspective where I serve as a chaplain, the first is to be able to operate in a team environment, and to take orders from those in the chain of command. Church ministry can see senior ministers act with autonomy and so this is different. Chaplaincy requires a sense of humour. You have to be able to laugh at yourself. 

A first responder chaplain needs a thick skin as you are exposed to some very traumatic scenes with intense and raw emotions.

A chaplain must be thoroughly trustworthy, if the staff can’t trust you, they won’t avoid you. Finally, compassion. A chaplain needs to really care about and for the people they serve.

What stories can you tell as a chaplain?

There are lots I could tell, but most of my work remains strictly confidential. Confidentiality is one of the most important parts of the role. I have been there when mothers have been told of the death of their child, or a child the death of their mother. I have been there after miraculous recoveries for the joy of life.  I have flown in helicopters and been strapped into a chair upside under water. I have prayed at the opening of bases and been there at 3am after major events.  There are lots of stories and so many great people.

Most memorable interaction?

Being introduced to a group of new staff by a senior member of staff who is strongly atheist, highly intelligent and deeply caring.  He acknowledged we were very different in our beliefs, but that the role of chaplain was invaluable to staff wellbeing. 

You probably know some heroes, maybe chaplain colleagues… can you describe a colleague who is a hero?

I think all my colleagues are heroes! Seriously, but if I had to single some out, I would say Rev. Paul McFarlane who recruited me and built an amazing team at NSW Ambulance. Al Findlay, who is the epitome of a gentleman. Lindsay Carey is a phenomenal chaplaincy researcher on the world stage.  The list could go on and on. 

You and some colleagues are doing doctorates. What sort of things are you hoping to learn?

I am researching about moral injury and moral distress in first responders.  I am hoping to utilise biblical wisdom to help leaders and organisations prevent distress by implementing grace base systems.  Others are researching about the role and value of chaplains, and others still about the spiritual intelligence of chaplains. Others are creating amazing collaborative therapy programs that see chaplains and psychologists leveraging their skills to work for the good of staff. It is exciting to be researching at this time.

Image: NSW Ambulance posted a video of Mark and a canine friend