Christian ministry can be pictured as three overlapping circles, the engaging, the enabling and the pastoral. The Chaplaincy’s major task is to engage with those working in the field of arts and recreation and the issues that face them in making their contribution to society. However, because this engagement is often with individuals, relationships are established and pastoral trust develops — all the stronger perhaps for the time that has been taken to develop a real understanding of an individual’s work and circumstances.

From these relationships other opportunities develop. In 1972, for example, Jack Charlton invited Bill Hall to become chaplain to Middlesbrough Football Club. At the time, there was only one other chaplain to a football club. The resulting ministry was largely pastoral, but Bill Hall was always sensitive to ways in which he could also engage with issues affecting football and footballers. As a result of this pioneering work, the Chaplaincy also became responsible for creatting football club chaplaincies to Newcastle United, Darlington and Hartlepool United football clubs. After more than 20 seasons with Middlesbrough Football Club, Bill Hall resigned in favour of a new chaplain, but only after having taken a number of important initiatives, which included the creation of an artist’s residency at the club — one of the first examples of this in a sporting institution.

Despite no longer being chaplain, a pastoral ministry continues through the friendships and links forged during that time.

The two major examples of continuing Honorary Chaplaincies are those with The Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain and The Actors’ Church Union. In both these cases the Chaplaincy has been asked to take a leading role in developing pastoral care on a regional and national level for some of those engaged in the arts and recreation.

For further information contact Bill Hall