Caperon-DProf-thesis-final.pdf (812.52 kB)
The nature of the ministry of school chaplains in Church of England secondary schools
thesis
posted on 2023-08-30, 13:55 authored by John P. CaperonThis thesis argues that since in our increasingly secularised culture one of the very
few direct points of contact between the Church of England and the young is the
ministry of school chaplains, theirs is a vital ministry for the Church and its future.
The study described in the thesis researched school chaplaincy in Church of England
secondary schools to establish what chaplains do, how they understand their ministry
and how school students themselves respond to chaplaincy.
Originating in the researcher’s professional role in support of school chaplains, the
research was undertaken on a multi-method basis. Initial scoping interviews were
undertaken with school chaplains and headteachers in a range of schools. A full
literature review located school chaplaincy within the conceptual contexts of
missiology, ministry and chaplaincy. In-depth interviews with school chaplains
explored their self-understanding as ministers. A national, internet-based survey of
all contactable school chaplains was undertaken to explore issues identified earlier in
the study, and a series of focus-group interviews was undertaken with senior school
students.
The research revealed that chaplains perceive little awareness within the Church of
England of the missional significance of their ministry, although individual chaplains
emerged as highly-motivated spiritual professionals committed to the pastoral
welfare of their communities, and with a strong sense of their mission as ‘God
people’. From a wide variety of ecclesial and personal backgrounds and working in
very different school contexts, chaplains have multiple, significant functions which
are well understood by school students, and exercise a ‘ministry of presence’.
The research evidence highlights the need for greater recognition of the ministry of
school chaplains and for structures of support and development to resource this vital
ministry. The thesis concludes with an outline of policy proposals for the Church in
the light of the recent development of a new ‘para-chaplaincy’.
History
Institution
Anglia Ruskin UniversityFile version
- Accepted version
Language
- eng
Thesis name
- Other
Thesis type
- Doctoral