Soulful Story, by The Reverend Andy Fleming, School Chaplain, Radford College, ACT.
I often get asked what I ‘did’ before becoming a school chaplain, and the response from the person asking is typically a surprised follow-up question: “How does a Head of PE become a chaplain?”
Reflecting on my journey throughout my 30 years of teaching, I always felt a restlessness, as if I never quite found my purpose. Starting out in primary teaching before moving to PDHPE and holding several middle-management roles, it wasn’t until I thought I should ask God what I should do that my purpose became clearer.
The initial seed was sown when my sister commented that she thought I’d make a good school chaplain. Over the next several years, as I explored other potential avenues, the seed sprouted, and it became clear where the Spirit was guiding me. As I pursued my purpose in other areas, including rugby coaching as my ‘dream job,’ there were two moments where friends told me they believed I was suited to ministry. It was around this time I finally looked to God, and that deep feeling of being drawn to something revealed itself as the calling to ministry. Although I considered a number of ministry pathways, I held a strong sense that my path was to be, as my sister suggested, school chaplaincy.
I’m now in my sixth year as Associate Chaplain at Radford College in Canberra. My previous teaching experience is invaluable as I engage with students and staff. I appreciate how God uses our experiences and skills to enhance what we do. It certainly helps me transition from teaching Year 9 Religious and Values Education (RaVE) to leading Junior School Chapel. Similarly, moving from working with students to achieve prescribed teaching and learning goals to walking with them as they explore their spiritual selves and encounter Jesus’ message of love is a gift. Despite working in a school where the students’ needs and wants are easily met, their innate hunger to find meaning creates opportunities to engage with students — and often staff — in ways I least expect.
So far in my relatively short time in chaplaincy, I have never felt more strongly the truth of the saying, “If you enjoy your job, you will never work a day in your life.” I feel constantly blessed and have an ever-growing sense of wonder and awe through walking with students and staff via service learning. I especially value the conversations that naturally arise from questions sparked during Chapel services, and I cherish the gift of teaching Godly Play and sharing the sense of wonder Year 2 students express as they hear stories from the Bible.
Through the grace of God, I am humbled to serve in school chaplaincy, sharing the Gospel and witnessing the amazing love of Jesus at work in the lives of the Radford College community.