We caught up with the Army’s Chaplain General, the Reverend Michael Parker, who is running the London Marathon for the ABF, to hear about his motivation for the event.
Tell us about your Army service
I have been in the Army for 26 years, joining the Royal Army Chaplains’ Department after training and working as a Methodist minister. I’ve served on operations in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan, and worked at brigade and divisional level, and at Army HQ. I was the Academy Chaplain at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, and then the Deputy Chaplain General, before my current role.
What’s the role of the Chaplain General?
I am the professional head of chaplaincy for the British Army, with command of all our chaplains, from a range of faith and belief communities. There are up to 140 full-time and 200 part-time chaplains, including those supporting the Army Cadet Force. With the other two- and three-star generals, I look at the future of the Army, and I offer chaplaincy support to that community. I often have ceremonial duties, and hold the appointment of the King’s Honorary Chaplain.
Our role encompasses pastoral care, spiritual support, and moral guidance. It can be overwhelming for junior personnel to engage with the chain of command, particularly about an administrative or disciplinary issue, and chaplaincy can advocate on their behalf. We also act as a critical friend for the Army and help it consider its ethical decision making. It’s very busy and fast-moving but enjoyable!
Why are you running the Marathon for the Army Benevolent Fund?
I have a sweet spot for the ABF, which I first heard about just after joining the Army. I was fascinated by the scale of a charity that delivers its work through supporting other specialist organisations. Since then, I’ve seen how charities can step in where the state is unable to – and have helped people to access this support in my pastoral role as a chaplain. I also have the joy of taking part in the annual Army Carol Service, organised by the ABF.
How have you prepared for the event?
While I’ve always been a runner, this is my first marathon! I love getting outside to train in the morning, but the time commitment is significant. Rest days are a great idea, but these are often spent in a car, or on a plane (most recently from the Falklands)! For all my tiredness, it’s very rewarding. I have had a lot of support from Army colleagues and my chaplaincy team, several of whom have joined me for training sessions, which we have captured on film. We wanted to tell a story linking chaplaincy, the ABF, and balancing physical and spiritual health, and we are sharing this content with the Army and faith organisations. I’m really looking forward to the race on 26th April, which I hope to finish in under four hours, ankle injury permitting!