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Open doors
With hundreds of thousands of people under his pastoral care, UK oil and gas
chaplain Reverend Gordon Craig is always on the move with regular offshore trips
and home visits all over the country.
Wireline
caught up with him to find out more
“I
greatly admire my colleagues
who work in churches and
parishes, but to be honest I
don’t think I could do that,” reflects
Reverend Gordon Craig. “The appeal for
me is getting out among the workforce
– among primarily non-church people –
responding to people and their needs in
these circumstances is very fulfilling.”
With over 20 years under his belt as
chaplain in the Royal Air Force (RAF),
Gordon is no stranger to working at the
very heart of a sector with an important
national role.
He recalls: “When I applied for the role
in oil and gas in 2012, I remember being
asked what I felt the biggest challenge
would be. For me, chaplaincy is about
building relationships with people
and until they can see the real person
beyond the clergyman label, this can be
pretty difficult.
“I’d have probably felt pushed into the
deep end coming straight from a parish
into this job, but the experience
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OIL AND GAS CHAPLAIN
PROFILE
“
”
The appeal for
me is getting out among
the workforce – among
primarily non-church
people – responding to
people and their needs
in these circumstances is
very fulfilling.
W I R E L I N E
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