Guest post: Gordon Craig, UK Oil and Gas Chaplain

With the work of Rev. Gordon Craig, UK Oil and Gas Chaplain, recently in the news, the Lab is happy to host a guest blog from Rev. Craig about his work in response to a few questions:


The position of Chaplain to the Oil Industry came about in 1986 when the Church of Scotland realised that the burgeoning oil industry in the North Sea off the coast was lacking spiritual and pastoral support. It decided to recruit a minister from the church to establish a chaplaincy. The Rev Andy Wylie was appointed and he had a completely empty canvas on which to begin his work. It took him a while to establish himself, as oil companies tended to have a ‘no religion offshore’ attitude. However Shell eventually offered to fly him offshore to the Brent Field. Tragically, just before he was due to fly, a Chinook helicopter returning from the Brent Field crashed as it was approaching Sumburgh airport in the Shetland Islands, killing 45.

 

Andy Wylie travelled to the Brent Field as planned and ministered and supported the workers based there who were in deep shock over the loss of so many colleagues and friends. Shell realised that having a chaplain working within industry was a tremendous asset. This led to discussions between the industry and church as to how to fully embed a chaplain inside the industry. Negotiations continued until the Piper Alpha disaster of July 1988, which killed 167 workers when the Piper Alpha was destroyed by explosion and fire. Andy ministered to families, workers and members of companies involved in this disaster and soon after funding was established to pay for a dedicated Oil and Gas Industry Chaplain.

Since 1986 there have been 5 ministers who have undertaken this exciting ministry. All bar one have had experience in military chaplaincy. I was in my twenty-second year as a Royal Air Force Chaplain when I heard that the Oil and Gas Chaplaincy was looking for a new chaplain. I loved my time as a military chaplain and when I heard of this opportunity my commission still had 2 years to run and my ‘posting’ at the time was one of the most enjoyable of my career. However I realised the Oil and Gas Chaplaincy was probably the closest in ministry to military chaplaincy and if I wished to continue in this style of ministry then this was an opportunity. That said, it was not an easy decision to apply and it took a lot of prayer, reflection and questioning before I put ‘pen to paper.’


My work revolves around my ‘offshore trips’. Generally speaking, these start with an early check-in, usually around 0600, at one of the heliports located at Aberdeen airport. After the check in is complete passengers are called through to a ‘departure gate’. In this room you watch a lengthy helicopter safety brief and then receive your inflight rubber survival suit and life jacket with an inbuilt air cylinder and mouthpiece. Slightly uncomfortably I then follow my fellow passengers to the waiting helicopter. The flight to the installations takes, on average, 1 hour. On arrival everyone receives a further safety briefing and, for those who have not visited the installation within the past 12 months, a full induction is given to ensure everyone is familiar with the layout and location of muster stations and lifeboats. Following this I can get to work!

Every trip is different. On my last trip I was asked to conduct some Mental Health Awareness training with the supervisors and safety representatives. On every installation I visit I always brief the crew on the support the chaplaincy can provide to them and their families. I usually conduct two to four briefings on the chaplaincy. One way we support families is through the management of a trust fund, which exists to financially support workers and their families who are struggling, usually as a result of long term illness of a family member.

Briefings allow me to introduce myself and hopefully break some of the prejudices crew members feel when they hear that someone connected to religion is coming out for a visit! It is highly unusual on an offshore trip not to be asked for more details on the fund. Consequently I often find myself having quite detailed and intimate conversations with members of the crew. Visits usually last around 3 days, so I have many opportunities to discuss issues or engage in ‘tea-shack banter.’

Sadly some not ‘surprising days’ are a result of an offshore death. On average around 6 workers die offshore each year, usually as a result of heart attack or aneurism, and each one being sudden and unexpected has a huge impact on friends and colleagues and, it goes without saying, the family at home. I am usually asked to visit when this happens and I conduct an ‘Act of Remembrance’ which is heavily based on a military ceremony which speaks to those belonging to a male-dominated environment. Photos are taken and every word used is taken to the family allowing me to build a link with the bereaved families of our industry.


The skill set I possess comes from my military background. In the UK theological and training for the ministry is centred on the expectation of parish ministry. However, all clergy entering Military Chaplaincy are trained to minister within that environment. Often that means ministering in a secular environment where any sort of faith is scorned and criticised. It means ministering without the support of a home church and it also means supporting people through traumatic situations, who are often in isolated places away from the support and comfort of those whom they love. The training I received during my time as a RAF Chaplain enables me, through the grace of God, to provide chaplaincy to the personnel working within the Oil and Gas Industry.

I was asked about the difference between chaplains and social workers, as sometimes this comes up in trying to describe what it is that chaplains to. The obvious difference between a chaplain and social worker is the spiritual element of ministry every chaplain can provide. The nature of chaplaincy is that one tends to minister to “non-churched” individuals who are facing a time of personal crisis. Any chaplain or social worker in this situation can counsel and support but the chaplain brings an added dimension which is simply huge. It has been my experience that the vast majority of funerals for those who have died offshore in my time as chaplain have been conducted by Humanist celebrants. However when I have engaged with the families and colleagues and friends it is clear they have an immense spiritual longing, even though they are not at all religious and have no wish to become religious. What they have in common is that question – WHY! I have only encountered one family who have refused a prayer and I ask all families if I may say a prayer when conducting the offshore act of remembrance. When offshore I invite those who wish to and who feel comfortable to repeat the words of the prayer. Despite the hostility against religion which is so prevalent virtually all of them do. I believe all chaplains work in that space we call ‘doubt’ and are probably very familiar with the Book of Job!

Chaplaincy is a vital area of growth. In the UK the ‘mainline’ churches are in steep decline and it appears that the traditional parish model of church is no longer working in many areas. Huge swathes of the younger generation have never stepped inside a church. I believe chaplaincy has a role in taking news of the love of God out to the community. Interestingly while we in the UK have seen a decline in church attendance and in those who profess a faith, chaplaincy has been growing in many sectors. Workplace chaplaincy has really taken off as employers recognise the benefits it can bring to their workforce. Most city and shopping centres in the UK now have teams of chaplains working within them. In doing so they are demonstrating the love of God in practical ways. Work place Chaplaincy offers relevant pastoral & spiritual support to people where they are – in the setting of their daily work and individual lives and chaplains are available to all of all denominations or none.  This is the continuing role I envisage chaplaincy will continue to provide.


The Lab thanks Rev. Craig for his time and expertise.