Inside Out Prison Chaplaincy welcomes its new Chaplaincy Coordinator for Prisons, Greg Murphy. Greg has replaced Jesse Caulfield.
Greg’s passion for chaplaincy began with a stint as a police chaplain in Roma in south-west Queensland in the early 1990s and continued through various roles managing pastoral care teams with the Churches of Christ.
He considers the development of the first Certificate IV in Pastoral Ministry qualifications in Queensland to be one of his most significant achievements.
“Hearing people who had been working in pastoral care roles for many years speak positively of the new insights they gained from being involved in a competency-based program is extremely satisfying,” Greg says.
Greg has “nothing but admiration” for the people who volunteer their time to provide “a non-judgmental listening ear to those whose spirits need a lift”.
“Many of those who make exceptional chaplains do not feel comfortable in more conventional church ministry roles. Public speaking ability and university education are not requirements of the role,” he says.
He believes Prison Ministry is an area frequently overlooked by many Christians who would be great at it.
“There is a real stigma attached to prisoners, but many are just ordinary people who were not fortunate enough to have the support systems in place that keep some of us on the straight and narrow,” Greg says.
If you think God could be calling you to chaplaincy, Greg would love to talk with you. Phone 3550 3789 or email greg.murphy@carinity.org.au.