Building Bridges: Chaplaincy, Theology, and God's Love in Action

Sarah has dedicated over a decade to chaplaincy, first as the Senior Chaplain for Queensland Immigration and Detention and now as the Senior Chaplain for NSW Ambulance. When we spoke, her dog lay quietly under her desk - a comforting presence as she shared her journey. Thoughout her career, Sarah has been studying at Morling College, where she has honed her skills and deepened her theological understanding.

What does an average week look like in your role?

In chaplaincy, there's no such thing as an "average" week - it's shaped by the people and the demands of the moment. The week we spoke with Sarah was a busy one. National meetings were held to unite Emergency Services teams, including the Fire Service, Ambulance, Police, SES, AFP and Border Force, to prepare for the upcoming storm season.

For paramedics, the daily reality of life and death can take a toll, especially when dealing with the very young or unexpected tragedies. Sarah leads a team of 40 volunteer ambulance chaplains who support paramedics in the field. Her role involves supervision, encouragement, and being a listening ear, all while managing the logistics of chaplaincy operations. Sarah's study in professional supervision is put to use everyday.

Why chaplaincy?

When asked why she chose chaplaincy, Sarah's passion for reaching those wtih little or no connection to the Church is evident. She's driven by a desire to show that the Church is not a building - it's people.

She hopes to break down barriers for those who might have had negative experiences with Christianity or view Christian's as judgemental.

"Chaplains to them can be just normal people. So when they see the Chaplain they go, 'You're actually kind of normal.' Which to me is a compliment. And then they might suss out church. It's a gateway. It's a door opener."

Why Morling?

Sarah began her studies at Morling College in 2015 and has since earned a Master of Ministry, a Graduate Diploma of Divinity, and a Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision.

What drew her to Morling was the promise of a theological education rooted in the Baptist tradition - one that balances breadth and depth.

"Baptists are Sola Scriptura, so you want to have that as central. Yet I get that people have different points of view. At Morling, I learnt to appreciate the differences but also that you have still have a cup of tea together. It's really respectful."

Sarah recalls a memorable class where she disagreed with lecturer who was an expert in their field. Faced with an assignment, she wrestled with whether to write what she believed or follow the lecturer's perspective. She chose to stand by her convictions, praying "Lord, let me pass." Not only did she pass - she received a High Distinction. The lecturer's feedback affirmed her logical argument and thoughful approach, a hallmark of Morling's commitment to teaching students how to think theologically, not just what to think.

How has your study influenced your chaplaincy?

In her early days as a chaplain, Sarah could feel overwhelmed by theological questions. Her studies at Morling equipped her with the knowledge and confidence to engage in these conversations. The supportive relationships she built with lecturers allowed her to seek guidance when needed, enabling her to provide thoughtful, informed responses to those she served.

One memorable moment during her time in immigration chaplaincy involved a detainee who expressed a desire to become a preacher. As he was about to be deported, Sarah created a resource booklet with Scripture passages, reflective questions, and space for responses. When he returned the booklet, the reflections were blank.

This experience highlighted the importance of self-reflection - a skill Sarah herself had developed through her studies at Morling. It was a light bulb moment for her. She recognised,

"If you want to be a pastor, you need to reflect. You need to know who you are. You need to know about your identity."

What does it mean to see the world through God's eyes?

For Sarah, it all comes back to people. She reminds us that seeing the world through God's eyes means recognizing His love for every individual, whether we naturally connect with them or not.

This perspective was reinforced during her time at Morling, where lecturers modeled humility and equality.

"They're wonderful people. They're up there sharing their knowledge with us, and they do so freely. But they also know that we're all equal in the eyes of God."

Learn more about studying chaplaincy here.