Follow Me!

Earlier this year, I purchased a Sat-Nav before heading off to France, with my wife, for our annual touring holiday in our wee caravan.  Previously, I had depended on my wife, with a road map on her lap - my "wife-Nav"!  Having now used both, I have decided that they make a great combination.  As is so often the case, they are complementary, rather than mutually exclusive!

Of course, at the end of the day, all of the Sat-Nav systems (and even wife-nav!), directions, and maps, don't match up to the truly personal touch. It was many years ago, when our children were still coming on holiday with us.  We were in the Belgian city of Brussels, looking for the address of a Christian evangelistic organisation with whose workers we had arranged to spend the night.  In those pre-Euro days, we only had one Belgian coin left over from a previous holiday.  I used it to telephone – but the person who answered didn’t speak any English, and my French was still little better than schoolboy level!

It was now dark; we were in a strange city; the children were tired; my wife was concerned (as was I – but I tried not to show it!); we now had no local currency at all; and everyone from whom I tried to get directions spoke only French, or maybe it was Flemish.  Then, as we drove down a particular residential road, I noticed a younger man about to get into the car in his driveway.  I stopped our car, and went over to him and, in my halting French asked if he could direct us, in English please, to the address that I had written down.  He replied with just two words in the English language: “Follow me!”  Within less than twenty minutes, we were at the correct address.  We had found someone who knew the way, and who could guide us, safely, to our destination.

Everyone, I suspect, wants to follow someone who already knows the way.  That knowledge provides the follower with assurance that, whatever pitfalls or diversions are met, the destination will, indeed, be safely reached.  The early disciples of Jesus of Nazareth were first known as followers of “the Way” – they believed that, in Him, they had found One Who knew what He was doing, and where He was going.  So they followed Him, as millions continue to do today – many of them suffering greatly, but certain that His “Follow Me!” is an invitation that is worth accepting.

Have you heard His voice, and accepted that invitation?

Welcome!

For some two years, I have been involved as a Force Chaplain within 'Q' Division and, more recently, 'N' Division.  I am also an associate member of the Christian Police Association (CPA), and seek to play an active part in the Strathclyde Branch.
 

I have a considerable breadth of life experience, having commenced my working life as a chef; spent a number of years in parish ministry; and, until my ‘retirement’, teaching – latterly in Lesmahagow High School.  In between times, I have managed to fit in some radio broadcasting, legal work, and even politics!  A brief bio is on my main 'ministry blog' at www.crazyrev.blogspot.com  while some additional information may be found at my “AllExperts” (!!) page – link provided on my ministry blog.   Married to Joyce – a former ‘P’ (now ‘N’) Division FSO – I am a father, and grandfather; and the son of a former officer in the R.U.C.

All very well, you may say, but what does a Force Chaplain actually do?   Well, I am not an alternative to H.R., O.T., or the Mediation Service, but am complimentary to them.  There may be an occasion on which one, or other, of these support services would suggest a referral to me and, equally, it may be that I would suggest a referral to one of them!

Nor am I acting as an evangelist.  However, I am unashamedly, and unapologetically, a disciple of Jesus and, while not preaching at anyone, will always approach a situation from a specifically Christian perspective. 

I see myself as an integral part of the Support Services, and I am available to all – of any rank, or of none – within my Divisions, to provide any necessary pastoral support.  That support is available to those who subscribe to any belief-system, or to none, and every situation would be treated with sensitivity.  I do not have set hours and, outwith family holidays, am available at any time, and for any reason – even just to get something “off your chest”!

The one thing that I do, that may seem strange to some, is to pray for all of my oficers on a daily basis.  I pray for their physical safety, and also that there will be a continuing decrease in criminal activity within the Divisions, and a corresponding increase in detection and conviction rates.  If, at any time, anyone wises me to pray about a personal situation, then they are welcome to contact me, and I will be happy to do so.  At all times, and in every situation, confidentiality is absolutely assured. My services may never be used, but my availability is assured.

With prayerful good wishes.

              








C.Brian Ross (Rev)