One new area which Christians are serving is at Etihad Stadium, Docklands Melbourne. Etihad Stadium first requested chaplaincy care for their 70+ staff. The feedback management received from this ministry prompted them to request chaplains not only to the full-time weekly staff, but to all staff and patrons during events. Etihad Stadium hosts millions of patrons per year. With this number of people coming through the gates, traumas and incidents are not uncommon. These can be stressful events for staff and patrons. Chaplains are the people carers, walking with people through these incidents and pointing to hope. They also serve as encouragers and listeners to people's life issues.
U2 Concert
Last week, Irish super group U2 came to Etihad Stadium performing two shows. A team of volunteer chaplains worked with St. Johns, Victoria Police and event security to provide pastoral care. Salvation Army Officer, Luke Roberts, was one of the volunteer chaplains. "The thing that amazed me was how receptive staff were to chaplaincy" Luke said. "The response was overwhelmingly positive. Some of the staff are positioned in very isolated places around the stadium. For the chaplains to visit them, offer them lollies, encourage them in their tasks and life issues is something they appreciate."
Some stories:
One security guard's job was to stay, all night, in one of the staff lifts to stop patrons accessing the secure areas of the stadium. He loved the opportunity to talk and we provided a listening ear. Another guard was having to supervise the portable toilets. This task became more tense as patrons' drinking impacted their emotions and bladders. We worked as fuse-breakers to help encourage him in his thankless role.
Most of these people would never enter the walls of a church or seek out clergy to answer their spiritual questions or ask for encouragement. The beauty of chaplaincy at this venue is that Christians go onto their turf, serve them, earn their trust and therefore have the right to share not only our lives with them but the gospel of God.