Ministry in Life’s Slow Seasons - from an Anna Chaplain's perspective

Julia Burton-Jones has been finding much to muse on in a new book by Anna Chaplain, Anne-Louise Critchlow called Slowing Down: Finding beauty in the slow lanes of life.  

Anne-Louise Critchlow

'At some point in our lives,' she writes, 'we will all face periods where we have to slow down. Whether due to age, illness or becoming a new parent, we will find our normal lives interrupted. But in her new book, Slowing Down, the Revd Dr Anne-Louise Critchlow shows how these challenging periods can be a profound gateway to purpose, connection and spiritual depth (Slowing Down - Instant Apostle).

Drawing on her experience as an Anna Chaplain, Anne-Louise explores the often-overlooked biblical ‘gift of helps’—the quiet, everyday acts of care, listening and encouragement that can transform lives. Through moving stories of pastoral ministry, caregiving and personal struggle, Slowing Down shows how deep spiritual impact need not always be action-packed or fast-paced. Instead, it can be found in the small moments of presence and love that reflect Christ’s heart. 

Anne-Louise reflects:

'Over twenty years ago I found myself journaling about what I found hard in the Christian life and how often I felt in rebellion against the demands of Christian discipleship. There was nothing sentimental or pious in these thoughts, but I felt better in myself after I had written them down. Later, as a vicar and then a chaplain, I connected to others through listening to them and sharing hard life experiences. In doing so, I found that so many 'ordinary people' (if such a category exists!) had much to offer me. So, what became Slowing Down is intended for those who want to offer 'the gift of helps', despite limitations of time and energy.

Anna Chaplains are proving how valuable a 'simple' ministry of helps can be to those whom life is forcing to slow down, and how there are opportunities to engage with others in every season of life we find ourselves in.

‘When I was first ordained, I mistakenly thought, “Oh no! Surely I don’t have to visit care homes! I want to spend time with young people, doing after school clubs and coordinating my Street Pastors team!” How wrong I was! Of course it’s important for us to have contact with the younger generation, but that doesn’t mean that visiting care homes is not an enjoyable and fulfilling ministry!

When older people look back at their lives, they can often recall circumstances with great sense of humour. And I have heard so many stories from people who have regretted decisions in the past. Being able to offer them an encounter with the gospel is such a privilege and one that they might not have been open to before they had to “slow down”.

‘In this book I want to assure Anna Chaplains, Anna Friends, pastoral visitors, and any Christian who wants to bless others, that they have something important to offer whatever their circumstances. It is an encouragement to all of us, including myself, to love and serve as Jesus did.'

Slowing Down is not a 'how to' book for Anna Chaplains, but more about how ordinary Christians can be used by God with the 'gift of helps', and it also offers Bible study and discussion material for any Christian group who would like to use it like that. It is on Kindle as well as being available at Christian bookshops and on Amazon.

As the Training and development lead for Anna Chaplaincy at BRF Ministries, Julia Burton-Jones, found Slowing Down: 'a profoundly insightful and encouraging book in celebrating ways in which we can continue to help and enrich the lives of others while living with the frailty and limitations later life can bring.' 

‘The book is packed with moving stories that illustrate how God is at work when life forces us to slow down. It urges us to take notice of the learning and opportunities that come when we are put aside from the busy lives that have filled every moment with movement and activity.  Anne-Louise is endearingly honest about her own struggle to learn this spiritual lesson. She is affirming of the many Christians who have shown her through their ‘gift of helps’ how to resist the temptation always to be rushing and doing. 

‘Chapters cover key topics: courage; contentment; gratitude; kindness; purpose and prayer; illness and retreats. 

'I would recommend this book for Anna Chaplains, Anna Friends and any Christian struggling to see how God might work through them when life has brought them to a place of limitation, unable to fulfil previous active roles in church life.’

The book is endorsed by Paul Barnett, elder at Gateway New Frontiers Church, Dorset, who is a Truth Be Told (Truth Be Told | Storytelling for life) worker in a dementia care home.  Paul says it is ‘an inspiring read full of powerful anecdotes, personal spiritual lessons and rich godly advice.’

Whether you’re supporting an ageing loved one, working in ministry, or seeking deeper meaning in your own life, Slowing Down is a gentle yet powerful and practical call to rediscover purpose through the gift of presence. Complete with thoughtful questions and scriptural reflections at the end of each chapter, it is ideal for individuals, carers, pastoral teams and small groups.'

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