Michael Parker (minister)
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Michael Parker | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Parker in 2023 | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | British Army |
| Years of service | 2000–present |
| Rank | Major-General |
| Commands | Royal Army Chaplains' Department |
| Battles / wars | Iraq War War in Afghanistan |
Michael David Parker KHC is a British Methodist minister and military chaplain. He is the current Chaplain-General to His Majesty's Land Forces.
Early life
[edit]Parker was born in Cornwall, England. He studied theology at the University of Birmingham and trained for ordination at The Queen's Foundation, an ecumenical theological college. Having been ordained as a Methodist minister, he worked in the Colchester Circuit for four years.[1]
Military career
[edit]On 8 May 2000, Parker was commissioned into the Royal Army Chaplains' Department, British Army, as a Chaplain to the Forces 4th Class (equivalent in rank to captain).[2] He was promoted to Chaplain to the Forces 3rd Class (equivalent to major) on 8 May 2006,[3] and to Chaplain to the Forces 2nd Class (equivalent to lieutenant colonel) on 23 April 2012.[4] He served as chaplain to 4th Regiment Royal Artillery; 2nd Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment; 1st Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers; 1st Battalion, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers; and 1st Battalion, Parachute Regiment.[5] He undertook operational tours to Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan.[6]
He attended the Advanced Command and Staff Course in 2013.[5] He was promoted to Chaplain to the Forces 1st Class (equivalent to Colonel) on 30 June 2017 with seniority in that rank from the same date.[7] He then served as assistant chaplain general of the 3rd (United Kingdom) Division.[8]
Parker was appointed Deputy Chaplain-General to the Army in September 2020 and Chaplain-General to Her Majesty's Land Forces on 8 May 2022.[9][10] On 4 May 2023, he was made a Sarum Canon (i.e. honorary canon) of Salisbury Cathedral.[8][11]
References
[edit]- ^ "Methodist Chaplain announced as next Chaplain General for the British Army". Methodist Church. 17 September 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
- ^ "No. 55842". The London Gazette (Supplement). 9 May 2000. p. 5069.
- ^ "No. 57977". The London Gazette (Supplement). 9 May 2006. p. 6355.
- ^ "No. 60210". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 July 2012. p. 13684.
- ^ a b "About". Army Chaplains' Blog. 23 February 2010. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
- ^ Birrell, Donna (18 November 2021). "Methodist Padre to be next Chaplain General to the Army". premierchristian.news. Premier Christian News. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
- ^ "No. 61983". The London Gazette (Supplement). 4 July 2017. p. 12674.
- ^ a b "Chaplain General of HM Land Forces joins Cathedral's College of Canons". army.mod.uk. British Army. 22 May 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
- ^ "No. 63691". The London Gazette (Supplement). 10 May 2022. p. 8830.
- ^ "Methodist minister becomes new Chaplain-General" (PDF). St Paul's Methodist Church, Woodfield Road, Northgate, Crawley. 27 March 2022. p. 4. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
- ^ "Chaplain General of His Majesty's Land Forces to be at Cathedral College". uk.style.yahoo.com. 2 May 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.