"You don't have to do 'owt grand'

I was grateful today to spend the late morning and lunchtime with a substantial number of people called together by the Divisional Commander of Herefordshire, a largely rural Division who is assiduously building up the function of chaplaincy across his far-flung Division (in compliance with the HMCI 2003 Recommendations).
I was glad to see how many men and women of all ages and denominations, (including two Baptist colleagues) were sufficiently interested in the police family to turn out on a Friday to test the water - to see ig they are being called to police chaplaincy (lunch was free - but you know what they say about a free lunch).
We were told that a new website had been set up to support the 420 plus largely voluntary police chaplains around the UK and that was very exciting.
The meeting was also attended by Representatives of the National Association of Chaplains to the Police (NACP) one of whom is a serving Inspector from West Yorkshire Police wearing police uniform with clerical collar and the North East Regional Co-ordinator, the Rev'd Alison Lamb (South Yorkshire Police).
Alison, who has served for more than four years, outlined how acceptance as a police chaplain among police officers had been slow at first but had been thoroughly consolidated by her ministry during the unexpected and sudden death of a police officer. She had been able to quietly minister to his supervisors, colleagues, friends and family and through the trust built during these times has developed a really significant chaplaincy - with total recognition from the force who clearly value her highly.
Ali said "You don't have to do owt grand" - and I think I knew what she meant but it made me reflect...
What is it about? Why would anyone want to be a police chaplain? If it is just the promise of a blue light run or a bright yellow jacket and the perceived status or position that such a role confers on the individual then the words of Jeremiah 45:5 'Should you then seek great things for yourself? Seek them not.' should ring in our ears; making it clear that perhaps more than in any other part of our ministry the role of a chaplain is one of sacrificial 'being there'. It isn't about doing anything 'grand' as we might understand it - its just being willing to serve. For me its all about being the right person in the right place at the right time and that only by the call of God.
I don't know how many of the people at the meeting today will take up the challenge of police chaplaincy - I hope most do.