July 24, 2007

Presbyterian College will conduct a national search for a new chaplain following the recent call of college chaplain Rev. Dr. David Lindsay to serve as senior pastor of the Presbyterian Church on Edisto Island.

Lindsay joined the college community as chaplain and director of campus ministry in 2002 and was installed as the Cassell Chair of Chaplaincy last fall. Under his leadership - and in partnership with churches in the Upstate and Trinity Presbytery - he developed the Bluefish program as a model for developing student leadership in Christian service and ministry.

Lindsay also established several programs aimed at a variety of student interests, including Common Grounds, Moveable Feast, At the Well, and Soul Feast. In particular, Moveable Feast was instrumental in conceiving and designing the college's new Piephoff Outdoor Chapel.

According to college president Dr. John Griffith, Lindsay's relationships with students were possibly his greatest legacy.

"Perhaps David's greatest contribution to PC is that part of his ministry that goes unnoticed, save for those who are the direct beneficiaries of this great gift," Griffith said. "I first got a glimpse of this when I happened to see his calendar. It was filled with appointments with students. When I questioned him about his, I realized that this was the tip of the iceberg.

"David has been the minister to, for, and of our students over breakfasts and dinner, on and off campus, at 3:00 a.m. - whenever and wherever he was needed. His understanding of their concerns, their dreams, their disappointments, their hurts and sorrows, and their pleasures is uncanny. This reality along with well developed skills as a pastoral counselor has made a great and lasting impact on the lives of many and, as a result, the PC community."

Griffith also praised Lindsay for his leadership of Student Volunteer Services and Celtic Cross. Lindsay led two mission trips to the Gulf Coast in response to two hurricanes. He also saw Project Life, a bone marrow donation initiative, develop and grow under his watch.

A reception for the Lindsays - including his wife, Emily, and their twins, Hank and Eliza Hope - will be held on campus in late August.

The college's national search for his replacement will begin this fall, Griffith said.

Posted by hmilam@presby.edu

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