Dr. Al Masters has recently arrived to serve as Interim Chaplain, bringing with him years of pastoral and church ministry experience.

After graduating from Columbia Theological Seminary, Masters became pastor of Shearer Presbyterian Church in Davidson, N.C. There from 1976-79, he established a campus ministry with Davidson College in addition to fulfilling his duties as pastor. After Shearer, Masters became associate pastor of Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church in Charlotte from 1979-85. While completing his doctorate of ministry, Masters was pastor of Allison Creek Presbyterian Church in Lake Wylie, S.C. He served at Allison Creek from 1985-91.

Before coming to PC, Masters served his longest tenure as pastor. From 1991 until earlier this year, he was pastor of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Taylors, SC. After years of serving as pastor, Masters was ready for the change that lay ahead for him at PC.

“Having served as pastor of St. Andrews for 16 ½ years, I was ready for a fresh challenge” he said. “I have a deep appreciation of the PC educational experience, especially the faculty-student closeness of relationships.”

Masters knew about PC before coming to serve as Chaplain. His daughter, Ashley Anne, graduated in ’04.

“(PC has) a wonderful community spirit and genuine acceptance and desire for everyone to succeed and a dedicated faculty,” he said. “(There are) lots of choices and opportunities and activities for a holistic education.”

In addition to bringing years of pastoral experience and a knowledge of PC, Masters also brings plenty of experience working with young adults. While at St. Andrews, Masters led a discussion known as “God Talk,” an opportunity for young adults in his congregation to share their own spiritual journeys. Masters has also been involved with Furman University in a number of ways: from teaching a course on theology and ecology entitled “Does God Recycle?” to participating in faculty seminars to serving as a facilitator for the Presbyterian Westminster Fellowship. Further, Masters has participated in Montreat conferences, and he has led young adult workshops for the local Prebytery and one for a nationwide gathering of young adult pastors under 40.

“I do not come here with answers,” says Dr. Masters, “as much as I want to join you all as we together seek to be faithful stewards of amazing grace.”

Masters’ wife, Carol, is the director of major donor gifts for American Leprosy Missions in Greenville. She has been a breast cancer survivor for 25 years. Their daughter, Ashley Anne, is following in her father’s footsteps. She graduated from Columbia Theological Seminary earlier this year and will be ordained on December 2.

posted by sadyer@presby.edu

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