College Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) and Hampden-Sydney College seek a creative, strategic, and energetic person to fill the blended position of Pastor-Chaplain to advance the dual mission of serving a congregational flock and a collegiate community. The Church and College share a strong tie of two centuries, with residents devoted to the compelling 250-year-old mission of the College “to form good men and good citizens.”
The Relationship between College Church and Hampden-Sydney College
College Church is in the heart of the Hampden-Sydney campus, which offers a wide open and extensive mission field for the church. With the opportunity to help students determine their religious and spiritual calling, the dual role of Pastor-Chaplain, served by the College Church teaching elder, makes this a truly unique call.
The agreement of having the pastor of College Church serve the role of College Chaplain has been in effect since 1968. The call is solely from College Church, but the appointment as Chaplain involves a regular evaluation by the College. The College makes an annual subvention to College Church in support of the Chaplain’s salary and housing. This mutuality of cooperation and respect confirms that Hampden-Sydney desires a vibrant, healthy Presbyterian congregation on its campus and that College Church recognizes the students, staff, and faculty as one vital emphasis for its mission.
The Chaplain
The College Chaplain seeks to reach and develop the spiritual life of all Hampden-Sydney students and provides pastoral care and liturgical leadership to the College community and College church members. The Chaplain is expected to be a highly visible and active member of the community. Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Work to develop the spiritual dimension of the students at the College.
- Encourage and collaborate with community and campus religious groups.
- Regularly seek opportunities for informal interaction with students, faculty, and staff members.
- Support students, faculty, and staff members in growing their faith and service.
- Participate in Student Affairs staff meetings and College CARE Team meetings each week, the latter where staff discuss students of concern in an environment of care.
- Provide a listening ear and lend a comfortable, helpful, kind presence with bereaved, ill, or anguished students, faculty, staff, alumni and their families.
- Provide liturgical leadership to the campus community by participating in the various worship and ceremonial occasions of the College, to include the offering of prayers and the officiating at worship services.
- Update the hsc.edu “Spiritual Life” webpages and serve as the contact person-coordinator for religious ministries with a college campus presence.
- Consult regularly with members of Church and College to weigh needs calling for his or her time.
At least annually, the Session and representatives of the College shall gather to meet with the Chaplain for a performance evaluation of the work being done and to offer counsel and encouragement for future work. Any of the three parties, College, Session, or Chaplain may request such a meeting when deemed necessary. Additional Chaplain duties, not delineated above, are to be negotiated and agreed upon by both College Church and the College before they are undertaken.
The Pastor
The pastor of College Church is responsible for spiritual leadership, pastoral care, and ministry to the congregation, upholding the doctrines and practices of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and fostering a vibrant and faith-filled community. Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Lead weekly worship services, including sermon preparation and delivery, prayer, and the administration of sacraments (baptism and communion).
- Provide counseling, spiritual guidance, and support to congregational members, visiting the sick, bereaved, and homebound, and offering comfort and encouragement.
- Oversee and participate in community outreach programs, missions, and evangelism efforts, seeking to share the Gospel and serve the needs of the community.
- Work with the Session to foster spiritual growth and discipleship within the College Church family.
- Assist in the administrative functions of the church, including budget planning, staff supervision, and coordinating with church leadership.
- Officiate at weddings, funerals, and other religious ceremonies, providing support and guidance during times of transition and celebration.
- Serve as a liaison between the congregation and the larger Presbyterian Church (USA) organization, attending presbytery meetings and staying informed on denominational issues.
- Engage in ongoing theological and pastoral education to enhance skills and knowledge, staying abreast of current trends and best practices.
Hampden-Sydney College
Founded in 1775 on the eve of the American Revolution with Patrick Henry and James Madison among its charter trustees, Hampden-Sydney College is the tenth oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Recognized as a top liberal arts college in the country by both U.S. News & World Report and Forbes, Hampden-Sydney offers young men a unique coming-of-age experience focused on the holistic development of each student.
Consistent with its distinctive mission, Hampden-Sydney is dedicated to developing both the intellect and character of its students. Commitments to effective rhetoric, freedom of expression, civility, and a remarkable and authentic brotherhood are fundamental to the Hampden-Sydney educational experience. Dedicated faculty and staff members deliver Hampden-Sydney’s educational program with support from its Board of Trustees and an especially devoted alumni network ranked third best in the nation by The Princeton Review. The Wall Street Journal rates Hampden-Sydney among the top schools for career preparation. With longstanding codes of honor and conduct and a distinctive Rhetoric Program at the core of its academic program, the College has prepared generations of young men for rewarding and productive lives of leadership and service in government, law, medicine, science, business, finance, education, journalism, the arts, and many other fields.
College Church
Soon after classes began at Hampden-Sydney College in 1775, Cumberland Presbyterian Church, twelve miles away, established an outpost preaching site in the College’s original classroom building. The services were intended as a pastoral outreach to the nearly one hundred college enrollees, but Prince Edward residents were also encouraged to attend the Sunday afternoon worship services. From the very beginning, then, the blending of “town and gown” has been a hallmark of the congregation.
In the 1820s, a Presbyterian seminary was founded south of the College (the current Venable Hall), and the congregation purchased four acres halfway between the two academic institutions to provide regular worship and pastoral care for the students and faculty from both schools. The present Greek Revival-style church sanctuary, designed by theologian Dr. Robert Lewis Dabney, was completed in 1861. The sanctuary seats 250 and houses two organs. The educational and fellowship hall wing, added in 2002, was a joint project financed by both the Church and College. The classrooms in the new wing are used during the week by Hampden-Sydney for classes and study space. The sanctuary is frequently used by the College and other outside groups. A manse was built in 1920 north of the church.
Community Profile
Hampden-Sydney College is in rural Prince Edward County, near the geographic center of Virginia, known as the Heart of Virginia. College Church is within the beautiful 1300-acre campus of the College. The small and vibrant town of Farmville is nearby, along with three state parks. Richmond and Lynchburg are easy drives. With Longwood University also in the county, the two institutions enhance the cultural and recreational opportunities of the area.
The county is at the crossroads of US 460, a primary east-west corridor, and US 15, a primary north-south corridor, which provide direct access to interstate highways I-95, I-85, and I-64. Prince Edward County serves as the commercial hub for the seven-county region in South Central Virginia and serves the market needs of over 150,000.
