BEDMINSTER TOWNSHIP, NJ – In one sense, the Rev. Scott Stolte is a novice pastor, having just graduated from seminary this past June. But at age 52, with a 25-year career in pharmacy and education behind him, he’s also a seasoned pro at working with people and finding ways to meet their needs.
Stolte began his pastoral duties at the Lamington Presbyterian Church on Sept. 8, bringing his unique perspective on life and a tremendous enthusiasm for his new career. He will be formally ordained as a Presbyterian minister and installed by the Lamington Church in late November.
“It’s an exciting time,” he said, anticipating the “firsts” that will be coming up: his first time serving communion, his first baptism, and his first Christmas Eve service. He’s looking forward to getting to know congregation members, Lamington Church traditions, and the local area that he now calls home.
Stolte and his wife, Laura, grew up in Chambersburg, Pa. and have known each other most of their lives. After earning a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Purdue University, Stolte began a 25-year career that culminated with deanships at multiple university pharmacy programs.
How did he walk away from such a distinguished career? Not easily.
Stolte said he first felt “a stirring in my soul” to become a minister in about 2012, but tried to ignore it. “It was not the most convenient time for that to happen,” he said, explaining that his two children were nearing college age and leaving his career would mean a pay cut … to zero. “I was not brave enough.”
But through the next several years of new jobs and promotions, the call to ministry never let him go. “It got to the point where the call was inevitable,” he said. With his family’s support, he entered the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in the fall of 2021.
During his final year of seminary, Stolte began looking for pastor positions – at the same time the Lamington Presbyterian Church was searching for a permanent pastor. It may have been a match made in heaven!
“Once I got into the process (of interviewing with the Lamington Church), I knew,” he said. “From the very first time I met with the committee and congregants here, it felt like home.” The feeling was mutual, and the congregation voted unanimously in August to offer him the position.
Stolte said that the skill sets that he developed in his university career – especially working with people and trying to help them – serve him well as minister of a small community church. “I felt like I was a shepherd there, and I feel like a shepherd here,” he said.
Stolte’s career change has been made easier by his deep familiarity with the Presbyterian church. He spent most of his adolescence at the Falling Spring Presbyterian Church in Chambersburg, and was active in churches in the many places his first career took him. “I have loved going to church from the time I was little,” he noted.
He, his wife, and their son, Daniel, are currently living in Oldwick, but will move to the manse next to the church after ongoing renovations are completed. In his free time, Stolte enjoys hiking and walking, working out and reading. Laura Stolte started a new job as a Program Coordinator at the Rutgers University School of Nursing on the same day Scott started as Lamington Church’s minister.
About the Lamington Presbyterian Church
The Lamington Presbyterian Church is located at 355 Lamington Road in Bedminster, and holds worship services every Sunday at 10:15 a.m.
The church was established in 1740 as a Presbyterian meeting house at the crossroads of Lamington and Black River roads in Bedminster. The sanctuary was built on Lamington Road in 1826 and moved across the street to higher ground in 1885. The church has historically drawn its congregation from nearby towns in Somerset and Hunterdon counties.
For more information, visit the church website at www.lamingtonpcusa.org. To contact the church staff, email [email protected] or call 908-572-7013.
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