Lloyd John Ogilvie (2 September 1930 – 5 June 2019) was a Presbyterian minister who served as the 61st Chaplain of the United States Senate from the 104th through 108th Congresses (1995–2003).

Early years

Lloyd John Oglivie was born in Kenosha Wisconsin on 2 September 1930. He was educated in the public schools of Kenosha. He then attended and graduated from Lake Forest College (B.A.) in 1952, and from Garrett Theological Seminary (Th.M.) in 1957. He conducted postgraduate studies at the New College of the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.

Ministry career

Media ministry

Lloyd Ogilvie's former nationally syndicated radio and television ministry was called "Let God Love You." This weekly television ministry ran for seventeen years and the daily radio ministry spanned ten years. "Let God Love You" was recorded at and broadcast from First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, in Los Angeles, California. This media ministry was guided by the strong national Board of Directors of the Lloyd Ogilvie Ministries, an independent, non-profit organization. In 1982, the Directors adopted "Ten Commitments" for the development of the ministry and its financial accountability. Dr. Ogilvie brought to this media ministry the same commitment to listening he expressed as pastor of his church. His messages on the "Let God Love You" programs were his part of an ongoing dialogue with his listeners and viewers. On every program he encouraged them to write him about what was on their minds and hearts. His voluminous correspondence with people and a special yearly inventory of their deepest concerns provided the focus of this personal sharing of grace. The central purpose was to help people turn life's struggles into stepping stones by linking their problems to the promises and power of God. Beginning sixteen years ago with one television station in Los Angeles, the "Let God Love You" program expanded throughout the nation on independent stations and cable networks. The media ministry was supported exclusively by viewer and listener contributions and all gifts were used only for costs of producing and airing the programs. Dr. Ogilvie received no salary from the media ministry.

Senate chaplaincy

On 24 January 1995 Dr. Ogilvie was elected the 61st Chaplain of the United States Senate. He began his responsibilities on 11 March 1995. In addition to opening the Senate each day in prayer, his duties as full-time Chaplain included counseling and spiritual care for the Senators, their families and their staffs, a combined constituency of six thousand people. Dr. Ogilvie's days were filled with meetings with Senators about spiritual and moral issues, assisting Senators' staffs with research on theological and biblical questions, speaking to five Senate Bible Study and Prayer groups, encouraging such groups at the weekly Senate Prayer Breakfast, and sharing in small discussion and reflection groups among the Senators. He defined the Chaplaincy as non-political, non-partisan and non-sectarian. In Dr. Ogilvie's words, "I saw my role as Chaplain to be an intercessor for the members of the Senate family, a trusted prayer partner, and a faithful counselor to them as they sought to know and do God's will in the monumental responsibilities entrusted to them."

Death

His death at the age of 88 was announced by Fuller Seminary with which he established the Lloyd John Ogilvie Institute of Preaching in 2006.

Awards and degrees

Partial List of Awards

Honorary degrees

Books

Chronological List: General Editor of: Thirty-three volume Communicators Commentary Series of the Bible (Word Books) Author of Communicators Commentary volumes:

Personal life

He was married to Mary Jane Jenkins on 25 March 1951, and was widowed in April 2003. He later married Doris Kaiser Sumner on 9 April 2005. Ogilvie had three children: Heather, Scott, and Andrew Ogilvie. He also had four grandchildren: Erin, Airley, Bonnie, and Scotter Ogilvie.