Background
- Born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, September 2, 1930
- Married to Doris Kaiser Ogilvie
- Children: Heather, Scott, Andrew Ogilvie
- Grandchildren: Erin, Airley, Bonnie and Scotter Ogilvie
Education
- Public schools of Kenosha, Wisconsin
- Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, Illinois
- Garrett Theological Seminary, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
- New College, University of Edinburgh, Scotland
Degrees
- Bachelor of Arts (Lake Forest College) - 1952
- Master of Theology (Garrett Theological Seminary) - 1956
- Post Graduate Studies (New College, University of Edinburgh, Scotland) - 1955-1956
- Doctor of Divinity (Whitworth College) - 1973
- Doctor of Humane Letters (University of Redlands) - 1974
- Doctor of Humanities (Moravian College and Seminary) - 1975
- Doctor of Laws (Eastern College) - 1988
- Doctor of Humane Letters (Seattle Pacific University) - 1995
- Doctor of Divinity (Westmont College) - 1997
- Doctor of Divinity (Lake Forest College) - 1997
- Doctor of Laws (George Fox University) - 1997
- Doctor of Humanities (Dickinson College) - 1998
- Doctor of Laws (Pepperdine University) - 1998
- Doctor of Divinity (Lehigh University) - 1999
- Doctor of Sacred Theology (Roberts Wesleyan College) - 2000
- Doctor of Laws (Belhaven College) - 2001
- Doctor of Divinity (Azusa Pacific University) - 2001
- Doctor of Divinity (University of Edinburgh) - 2003)
- Doctor of Divinity (Carthage College) - 2004)
Awards (Partial List)
- Distinguished Service Citation, Lake Forest College
- Preacher of the Year, Religion in Media
- Angel Award, Religion in Media
- 1982, 1986 - Silver Angel Award (to Television Ministry)
- Gold Medallion Book Award, 1985, "Making Stress Work For You"
- Salvation Army's William Booth Award - 1992
- One of 12 individuals named in Baylor University's worldwide survey,
- "Twelve Most Effective Preachers in the English-Speaking World" - 1996
Pastorates
- Gurnee Community Church, Gurnee, Illinois (Student Pastor)
- Winnetka Presbyterian Church, Winnetka, Illinois (1956-1962)
- First Presbyterian Church, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (1962-1972)
- First Presbyterian Church, Hollywood, California (1972-1995)
- Chaplain of the United States Senate, Washington D.C. (1995-2003)
- President, Leadership Unlimited
Ministry Focus
The consistent focus of the ministry of Lloyd Ogilvie through the years has been on the care, encouragement and support of business, political and community leaders. Beginning his ministry in Winnetka, Illinois, working with the business leaders of Chicago, he developed a deep appreciation for the impact of leaders on society and their need to receive sensitive pastoral care to live out their faith in the pressures, stresses and immense challenges of their work. During this time, Dr. Ogilvie developed a small group strategy to help men and women leaders and their families find mutual support and networking to face the problems and grasp the opportunities of their calling to serve in their personal relationships, at work, and in the community. This emphasis was continued in his ministry to leaders and their families in the steel industry when he served as Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Then he pursued this calling for twenty-three years as Pastor of the historic First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood where he sought to enable leaders in the entertainment community, as well as business and community leaders in the greater Los Angeles basin. In addition to his responsibilities as Pastor of the Hollywood Church, Dr. Ogilvie was a media communicator, author and frequent speaker throughout the Nation. Dr. Ogilvie believes that listening is the key to effective communication. His speeches are in direct response to the most urgent questions and deepest needs of people throughout the Nation. Through being attentive in conversations, extensive correspondence, and personal surveys, he seeks to feel the pulse of what people are thinking and feeling. His messages, books and leadership speeches arise out of this careful listening to people's hopes and hurts. In his role as Chaplain of the Senate, Dr. Ogilvie continued to listen to the needs of those in our Nation's Capitol. He understands that the role of a leader is often a lonely one. Dr. Ogilvie believes that his calling is to be available, approachable and attentive. Then, the insight, guidance and encouragement he offers will be received. Most importantly, he utilizes the privilege of praying with and for leaders and standing with them as they seek to be faithful to God in their decisions and leadership.
Local Church
As pastor of his large congregation in the communications capitol, Dr. Ogilvie developed the church's program in four major thrusts - as a worshiping congregation, a healing community, an equipping center for the ministry of the laity, and a deployment agency for evangelism and mission. His guiding conviction is that all Christians are called into ministry and that the role of the local church is to equip them to be a bold, articulate apostolate of hope in the structures of society. This equipping program was carried out in in-depth study of the Scriptures, small group meetings throughout the Los Angeles basin, and retreats and conferences. Dr. Ogilvie consistently monitored the effectiveness of the ministry with these questions: What kind of people are we called to deploy in the world?; What kind of church sets free that kind of people?; What kind of church officers enable that kind of church?; and, What kind of pastoral leadership inspires that quality of vision? Lloyd Ogilvie's strategy of leadership was to work with and through the lay Elders to shape the goals and program of the church. Along with a team of pastors and program staff people, Dr. Ogilvie sought to lead the church as a laboratory of experimentation with new forms of church life and innovative methods of meeting the needs of the members so that they could be contagious communicators of their faith and courageous witnesses in social issues. Located at the center of the population spread of the greater Los Angeles community, the urban Hollywood church ministered to its immediate community and to members who lived throughout the metropolitan and suburban areas. The vital program for members was coupled with a diversified outreach to meet the social needs of the community.
In February 1996, Dr. Ogilvie was recognized by Baylor University in a worldwide survey as one of the 12 most effective preachers in the English-speaking world. Included on the list, in which seven denominations are represented, are Rev. Billy Graham and Dr. John Stott.
Media History
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. 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 January 24, 1995, Dr. Ogilvie was elected the 61st Chaplain of the United States Senate. He began his responsibilities on March 13, 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 as 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."
Present Vision and Opportunities
Lloyd Ogilvie has begun a new phase in his life-long commitment to be an inspirational speaker. Working as President of Leadership Unlimited, Dr. Ogilvie is consistently on call as a speaker, writer and resource consultant. He is a motivational speaker at business and professional conferences, leads clergy conferences on the theme "Preaching With Passion," and is a frequent preacher and speaker at churches, retreats, and meetings. The basic intention of these activities is to impact the nation by enabling present and emerging leaders to press on with wisdom, vision, charisma, and courage. He believes that the great need of our time is for spiritually empowered, morally rooted, ethically focused, men and women who through creative introspection are able to lead with integrity, intentionality, imagination and impelling inspiration.
Recently, Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California established the Lloyd John Ogilvie Preaching Institute and the Lloyd John Ogilvie Chair of Preaching as part of the Brehm Center for Worship, Theology, and the Arts. Dr. Ogilvie will hold his Preaching With Passion Conferences at Fuller.
Chronological List of Books Authored by Lloyd John Ogilvie
- 1. A Life Full of Surprises - 1968 Abingdon Press
- 2. Let God Love You (Philippians) - 1974 Word Books
- 3. If I Should Wake Before I Die - 1974 Regal Books
- 4. Lord of the Ups and Downs - 1974 Regal Books
- 5. Life Without Limits (Mark) - 1975 Word Books
- 6. You've Got Charisma - 1975 Abingdon Press
- 7. Drumbeat of Love (Acts) - 1976 Word Books
- 8. The Cup of Wonder (Communion Messages) - 1976 Tyndale Books
- 9. You Are Loved and Forgiven (Colossians) - 1977 Regal Books
- 10. When God First Thought of You - 1978 Word Books
- 11. The Autobiography of God (On the Parables) - 1979 Regal Books
- 12. The Beauty of Caring - 1980 Harvest Books
- 13. The Beauty of Friendship - 1980 Harvest Books
- 14. The Beauty of Love - 1980 Harvest Books
- 15. The Beauty of Sharing - 1980 Harvest Books
- 16. The Bush is Still Burning (The "I Am" Sayings of Jesus)-1980 Word Books
- 17. Congratulations-God Believes in You (Beatitudes) - 1980 Word Books
- 18. Magnificent Vision (formerly "Radiance of the Inner Splendor")-1980 Vine Books
- 19. You Can Live As It Was Meant To Be (I & II Thes.) - 1980 Regal Books
- 20. Ask Him Anything (Answers to Life's Deepest Questions)-1980 Word Books
- 21. God's Best for My Life (Daily Devotional) - 1981 Harvest Books
- 22. Discovering God's Will in Your Life - 1982 Harvest House
- 23. You Can Pray With Power - 1983 Regal Books
- 24. Longing To Be Free - 1984 Harvest Books
- 25. Lord of the Impossible (Prophets) - 1984 Abingdon Press
- 26. Falling Into Greatness (Psalms) - 1984 Thomas Nelson
- 27. Making Stress Work For You - 1984 Word Books
- 28. If God Cares, Why Do I Still Have Problems? - 1985 Word Books
- 29. Jesus The Healer (The Healing Ministry) - 1985 Revell Co.
- 30. Understanding the Hard Sayings of Jesus - 1988 Word Books
- 31. Living Without Fear (12 Steps) - 1987 Word Books
- 32. A Future and a Hope - 1988 Word Books
- 33. God's Transforming Love (Daily Devotional) - 1988 Regal Books
- 34. Your Will, God's Will - 1988 Harvest House
- 35. Enjoying God (Ephesians) - 1989 Word Books
- 36. Silent Strength (Daily Devotional) - 1990 Harvest House
- 37. Lord of the Loose Ends ("He is Able" claims of the Epistles) - 1991 Word Books
- 38. Conversation With God (Prayer) - 1992 Harvest House
- 39. Climbing the Rainbow (Claiming the Covenant Promise)-1993 Word Books
- 40. Turn Your Struggles Into Stepping Stones (Daily Devotional)-1993 Word Books
- 41. The Greatest Counselor in the World (Holy Spirit) - 1994 Servant Publ.
- 42. The Heart of God - 1994 Regal Books
- 43. Asking God Your Hardest Questions Harold Shaw
- 44. (formerly Ask Him Anything) - 1996
- 45. One Quiet Moment - 1997 Harvest House
- 46. Acts of the Holy Spirit - 1999 Shaw Publishers
- 47. Facing the Future Without Fear - 1999 Servant Publ.
- 48. Quiet Moments With God - 2000 Harvest House
- 49. Perfect Peace - 2001 Harvest House
- 50. Intimate Prayer (formerly Conversation with God) - 2002 Harvest House
- 51. When You Need A Miracle - 2004 Harvest House
- 52. Praying Through The Tough Times - 2005 Harvest House
- 53. The Red Ember In The White Ash - 2006 Harvest House
General Editor of
- Thirty-three volume Communicators Word Books
- Commentary Series of the Bible
- Author of: Communicators Commentary:
- Books of Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Word Books
- Jonah/Vol. 20 (Old Testament/21 volumes)
- Book of Acts/Vol. 5 Word Books
