Madison Presbyterian calls new pastor

Eddie Self became the new pastor of Madison Presbyterian Church on Sept. 15, but he did not formally become the Rev. Eddie Self until Nov. 15.

“I’m now the officially ordained and installed pastor,” Self said. “The ordination service was really worth waiting on. It was wonderful to be able to share it with my new church family, as well as my own family and former church family.”

Self is a 20-year veteran of the textile industry, including 15 years with the research and development department of Unifi’s dye house in Reidsville. He began to sense a calling to the ministry while working at Unifi.

“I was not really sure what that calling was and became involved with a Salem Presbytery program providing lay pastors for churches that could not afford full-time pastors,” Self said.

That was a growth experience for him, helping him realize he had a gift to teach and preach.

“That lit the fire for me for full-time ministry,” Self said.

He said he received encouragement from his family and his friends at Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church.

“Everyone was very supportive of my decision and gave me the opportunities I needed to grow,” he said.

Self and Sherri, his wife of 24 years, live in Greensboro, but plan to move to the Madison area as soon as possible. The couple has one son, Stewart, who graduates from Presbyterian College next month and heads to graduate school.

Self attended Wake Forest University Divinity School and said the experience at the ecumenical seminary was a truly wonderful experience.

“It provided me with different perspectives on a lot of things,” he said. “Hearing so many viewpoints on issues broadens you.”

Since coming to Madison Presbyterian, Self said the hardest adjustment has been settling into a new rhythm of life.

“It’s different not having a boss to tell you what you should be doing, and there’s a lot more quiet time in the office than I’m used to,” he said. “You would think having all that quiet would be a good time to concentrate, but I really like being around people, and the quiet just makes my ADD kick in.”

Self said the greatest joy of his new position has been working with Madison Presbyterian’s congregation. The church had been without a pastor for three years when they called him.

The time without a pastor established a strong leadership core within the church according to Self. He said that group has greatly helped him integrate into the community and the church family.

“The church might be 150 years old, but even with all of that history behind them, they’re very open to try new things and grow,” said Self. “I really feel blessed to be here.”