In his 34 years of ministry, Robb has served as an Associate Pastor and a Solo Pastor in churches ranging in size from 300 to 2,000 members. Most recently, Robb is completing a long pastorate of spiritual leadership at St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church in Wilmington. His formal interim ministry training was in Montreat NC, but his informal training comes from being on the staff of churches with interim pastors three times. So he knows that experience from the inside! This will be a great gift to our members and staff.

Robb is a native of Florida and graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne College and Louisville Presbyterian Seminary. He is an active leader in the Presbytery of Coastal Carolina, serving on the Mission Cabinet, Steering Team, New Church Development, and Nominating committees. Among his colleagues and church members, he is respected for his compassion and pastoral care, organization, preaching, dedication, and steadfastness. Robb’s ministry style is collaborative, which is one reason he was drawn to our church, where we value mutuality and consensus in decision-making among staff and church leaders.

Family relationships are important to Robb. His wife, Vickie, recently retired from school teaching in New Hanover County. Their daughter, Kate, and son in-law, Bob, live in Wilmington with toddler, Charlie. Their son, Stephen, is in Raleigh. With her sister, Vickie is sharing the caregiving of their mother in Elkin NC.
Robb’s open-hearted spirit, wonderful sense of humor, comfort with relationships, and steady guidance combine to provide just the pastoral leadership we need. As we learn to say our difficult goodbyes to Ann and her family, we say “Welcome” to Robb and his. Robb’s first Sunday with us will be September 26. But you can already greet him at r.lapp@southportpresbyterian.com.

We thank the Interim Pastor Search Committee: Maggie Lhotsky, Chair, Sally Barton, Suzanne Hayes, Bob Lambert, and Jude Skowron. Laura Cacchione, Clerk of Session, and Joanna Hipp, Associate Pastor assisted the committee.
When the Search Committee decided that Robb would be the best fit for our congregation, the members reported to our Session. The Session approved, and then the decision went to the Presbytery of Coastal Carolina Commission on Ministry before an announcement could be made. An Interim Pastor is appointed by the Session; not elected by the congregation. The Interim will guide us through the transition process to prepare for our next long-term pastor.