Exciting new role for former civil engineer.
A life-long belief that his Christian faith must work equally well during the working week as it does on a Sunday has led Perth man Chic Lidstone to a new and exciting place in his career.
The former civil engineer and church leader has been getting to grips with his new role as East of Scotland organiser for Work Place Chaplaincy Scotland (WPCS), an independent Christian charity which - when invited - takes pastoral and spiritual care to people where they are, in their individual lives, or in the work place.
The area covered by Chic and the WPCS team of chaplains and volunteers is extensive, from shopping malls and supermarkets, to local authorities and public transport providers, across the East of Scotland from Aberdeen to Fife. Enquiries come in regularly from businesses beginning to recognise the improvement in staff morale and absenteeism rates that independent chaplains bring to both management and the workforce and he's always happy to hear from people interested in learning more about the charity.
'My new role is exciting and a bit overwhelming,' says Chic. 'As a Christian I've always been conscious that faith needs to be relevant in the work place. I value being able to do that in my own career. It's not just about Sundays, it is about Mondays too! The biggest miracles I have seen in my life have been in the work place.'
He spent 16 years in civil engineering before taking up a managerial post with the former Perth & Kinross Council 'Parks Department' where he remained for 10 years. During his time there, his strong links with Christian leaders in the community led to him being asked to help organise 'Festival 99' the four-day Franklin Graham mission which brought huge crowds to the 10,000 seater McDiarmid Park in 1999. 'That was what catapulted me out of the Parks Department and into working for the church,' says Chic.
From 1998 to 2012 he led Perth's Gateway Community Church as it evolved from a small fellowship into a dynamic community with a wide-reaching mission. Last year, however, Chic felt he'd taken his work with the Gateway Church as far as he could and that it was time to move on. He gave notice with: 'no idea' what he was going to do next.
'This post with Work Place Chaplaincy Scotland came up just at the right time, thankfully, and I started work in mid-December. I haven't stopped since and I'm loving every minute! It's about being with people, listening to them and helping them to deal with the challenges facing them, whether in the work place or at home, in a confidential and caring way so that they can get on with their lives again.'
WPCS is a charity wholly dependent on donations. If you would like more information about becoming a volunteer chaplain, please contact Chic on 07814093240 or email chiclidstone@wpcscotland.co.uk.
You can find out more on their website www.wpcscotland.co.uk where you will also see details of how you can help WPCS keep on helping people by texting your donation.
