Scott on Key Theological Issues:

Only when we understand that we as a church are gathered by

Christ and not by our personal preferences, can we honestly and

productively wrestle with important issues in our church and our

world. The solidity of covenantal relationships — our common

heritage as children of God and followers of Christ — must precede

any theological discussion. Our hope of reclaiming our moral

authority and cultural relevance is rooted in our “oneness in Christ”.

As much as we as congregations live out our steadfast commitments,

love one another and all creation, in the midst of weighty difference,

we provide a path of peace that will speak with power to a world at

war.

Biographical Information:

Scott was raised in Kennewick, Washington. He earned B.A.s in

Psychology and Christian Education at Seattle Pacific University,

graduating magna cum laude. The opportunity to study with noted

Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann attracted Scott to

Colombia Theological Seminary in Atlanta, where he earned a

Master’s degree in Divinity.

After seminary, Scott went to Joplin, Missouri as Associate Pastor to a

congregation of 875, and then returned to Washington State in 1996

to serve in Interim positions at Sunnyside and Kennewick

Presbyterian Churches. Scott was called as Pastor of St. Andrew in

2004. He maintains great interest in the church in Cuba, China and

other parts of the world.

While at SPU, Scott met and married Barbara. Completing the

family are Claire, Peter, Sharon (Scott’s mom), Benny the Boston

terrier and four fish. His father, an engineer, passed away in 1983.

Scott’s grandfather was a Swedish Baptist minister.

From his Statement of Faith:

God floods humankind with a downpour of covenant love and

grace, is the Creator and sustainer and liberator of all things.

I believe in the Kingdom of God, that vision of shalom–peace and

justice–toward which God is calling us to live as one and share all

together in the abundant blessings of creation.

Our beliefs shape the way we live. Our faith in a God of

relationships calls us into right relationships with one another. Our

faith in a God who provides us with all we have and all we are, calls

us to continuous thanksgiving. Our faith in a God who created us,

in God’s own image, calls us to bear Christ’s great news to the

world. Our faith in a God of mystery whom we can never contain,

nor fully understand calls us to worship.

Scott’s Vision for St. Andrew:

We want St. Andrew to be a church where people are drawn even

and especially when they are a mess, when they are hurting and

hopeless, knowing they will encounter people who love them as

God loves us — absolutely and without reservation. We want to have

fun together, to discover that new life comes through service and

worship of the God who saves us in every way we need to be saved.