Dr John Scott: Pastoral Ministry and Education, Through His Lifetime
It has been my privilege to serve as NBC Adjunct professor in the area of Pastoral Ministry for over 20 years. I have also served in pastoral ministry for over 30 years. Until October 1999, I served as a lead pastor on the Northeastern Indiana District. Our last place of pastoral service was in Anderson, IN. At that time, the Lord opened an opportunity for my wife to teach nursing at her alma mater in Winter Haven, FL. With many questions and uncertain about the future, we followed the clear leading of the Lord. For several years I served in the field of counseling with families in crisis while remaining active in ministry in the local church we attend. It was an eye-opening experience. From 2005-2015, I was Administrator of Heritage Christian Academy, a classical Christian school sponsored by our church here in Winter Haven. It was a wonderfully fulfilling opportunity to participate in shaping future leaders in our community around a Christian worldview. I am now retired and enjoy serving in our local church and supporting our pastor and staff.
From time to time, the district superintendent has asked me to serve in interim assignments and utilize some assessment skills toward renewing the ministry of churches. I have also been involved in leading ministerial training on the districts where I have served.
I am a people person and enjoy being around others. While involved in pastoral ministry, I have served as volunteer chaplain at our local hospitals and have been involved in community activities. I like to play golf, although it is not sure it likes to be played by me. I am not a threat to any known tour.
I received my BA degree long ago from Eastern Nazarene College. I received my Master of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary in 1975 and began my pastoral ministry in Baltimore, Maryland that year. We have had a longtime attachment to the Baltimore Orioles. One of our dreams was fulfilled a few summers ago when we were able to see a game at Camden Yards for the first time.
We lived in Northeastern Indiana for nearly 19 years. In 1994, I returned to the world of academics by enrolling at Asbury Theological Seminary. In 1998, I graduated with the Doctor of Ministry degree, with a concentration in Evangelism and Church Growth. My dissertation describes the work of developing a retreat model to minister to pastors and to help them rediscover their passion for ministry.
My wife, Marcia, is a registered nurse and an educator. She has enjoyed the challenge of teaching RN students. I am so glad God has gifted her for this work and ministry. Now she joins me in the retirement journey. Our two sons both graduated from Olivet Nazarene University. Our older son, Jeff, lives with his wife, Stephanie in Mount Vernon, Ohio, where he serves as Director of Marketing for Knox Community Hospital, and she is an incredible mom to our three grandchildren. Our younger son, Jeremy, resides in Gallatin, Tennessee with his wife, Amy. He is self-employed in video technology. He keeps trying to explain it to me, but I am not sure I understand it all. He also recently published his second novel.
Dr. John Scott, Pastor and Educator, Adjunct NBC Professor
Published: 01/13/2020
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