THE REVEREND SCOTT W. GUSTAFSON (Ph.D.)
Pastor Scott grew up in the
inner city of Baltimore, MD, where his father was pastor of one of
the first African-American Lutheran congregations. He has an extensive
educational background beginning with the Baltimore
public schools. He earned a B.A. in
political science from Juniata College in 1972; a M.Div. from the Lutheran
Theological Seminary at Gettysburg in 1976; a
M.A. from Catholic University in philosophy in 1980; and a Ph.D. in
theology and religious studies from Drew
University in 1985. He has spent at least five years in summer
continuing education programs and is noted throughout the ELCA as a speaker and
author of several books on theology. The most recent acclaim is for his book, Biblical Amnesia, which has been
called a must-read for lay and clergy alike.
Pastor Scott previously
served at several parishes in Northern Virginia and the MD-DE Synod and was a
chaplain at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Washington,
DC. As a member of the Metro
Washington, DC Synod, he has served on the Synod Council; Synod's Executive
Committee; Board of Directors, Reston Interfaith; Pastoral Advisory Board of
the Pastoral Care and Counseling Center of Greater Washington, DC; Board of
Directors, Fellowship Square Foundation; and the Racism Task Force of the
Maryland Synod, L.C.A.
Pastor Scott has also served as a Professor of Theology at Gettysburg Seminary
where he taught future pastors. Years later, these pastors still speak with
enthusiasm and fondness about their student days under his tutorage. They also
speak of being taught Biblical understandings which were based on Pastor
Scott's conviction that "God is present to us in the world and that we do not
have to search for him, for Christ already knows us and claims us".
Pastor Scott firmly believes
that preaching is a major gateway to bringing souls to the church. He believes
that adult education is central to the spiritual climate of the congregation,
as is elementary and youth education. He feels that we, as members of Christ's
church, must care for and about each other. We are to speak and intervene on
behalf of the poor and oppressed. We are to give support and kindness to each
in our congregation and beyond.
Pastor Scott's wife, Brenda,
is a Ph.D. in molecular biology and works at the National Institutes of Health
in Bethesda.
They live in Herndon, VA,
and they have two adult sons.
During the Call process, the
Call Committee found Pastor Scott to be sincere and candid, and his grasp of
scripture was impressive. He believes that a church must be enriching to bring
people to Christ. He feels strongly that
the "worship service should not be a waste of people's time". He also believes in a strong evangelism
effort, including
an on-going new member's class. He says that Book and Bible study are basic to
the life of the church.
Pastor Scott observes that:
"The best way to guide a congregation in proclaiming God's love in word and
deed is through decent preaching, a sound adult education program, opportunity
for social ministry, youth activities and being available to people for
conversation".
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