CURRICULUM VITAEFOR

Scott Alan Nesbitt1522 14th Avenue - Monroe, Wisconsin 53566

(608) 325-2997calvinistbasset@tds.net

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND1999 to 2005, DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PH.D.)Trinity Theological SeminaryConcentration: Historical TheologyDissertation: Gravity, Grace and Gratitude: Contrasting Theological Perspectives of Blaise Pascal andSimone Weil Regarding the Grateful Response to Christ through Suffering and SacrificeHonors: Graduated with Distinction; Inducted to the Omicron Psi Honor Society

1991 to 1995, MASTER OF DIVINITY (M.DIV.)McCormick Theological SeminaryConcentration: Biblical StudiesHonors: Graduated with Distinction; Received the John McCann and George Ernest Wright Academic Scholarships

1987 to 1991, BACHELOR OF ARTS (B.A.)Cornell CollegeDouble Major: French and Russian StudiesSecondary Educational Emphasis: ReligionHonors: Graduated with Distinction; Inducted to the Mortar Board National Honor Society; Received the Language Arts Department Student of Distinction Award

ORDINATION STATUSORDAINED ON 8 OCTOBER 1995 AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF MT. VERNON, IOWACURRENTLY A MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING WITH THE PRESBYTERY OF JOHN KNOX,PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA)

WORK EXPERIENCE (Current)CONSULTANTLake Delton, Wisconsin2016 to PresentPrimary Responsibilities: assisting individuals and families into discovering healthy ways to renew their bodies, minds, spirits, and relationships through relaxation and recreation.

EDUCATION ADVOCATEHeadquartered in southern Wisconsin, internationally certified2014 to PresentPrimary Responsibilities: training for teachers, administrators, and other school personnel in effective classroom management.

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ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR OF PRESBYTERIAN POLITY (Distance Education Program)University of Dubuque Theological Seminary2006 to PresentPrimary Responsibilities: training of pastoral candidates--specifically, the basics of Presbyterian governance (its history, purpose, and effective implementation).SYNOD SCHOOL INSTRUCTOR (SYNOD OF LAKES AND PRAIRIES)Grinnell College and Buena Vista University2001 to Present (every summer during the last week of July)Primary Responsibilities: presentation of various faith-related topics for adult continuing education.

WORK EXPERIENCE (Past)PASTOR, HEAD OF STAFF (Interim)First Presbyterian Church, Bellevue, Iowa2015 Primary Responsibilities: worship, pastoral care, supervision of administrative, program and support staff.

PASTOR, HEAD OF STAFFFirst United Presbyterian Church, Clinton, Iowa2007 to 2014Primary Responsibilities: worship, pastoral care, supervision of administrative, program and support staff.

DEAN OF STUDENTS AND ACADEMIC PROGRAMMINGPresbytery of East Iowa2002 to 2007Primary Responsibilities: oversight of development/implementation of the Commissioned Lay Pastor Program, review of and counsel for all Lay Pastors and Candidates, and instruction fo students in practical ministry.

INSTRUCTOR FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS CONSIDERING MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES Camp Wyoming of Wyoming, Iowa - A camp/conference center of the Presbyterian Church (USA)2001 to 2004 (Summers)Primary Responsibilities: education for college-aged students about Presbyterian and Reformed perspectives.PASTOR, HEAD OF STAFFAinsworth Community Church, Ainsworth, Iowa (UM/PCUSA merged church)1998 to 2007Primary Responsibilities: worship, pastoral care, and Christian education.

SOLO PASTORArgyle and Montrose Presbyterian Churches, Argyle and Montrose, Iowa1995 to 1998Primary Responsibilities: worship, pastoral care, and Christian education.

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HOSPITAL CHAPLAINGenesis Medical Center, Davenport, IowaSummer 1995 (for Clinical Pastoral Education credits)Primary Responsibilities: pastoral care, morning devotions.

PASTORAL ASSISTANT - INTERNSHIPKenwood Park Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids, IowaFall 1993 to Fall 1994Primary Responsibilities: direction of the children’s education program and leadership for the youth group.

HEBREW TUTORMcCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, IllinoisAcademic Years 1991-1992 and 1992-1993Primary Responsibilities: lesson review and homework assistance.

FRENCH AND RUSSIAN TEACHING ASSISTANT AND TUTORCornell College, Mt. Vernon, IowaAcademic Years 1989-1990 and 1990-1991Primary Responsibilities: lesson review, homework assistance, and other duties as requested.

PRINTED WORKS, PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS“HARRY P. MEETS JABEZ,” Perspectives: A Journal of Reformed ThoughtDecember 2001Main theme: A comparison of two books. The conclusion is that the Harry Potter series may be more helpful to adults than the bestseller The Prayer of Jabez, which omits important scriptural principles. [cover feature] “THE CHALLENGE,” Monday Morning24 September 2001Main theme: A look at membership diversity in the early Church and a call to Christians to consider such in light of current debates in many mainline denominations.

“NOT HER PASTOR,” Monday Morning4 January 1999Main theme: An account of what happened to my wife, Stephanie, and me when we challenged traditional expectations for clergy spouses.

PRINTED WORKS, OTHER PUBLICATIONSBEYOND THE BOTTOM LINESDecember 2011Main theme: A collection of poems celebrating life’s absurdities“CLAIMS OF ‘RACIAL PURITY’ ARE HATEFUL,” Cedar Rapids Gazette5 February 2001Main theme: A point for point response to the KKK of Vinton, IA.“POSTING COMMANDMENTS WON'T STOP VIOLENCE,” Des Moines Register

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15 September 1999Main theme: “Guest Editorial” - Why this member of the clergy is against posting the Ten Commandments in schools and other public arenas.

WORKS IN PROGRESS, AWAITING PUBLICATIONA THEOLOGY OF FAILUREMain theme: What lessons does God present us when we fail? If these lessons are so valuable, why do we dread failure so much? What would happen if we chose to embrace our failure, instead? These are just a few of the questions addressed within this work.

THE BANE OF BLESSINGS: ATTEMPTING TO CORRECT AWELL-ESTABLISHED CHRISTIAN ERRORMain theme: An analysis of how blessings are regarded in the Bible and contrasting such with how they are regarded by the contemporary culture.

DISTANT VOICES: LESSONS FROM “THE APOSTLES’ CREED”A devotional booklet that inspires readers with historical and interpretive insight on the creed.

CONTINUING EDUCATIONRENEWING LIVES, RECONNECTING FAMILIESSummer 2016Wyndham Glacier Canyon Resort, Lake Delton, WI

THE NEED FOR RESTSummer 2015Lakes and Prairies Synod School

TIME TO TEACHFall 2014The Center for Teacher Effectiveness, Sedona, Arizona

THE STORYFall 2012 through Spring 2013Zondervan’s Congregational Study

CREATING A CULTURE OF GENEROSITYFall 2011Stewardship of Life Seminar

TWO COURSES: “THE MISSIONAL CHURCH, LOCAL AND GLOBAL” AND “ISLAM ANDCHRISTIANITY IN CONVERSATION”July 2010Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation School for PastorsHastings College of Hastings, Nebraska 5CHURCH MUSIC LEADERSHIP SYMPOSIUM2007 through 2009

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Presented by the Southeastern Iowa Synod of the ELCAWartburg College, Waverly, Iowa

TWO COURSES: “EPHESIANS” AND “OLD TESTAMENTWISDOM LITERATURE”July 2006Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation School for PastorsHastings College of Hastings, Nebraska

GERMAN FOR READING KNOWLEDGESeptember 2003 to August 2004University of Arkansas; Fayetteville, Arkansas

CREATING HEALTHY CONGREGATIONSSeptember 2003Lombard Mennonite Peace Institute Workshop; Cedar Rapids, Iowa

THEOLOGY, WORSHIP AND THE ARTS SYMPOSIUMJanuary 2003Calvin College of Grand Rapids, Michigan

CHRISTIAN CONCEPTS IN CONFLICT MEDIATIONNovember 2002Lombard Mennonite Peace Institute Workshop; Nashville, Tennessee

CHRISTIANITY IN THE 21ST CENTURYAugust 2001Easum, Bandy and Associates Workshop; Des Moines, Iowa

TWO COURSES: “CHRISTOLOGY” AND “THE LOGICAL PROBLEM OF EVIL”June 2000Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation School for PastorsHastings College of Hastings, Nebraska

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION RESOURCES AND METHODSJanuary 1999Association of Presbyterian Christian Educators Conference in Boston, Massachusetts

REFORMED THEOLOGY AND WORSHIPSeptember 1998Presbyterian Church (USA) Sponsored Event in Louisville, KentuckyCONGREGATIONAL REDEVELOPMENTOctober 1997Presbyterian Church (USA) Sponsored Event in Atlanta, Georgia

SMALL CHURCH CELEBRATIONMay 1996Presbyterian Church (USA) Sponsored Event in Towson, Maryland

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OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCECOMMISSIONED RULING ELDER COMMITTEE2016 to PresentJohn Knox PresbyteryPrimary Responsibilities: training and mentoring Ruling Elders seeking to serve in pastoral ministry.

READER FOR STANDARD ORDINATION EXAMS2009Primary Responsibilities: reading, grading, providing commentary on final exams for Presbyterian Church (USA) pastoral candidates.

CERTIFIED BY THE EVANGELICAL TRAINING ASSOCIATION2008Primary Focus: to serve as an educator for all while being grounded in one’s own faith identity.

PANEL DISCUSSION LEADERTribal Church Seminar (www.tribalchurch.org)Cedar Rapids, IowaOctober 11, 2008Main theme: How do we enhance the life of congregations by understanding what makes each one unique?

KEYNOTE SPEAKER2008 Synod School, Synod of Lakes and PrairiesTheme: “Coloring Outside the Lines”Main theme: Making discoveries, boldly attempting new things, fostering unconventional efforts and perspectives: these are all a part of “coloring outside the lines” and necessary for seeking the Kingdom of Heaven.CLINTON MINISTERIALASSOCIATION2007 to 2014Primary Responsibilities: helping the community through ecumenical cooperationROTARY MEMBERWashington, Iowa1999 - 2007 (President, 2002-2003; inducted to be a Paul Harris Fellow in 2007)Clinton, Iowa2007 to 2009Primary Responsibilities: building a better world by finding common ground.

KIWANIS MEMBERClinton, Iowa2007 - 2014 (President for 2013-2014)Primary Responsibilities: serving the children of the world.COLTHURST SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE1998 to 2007

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Primary Responsibilities: reading essays and applications from students, assessing their needs, and granting funds to those selected.

WASHINGTON AREA MINISTERIALASSOCIATION1998 to 2007Primary Responsibilities: mission outreach to the Washington County area.

COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY FOR THE EAST IOWA PRESBYTERY1998 to 2004, 2006 to 2012Committee Moderator, September 2003 to January 2004.Committee Co-Moderator, January 2002 to September 2003.“Vacancies” Subcommittee Moderator, 2000 and 2001.South Region Moderator, 2006 to 2007Primary Responsibilities: handling the relationship issues that arise between pastors and congregations, especially in coming together and parting. As the “Vacancies” subcommittee moderator, I helped churches manage the challenges of finding pastoral leadership. While co-moderator of the entire committee, my colleague and I completely redesigned the committee's structure. This new arrangement has allowed for more specialized attention where needed and streamlined various procedures. Our work has been lifted as an example to other presbyteries within the Presbyterian Church (USA).

TRANSITION TEAM FOR THE EAST IOWA PRESBYTERY2000 and 2001Primary Responsibilities: worked within a team that helped envision a new direction for the Presbytery of East Iowa, including how to do necessary tasks in innovative ways.

HIGHLAND COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT TASK FORCECurriculum Development Division, 1999 and 2000Primary Responsibilities: reviewed the high school curricula in light of state educational standards. Made recommendations for improvement where needed.

WORSHIP COMMITTEE FOR THE EAST IOWA PRESBYTERY1995 to 2000Moderator, 1997 to 2000Primary Responsibilities: planned worship for presbytery meetings. As moderator, I encouraged the employment of methods and resources to model creative and engaging services for local congregations. In the autumn of 1997, members of the committee and I developed an international worship celebration, complete with live satellite feeds. Over 4,000 people gathered in Iowa, Minnesota, South Africa, and Brazil to sing and pray with each other.THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION FUND (TEF) REPRESENTATIVE1995 to 1998Primary Responsibilities: interpreted to the East Iowa Presbytery the Theological Education Fund's mission of supporting Presbyterian seminaries; represented the Presbytery of East Iowa at annual meetings of the TEF council.LEE COUNTY MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION

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1995 to 1998President, 1997 and 1998Primary Responsibilities: mission outreach to the Lee County area.\

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCEPARTNERSHIP REPRESENTATIVE TO THE CEARA PRESBYTERY OF BRAZILJanuary, 2005

HOST OF YOUTH FROM CEARA PRESBYTERY OF BRAZIL as they taught about church growth tactics used in their home congregations.July, 2004

HOST OF VISITING DIGNITARIES FROM BRAZIL as the Presbytery of East Iowa began partnership dialogues with the Ceara Presbytery.Summer, 2001

INITIATED TALKS IN LOCAL COMMUNITY to develop ministry in partnership with the Hispanic residents of Washington County, Iowa.Fall, 1999

PARTICIPATED IN ECUMENICAL DIALOGUES with Reformed Churches and Seminaries in Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and former East Germany. Travel and contacts arranged through McCormick Theological Seminary, discussions resulted in economic development of and church partnership with Cluj-Napoca, Romania.Spring, 1993

YOUTH MISSION TRIP TO BAHAMA ISLANDSWinter, 1991

YOUTH MISSION TRIP TO COZUMEL, MEXICOSummer, 1988

YOUTH STUDY EXCURSION TO FRANCESummer, 1987

EXCHANGE STUDENT TO NANTES, FRANCEFall, 1985GRANT WRITING EXPERIENCEEMERGING MISSION GRANTPresbytery of East IowaReceived $6,000 in 2007

WALMART COMMUNITY MISSION GRANTReceived $1,000 in 2006

UNION SEMINARY AND THE PRESBYTERIAN SCHOOL FOR CHRISTIAN EDUCATION ELINOR CURRY OUTREACH AWARD

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Received $1,000 in 2005

WORSHIP SPACE AND TECHNOLOGY ENHANCEMENT GRANT FROM THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, USAReceived $11,000 in 2000

EVANGELISM AND REDEVELOPMENT GRANT FROM SAM WALTON FUNDReceived $25,000 in1996

PROFESSIONAL NETWORK INVOLVEMENTAMERICAN ACADEMY OF RELIGION

AMERICAN THEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

LANGUAGES STUDIEDFRENCH (proficient in reading, writing and speaking)

RUSSIAN (proficient in reading and writing)

BIBLICAL HEBREW (proficient in reading)

BIBLICAL GREEK (proficient in reading)

GERMAN (proficient in reading)

REFERENCESTHE REV. JAN BURNS-HINTZE, COLLEAGUE801 West VandamentYukon, OK 73099405-354-5158e-mail: revjan @ cox.net

MR. HARRY HOYT, COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY2 Lambs LaneDavenport, IA 52806563-391-1978e-mail: harryhoyt @ mchsi.com

DR. RICHARD J. SHAFFER, JR., ASSOCIATE DEAN OF THE SEMINARYUniversity of Dubuque Theological Seminary2000 University AvenueDubuque, IA 52001563-589-3691e-mail: rshaffer@dbq.edu

MR. HARRY OLTHOFF, FORMER GENERAL PRESBYTER2129 Slagle CircleIowa City, IA 52246-1815319-354-5411

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e-mail: harryo2129@gmail.com

MS. SHERRIE HAZEN, FORMER CHURCH MEMBERP.O. Box 35Ainsworth, IA 52201319-657-3782e-mail: sherrie @ iowatelecom.net

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